The treatment is effective when it is done as a systematic process and it takes time. Patients need to encounter problem situations numerous times in order to have the opportunity to retrain their thinking and thereby change their behaviors. Cognitive behavioral therapy has been successful in the treatment of eating disorders, anxiety, insomnia, obsessive compulsive disorder, and post traumatic stress disorder.

Cognitive behavioral therapy had its beginnings in the 1960’s when advances in behavioral therapy, which had been around since the 1920’s, was combined with the new field of cognitive therapy. Both techniques had their strengths and weaknesses but combining the two seemed to be the best of both worlds. As long as the patient had significant cognitive functions to understand the underlying assumptions that were responsible for their negative behaviors, then they could be retrained to assess the situation more correctly and generate a different emotion or behavior as a response in place of the negative one.

Each individual creates their own unique view of any given situation. This view is based in part on our past experiences as other environmental factors. For some people, this view is distorted and that leads them to an irrational response to the situation. Given their distorted view, this response may seem to be perfectly acceptable. Therefore the first step in cognitive behavioral therapy is to teach people to view the trouble situations clearly so that they can then learn the correct appropriate reaction.

This approach which directly engages the patient’s behaviors is in stark contrast to the psychoanalysts approach like that pioneered by Freud. Freud’s techniques look backwards, searching out the root of the problem, while cognitive behavioral therapy looks forward to the end result and starts there. The theory being that if you eliminate the symptoms, then you have effectively cured the disorder. CBT requires repetition to teach patients the appropriate responses to stimuli and to help them understand how to make that right choice so they are able to apply those new decision making skills to real life situations.

In this way, cognitive behavioral therapy owes a debt to early behavioral researchers like Ivan Pavlov who among his many experiments showed that dogs could be trained to salivate at the sound of a bell if the sound was repeatedly associated with their mealtime. In the same way, positive behaviors are trained into patients until that hopefully becomes their natural response instead of the negative behavior that brought them to therapy in the first place.

For the therapist, the key to solving a patient’s behavioral problems lies in uncovering the underlying assumptions that the patient holds that act as a trigger for the behavior. Once the therapist has identified these flawed assumptions, they can help the patient change them. Once the patient understands that the assumptions they held were wrong, they can be replaced with ones that are correct. Once this transformation occurs, the patients reactions to situations will also change and the negative, inappropriate behavior will be eliminated.

Given the types of assumptions or even core beliefs that the therapist is asking the patient to question and ultimately change, the situation can naturally be quite volatile. For this reason the these techniques take time. A therapist does not want to shake a patient’s belief to the core without giving them something else to build upon so the therapist must move slowly in steps. Validity testing is a common first step, where the patient is asked to explain or defend his or her beliefs or assumptions. If they are faulty, then eventually the patient will see the flaws in the logic. The therapist cannot simply tell the patient this however, the patient has to learn it on their own so they understand it as well as accept it.

The results of cognitive behavioral therapy show that the lengthy process is worth the effort because in the end it is effective. That is why cognitive behavioral therapy is the number one treatment for a wide variety of disorders from bulimia to panic disorder.

Bethany Jordan is an Information Technology professional and aspiring writer who was clinically diagnosed with SAD (Social Anxiety Disorder) in 2007.

She maintains a website dedicated to sharing information on natural antidepressants, herbal remedies for anxiety and depression, and anxiety disorders in general. Everyone is welcome and invited to visit http://www.naturalantidepressants.info …

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bethany_Jordin

The supervisee was visibly upset with the father of one of her clients who was not supportive of his daughter’s lesbianism. The supervisee disclosed that she had had bisexual experiences in the past, and that her anger was counter transference and that she needed to explore her own unfinished business in this area.

The fact that my supervisee was younger may have had an impact on the supervision as she appeared to have a beginner’s chip on her shoulder at times that was perhaps hiding fear and insecurity. I know that back when I was doing my internship, I often thought older therapists were dinosaurs and didn’t know as much as those of us with the up-to-date knowledge. Of course I lost this rather quickly out in the real world, but with my supervisee I often felt I was getting my just reward for my previous arrogance.

I taught my supervisee that therapy with the court ordered, such as her clients on probation, is a three-legged stool: the client and the therapist are triangulated with the legal system. Her documentation had to meet the facility’s standard and I helped her formulate her treatment plans and documentation, then reviewed her work.

During our time together the supervisee took coursework about assessing for risk so we were able to review that for her patients presenting with depression, substance abuse, anxiety and so forth.

A patient at the Free Clinic was suing her former employer for sexual harassment, so we discussed the potential that the patient might be using the treatment for legal purposes to show damage, rather than using it therapeutically. I taught the supervisee how to chart with an eye to a possible subpoena of records, reviewed all her documentation, then signed the charts as her licensed supervisor.

