Illness Narratives: Novel ideas for working with people living with a chronic illness

Living with a chronic illness can be a complex and challenging experience. A life-altering illness diagnosis impacts multiple aspects of a person’s life, challenging their worldview and sense of self, and affecting their relationships and work life.  This intensive 6-hour workshop will offer therapists ideas and practices for supporting people navigating the complexities of chronic illness. By integrating the assumptions and principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Narrative Practices, you will learn ways to support people living with a chronic illness in re-authoring a more hopeful view of their future, building resilience, and enhancing their overall quality of life.

More info: https://jstinstitute.com

For more information or to register,

go to https://jstinstitute.com

KATY MENTAL HEALTH NETWORK MEETING - DECEMBER 6, 2024 - 11:30 AM TO 1:30 PM

JOIN US!

Members Choice Credit Union

18211 Katy Freeway

Houston, TX 77094

There is NO COST for attending this meeting.

To reserve your place at this event RSVP:

https://forms.gle/Yrwdr4YnadqLkVVN8

Katy Mental Health Network Meeting

Hosted by David Bueno Martin, MA, LPC-S from Martin Counseling

Speaker: Bill Prasad, LPC-S, LCDC

Topic: Breaking Hearts and Healing Minds

Light lunch will be provided.

For any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Martin Counseling’s office at

713-489-5473 or email: Info@HoustonLPC.com

KATY SPIRITUAL CARE NETWORK EVENT - NOVEMBER 8, 2024 - 11:30 AM TO 1:30 P

JOIN US!

1818 Katyland Drive

Katy, Texas 77493

There is NO COST for attending this meeting. 

To reserve your place at this event RSVP by following the link:

https://forms.gle/H9ZPQJmYbuzo1oY5A

THE MEETING TIME IS 11:30 AM TO 1:30 PM.  

Hosted by:

Katy Spiritual Care Network

Martin Counseling

Light lunch provided by Promises Behavioral Health

Speaker: Michael Sonderstrom, MA, LPC-S

Topic: Treatment of OCD and OC Spectrum Disorders

For any questions, please contact Martin Counseling’s office at 713-489-5473 or email: Info@HoustonLPC.com

KATY MENTAL HEALTH NETWORK MEETING - OCTOBER 4, 2024 - 11:30 AM TO 1:30 PM

JOIN US!

Members Choice Credit Union

18211 Katy Freeway

Houston, TX 77094

There is NO COST for attending this meeting.

To reserve your place at this event RSVP:

https://forms.gle/Fi1PayupiYKRHwiA8

For CE credit, also sign up here:

https://eatingrecoverycenter.my.site.com/events/s/lt-event?id=a5oUU0000003qi1YAA

Katy Mental Health Network Meeting

Hosted by David Bueno Martin, MA, LPC-S

from Martin Counseling

Speaker: Amanda Davis, LCSW-S at Eating Recovery Center

Topic: Effective Treatment for Trauma and Eating Disorders: Using Cognitive Processing Therapy

Light lunch provided by Eating Recovery Center

For any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Martin Counseling’s office at

713-489-5473 or email: Info@HoustonLPC.com

NOVEL PRACTICES FOR BREAKING FREE FROM PANIC AND ANXIETY: A Somatic meets Narrative training

Panic and anxiety are amongst the most frequent problems that people present when seeking therapy. Their personal stories often reflect the impoverishing and debilitating effects that it has on their ability to appreciate and participate in the mundane details of everyday life. In this one-of-a-kind workshop, Jim and Bob will present a range of valuable assumptions and practices for addressing panic and anxiety that are not normally presented together. They are all non-normative time-sensitive approaches to therapy. Jim will be focusing on brief narrative practices and Bob will be focusing on somatic approaches including energy psychology and Ericksonian hypnosis. Together they will present empowering alternative short-term approaches for overcoming panic and anxiety

Narrative therapy can help people with panic and anxiety challenge negative thoughts and beliefs by deconstructing the problem saturated stories and identifying subordinate storylines that contradict the problem saturated narratives. These previously subordinated stories can be developed into “thicker” narratives, thus releasing the hold of the “thin” narratives of panic and anxiety on peoples’ lives.

