13 Reasons Why, from A Clinical Perspective

July 9

By Krista Reed, LSCSW

Gone are the days when Zack Morris’ problems were solved in a single episode and Danny Tanner was always one step ahead of his children, able to fix literally anything.  Being born in the 80’s and a fan of 90’s sitcoms, I grew up watching and living for these moments on television.  Teenagers were portrayed as characters who dealt in black and white absolutes, with little to no mystery.  Families had dilemmas, of course, but they were always palatable ones, wrapped up nicely with a neat bow.  Jessie Spano was able to kick a pill addiction … Read more

Harnessing the Power of Your ADHD

April 28

Joel Ybarra, LCMFT, originally published April 28, 2017 on joelybarra.com.

We tend to think of problems with focus and attention as impairments in brain functioning. Forgetting things, losing things and not being able to focus on the task at hand are all problematic, but it is important to understand what is actually going on in our ADHD brains and how we can use them optimally.  It is not that we are incapable of focus; we may just need to put in a little extra effort to be able to harness all our brains are capable of doing. The … Read more

Adult Dialectical Behavior Therapy Group Skills Training Starts March 5, 2017

January 26

Emotion dysregulation has been linked to a variety of mental health concerns stemming from patterns of instability in emotion regulation, impulse control, interpersonal relationships, and self-image.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a broad-based cognitive behavioral treatment aimed to assist with regulation of emotions.  Often over-controlled and under-controlled emotions create frustrations within ourselves and within relationships, causing us to behave and interact with one another in undesirable ways.  

  • WHO: Adults 18 and older
  • WHAT: 25 week DBT Skills Training Group
  • WHEN: Sundays 2 pm – 3:30 pm
  • START DATE: March 5th, 2017
  • LOCATION: Real Life Counseling offices – 8911 E. Orme,
… Read more

Pediatric Oncology Support Groups Start January 18, 2017 at Wesley Children’s Hospital

January 5

 

Real Life Counseling has teamed up with Wesley Children’s Hospital to provide support groups for pediatric oncology patients and their families. These support groups have been generously funded by Wesley Children’s Foundation. The goal of these support groups is to provide a place where patients and their families can meet and support one another through the difficulties of diagnosis, treatment and life change associated with childhood cancer. Separate groups will be provided for oncology patients, for parents and for siblings of patients. Go here for dates.

Who Is Invited to These Support Groups?

All pediatric (under the age of … Read more

Real Life Counseling Challenges Other Businesses to Maximize Health And Creativity, Not Just Profits

December 29

At Real Life Counseling, we are starting a campaign to challenge ourselves and others to build businesses that are healthy and creative, not just profitable. In a LinkedIn article “What If The Purpose of Business Is Creativity, Not Wealth Extraction,”[1] John Battelle questions the common understanding that businesses exist solely to deliver profits to shareholders. As we manage and work in business, we reach points where we must balance profit objectives with values that focus on the health of our organizations, the people within them and the community around us. Maximizing profits is not always opposed to creativity, but … Read more

Teen Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Group Starting January 8th, 2017

December 5

Emotion dysregulation has been linked to a variety of mental health concerns stemming from patterns of instability in emotion regulation, impulse control, interpersonal relationships, and self image.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a broad-based cognitive behavioral treatment aimed to assist with regulation of emotions.  Often overcontrolled and undercontrolled emotions create frustrations within ourselves and within our families, causing us to behave and interact with one another in undesirable ways.  

This DBT group is specifically designed for families and teens who may struggle with emotion dysregulation, making family connection difficult.

  • WHO: Adolescents (12-18) and parents
  • WHAT: 23 week DBT Skills Training
… Read more

Mindfulness – Finding Peace in the Present

November 15

By Shauna Meier, LSCSW

There is something powerful we all have within us, something we can practice any place and any time. It is known to ease anxiety, lighten depression, interrupt impulsiveness, and bring more happiness and peace into our lives. This powerful practice is called Mindfulness. Simply stated, mindfulness can be defined as  “Paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally” (Kabat-Zinn).  Although mindfulness has been around for centuries, it has just recently received the attention and accolades it so rightfully deserves.

