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Join us! Community Get-Together on Friday, April 7, 2017

It’s almost spring, and self-care is in the air! West Valley Counseling Center is hosting a community get-together on Friday, April 7, 2017, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Stop in for a good time and a great cause! Your donations will enter you to win “relaxing” prizes from local businesses.

We are excited to share our passion for the work we have been doing in the community. Enjoy wine, cheese, and sweets, and chat with the center staff. Learn more about what we do, and about our work in the local community. It’ll be an evening of great conversation and tips on small actions that can make a big difference.

Our event will be at West Valley Counseling Center, 19634 Ventura Blvd, Suite 212, Tarzana, CA 91356. Free parking is available behind the building, and our get-together will be on the second floor.

To make sure we have enough refreshments for everyone, please RSVP to Lacey (lacey@westvalleycounseling.org) or Karyn (karyn@westvalleycounseling.org) by April 1. We’d love to see you there.

Be sure to ask us about our community programs, including:
•    Helping Families Thrive: Domestic violence prevention and counseling
•    Mental Health Reentry Program: Mental health and supportive services for young adults reentering society from the criminal justice system
•    Life In Transition Workshop: scholarship program providing intensive 3-day workshops for trauma survivors

If you’d like to make a tax-deductible donation of any amount to support WVCC, please go to our website at westvalleycounseling.org, or you can mail a check directly to West Valley Counseling Center at 19634 Ventura Blvd Suite 212, Tarzana, CA 91356. The tax ID number is 27-2188918.

Together We Make a Community. Together We Heal. Together We Can Ensure a Better Future for All.

That was the theme for WVCC’s April 7 Spring Benefit Event, celebrating our 6th year serving the community.
And what an awesome success it was thanks to all of you!

My thanks to my wonderful staff who showed up by getting the word out to the community, bringing in friends and family, selling raffle tickets, and all the “backstage work” cleaning the offices, baking treats for the event and all the clean-up at the end of the evening.

And a special thank you to Lacey Jimenez & Karyn Adelstein for all their hard work in putting this all together. It is an honor to work with such a great team.

I also want to thank the many local business owners who donated raffle prizes: Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel, Ancora Cucina Italiana Restaurant, Outlaw Barbershop & Salon, Nova Center, Skagen, Museum of Latin American Art, YogaWorks, The Massage Place, SoulCycle, and many others.

And most important, all the community members who attended this event and honored us with your presence and support. It was great to see old friends and meet new ones. I personally had a great time! Hope you did, too!

With love & gratitude,
Sharon Sharon Burnett
Founder & Director
West Valley Counseling Center

Your continued donations will help support our mission of providing the dignity of quality mental health and social services programs to all regardless of socio-economic circumstances or limitations.

Programs in Need of Funding
• Helping Families Thrive Program provides psychosocial and mental health services for immigrant families
• Domestic Violence Prevention Program provides education, prevention and counseling for domestic abuse survivors
• Mental Health Reentry Program provides mental health services for adults and their families reentering society from the criminal justice system.
• Life In Transition Workshop Scholarship Program offers full or partial scholarships for trauma survivors and those experiencing current or past losses, to attend a 3-day intensive workshop

Three Ways to Donate
• One time donation (cash, credit card or check made payable to WVCC)
• Monthly contribution (sign up on our PayPal account at westvalleycounseling.org)
• Designate West Valley Counseling Center as your charitable organization if you are a Ralphs card member or shop at Amazon.com

While the holidays are a special time of year for us, our families, and friends, our schedules can become so packed with activities that we experience mental traffic jams from time to time. It can be difficult to stay in choice, to maintain a balance in our daily lives, because we feel obligated to participate in as many events as we can.

In a previous blog entry, we talked about dealing with typical holiday stresses. From family get-togethers to office and neighborhood parties, this time of year can easily become the “hectic holidays.” Are you dealing with some or all of the following?

–    Family visits
–    Attending parties and get-togethers
–    Cooking holiday meals
–    Hanging decorations and lights
–    Shopping for gifts
–    Inclement weather
–    Traveling

During the holiday season, there’s always something to be done, and there’s always someone to visit (or someone who is visiting you). You may feel that you’re always running from one thing to the next, and are unable to save some time for yourself.

One thing that may help? Slow down, stop if you need to, and breathe. A few minutes of deep breathing helps to reset the mind and to give yourself a short break to regenerate your emotional reactions to what’s going on around you.

Deep breathing is good for your body as well as your mind. According to Harvard Medical School, “it can slow the heartbeat and lower or stabilize blood pressure.”

The act of breathing is a simple concept, but actually getting ourselves to do it can be a challenge. Remember that even five minutes can be a nice break to recharge your batteries. (You can set a stopwatch or timer if you’d like to).

