Fostering the business interests and professional development of the psychology community. |
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Greetings Colleagues,
WPS is getting organized to fill out the rest of 2024's presentation schedule, and starting 2025 programming. We are excited to be hosting Carol Persad, Ph.D. for her presentation on Aphasia. This is an important topic that is relevant to psychologists working with people suffering from aphasia and their family members. This communication disorder can be the result of stroke or other brain injuries that profoundly affect patients personal lives, independence, and functioning.
WPS Admin |
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July 26th, 2024 | 12PM - 2PM
The Silent Struggle: The Mental Health Crisis for People with Aphasia and their families |
This course focuses on understanding 1) what aphasia is, 2) the mental health impact on the person with aphasia and their families, 3) becoming aware of the great need for mental health services and the current lack of resources, and 4) how to communicate with someone who has aphasia in a therapy session.
The ability to communicate is a key function that allows us to connect with others and form and maintain relationships. Those who experience aphasia, a communication disorder typically resulting from stroke, lose this ability with far reaching impacts on mental health. Social isolation, loss of identity, depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation and other mood symptoms are common. Yet there are few resources available to help the over 2 million people who have aphasia in the U.S. Aphasia impacts not only the individual but also family and friends. It often leads to increased burden and stress in caregivers. Educating therapists about aphasia and its mental health impact, teaching supportive communication strategies and tools, and demonstrating how clinicians can support families living with aphasia is the goal of this presentation.
Register for this event! |
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| Carol Persad, Ph.D.
Carol Persad, Ph.D. is a Clinical Professor in Psychiatry and Adjunct Professor in Psychology at the University of Michigan. She is the Director of the Neuropsychology Program in Psychiatry, as well as the University Center for Language and Literacy in the Mary A. Rackham Institute, that houses the world renowned University of Michigan Aphasia Program which pioneered the intensive comprehensive speech and language treatment approach for aphasia. Dr. Persad has focused both her clinical and research work to understanding cognitive and underlying neurobiological changes associated with aging and neurodegenerative disorders. She has been an investigator on a number of grants funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Dr. Persad has published numerous scientific papers and given dozens of conference presentations. In addition, she is involved in the training of Postdoctoral Fellows in Neuropsychology, as well as interns, practicum students and undergraduates in both clinical placements and research projects.
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NOTICE: WPS will not be scheduling an August event. Programming will resume on September 6th. Speaker schedule will be announced in August. |
Gastrointestinal Psychology: It Is Not All In Their Head Christina Jagielski, Ph.D., MPH Fall 2024 |
This course will cover the complexities of the gut-brain axis on gastrointestinal health, factors that contribute to disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBIs), and evidence-based treatments that can improve GI symptoms and GI-related quality of life. This course will also discuss the importance of integrated, multi-disciplinary care, including the important role of non-GI-specific mental health providers, in the treatment of patients with gastrointestinal conditions. |
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| Christina Jagielski, Ph.D., MPH
Dr. Christina Jagielski is a clinical health psychologist and clinical assistant professor in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Michigan Medicine. She completed her Master of Public Health degree at Indiana University and her PhD in Medical-Clinical Psychology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She completed her postdoctoral fellowship in Gastrointestinal Psychology at Michigan Medicine and has been on the Michigan Medicine faculty since 2019. Dr. Jagielski utilizes evidence-based treatment approaches for a range of gastrointestinal conditions including cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, relaxation training, and gut-directed hypnosis. Dr. Jagielski’s primary research interests are focused on the role psychological trauma plays in GI health and the development of a trauma-informed care model for treating patients with gastrointestinal complaints. She is also involved in research on the role of sleep and GI health, as well as Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID).
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Adult ADHD: Diagnosis and Treatment Through the Lens of Executive Function
Geraldine Markel, Ph.D., Pamela Schwartz, Ph.D. Fall 2024 |
Psychologists need to differentiate ADHD from other psychological diagnoses. This seminar discusses whether ADHD is a co-occurring or primary factor in a client's psychological profile. The discussion will include assessment with rating scales for executive functioning, as well as treatments and case studies.
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| Pamela Schwartz, Ph.D | Licensed Psychologist
West Arbor Psychological Services, Ann Arbor, MI
Pamela Schwartz, Ph.D. is a partner at WestArbor Psychological Services. Her principal focus throughout her career has been to understand the impact of the multiple neurological, temperament, physical, and emotional aspects of experience on clients. This awareness grew from her work as a pediatric psychologist in follow-up clinics and with adults. She also directed disability and learning support services at Albion College, which provided valuable experience in assisting students during the important journey into their adult lives.