Catherine Auman, MFT is a CAMFT Certified Supervisor and psychotherapist with over 25 years experience based in Los Angeles, Calfornia. She has advanced training in both traditional and alternative methodologies based on ancient traditions and wisdom teachings. Visit her online at http://www.catherineauman.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Catherine_Auman

School Psychologist- Over the last few years, this career option in psychology has gained enormous popularity. Today many schools across the world are utilising the skills and training of school psychologists. Many school psychologists go into this area of psychology as they wish to work with “early interventions with young people”.

Forensic Psychologists – These are psychologists that apply psychological principles to different legal issues. Their expertise is often vital in court. They often carry out research on jury behaviour or eyewitness testimony. These days, many forensic psychologists also train in both law and psychology. The demand for forensic psychologists is also very high.

Clinical Psychologists- These professionals generally perform their key role in mental health clinics, hospital settings or private practice. Their key role revolves around the assessing, diagnosing and treating clients suffering from psychological disorders. Today it is considered as one of the single largest employment areas within the field of psychology.

Sports Psychologists – This is another career option that has also gained in popularity and up-coming as a major career option. Their role revolves around helping athletes or sportspeople in refining their focus on competition and winning. They motivate competitors and utilise methods that assist in how to deal with the anxiety and fear of failure that can often come with sports. In the last few years, as sports become more competitive this psychological field has also become more and more popular.

Industrial-organisational Psychologists – This field primarily concentrates on workplace behaviour. Today many companies use industrial organisational psychologists to boost their employees’ productivity.

Research Psychologists – As the name suggests they primarily carry out research at corporations, non-profit organisations or for the universities. They usually look at the patterns of humans’ behaviour and try to study variations of effects of drugs, motivation, neurology, genetics and similar other factors.

These are some of the career options in the field of psychology that have gained wide popularity in recent years, so if you are looking for a career in psychology these are some of your options.

Join ATI, a specialised Psychology training institute in Ireland for career focused Psychology degree Bachelor programs.

If you want to become a competent Counsellor or Psychotherapist, you can enroll here for Psychotherapy courses Ireland.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Manoj_Tiwari

Massage therapy is recognized by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) as a growing career, and one with benefits beyond the immediately obvious. The massage therapy education trains students to have a comprehensive understanding of human anatomy and physiology, which is essential for effective massage treatment. The scientific background of the massage therapy certification program allows students of massage to understand how different body parts and systems work together – and how, if one system is out of whack, a massage client can feel ill or out-of-sorts all over.

Schools such as the Certified Careers Institute, with campus locations in Clearfield and Salt Lake City, Utah, offer massage therapy education that prepares students to sit for a massage therapy certification. This education is popular with the younger generation, because it leads to a career with worker-defined office conditions. Young workers can choose what type of massage therapy they will specialize in, decorate their offices however they choose, and determine what kinds of massage oils, wraps, and techniques they will use on their clients. This generation of young adults, who grew up with technology, views “cool” careers like massage therapy in a positive light.

It’s a good thing, too. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that as Gen Y’s parents – the Baby Boomer generation – age, there will be an increased need for professional massage therapists to administer their services as supplementary medical therapies. Generations X and Y enjoy massage therapy at work or after-hours. Today’s jobs can demand long hours, and some people must work two jobs to be able to meet their bills; so, massage therapy is a helpful accessory to a demanding career. It can also become a great career for a Gen Y student. This generation, more so than older counterparts, places emphasis on work-life balance, and many enjoy more flexible working arrangements, including flex time and telecommuting. Some massage therapists can set their own hours and delineate their own working conditions, making massage therapy certification an appealing career choice for the under-30 set.

This kind of treatment can also be beneficial to individuals who suffer from depression, isolation, or Seasonal Affective Disorder (side effects, after all, of our highly interactive -but ultimately, human-contact deprived – wired society). Many people eschew drug therapies for mental health issues – after all, modern antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs have gotten negative press because of certain deleterious side effects. Massage therapy enables total body relaxation, which can effectively boost a person’s mood. In fact, certified massage therapists themselves can benefit from the health-conscious outlook their career field demands. Individuals who sell health services can market their services more credibly if they are actually healthy individuals, themselves – meaning, for example, that they eat a healthy diet, follow an exercise regimen, and refrain from using drugs or alcohol.

Millennials’ Boomer parents can benefit from massage therapy. Adult-onset (Type II) diabetes and heart disease are two major killers of older Americans – and the Boomer generation is aging and quickly closing in on their retirement years. The massage therapy education, such as that provided by the Certified Careers Institute’s Clearfield and Salt Lake City, Utah schools, teaches students massage techniques that can be beneficial in treating conditions affecting older adults: diabetes, arthritis, gout, and even cancer. Boomers, too, face career stress – after all, their generation was strongly affected by corporate mergers and downsizing. Massage therapy can help them shed the health-negative stresses of the modern workplace.