The concept of deep breathing is part of what we call mindfulness or staying present in our lives.

Psychology Today refers to mindfulness as “a state of active, open attention on the present. When you’re mindful, you observe your thoughts and feelings from a distance, without judging them good or bad. Instead of letting your life pass you by, mindfulness means living in the moment and awakening to experience.”

If you’d like to learn more, West Valley Counseling Center hosts a weekly Mindfulness Group. Check out our calendar to see when the next session is scheduled. We’d love for you to join us.

Remember that the staff at West Valley Counseling Center are always here to help, and to help you talk about it. West Valley Counseling Center is located at 19634 Ventura Blvd Suite 212, Tarzana, CA 91356. Phone us at (818) 758-9450, or email info@westvalleycounseling.org.

Written By Sharon Burnett, Ph.D., from WVCC

As we come to a full swing into the holiday season, many of us are preparing our shopping lists, getting baking supplies, decorating our homes, and getting to be a part of another festive season with our families and friends. However, for many of us, this can be a difficult time. Holidays can bring up many mixed emotions that can leave us wondering This is a happy time, I’m supposed to be happy, but I’m not or Why do I feel so alone at this holiday party with all these people? You are not alone in thinking this way. The holiday season can be a time when we have our most impactful memories because they evoke a great deal of different emotions within us.

Maybe this year you are having a difficult time because you are mourning the loss of a family member or loved one, maybe this year is hard because you have run into financial trouble, or perhaps this year is challenging for a number of different reasons. Regardless of your situation, it’s important to remember that it is ok to not be full of the holiday spirit and remember to not force yourself into pretending that everything is perfect if it’s not. There are many other people that are experiencing these struggles during this time of year. During this holiday season if you find yourself getting over-stressed or experiencing more depression than usual, try to take a step back and take care of yourself first.

Try these helpful hints for getting through the holiday season:

1.    Stop and Listen To Your Emotions: If you’re feeling sad or unhappy, ask yourself where is this coming from? Is something or someone making me upset? Am I making myself upset?  Whether you have an answer or not, ask yourself is there anything I can do improve my mood? Watching a movie with the family, going out to have a coffee break, or taking a walk around the park with the dog are a few examples of solutions that may ease any uncomfortable feelings.

2.    Take A Break: If you find yourself in a situation that is becoming too stressful, try to walk away from the situation and take a 15-minute break. Try either going into a room where you will not be disturbed or go outside and take a walk around your neighborhood. This can give us a chance to slow down and not get caught up in the heat of the moment.

3.    Remember Your Boundaries: If you are not comfortable with doing something your friends or family want to do, allow yourself to say “no”. It’s okay if you do not want to do what everyone else is doing. Sometimes we don’t get to do the thing we want to do during the holidays because we are so busy doing so much for others. You have the right to enjoy this holiday season the way you want to as well.

4.    Be Realistic: No one’s family is the “Brady Bunch” and things don’t always go as planned. Something may even be ruined in your opinion. It’s okay, life happens. This does not have to be the best or the perfect holiday season, but it should be one that brings you joy and only you can determine what that is.

We hope these tips will serve you well this holiday season!
From all of us here at the West Valley Counseling Center, we wish you the warmest and happiest of holiday seasons.

Written By Brendan Nierenberg, MFTI from WVCC
West Valley Counseling Center is located at 19634 Ventura Blvd. Suite 212 Tarzana, CA 91356

It is very rare to meet a family that has not been touched by mental illness or psychiatric diagnosis.  It may be a history in the family; a story told about a great uncle who was said to be bi-polar (or manic depressive as they used to call it). Or it might be happening now; a teenager who is using cutting to manage his or her anxiety. Whatever it is, it can be scary, a little bit embarrassing, or overwhelming. There is a great deal of stigma around illness affecting the mind, the emotions and feelings.

Some of us are really struggling to make it through the day. We are sad and depressed, maybe having thoughts or feelings of suicide; we are very, very anxious, unable to concentrate and sure the beating heart we feel in our chest is a sign that we are dying; we use too many substances to soothe ourselves and develop an addiction or dependence; or we have diagnosed chronic illness which is affecting our lives and it just doesn’t seem worth it.  We are stressed and distressed.

What can we do if this is happening to someone we love? How do we talk to them? How can we relate? What do we do.

