Brett Elam
The Friends We Once Were: Mind-Body Connection
The Friends We Once Were: Mind-Body Connection
Brett Elam
The Gentle Unfolding: Embracing the Journey of ...
The Gentle Unfolding: Embracing the Journey of Self-Discovery
Social Commentary, Women's Studies, Nature and Society, Work-Life Balance, Mental Health
Brett Elam
Queen Balling: Nature's Metaphor for the ...

Explore the striking parallels between "queen balling" in honeybee hives and the societal pressures women face today. This blog sheds light on the challenges and struggles women undergo in meeting societal expectations and discusses how society can support them better.

Queen Balling: Nature's Metaphor for the Pressure on Women
Brett Elam
Nurturing Parental Resilience: 5 Strategies ...
Nurturing Parental Resilience: 5 Strategies Amid Rising Gun Violence in Schools
Brett Elam
International Day of Friendship (and its ...
International Day of Friendship (and its healing power)

Fatigued to Fiesty

Fatigued to Fiesty

When you’re truly fatigued, you know it. You can’t even pretend that “tired” is the right word to describe how you feel. What you may have failed to realize is that you may be doing it to yourself.

Did you hear me? You are doing this to YOURSELF. Often times, we get into a routine that breeds fatigue. Same old habits, same old outcome. You may be doing some of the right things to build a routine that breeds energy, positivity and strength. But if you’re fatigued, may you don’t know how notto be.

Rearrange Your Rows: A Look at Boundaries

Rearrange Your Rows: A Look at Boundaries

Each year, the count down from one year to the next bring promise of new things to come. It is a time of reflection and planning. It’s a time when many create objectives such as “lose weight this year” or “take better care of myself.” Most often resolutions are a promise to better care for themselves. Unfortunately, when we consider taking care of ourselves, we don’t always survey those around us to see how they are promoting or denying our efforts.

 

SAD: Beating the Winter Blues

SAD: Beating the Winter Blues

This time of year is heavily associated with seasonal changes. The leaves are crisping to the lovely red, yellow and orange shades to welcome the winter weather. It is during this time that we also gain that extra hour of sleep and walk out of work into darkness. And for many, this time of year marks the onset of many undesirable symptoms that include a heaviness and with it, a state of depression.

Words as Weapons: Domestic Violence Series

Words as Weapons: Domestic Violence Series

Verbal, psychological, emotional, sexual and financial abuse often remain unrecognized or excused among victims of domestic violence. Let us eliminate any confusion that still lingers over this issue: Abuse is abuse is abuse. Many of the previously listed forms of abuse are precursors or supplements to physical violence. Let’s review the various types of verbal dominance and control that can be used over a partner

Getting Gone: Domestic Violence Series

Getting Gone: Domestic Violence Series

In the discussion of domestic violence issues, many people ask, “Why do these women stay?” It is disheartening to hear the stereotypical responses, “Doesn’t she have any respect for herself?” or “Doesn’t she want to protect her children?” The truth is, many women are aware and afraid of the fact that they are captive to an abusive relationship. The real dilemma is not identifying whether or not you’re in one, but whether or not you can ever truly escape it. An abusive relationship is built on the foundation of isolation. 

Mixed Messages: Domestic Violence Series

Mixed Messages: Domestic Violence Series

Our media culture likes to discuss domestic violence…when it’s convenient. You may still hear the whispers of domestic violence discussion in the aftershock of the Ray Rice and Adrian Peterson stories, but I have chosen this moment to bring domestic violence into the light. I won’t, again, let the importance of this topic be dictated by the media ebbs and flows.

Helping Them, Hurting You

Helping Them, Hurting You

As mental health professionals, we are among the most susceptible populations to experience secondary trauma syndrome, among others (first responders and case workers). In a study examining the effects of vicarious trauma for counselors and psychologists working with sexual violence survivors, counselors with a higher percentage of survivors in their caseload reflected more disrupted beliefs, particularly regarding the goodness of others (Schauben & Frazier, 1995).

Breasts. Boobies. Ta-tas

Breasts. Boobies. Ta-tas

In the past, October has been about the Susan G. Komen breast cancer awareness products that range from ribbons to wrist bands, from bras to tee-shirts–all in an effort to promote the prevention and treatment of one of the most deadly illnesses to ever face women. We use a lot of cute words to describe our breasts when it comes to creating awareness, but the truth of the matter is much darker.