Finally – and perhaps most importantly – massage therapy education and certification addresses some of the commonest woes of 21st century higher learning and job market conditions. College tuition has soared over the past decade, necessitating that some Millennials take out substantial private loans to pay for their educations, and that others forgo college altogether. And, the modern job market is a volatile entity, with technological advances, outsourcing, and downsizing threatening every industry from computer sciences to journalism. Students today must make difficult choices when deciding upon careers – and, many of those choices come with sacrifices.

The massage therapy education, by contrast, is a relatively simple process – programs like Certified Careers Institute’s can take just weeks – and has fewer course requirements than a traditional four-year degree does. Therefore, acquiring a massage therapy certification is cheaper than getting a college degree. And, this particular career is expected to grow as it is increasingly recognized in the allied health field – making it a smart choice for people who want job security.

It’s no wonder, with all of these positives – cool job description, health-positive benefits, job stability, and a low-cost education – that Generation Y is turning massage therapy into a career of the future.

Certified Careers Institute’s locations in Clearfield and Salt Lake City, Utah provide massage therapy education [http://www.cciutah.edu/massage-therapy-certification.htm] that trains students for the massage therapy certification [http://www.cciutah.edu/massage-therapy-clearfield.htm]. To find out more, visit the school’s Web site at www.cciutah.edu [http://www.cciutah.edu]

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jane_Muder

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a combination of traditional behavioral therapy and cognitive therapy. They are combined into a treatment that is focused on symptom removal. The effectiveness of the treatment can clearly be judged based on its results. The more it is used, the more it has become recommended. It is now used as the number one treatment technique for post traumatic stress disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, depression and bulimia.

Cognitive behavioral therapy first began to be used between 1960 and 1970. It was a gradual process of merging behavioral therapy techniques and cognitive therapy techniques. Behavioral therapy had been around since the 1920’s, but cognitive therapy was not introduced until the 1960’s. Almost immediately the benefits of combining it with behavioral therapy techniques were realized. Ivan Pavlov, with his dogs who salivated at the ringing of the dinner bell, was among the most famous of the behavioral research pioneers. Other leaders in the field included John Watson and Clark Hull.

Instead of focusing on analyzing the problem like Freud and the psychoanalysts, cognitive behavioral therapy focused on eliminating the symptoms. The idea being that if you eliminate the symptoms, you have eliminated the problem. This more direct approach was seen as more effective at getting to the problem at hand and helping patients to make progress more quickly.

As a more radical aggressive treatment, behavioral techniques dealt better with more radical problems. The more obvious and clear cut the symptoms were, the easier it was to target them and devise treatments to eliminate them. Behavioral therapy was not as successful initially with more ambiguous problems such as depression. This realm was better served with cognitive therapy techniques.

In many academic settings, the two therapy techniques were used side by side to compare and contrast the results. It was not long before the advantages of combining the two techniques became clear as a way of taking advantage of the strengths of each. David Barlow’s work on panic disorder treatments provided the first concrete example of the success of the combined strategies.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is difficult to define in a succinct definition because it covers such a broad range of topics and techniques. It is really an umbrella definition for individual treatments that are specifically tailored to the problems of a specific patient. So the problem dictates the specifics of the treatment, but there are some common themes and techniques. These include having the patient keep a diary of important events and record the feelings and behaviors they had in association with each event. This tool is then used as a basis to analyze and test the patient’s ability to evaluate the situation and develop an appropriate emotional response. Negative emotions and behaviors are identified as well as the evaluations and beliefs that lead to them. An effort is then made to counter these beliefs and evaluations to show that the resulting behaviors are wrong. Negative behaviors are eliminated and the patient is taught a better way to view and react to the situation.

Part of the therapy also includes teaching the patient ways to distract themselves or change their focus from something that is upsetting or a situation that is generating negative behavior. They learn to focus on something else instead of the negative stimulus, thus eliminating the negative behavior that it would lead to. The problem is essentially nipped in the bud. For serious psychological disorders like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, mood stabilizing medications are often prescribed to use in conjunction with these techniques. The medications give the patient enough of a calming effect to give them the opportunity to examine the situation and make the healthy choice whereas before they could not even pause for rational thought.

Cognitive behavioral therapy has been proven effective for a variety of problems, but it is still a process, not a miracle cure. It takes time to teach patients to understand situations and identify the triggers of their negative behaviors. Once this step is mastered, it still takes a lot of effort to overcome their first instincts and instead stop and make the right choices. First they learn what they should do, and then they must practice until they can do it.

Bethany Jordan is an Information Technology professional and aspiring writer who was clinically diagnosed with SAD (Social Anxiety Disorder) in 2007.