Mindfulness, being fully present in the moment, takes perseverance and patience as our minds are … Read more

Making Journaling Work for You

October 17

 

One of the most powerful tools we have available to us is our ability to give words to our inner experience – our thoughts, feelings, beliefs and intentions. Journaling is the practice of writing these things down, and can be a great way to work through difficult emotional issues. Many of us have difficulty getting into the habit of journaling or honing the practice into something that benefits us. One reason for that is our inner experience can seem jumbled and difficult to articulate. As well, we can encounter some very difficult feelings as we start to write, so … Read more

How To Tell If A Child Has ADHD

September 24

A lot of children have trouble paying attention and staying on task in school. ADHD is often the first explanation given for academic problems, whether the problems are listening to directions, organizing tasks or hyper or disruptive behavior. These are all characteristics of ADHD, but they are also signs of other problems at times. For example, if a child has stress in their school or home life, the trouble focusing may be better explained as a reaction to those problems than ADHD. Many times, the distractibility and disorganization go away if the stress is removed, or if the child learns … Read more

Your Couple Relationship: Everything Right There In Front of You

September 14

By Joel Ybarra, LCMFT

Most couples, at some point in their relationship, have difficulty developing, deepening or sustaining intimacy. Contrary to the beliefs of the couples themselves, the intimacy is probably already there in their relationship and can be experienced just by stepping back and providing the space for it to develop (and avoiding the typical raging upset that occurs when it is gone). The problem is there are usually interactions that come between partners that prevent the intimacy from coming forth.

Most couples come into therapy reporting some version of this story: “When we first got together, we were … Read more

When It’s Time To Go To Therapy

September 13

When you need a safe place to take a look at yourself and where your life is going.

When you’re ready to ask the “big questions.”

When you need some outside perspective from someone not overly involved.

When your stress/emotional stuff is affecting your physical health or you can feel it in your body.

When stress is affecting your work and relationships.

When you are stuck in the same old tired pattern.

When you are ready to enter a new phase in your life and you need a little help getting there.

When you are ready to have help that … Read more

The Importance of Engaging Emotion (Yes, from A Therapist)

September 12

 

By Joel Ybarra, LCMFT

One of the most oft-cited reasons people do not go to therapy is because they do not want to “sit around and talk about their feelings.” People envision themselves in therapy talking about what is going on in their lives and the therapist making them talk about “how it makes them feel.” Well, not exactly, but engaging with our emotions is an important part of therapy. Oh, and life in general.

It is no wonder people have this stance toward therapy and emotion. The downplaying and dismissal of emotion is pervasive in our culture. Emotions … Read more

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Group Starting September 25, 2016

August 18

Emotion dysregulation has been linked to a variety of mental health concerns stemming from patterns of instability in emotion regulation, impulse control, interpersonal relationships, and self image.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a broad-based cognitive behavioral treatment aimed to assist with regulation of emotions.  Often overcontrolled and undercontrolled emotions create frustrations within ourselves and within our families, causing us to behave and interact with one another in undesirable ways.  

This DBT group is specifically designed for families and teens who may struggle with emotion dysregulation, making family connection difficult.

  • WHO: Adolescents (12-18) and parents
  • WHAT: 23 week DBT Skills Training
… Read more

Seeking Psychologist for Private Practice

August 8

Real Life Counseling is seeking a Licensed Psychologist passionate about creating change in the lives of individuals, couples and families while impacting the community, providing psychological testing and therapy services. We provide a flexible and rewarding environment for clinicians in which they can maximize creativity and focus on client care. Clinicians determine their own schedule, crafting a position that works for them while meeting their financial and professional goals.

Interested applicants can contact us using the contact information below:

8911 E. Orme, Suite D, Wichita, KS 67207

(316) 425-7774

info@rlcwichita.com… Read more

Seeking Clinicians for Private Practice

August 7

Real Life Counseling is seeking Licensed Mental Health Clinicians passionate about creating change in the lives of individuals, couples and families while impacting the community. We provide a flexible and rewarding environment for clinicians in which they can maximize creativity and focus on client care. Clinicians determine their own schedule, crafting a position that works for them while meeting their financial and professional goals.

Interested applicants may contact us using the contact information below:

8911 E. Orme, Suite D, Wichita, KS 67207

(316) 425-7774

info@rlcwichita.com… Read more

Seeking Clinicians for Private Practice

February 10

 

Real Life Counseling is seeking Licensed Mental Health Clinicians passionate about creating change in the lives of individuals, couples and families while impacting the community. We provide a flexible and rewarding environment for clinicians in which they can maximize creativity and focus on client care. Clinicians determine their own schedule, crafting a position that works for them while meeting their financial and professional goals.

Interested applicants can contact Brandon using the contact information below:

8911 E. Orme, Suite D, Wichita, KS 67207

(316) 425-7774

info@rlcwichita.com

 … Read more