1. The feelings mentioned above are very real. There doesn’t have to be a reason for them. Please take your loved one seriously.
2. It’s not your friend or family member’s fault. Did you know that mental illness can sometimes be caused by medical conditions? Even a simple urinary tract infection can sometimes cause confusion or other symptoms.
3. Don’t lecture, but don’t minimize their experience. They probably feel bad enough already. It seems like it’s okay to talk about it if someone is diagnosed with cancer, but we don’t talk about it if someone is diagnosed with a mental illness. People feel stigmatized when they are given this kind of diagnoses, sometimes they even feel ashamed.  You can help by being an advocate and providing support.
4. Your family member or friend may need the help of a professional, just like a patient with pneumonia needs a medical professional. They don’t need advice from you, just as a person with pneumonia doesn’t need your advice. They have an illness, and may need professional help.
5. You may feel like you have to “fix it.” You don’t! Listen and support instead. Please don’t tell the person to “get it together”, or to “get over it.” He or she needs support and compassion. Being there is the most important thing. Ask how you can help (though they may not be able to say), and ask how they are feeling.
6. You may be afraid of what is happening. You may even be a little afraid of the person with the diagnosis. That is normal and makes sense. They are most likely scared too! They need your support. Mental and psychiatric illnesses are very common. If you want to understand more, read about their illness or ask questions to a reliable source like your doctor. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (www.nami.org) is an amazing resource with lots of information and resources.
7. You are not alone! Psychiatric and mental illness is common. Support, listen, learn, and get help. (resource: www.nami.org)
8. And lastly, don’t be afraid to Talk About It.  That is where healing and help begins, both for the person suffering with mental illness and those who are most impacted by their illness:  family, loved ones and friends.

 

Written By Elizabeth Bailey, RN

Marriage & Family Therapist Trainee at WVCC

West Valley Counseling Center is located at 19634 Ventura Blvd. Suite 212 Tarzana, CA 91356

For more information or to speak to one of our staff, please contact us at (818) 758-9450 or email us at info@westvalleycounseling.org

Mindfulness-based practices are known to increase of brain gray matter in the right anterior insula. This part of the brain contains the amygdala, which plays a primary role in emotional responses and emotional regulation. Anxiety in adolescents has been identified as a risk factor for the onset of panic attacks, panic disorders, and anxiety disorders. Adolescents who experience anxiety symptoms are prone to develop anxiety pathology and feelings of unsteadiness. Adolescence represents an important part of development, and normal stressors in this stage, can affect an adolescent’s psychopathology. Evidenced based treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and emotional regulation through mindfulness, are particularly effective in managing anxiety symptoms in adolescents.

Early anxiety symptoms found in adolescents have been found to lead to major depression and anxiety disorders, later in life. Anxiety symptoms interfere significantly with the daily life in adolescents. The stressful transition from childhood to adolescence reflects high levels of anxiety, often resulting in more risk taking behaviors. Adolescents that develop Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) are at a much higher risk of distress and impairment throughout their life.

In an adolescent with GAD, the prefrontal and limbic systems are activated, but the amygdala does not excite the ventrolateral cortex, or the part of the brain associated with “mentalization”- the ability to understand the mental state of oneself and others. When this happens, the structures that regulate emotional and affective functions are abnormally connected, causing a major disruption in one’s capacity to interpret self and others’ behaviors.

Anxiety disorders left untreated in adolescents can lead to increased mental health problems and poor social and developmental outcomes. Mindfulness based approaches such as self observation, self-talk, and self evaluation have been proven to decrease anxiety symptoms, thus teaching adolescents important skills for managing anxiety symptoms.

Written By Atiya Malik from WVCC

West Valley Counseling Center is located at 19634 Ventura Blvd. Suite 212 Tarzana, CA 91356

For more information or to speak to one of our staff, please contact us at (818) 758-9450 or email us at info@westvalleycounseling.org

The stage of adolescent identity formation is a time of confusion, exploration, experimentation and even rebellion. Erik Erikson takes all of these issues into consideration and as such his approach to identity has become a significant tool when trying to understand the development of personality during adolescence.  Erikson (1968) described adolescence in the following terms:

Given Erikson’s theory, the stage of adolescence, identity formation vs. role confusion, is fraught with self-doubt, insight and judgment.  The additional factor of immigration can play a significant role in the identity formation of an adolescent.  Immigration coupled with this developmental stage has proven to be a challenge for this population to navigate.
Clinicians need to understand the acculturation process of this population and to recognize the stressors that can become problematic as they maneuver their way through dual cultures.  The goal is to inform clinicians about the challenges the adolescent Hispanic immigrant population face as they acculturate.  In addition, we must consider the various treatment approaches/options that are available in order to help this population navigate the challenges of adolescence and acculturation.  Addressing the needs of this population will help to normalize the process and to provide coping mechanisms to enable a smoother transition.