She maintains a website dedicated to sharing information on natural antidepressants, herbal remedies for anxiety and depression, and anxiety disorders in general. Everyone is welcome and invited to visit http://www.naturalantidepressants.info …

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bethany_Jordin

Cognitive behavioral therapy is an approach used by psychotherapists to influence a patient’s behaviors and emotions. The key to the approach is in its procedure which must be systematic. It has been used successfully to treat a variety of disorders including eating disorders, substance abuse, anxiety and personality disorders. It can be used in individual or group therapy sessions and the approach can also be geared towards self help therapy.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a combination of traditional behavioral therapy and cognitive therapy. They are combined into a treatment that is focused on symptom removal. The effectiveness of the treatment can clearly be judged based on its results. The more it is used, the more it has become recommended. It is now used as the number one treatment technique for post traumatic stress disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, depression and bulimia.

Cognitive behavioral therapy first began to be used between 1960 and 1970. It was a gradual process of merging behavioral therapy techniques and cognitive therapy techniques. Behavioral therapy had been around since the 1920’s, but cognitive therapy was not introduced until the 1960’s. Almost immediately the benefits of combining it with behavioral therapy techniques were realized. Ivan Pavlov, with his dogs who salivated at the ringing of the dinner bell, was among the most famous of the behavioral research pioneers. Other leaders in the field included John Watson and Clark Hull.

Instead of focusing on analyzing the problem like Freud and the psychoanalysts, cognitive behavioral therapy focused on eliminating the symptoms. The idea being that if you eliminate the symptoms, you have eliminated the problem. This more direct approach was seen as more effective at getting to the problem at hand and helping patients to make progress more quickly.

As a more radical aggressive treatment, behavioral techniques dealt better with more radical problems. The more obvious and clear cut the symptoms were, the easier it was to target them and devise treatments to eliminate them. Behavioral therapy was not as successful initially with more ambiguous problems such as depression. This realm was better served with cognitive therapy techniques.

In many academic settings, the two therapy techniques were used side by side to compare and contrast the results. It was not long before the advantages of combining the two techniques became clear as a way of taking advantage of the strengths of each. David Barlow’s work on panic disorder treatments provided the first concrete example of the success of the combined strategies.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is difficult to define in a succinct definition because it covers such a broad range of topics and techniques. It is really an umbrella definition for individual treatments that are specifically tailored to the problems of a specific patient. So the problem dictates the specifics of the treatment, but there are some common themes and techniques. These include having the patient keep a diary of important events and record the feelings and behaviors they had in association with each event. This tool is then used as a basis to analyze and test the patient’s ability to evaluate the situation and develop an appropriate emotional response. Negative emotions and behaviors are identified as well as the evaluations and beliefs that lead to them. An effort is then made to counter these beliefs and evaluations to show that the resulting behaviors are wrong. Negative behaviors are eliminated and the patient is taught a better way to view and react to the situation.

Part of the therapy also includes teaching the patient ways to distract themselves or change their focus from something that is upsetting or a situation that is generating negative behavior. They learn to focus on something else instead of the negative stimulus, thus eliminating the negative behavior that it would lead to. The problem is essentially nipped in the bud. For serious psychological disorders like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, mood stabilizing medications are often prescribed to use in conjunction with these techniques. The medications give the patient enough of a calming effect to give them the opportunity to examine the situation and make the healthy choice whereas before they could not even pause for rational thought.

Cognitive behavioral therapy has been proven effective for a variety of problems, but it is still a process, not a miracle cure. It takes time to teach patients to understand situations and identify the triggers of their negative behaviors. Once this step is mastered, it still takes a lot of effort to overcome their first instincts and instead stop and make the right choices. First they learn what they should do, and then they must practice until they can do it.

Bethany Jordan is an Information Technology professional and aspiring writer who was clinically diagnosed with SAD (Social Anxiety Disorder) in 2007.

She maintains a website dedicated to sharing information on natural antidepressants, herbal remedies for anxiety and depression, and anxiety disorders in general. Everyone is welcome and invited to visit http://www.naturalantidepressants.info …

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bethany_Jordin

There is so much fuel for thought in this book, that you will have the opportunity to read several articles as my mental juices are stimulated.

As a Mind-Body Psychotherapist I work with the concept and the emotion of fear. From the lowest level of anxiety to full blown panic, this emotion can cause the heart to race and one to shudder in anticipation of the possible event that one’s life feels out of control.

Decisions made when in a state of fright are not, by their very nature, rational. It’s an emotion, not logic.

The amygdala in the limbic brain becomes activated when we are overwrought. The cortex, the rational part of the brain takes a back seat. The admonition to be reasonable has no effect other than to induce anger in someone in a state of severe agitation.

Let’s look at the word “epidemic.”

Do a “gut check” right now. Just reading the word, does your abdomen twist a little, perhaps even hurt? Do you want to act on emotion or are you calm enough to look beyond the hype to the facts and evaluate the pros and cons of your actions.

Think of your beliefs regarding this word bandied about by FOX, CNN and other national and local news sources. Looking in the thesaurus, one of the phrases is “widespread disease.” That’s what the “ordinary” person thinks of. The mind then runs to such things as the plague, AIDS, SARS, bio-warfare, H1N1 and so on.