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Geraldine Markel, Ph.D | Educational Psychologist & CEO
Managing Your Mind Coaching & Seminars, Ann Arbor, MI
Geraldine Markel, Ph.D., is CEO of Managing Your Mind Coaching & Seminars. At the University of Michigan, she served as faculty at the School of Education and as a seminar leader at the Executive Education Center, Ross School of Business. As an educational psychologist, she provides practice strategies to enhance productivity and life satisfaction for high-achieving professionals and students with ADHD and learning disabilities. Her most recent books are "Defeating the 8 Demons of Distraction" and "Actions Against Distractions: Managing Your Scattered, Disorganized, and Forgetful Mind."
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We are exploring presenters and topics to fill out our webinar calendar through the end of 2024. If you are a member of WPS and interested in presenting a topic to our community feel free to reach out to events@washtenawpsychologysociety.com. |
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Our Association Manager has put together an instructional document for our membership to refer to when using the message boards. We have made this and all future instructional documents public to help those on the fence better understand our platform. |
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Subject: Link to recording of Div. 31 presentation on Master's Licensing of psychologists in SPTA's. Robin McCloud's comments are very perceptive. Date: Sat, 29 Jun 2024 22:56:40 -0400
From: Mayra Ortiz <zoe07470@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Division 31 - Town Hall- Perspectives on Master's Licensing in SPTAs - Youtube Link
Dear Colleagues,
Thank you to our amazing presenters for this Town Hall. Below please find a link to watch this program. Thank you all!
Best,
Mayra
https://youtu.be/YC-3drjQudI
Division31TownHallPerspectivesMastersLicensureSPTAsJune262024
youtu.be
Dr. Mayra Zoe Ortiz
Clinical Psychologist
zoe07470@gmail.com
She/Her/Ella
2024 President
APA Division 31
2024 President-elect
Division of Culture, Race and Ethnicity
NYSPA
2021-23 Co-Chair Diversity Committee
APA Division 31 |
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WPS is committed to supporting the psychology community. As such we like to share insiteful and informative posts from our users on our message boards. |
Tips for Diaphragmatic Breathing and Relaxation Procedures
Posted by Larry Perlman on July 10th to the WPS General Board
Diaphragmatic (abdominal) breathing is an all-purpose relaxation technique which triggers the body’s natural relaxation response. It is often combined with other practices that facilitate stress reduction. These include progressive muscle relaxation, various forms of meditation, visualization, and hypnotic inductions. I will describe the procedure that I have found to be most useful. Finally, I will note the characteristics of breathing in Tai Chi Chuan.
Basic Breathing Exercise
I instruct the client to put one had on the abdomen and take a slow deep breath, bringing the air into the belly so that the hand rises. This is counterintuitive because people often expand the upper chest when told to take a deep breath. The rhythm that I suggest is a slow inhalation of 3 seconds followed by a 4 second exhalation that is prolonged to further empty the lungs. There is only a slight pause between the breaths. During the exhalation the abdominal muscles contract, so that the hand on the belly gets closer to the spine. After a few seconds, the procedure is repeated. This can be continued as often as desired to deepen the relaxation response that is automatically triggered by abdominal breathing.
I instruct my clients to practice several times a day in various settings. They can designate a time for practice and keep a log of how much time they spend on the breathing exercise. They can practice lying down or sitting in a comfortable chair. But they can also practice when standing, walking, waiting for an elevator or bus and so forth. The goal is to establish the breathing exercise so that it generalizes to as many situations as possible.
My clients have frequently been instructed to breath in other cadences. For example, some have been told to do breaths of three equal numbers of seconds. I do not find such procedures to be useful.
Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR)
The first published description of PMR was by Edmund Jacobson in 1938, who codified a procedure that he had developed in the 1920’s. The technique consists of tightening an isolated muscle group and then slowly releasing the tension in it. The goal is to teach the client’s body how to relax by exaggerating the process. In time, muscle memory is developed which makes the process automatic.
There are many scripts online describing the procedure. The protocol that I like has drawings of each muscle group with instructions. It emphasizes the many muscle groups in the head and face, including the brow, eyes, temples, mouth, and jaw. For example, the client wrinkles their forehead in a frown and then release it. They close their eyes tightly, then relax them. They make an exaggerated smile with the lips, followed by tensing and releasing the jaw muscles. They then press the tongue against the roof of the mouth and so forth. After that, the client proceeds to tighten and relax their fists, biceps, triceps, neck, arms, shoulders, chest, upper back, hips, down to the legs, feet, and toes. It is important to coordinate breathing with the procedure, inhaling during the tightening of the muscle and exhaling during the release phase.