Written By Judy Grant from WVCC

West Valley Counseling Center is located at 19634 Ventura Blvd. Suite 212 Tarzana, CA 91356

For more information or to speak to one of our staff, please contact us at (818) 758-9450 or email us at info@westvalleycounseling.org

Depression is one of the most common mental health issues for which people seek therapy. Prevalence rates for depression show that the highest percentage of U.S. adults having experienced a major depressive episode occurs during the developmental stage of emerging adulthood.  Research has described this very distinctive period to be a time of significant exploration with respect to identity, career, love and world view.

It is also a time of major transition between adolescent and adult roles, and of making major life decisions which can offer great challenge and stress.  Some move through this transition smoothly and others struggle, leading to depressive symptomology.  Is there a connection between attachment styles, early attachment disruptions, and psychological well-being later in life?  A review of the literature seems to indicate that there is.  Aaron Beck’s theory of depression views depression as more the result of how an individual sees himself, his life, and his future as opposed to it simply being a mood disorder.  Attachment styles are highly indicative of how an individual perceives himself and others, as well as the world around him.  Secure attachment styles embody self-esteem and resilience, and have been linked with overall psychological well-being whereas insecure attachment styles, which connote low levels of self-worth and interpersonal dysfunction, have been linked to psychopathology later in life.  Insecure attachment styles appear to be the result of early childhood adverse experiences which disrupt the attachment process and prevent the development of a secure attachment to the primary caregiver.  It is this insecure attachment which has been positively linked to depressive symptoms and psychopathology later in life.

Written By Julie Krimstein from WVCC

West Valley Counseling Center is located at 19634 Ventura Blvd. Suite 212 Tarzana, CA 91356

For more information or to speak to one of our staff, please contact us at (818) 758-9450 or email us at info@westvalleycounseling.org

Mindfulness based approaches are ideal for adolescents, as their brains are still in the developmental stage. Mindfulness based practices target the limbic circuitry of the brain, hence reducing emotional reactivity and stress, with improvements in school performance There are sufficient studies to show that mindfulness-based techniques lead to positive changes, and justify the optimism that these techniques are beneficial to a practitioner’s therapeutic repertoire.

When treating families and children, therapists can model mindful parenting to guide change. Mindful parenting that focuses on the benefits of mindfulness based interventions, can enhance parent-child relationships.

Parents who acquire mindfulness skills have an increased capacity to listen with full attention (increased sensitivity to a child’s cues) will adopt a more non judgmental acceptance of self and child. Then, parents have a greater emotional awareness of a child’s emotional state and can respond more easily to a child’s needs, with less negative emotions. Parents also learn self regulation, maintain a focus on parental goals, and avoid short term automated reactive responses. These practices implement more displays of affection for the parent and the child, offer more compassion in the parent-child relationship, and avoid self blame in the parenting role. Integrating these findings on mindful parenting can produce the following results: reduction of parental stress, decreased parental preoccupation resulting from parent/child psychopathology, improved parental executive functioning, reduction in the impact of dysfunctional upbringing schemas and behaviors, increased self- nourishment for the parent and child, and improved marital functioning and co-parenting.

Parents create a social and emotional climate in which children learn to self-regulate, as well as provide the safety net when self regulation fails. High levels of parental emotional dysregulation can result in a high stress environment, and this impairs the parent’s capacity to be emotional available.

Written By Atiya Malik from WVCC

West Valley Counseling Center is located at 19634 Ventura Blvd. Suite 212 Tarzana, CA 91356

For more information or to speak to one of our staff, please contact us at (818) 758-9450 or email us at info@westvalleycounseling.org

There are over 40 million immigrants currently residing in the United States.  Hispanics represent over 14 million of that total.  Approximately ¼ of adolescents in the U.S. are from immigrant families.   Between 2000 and 2012 California reported the largest immigrant growth than any other state.

Adolescents make up the fastest growing segment of the youth population in the United States.  Adolescence is a time of exploration, experimentation and rebellion.  This is the developmental stage where one is striving to form his/her identity.  Adolescent Hispanic immigrants are trying to figure out who they are, what their values are and who they want to be. The transition from adolescence to adulthood is fraught with the challenges of identity.  Hispanic adolescents have the added stress of the acculturation process.  This process comes with its own unique set of challenges.  Stressors emerge that may become even more problematic than the normative stressors of adolescence.  Anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation have been seen to impact this population, however the research has shown that these symptoms do decrease with time and that familism, ethnic identity and collective self-esteem can act as protective factors. In addition, grief work, individual treatment and family support aid in the development of a strong sense of self.

Written By Judy Grant from WVCC

West Valley Counseling Center is located at 19634 Ventura Blvd. Suite 212 Tarzana, CA 91356

For more information or to speak to one of our staff, please contact us at (818) 758-9450 or email us at info@westvalleycounseling.org