People are in such panic they are ready to take any vaccine the pharmaceutical industry dishes out, even though it has not been tested, to avoid getting sick.

What does “epidemic” mean to epidemiologists. Alcabes, who is an associate professor of Urban Public Health at Hunter College of the City University of New York, as well as a visiting professor at Yale’s School of Nursing, describes it as a “disease” appearing more often than usual.

When flu season hits, the outbreak hits the news. When another teen dies in an automobile accident, unless he or she is prominent, the family grieves privately. The number of teens who loose their lives on the road while in a car is four or five times that from illness. Yet the tragedy of the lost future in our youth is not continually in public awareness.

The flu outbreak is unusual. The death from another car crash is tragic but not unusual.

How we handle the out of the ordinary depends upon our own beliefs as well as the attempt of public agencies to influence feelings and actions.

The question for you to examine is, “Are you able to gather information before following the hysteria driven sound bites, or do you allow yourself to be swept away in the artificially created tsunami of fear?”

Cathy Chapman, Ph.D., LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker assisting people achieve their dreams of health, wealth and abundance through Mind-Body Psychology. She works from a spiritual and energetic model employing BodyTalk and Psych-K to balance the body and change beliefs. Cathy offers free of charge a powerful spiritual healing tool anyone can use. Get your Soul Healing Prayer now at http://www.distancegrouphealing.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cathy_Chapman,_Ph.D.

If we have 80 years to live instead of 40, well, then we have more time to get educated, we can wait to be married, we can pursue more than one career. Perhaps the most notable effect of our recent longevity has been the illusion that somehow life can (even should) go on indefinitely if we can only get a hold of that slippery little gene or remember to take that new antioxidant.

This dynamic – technology permuting culture – is pervasive throughout our collective experience. As our technology has changed, our lifestyles have changed. And as our lifestyles have changed our expectations, our strategies for living and our psychologies have changed. War has been no exception to the rule. The way we wage it and the battles we choose to fight have been similarly transformed. However, this time not only has the nature of war changed, but our very battlefields have been moved and we barely noticed.

New Terms of Engagement: Media-Driven Battle Grounds

For thousands of years, when one group wanted to conquer another (for whatever reason – land, power, revenge or pride) the protocol was for one group to ride, walk or run over to the desired territory and storm the castle or plunder a village. Whatever the strategies, whether the generals chose to fight with one standing army confronting another standing army or it was a surprise attack in the middle of the night, guerilla-style, it always resulted in hand-to-hand combat of some kind.

Even the Roman armies with their chariots, horses and war dogs (e.g., mastiffs) eventually met their enemies face to face. Killing was personal. Even if it didn’t start out that way, a soldier sooner or later had to use a spear, a knife, a fist or a club. The implement of death had to be wielded by hand and in almost all cases the person wielding it had to confront the grisly death of the other.

Then came gun powder and the laws of physics changed the rules of war. Now balls of lead could be hurled over or even through walls, traversing long distances to explode and expose the viscera of once impenetrable fortresses. War was still a bloody mess and a last resort for any society that valued its own, but it was now feasible to conduct one with substantially less personal involvement.

Not too long after that came the bomb. Not just the bomb, but all bombs that could be dropped from airplanes, fired from rocket launchers or detonated on delays. This once again changed war. Populations that had once been protected by flanks of soldiers who were prepared to give their lives to defend their women and children were now as vulnerable as our most primitive ancestors. We could be reached by air. There was nothing that could stop the invasion any longer.

Now, there is the danger of invasion by organism and bio-technology. We can’t see it, smell it, or fight it. But there it is, knocking on our collective unconscious, silently altering the psychological and eventually the genetic make-up of our entire culture.

The War of Words and Ideas

Which brings us to the state of war in which we currently find ourselves: the war of information in which the primary weapon used is viral fear. There are other weapons used in the information war that are no less serious, of course, such as identity theft, cyber-viruses, misinformation, EM pulses etc… But the war the average civilian is engaged in is tragically one of which he is wholly unconscious.

The war is fought in our living rooms, our bedrooms, subliminally in our movie theatres, on our phones, in our cars, on highway billboards and in shopping malls. We are utterly surrounded.

By What are we Surrounded? What’s the Enemy?

First and foremost the enemy is our own sedation. We are unconscious, made so and kept so by endless entertainment, comfort and complacency. From its inception, televised entertainment, which is intricately enmeshed with corporate and product advertising, has taken many if not most families from having dinner together at the table to dinner in shifts on the couch. We don’t face one another for after-dinner conversation or sit down for a game of chess over which we can proclaim our own world-politic. Instead we go each of us to the privacy of our own rooms, to the cyber-reality of our own headsets, to the seclusion of our own i-pods. We connect less to one another and more to electronics, conducting our lives in varying degrees of dissociative trance. We see the world (to some degree) but we are not fully there.

This is a wholly non-partisan issue. Whether one is radically right, lopsidedly left or somewhere in between, real national security is at risk and our missions will never be realized if we do not become minimally aware. And where there are real threats, America has become a sitting duck.