Integration with other relaxation techniques
I frequently employ visualization, particularly for people who tend to have vivid imagery. This can be done in various ways. For example, the subject can be prompted to imagine air filling the lungs and going to different parts of their body. A suggestion can be added that each breath brings healing oxygen and feelings of well-being, while each inhalation expels toxic carbon dioxide and other waste products.
Visualization is useful for having clients imagine themselves in pleasant, relaxing surroundings, such as sitting in a meadow or at the seashore. Additional suggestions prompt them to be aware of all their senses, e.g., to notice sounds, scents, tactile sensations (breeze on one’s cheek), etc. to reinforce the imagery.
In some types of Buddhist meditation, imagery is used that prompts the client to let go of negative experiences. For example, they are instructed to put negative feelings in a weather balloon which can rise and float out of sight. Alternatively, they can imagine that their worries are leaves that drop into a stream and float away.
The therapist can easily incorporate hypnotic suggestions. One example is having the subject imagine becoming light as a feather and floating up into the air, leaving cares and worries far below and floating along propelled by a gentle breeze. All the structures and vehicles below look like toys. Then they are gently redeposited on the ground with a newfound sense of comfort and security. The repetition of key words is used to deepen the hypnotic state along with modulation of the cadence and emphasis of the suggestions.
The goal is to customize the relaxation exercise to the preferences of the client. Then they are most likely to use it habitually.
Tai Chi Breathing and Chi Gung
The type of breathing that I have described is frequently employed in Chi Gung exercises that are used as warmups for Tai Chi forms. I discuss Tai Chi more fully in another posting but will briefly discuss the breathing exercises.
Chi Gung. In the early morning, you’ll frequently see older Chinese people doing these exercises outdoors near areas where they live. Sometimes these people exaggerate their breathing, make loud sounds, or strike their bodies. Chi Gung takes many forms. Each person has their own routine.
There are standard groups of exercises that are collectively called the 18 Therapies. They exist in more than one collection. These exercises teach balance, breathing, stretching, how to shift weight, and so forth. They are used as warm-up exercises prior to doing the Tai Chi forms. They also form the building blocks of the Tai Chi forms. I have been doing these exercises every morning for over 40 years for their health benefits.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) these exercises are believed to improve the flow of Chi in the energy meridians that exist throughout the body. Blockages occur at nodes where acupressure can be used to release pain. (Acupuncture needles are used in the same locations.) Refer to my Tai Chi handout for more details. |
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Donations are the Lifeblood WPS
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As members of our psychological community, we invite you to join us in sustaining the valuable work of WPS. As a lean organization, we face financial constraints that jeopardize our ability to maintain essential services. The costs of custom software and our dedicated part-time staff strain our resources. These fees also pay for our website, our searchable member directory, our two-hour lunch time webinars by experts in their specialties, occasional in-person networking meetings, and other services.
Your generous donations will not only help bridge this gap but also ensure the continuity of our mission. Together, let's continue to nurture this community of psychologists. We are grateful for your ongoing support and commitment to our shared vision. |
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Supporting Members: Geraldine Markel, Ph.D., Todd Favorite, Ph.D., Allan Newman.
Washtenaw Psychology Society is made possible by our donors and sponsors. If you would like to join our esteemed list of donors, visit our website www.washtenawpsychologysociety.com/donate |
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WPS is excited to offer promotion opportunities to local businesses! Placement will be included in official WPS communications, as well as our homepage, the bulletin board, and our ads page.
To submit an ad simply navigate to our Advertising page and search for the "submit an ad!" link.
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The Sunfield Institute is offering a limited time 15% discount for all Sunfield workshops to WPS's subscribers. Use code WPS to redeem. Contact Information Contact Name: Jeff Snyder
City: Ann Arbor
State: MI
Zip: 48108
Home Phone: 7342229277
Website
Email: jeffsnyder@sunfieldcenter.com |
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The Wright Counseling is accepting new clients in person and telehealth for both our locations, in Troy, MI and Portage, MI.
We are a small, locally owned counseling clinic that focuses on helping our clients by meeting them where they are at, to help them get where they want to be. We utilize the values of compassion, authenticity, respect and equality to bring about a synergistic relationship between clinician and client. We offer parenting support, couples workshops, individual therapy across the lifespan and family therapy. We believe that connection is the foundation of wellness, both with our Self and the relationships in our lives.
Stephanie Wright |
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Professional Photographic Services
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is a Southeast Michigan photographer who specializes in capturing authentic moments and emotion. He is offering professional headshots, event photography, family photography and more. He is highly resourceful and eager to deliver high-quality images. Click the button below to learn more or contact Stefan. |
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