Meanwhile, Ericksonian and energy psychology approaches provide methods for deconstructing the consciousness and somatic practices of anxiety and panic that provide the fertile ground for healing and resourcefulness and resilience.

Both Approaches privilege people’s local knowledge, emphasizing abilities rather than deficits, possibilities rather than limitations and what is strong, rather than what is wrong in people.

https://jstinstitute.com

COLLABORATIVE SUPERVISION and PEER CONSULTATION

In this interactive workshop Caroline & Jim will invite participants to journey through the post-structuralist assumptions that inform critically reflective practices. These practices can be applied to a wide range of environments including but not limited to non-profit, social service organizations, independent practices, coaching practices, corporate environments, health care, and educational environments and will be of interest to both experienced and hardworking beginner supervisors and consultants.

Collaborative and reflective supervision offers a radical departure from traditional supervision. In traditional supervision, which is located in individualism and steeped in normative judgement, it is common practice to see people as isolated entities, devoid of context. Reflective supervision and consultation locates people within their social cultural context. Caroline and Jim will make clear the complexities and the many uses of critically reflective practices in your work. You will learn how to infuse your conversations with post-structuralist curiosity and questions that invite people to get in touch with their values, commitments, knowledges and skills. It aims to unearth dominant assumptions about power and responses to power (master narratives).

READ MORE: https://jstinstitute.com

COFFEE AND CONNECTIONS SEPTEMBER 13TH 8AM - 10AM!

Please join Eating Recovery Center and Martin Counseling for this pop in and out networking event to meet colleagues in the community!

We request that you RSVP using this link: https://forms.gle/zNzwdG22TNAyY3dj9

KATY MENTAL HEALTH NETWORK MEETING - AUGUST 2, 2024 - 11:30 AM TO 1:30 PM

JOIN US!

Members Choice Credit Union

18211 Katy Freeway

Houston, TX 77094

There is NO COST for attending this meeting.

To reserve your place at this event RSVP:

https://forms.gle/dVKhmi74pNXT81sv8

Katy Mental Health Network

Hosted by David Bueno Martin, MA, LPC-S

from Martin Counseling

Speaker: Kevin Simmons RPh, Director of Pharmacy at West Oaks Hospital

Topic: Psychotropic Medications

Light lunch and ice cream provided by West Oaks Hospital & Arise Eating

For any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Martin Counseling’s office at

713-489-5473 or email: Info@HoustonLPC.com

Group Play Therapy for Children Ages 6-8

Groups will be held on Thursdays 6pm to 7pm.

Sessions will begin on Thursday, July 11, 2024 and through Thursday, August 1st.

$ 15 Per Session

Mark Your Calendars for:

• July 11

• July 18

• July 25

• August 1

Location: Martin Counseling

472 Park Grove Drive Katy, TX 77450

For Additional Questions Call or text 713-489-5473 or email info@houstonLPC.com

Group Therapy for Young Adults (Ages 18-26)

Groups will be held on Wednesdays 7pm to 8pm.

Sessions will begin on Wednesday, July 10, 2024 and through Wednesday, July 30th.

$ 20 Per Session, $80 for all Four Sessions.

Mark Your Calendars for:

• July 10

• July 17

• July 24

• July 31

Location: Martin Counseling

472 Park Grove Drive Katy, TX 77450

For Additional Questions Call 713-489-5473.

Practicum Intern Promotion

💼 Ready to invest in your mental health? 🌟 We're offering a special rate for new patients to see a practicum intern at Martin Counseling. For just $30, you can get your first session and take a step towards better mental well-being! 🌈

Don't miss out on this limited-time offer to prioritize your mental health 🧠💪

https://lnkd.in/gTxj6Knz
Call or Text 713-489-5473 to contact us!