Secondly we are surrounded by an innumerable quantity of messages both subtle and gross given to us by the media. “Media” as I am using it here includes everything that is transmitted via newsprint, air wave, film, radio wave and optic cable. All of it, without exception, is involved in promoting an agenda. Most often it is a corporate one, even if it is embedded or disguised. (Mind you, this is not any sort of blanket condemnation on self-promotion or vigorous sales efforts. It is a commentary on our state of thoughtful awareness, or lack thereof.) Whether it is corporate or not, whether it is intentional or not, it is almost invariably fear-based and promotes a pathology of inadequacy.

In this last season, how many advertisements did you see where happy families opened lavish and glamorous gifts, where meals were presented in soft candlelight as though Martha herself were in the kitchen? I couldn’t even begin to count the ones I’d seen, not to mention the ones I didn’t. If there were one single message coming through loud and clear it was that happy families are made happy by constant and creative consumption. The irony of the way these holidays are presented is that millions are left feeling lost and lonesome. And even those who have intact families and multitudes of friends with enough money to buy gifts the way they do on television, they never, ever reach the level of perfection they see in the media. Whether we have family or not, we can never measure up. Which is both the promised land for advertisers and the problem for us.

I would like to clarify something for those who think I have an issue with shopping besides personally not loving the process of walking from store to store, sifting through too much stuff and hauling bags for hours. Philosophically speaking there is absolutely nothing wrong with shopping. So long as we exist in a complex society, we will have producers, traders, and consumers. We will always have wants and needs. However, what I do worry about is how we are unconsciously using it as a way to fill in the empty spaces in our soul or because we have nothing else to do. When we give up thinking for shopping, we are in very real trouble as a culture. And as a country at war, it is an act of suicide. It is insane.

A while back my publisher said, “When I was growing up shopping used to have something to do with comparison, with finding the appropriate item at the right price. Now it’s an automatically assumed consumption.” What an extraordinary idea. Our shopping has gone from an activity that required some consideration and thought to an impulse run wild, a substitute for self-worth or a way to shut out the world and shut off our own thoughts.

If we have gone from a production economy to retail economy as many have claimed, then consumption is indeed a critical issue. How does the media perpetuate this purchasing frenzy? The media pushes fear and inculcates inadequacy in us because in order for the economy to grow we must always need more. We must crave more, not just want it. We must not only pursue happiness, we must be willing to buy it. And, naturally, we can never really buy it either. We can only lease it. The happiness lasts only as long as the fad. And then we must have the next thing and then the thing after that and the thing after that ad infinitum.

And the fear is everywhere. This last week had an amazing roster of shows on the History Channel to celebrate the holiday season with “Armageddon Week.” A sampling: Mega Disasters, Siberian Apocalypse, Global Warming, The Last Days on Earth, Nostradamus, Meteors, Asteroids, Tsunami, Comets, Antichrist, Aftershock. And what followed this week of doom? The History of Sex.

The media’s approach to the news is not much different. It is sensational, scandal driven, high-pitched and partisan. I grew up in a home where we watched the news every evening before dinner (at which point it was turned off) and I can’t ever remember seeing people on television yelling at one another in an interview or round table discussion. When Khrushchev slammed his shoe on the table and yelled at the U.N., it was shocking as it well should have been. Now, to get our attention everything has been kicked up a notch. And the danger is that while we’re running around afraid of catching a cold or not making the perfect Christmas dinner, we’re tuning out on the issues that will profoundly affect us all. Very little is presented in a rational way about what America is actually facing and what we might do about it, only what might one day happen.

What It Does and What We Can Do.

What does a brain do with all that?

I would imagine that it starts to grow scales. Whatever it ultimately will do, we can’t tell yet, but what we do know of this endless assault of disjointed, anxiety-inducing visual and auditory stimuli is that it is lighting up certain areas of the brain more than others. The parts of our brains that respond to aggression, fear and sexuality become ignited while the cortical areas, the frontal lobes and other more sophisticated, executive areas of the brain are dimmed. What the human being has struggled to become over the course of millions of years is being reversed.

Another way of understanding this is working one group of muscles more than another. Say I go to the gym four days a week and all I do is work my upper arm muscles. I don’t bother with forearm, back, chest, abdominals, or legs. What happens is fairly obvious – one day I’m going to look in the mirror and see big arms on a small, perhaps atrophied frame.

What should we do? How can we reverse the current downward trend on the evolutionary scale?

1. Start with awareness. If we wake up and see the media’s message for what it is, we can become less susceptible, less automatic in our responses and hopefully more thoughtful. When an ad comes on or you see a product being promoted on a show or in a movie, remind yourself who and what put it there and why they’re spending so much money to do that. Awareness limits the impact of the messages that bombard us. If a sentence in an advertisement starts with “could,” “would” or “should” we can safely assume there’s an incoming fear missile. “Could it happen here?” “Could there be a bomb on New Year’s Eve?” “Should you get the vaccine now?” “Would you know what to do if…” Grammar is an extension of intent. Listen to what’s being said critically.

