February 2009

Written by Gary Breuer, M.A., L.P.C.

Quote of the Month:
“In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our responsibility.”
~ Eleanor Roosevelt

In this newsletter:

1) Fast Help: Teenage Alcohol and Drug Abuse
2) Therapist Q&A: Terminating Therapy
3) Psychology News In Brief
4) Programs To Help You
5) Reading Recommendations

1) Fast Help: Teenage Alcohol and Drug Abuse

In today’s world, it is feared by many parents of teenagers: drug and alcohol abuse. With all of the advances in technology, it is very difficult for a parent in today’s world to be able to monitor what their child is doing, reading, or who they are communicating with. Alcohol and drug (AODA) abuse is a risky behavior with negative ramifications and is something that often occurs without parents being aware. It is known to many teenagers that drugs and alcohol are easily accessible and many teens are at risk due to their vulnerable nature. We wanted to take the opportunity to share with you some of the warnings signs to watch for:

-Change in friends (also may be secretive about his/her friends, parents never having met friends)
-Drop in grades
-Anger, aggression
-Mood changes (depressed, sad, hopeless)
-Change in usual activities (not partaking in hobbies/interests/sports once enjoyed)
-Sexual promiscuity
-Anxious
-Change in sleeping patterns
-Stealing
-Skipping school
-Defiant behavior, lack of respect for others
-Appears careless or indifferent

If you have witnessed any of the above behaviors in your teen, take immediate action. Remember that you know your teen best. If you suspect alcohol or drug use, talk with your teenager. Ignoring your concerns will not make a problem go away, and further enables the problem. If you need guidance with how to approach your teen or what questions to ask, consult a professional therapist. Our office will be happy to have a consultation with you to address your questions or concerns and to make sure your teenager gets the help he/she needs.

2) Therapist Q&A

How do I know when the time is right to terminate therapy?

This is a topic that is very vital in a therapeutic relationship. As with any transition, while in therapy, it is important to have this discussion with one’s therapist. In the beginning and throughout the course of therapy, there can be a variety of treatment goals in place. The meeting of those goals is crucial to promoting the emotional and psychological health and well-being of the client. Once those goals are met, it may become time to have a discussion about ending treatment at that time or in the near future. A therapist will usually have a good idea when the time is on the horizon for ending treatment and is skilled in addressing that issue with the client. Clients oftentimes will also sense this time is approaching. However, some clients may have a fear of letting the therapist know that they intend to end treatment and may just drop out without informing the therapist.

Be aware that the therapist is here for you and the process is in place to help you feel better. A therapist will not react negatively if you feel you are finished with treatment, need a break from treatment, or feel there isn’t a connection between client and therapist. A therapist wants for you to see the person that will help you the most (i.e. specialty, gender, etc.).

It is important to be aware that oftentimes during therapy an uncomfortable topic or topics are addressed. This is very common. Remember that a person doesn’t enter therapy because everything is going right in their lives. Painful topics are explored and a therapist will often challenge belief systems that are contributing to the problem. Therapy is best received with an open mind. Be patient with yourself and with the process. If you are concerned about an aspect of treatment, are uncomfortable, or are unsure about where the process is at or is heading, it is important to speak with the therapist about it. Open communication with a therapist in a safe environment will help clients to be better prepared to address similar issues with others in their lives as well.

3) Psychology News In Brief

According to a 46 year long study at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, if you have a sibling with mental illness, you are “63% more likely to suffer from depression". The study was published in the Journal of Family Psychology (Vol. 22, No. 6). The study also notes that siblings of people who have a low IQ are more likely to live in the same state as their sibling and feel not as emotionally close to them compared with siblings without a low IQ. (From Monitor on Psychology, February 2009).

4) Programs To Help You

In addition to the traditional counseling services we provide, at Clinical Psychology Associates we also offer the following:

• Depression Screening
• Anxiety Screening
• Marriage/Relationship Enrichment Program
• Smoking Cessation
• Career Counseling and Testing

For information regarding any of these programs or to schedule a confidential consultation, please contact our programs coordinator, Chris Lerner at lernerc@hotmail.com or 262-251-1112, ext 8. For a full listing of the services we offer, please go to http://www.clinical-psychology-associates.com/services.htm .

5) Reading Recommendations

Staff therapist Gary Breuer, MA, LPC recommends:

Transitions: Making Sense of Life's Changes: Strategies for coping with the difficult, painful, and confusing times in your life by William Bridges
PhD. Helps explain how we need to experience the difficult to experience the new.

You Just Don't Understand: Women and Men in Conversation By Deborah Tannen PhD. Discusses the different communication styles of men and women. Helpful for understanding the opposite sex.

When Perfect Isn't Good Enough: Strategies for Coping With Perfectionism by Martin Antony PhD & Richard Swinson MD. Discusses perfectionism and how it can affect other areas of one’s life, and strategies to combat perfectionist thinking and behavior.

Newsletter reader recommends:

You Can Heal Your Life by Louise L. Hay. This book explores how the thoughts we think and the words we speak create our experiences.

Transforming Anxiety, Transcending Shame by Rex Briggs, MSW. This book provides insight into managing and eliminating unnecessary anxiety.

Boundaries; When To Say Yes, When to Say No To Take Control of Your Life by Drs. Henry Cloud and John Townsend. This book discusses how to set healthy boundaries with others.

We welcome the titles and authors of any appropriate books you have found to be particularly useful. We may then share them in this newsletter and on our website (your name will be withheld for confidentiality purposes). If you have a book or similar resource you would like to share, please email the title, author, and a brief description to cpa@wi.rr.com.