Surviving Anxiety, Depression & More

HAVE YOU EVER ASKED YOURSELF THIS QUESTION?

Let's look at what you are doing to take care of yourself, we all need to take care of ourselves not just those with emotional upset.



Are you receiving the support you deserve?

Are you using the appropriate tools? Do you have tools to use?

Are you choosing to feel this way? And if so, how does this benefit you?

Is it time to consider an Rx or have your Rx re-evaluated?

Could updating your coping skills be of benefit?


A therapist is there to provide: support, perspective, tools, healthy coping skills and more. Your job is to put into practice what you are learning and discovering.

I am happy to report that the recent launch of

http://www.805Therapy.com

is proving to be a new and exciting success

To Find Joy in your Solitude Is A Worthy Accomplishment.

Ashley continues to provide 8 free sessions to individuals and their families affected by the September 2008 Metrolink accident.

This was a traumatic, life changing event for all involved, either directly or indirectly. Time and talk therapy that addresses post traumatic stress may be just what you need. You may also want to consider the use of an appropriate medication, however this is not a requirement for this free service.

(805) 204-7315

What is NOT OK when it comes to the client/therapist working relationship includes:
* The therapist is a business client or you interact in another professional or personal manner
* Any sexual or romantic gestures
* Breaking confidentiality - To name just a couple of big issues, there are more.

Serving Ventura County, California

*Free assessment prior to attending group or individual sessions. Affordable fees.
These groups are professionally facilitated.

Womens Anger Management
Monday's 2:00 - 3:00 pm

Men's Group

Monday Evenings
6:15 - 7:30 pm

Anxiety Depression Group
Wednesday's 4:00 - 5:15 pm

Other groups are available, please inquire

Available for presentations and talks

Self-talk is our internal dialogue - the words we use when we talk to ourselves, Reflecting and creating our emotional states.

You can feel calm or worried, depending on what you tell yourself. Your self-talk can influence your self-esteem, outlook, energy level, relationships with others and how you experience life. It can even affect your health, determining, for example, how you handle stressful events, or how easily you replace unhealthy behaviors with healthy ones.

Examples :

Focusing only on problems: This is the essence of complaining. We dwell on the problem, instead of solutions. Instead: Assume most problems have solutions, and ask "How do I want this situation to be different?"

Catastrophizing: Every bad thing that happens is a horrible disaster. Instead: Be realistic ...

Expecting the worst: "What if he doesn't like me?" "What if I don't pass the exam?" Expecting the worst does not encourage you to behave effectively. Expecting the worst only promotes anxiety. Instead:...

(There are so many more )

If you are interested in seeking help with your own inner dialogue/ self talk, want to change it and need some assistance, do not hesitate to get in touch... (805) 204-7315

Ahem, mumbling not encouraged :)
.

Looking at your bedtime habits may reveal why sleep is elusive. Here are a few strategies to help improve your chances of getting a good nights sleep:

Dim the lights an hour before bedtime, this can help trigger the brain that "rest time" is approaching

Resist watching t.v. in bed

Avoid eating/ snacking in bed

Only use your bed for sex and sleep

Listen to some relaxing music

A warm bath or shower helps some individuals

Make yourself a nice warm cup of tea (decaffeinated)

Focusing on one thing helps calm the mind, it does take practice to train your mind to focus...

Breathing can be a good focal point, the use of a 'white noise' machine has been found helpful for many - this item can be found under Helpful Tools at a reasonable price.

For further help and individualized strategies make an appointment for your *free assessment.

Ashley Bretting, M.S.
Marriage & Family Therapist
Registered Intern #IMF51514
Supervised by Lynn M. Jones, Ph.D.
Lic # MFC021739
Morbrook Institute A non-profit agency
in collaboration with Camarillo Health Care District

(805) 204-7315

www.ashleybretting.com

In Victorian times depression was referred to as hysteria. Even earlier the symptoms of depression are described under one of the 7 deadly sins as Sloth, where they thought depression and melancholy was a 'choice'.

Only in recent history and with the giant steps of scientific advancements was the culprit identified as that of a chemical imbalance. In the 1980's with the introduction of (SSRI's) Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors was the chemical imbalance properly addressed, in part.

I support each clients decision whether they choose to use medication or not. As was the case during the Victorian era, talk therapy has tremendous benefits and continues to evolve into more useful styles as is the case with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). This is an interactive, effective and current day approach used by many, including myself to help with depression, anxiety, relational issues, self esteem matters, addiction, self harm and much more.

Depression Symptoms Include:

Deep sadness
Emptiness
Hopeless
Helpless
Changes in sleep
Changes in appetite
Suicidal thoughts
Exhaustion
isolating yourself

You can survive depression. Reach out for help, even though you don't feel like it. Because you are worth it and help is available.

Five Stages Of Grief

1. Denial
At first, we tend to deny the loss has taken place, and may withdraw from our usual social contacts. This stage may last a few moments, or longer.

2. Anger
The grieving person may then be furious at the person who inflicted the hurt (even if she's dead), or at the world, for letting it happen. He may be angry with himself for letting the event take place, even if, realistically, nothing could have stopped it.

3. Bargaining
The grieving person may make bargains with God, asking, "If I do this, will you take away the loss?"

4. Depression
Feeling down, numb, although anger and sadness may remain underneath.

5. Acceptance
This is when the anger, sadness and mourning have tapered off. The person simply accepts the reality of the loss.

Beyond The Stages Of Mourning

* If you are mourning for a recent loss make sure to make time for feeling the emotions that arise, whether they are anger, sadness, or pain. There is no need to judge these emotions as good or bad and know that it is Ok to feel these and they will not last forever as all things come and go. You may even create a little ritual where you spend time with the picture or object connected to the person who has passed.

* Friends sometimes get uncomfortable around grief and if they try and make you feel better in the moment, thank them for this, and let them know it is normal and natural to feel how you feel.

* Make sure to also take care of yourself during this time, go out on a walk, make sure to eat healthy.

* Try and open your eyes to the delights around you. It could be a smile on a child's face or your own. Smelling a wonderful flower or maybe tasting your own favorite food. Even in the midst of grief we can be open to the wonders of life.

* Know your limits and allow yourself to take a break from feeling when it's becoming overwhelming, but make sure to let your grief know that you will come back. Make a time to revisit it otherwise it will occupy you all day.

* Being altruistic can be a great way to move through grief. Maybe you would like to volunteer at a homeless shelter or make some things for those you care about.

* Support has been known to be very helpful and so joining a grief or support group either online or in person can be enormously supportive.

Bipolar (Manic Depression)

Bipolar is a psychological disorder affecting an estimated 6 percent of the population. Bipolar disorder equally affects people of all races and backgrounds.

What is Bipolar ?

Bipolar disorder is a condition in which periods of extreme euphoria, called mania, alternate with periods of severe depression. Bipolar disorder is sometimes also called manic depression.

Learn what you need to know to stay healthy.

Know someone who may benefit from a new investigational treatment?
Maybe you're just curious to see what new horizons are being explored in the medical field...

On To Retail Therapy

This was my own response to the prompt

Describe your day to day life:

I wake each day of late, with joy and purpose - this was not always the case.

I bring hope and reason to the distraught and disillusioned, offer to hold anothers pain while they are in the room - giving them a rest and reprieve from from their burdens and hurt, their shame or guilt and whatever else they carry in their heart & soul.

I've found my purpose, am living my dream, experience incredible joy when my clients are healing and feel blessed for all that I have survived to be here for them.

Strange how life works out, isn't it...