We can then remind ourselves that the way products and services are presented (as image, as icon, as identity or extension of self) is illusory and speaks to our fears and inadequacies more than our good judgment. They will never satisfy us in the way we are told they will. Be conscious of the truth and you will recognize the lies.

2. Do the obvious. We can limit the amount of time we (and particularly our children) spend with television, i-pods, game-boys or cyber-tennis and make a conscious effort to spend more time with one another. I do not for a second imagine that Americans will all start taking up Buddhist meditation, but having a few minutes a day without having our senses assaulted might be a good idea. The other day I met a friend at a place called the Hyatt Tamaya. It is a resort of sublime beauty, filled with roaring fires in handmade kivas, Native American artwork, sensual flute music and captivating views from every angle. I had to wait for her a while and sat near one of the fires when a man and his wife sat across from me. Presumably they’d come to the hotel together, but she sat in one corner of the couch reading a book and he sat in a chair with earphones blasting percussive music I could hear from more than 10 feet away. Why bother spending $300 a night to tune out the place you’re paying a fortune to be in doing what you do at home?

3. Ask yourself: What drives you? And spend some time with that question before you answer it. Think about what motivates you to buy, what you buy and when you buy.

4. Spend time doing things that are diametrically opposite to what is promoted in the media, such as being still, being with your family without electronic accessories, pray, walk, think, read. Live slowly, breath deeply, linger.

5. Be present. Don’t pursue anything. Especially happiness. It’s a waste of time and will only serve to make you frustrated. The only place you can really have what you long for is where you are right now with exactly what you’ve got.

Judith Acosta, LISW, is a licensed psychotherapist, crisis counselor and homeopath in private practice in New Mexico. She is the co-author of The Worst Is Over: What To Say When Every Moment Counts, hailed as the “bible of crisis communications” and Verbal First Aid for Children (Penguin 2010). She lectures around the country on Verbal First Aid, trauma, stress, and intuition development. She may be reached at http://www.wordsaremedicine.com .

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Judith_Acosta

- Neurofeedback Sydney
- Anxiety treatment Sydney
- ADHD Treatment Sydney
- Insomnia Treatment Sydney

As said by the psychologist Sydney, some of the general causes that result in the child’s behavioral differentiation are age, health, career, gender and nationality to name a few. Particularly, when dealing with child psychology the focus is on the notion, sentiments and deeds of the child.

Some of the general suggestions of childhood depression are illustration of desperation and feeling of worthlessness| insignificance| unimportance| irrelevance} and helplessness defenselessness. It is essential to get treatment for it instantaneously as it could lead to self destruction and suicidal opinion

Childhood Depression: reasons

The psychologists have not yet been able to understand the correct origin of childhood dejection. Some of the possible roots as arranged by the professionals are genetics heredity, atmosphere, physical health, life events| actions| trials} and family history. It could also be a result of a combination of distinctive causes like a history of dejection in the family or a loss in the family. There are times when even a pet bereavement results in shock.

Childhood Depression: Signs

The symptom of childhood dejection changes at distinctive times. The secret is to look for a change in deeds. At one point of time, your child may display either or more than one of these Symptoms:

- Not showing interest in school. As a result it leads to weak literary implementation as they are not liable to doing their homework’s or school projects.
- Social segregation, in the significance that they stop cooperating or playing with other kids.
- When the child is in a relentless situation of despondency.
- Childhood depression also leads to emotional outbreak in the form of crying.
- You will find your child being very thin-skinned to any form of denial.
- Your will observe that your child will lose focus constantly and find it complicated to ponder.
- You could also observe changes in your child’s sleeping practice.
- Modification in hunger is one common symptom. The child will augment the food ingestion or stop eating fully.

If you perceive that the above mentioned symptoms have been relentless for more than two weeks, then you should turn to a child psychologist specialist. You can talk about the feasible treatment with the specialist.

For more insights and further information about psychologists in Sydney visit our site http://www.chantalgazal.com.au

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dalton_Q_Neal

Greatly crammed and frenetic working hours and bloodthirsty nature of the vocation can leave us with no time to unwind, catch grab a breath, spend time with our family and work over our relationships. These outcomes in stressed relationships, broken weddings, sensitive clash, etc in personal lives, and this also affects our professional lives and can result in short of attentiveness, loss in business, continuous illness resulting in absence from work, etc.

Psychologist Brisbane:

If you observe any of the over cited symbols and indications, like wakefulness, stable annoyance, concern, etc in your partner or kids, then it is highly advisable that you take an scheduled time from a capable and reputed Psychologist Brisbane.

Even if you have least hesitation and are hesitant whether it is a symptom of a mental disorder, it is highly suggested that you check with a psychologist as soon as possible and let the specialist decide whether it is a symptom or not. Do not strive to take matters in your hand instead let the experts handle it and do their job. Things can really get out of control when proper help of a psychologist is not given to the patient, as they can try considering suicides or harm others around them.

Due to the traumatic life not only adults, even children are suffering from mental disorders like hyperactivity, insomnia, lack of concentration, etc. The expert psychologist has their professional examination skills, tested and trusted healing methods and recommendation to consider the disorder and heal it. Psychologist Brisbane suggests some therapies curing sickness like: despair, schizophrenia, anger and addiction administration, compulsive disorder, personality administration, attention shortage disorder, etc.

Relationship Analysis and marriage counselling Brisbane:
Tension, anxiety, depression and severe mental disorders also affect our marital and other relationships. We accuse our spouse’s dedication level, short of interest, etc for the broken marriage or strained relationship, on the other hand, the accountable to be blamed is our contemporary } way of life and mental disorders.

Relationship Counselling Brisbane offers rapport and marriage counselling to couples whose marriage is on rocks or to persons who reveal a tension relationship with their parents, etc. The Psychologists who offer this counselling have revived many marriages and make better many relationships. Instead of opting for divorce. Try this counselling meetings and see your marriage work again. They try to bring back optimistic mentality by developing sympathy, acceptance, sympathy, integrity, empowerment, etc in the lives of the separated couples.

Timely intervention of an specialist psychologist can help save lives of many and recover the quality of life of many.

For more insights and further information about Psychologist Brisbane visit our site http://www.psychclinic.com.au

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brett_O_Perry

We must model creativity, exploration, and experimentation. Teachers must plant the seeds of possibility within each student that lead to a process of inquiry. Teachers must find ways to inspire our children and young people. We need to evaluate past experiences and prior learning gained from life experiences and environment. We need to know what a persons interests and passions are. We need to help them set goals that will empower them in pursuit of their dreams. Every student is made capable and ready to engage in self-driven, self-directed, “enhanced coached” learning activities. A multi-cultural approach is the norm where there are high expectations for every student and teacher. The strength of diversity is celebrated and embraced. The classroom must become a team environment where children support each other and regularly work as individuals, partners, small groups, and whole class or team instructed activities.

The “Enhanced Coached” approach makes a point to operate in the northern educational hemisphere of the student motivation wheel as defined by Andrew J. Martin of the University of Sydney in The Australian Educational Researcher Vol. 30, Number 3, and Dec. 2003. The following bold terms are defined as “Motivation Boosters” desired by students. 1. Self-belief is high and students are encouraged to learn and stretch. 2. There is a learning focus and a value of schooling present. 3. Persistence is modeled and required as a given. Quitting is not an option. 4. Planning is practiced and perfected. 5. Study management is outlined, modeled, and embraced. Opposed to the following, which are all in the southern educational hemisphere of the student motivation wheel and defined as “Motivation Guzzlers” by Martin. 1. Anxiety 2. Uncertain Control 3. Failure Avoidance 4. Self-sabotage Teachers must adopt what I refer to as an “Enhanced Coaching Zone” mindset in order to focus the activities of students in the northern hemisphere of Martin’s Student Motivation Wheel on a daily basis. Teachers must be 100% engaged and committed to this model in order to elevate our children and young people to an enhanced performance level in the Arts, athletics, science, medicine, music, technologies, manufacturing, philosophy, Literature, engineering, architecture, etc. This commitment and model of education can lead to new discoveries and solutions to current problems and those that have not yet made themselves known. One mind is capable of great discovery and creation. One mind can make a difference. We cannot afford to fail to develop our greatest resource and human potential. Our future depends on a transformation in education. Our hope is in education and new learning. Our hope is in motivation and personal development. I hope is in new discovery. Our hope is in new businesses and new business models. Our hope is in preventative healthcare and wellness. Our hope is in new systems and products. Our hope is in giving and growing. We insure a transformation in education by taking responsibility for our own education, reinvention, and financial literacy. We insure the transformation of education by leading from the “Enhanced Coaching Zone.”

Kenneth Hobbs is an educator and personal development, performance enhancement coach. He earned his BA in History & Psychology from Oglethorpe University. He earned his AS in Science in Education and Social Sciences from Georgia Perimeter College. He is also dedicated to business coaching, as well as, distributor development and recruiting for Monavie. He may be contacted through his site at the following link. Go to: http://mymonavie.com/KennyHobbs

About The Author:

Kenneth Hobbs is an educator and personal development, performance enhancement coach. He earned his BA in History & Psychology from Oglethorpe University. He earned his AS of Science in Education and Social Sciences from Georgia Perimeter College. He is also dedicated to business coaching, as well as, distributor development and recruiting for Monavie. He may be contacted through his site at the following link. Go to: http://mymonavie.com/KennyHobbs

]]> http://www.beechwood-centre.com/24/how-do-we-achieve-education-transformation/feed 0