KATY SPIRITUAL CARE NETWORK MEETING: Friday, JULY 12, 2024

JOIN US!

1818 Katyland Drive

Katy, Texas 77493

There is NO COST for attending this meeting. 

To reserve your place at this event RSVP by following the link:

https://forms.gle/EBWhyzaN7wPj3z5bA

THE MEETING TIME IS 11:30 AM TO 1:30 PM.  

Hosted by:

Katy Spiritual Care Network

Martin Counseling

Light lunch provided by Positive Recovery

For any questions, please contact Martin Counseling’s office at 713-489-5473 or email: Info@HoustonLPC.com

KATY MENTAL HEALTH NETWORKING MEETING - June 7, 2024 - 11:30AM TO 1:30PM

JOIN US!

Members Choice Credit Union

18211 Katy Freeway

Houston, TX 77094

There is NO COST for attending this meeting.

To reserve your place at this event RSVP:

https://forms.gle/qMioXS3Jg4bmqkRcA

Katy Mental Health Network

Hosted by David Bueno Martin, MA, LPC-S

from Martin Counseling

Speaker: Brooke Martin - Topic: Levels of Care in Mental Health

Light lunch provided by Acadia Healthcare

For any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Martin Counseling’s office at

713-489-5473 or email: Info@HoustonLPC.com

Katy Spiritual Care Network Event 5/3/2024

JOIN US!

1818 Katyland Drive

Katy, Texas 77493

There is NO COST for attending this meeting. 

To reserve your place at this event RSVP by following the link:

https://forms.gle/nGuJ9qKiQY4LaDSf8

THE MEETING TIME IS 11:30 AM TO 1:30 PM.  

Hosted by:

Katy Spiritual Care Network

Martin Counseling

Speaker: Bill Prasad, LPC-S, LCDC, Certified Trauma Counselor

Speaking Topic - Religion and Psychotherapy: Collision or Intersection?

Light lunch provided by West Oaks Hospital

For any questions, please contact Martin Counseling’s office at 713-489-5473 or email: Info@HoustonLPC.com

Hope Rising Conference - Belly of the Whale (Galveston)

Dive deep into the 'Belly of the Whale Conference' Join us on Galveston Island, April 18th, 2024, from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM for a transformative journey! Connect with like-minded souls, explore spiritual insights, and nurture your soul at this enriching event hosted by the Spiritual Care Network. Ready to embark on this enlightening voyage? Secure your spot and join the Spiritual Care Network community today.

Register today...

https://www.spiritualcarenet.org/.../belly-of-the-whale...

Katy Mental Health Networking Meeting - April 5, 2024 - 11:30am to 1:30pm

JOIN US!

Members Choice Credit Union

18211 Katy Freeway

Houston, TX 77094

There is NO COST for attending this meeting.

To reserve your place at this event RSVP:

https://forms.gle/udzaBSFf4vpYGapZ6

Katy Mental Health Network

Hosted by David Bueno Martin, MA, LPC-S

from Martin Counseling

Speaker: Kimberly Beatty, LCSW with ADA Women’s Center

Light lunch provided by Acadia Healthcare

For any questions, please contact Martin Counseling’s office at

713-489-5473 or email: Info@HoustonLPC.com

Upcoming Training at JST Institute

Our next workshop is taking place on Saturday, May 4, from 9am to 4pm CST

BRIEF NARRATIVE SHORT STORIES: Single-Session Practices & Just Beyond

Assumptions, principles, and practices

More professionals are now turning to time-sensitive, competency-oriented practices as a viable short-term approach for providing services to people. These practices can be taken into therapeutic conversations in brief, single session, walk-in, or longer-term environments.

In this workshop Jim will offer a detailed journey through the guiding brief narrative assumptions and principles that inform single-session practices. In addition, he will introduce fresh, and innovative concepts that expand the pioneering narrative work of White and Epston. Clear and specific connections between these concepts and how to put them to work in single-session practice will be described.

There will be an emphasis on skill development through “hands on” practice and how to apply these ideas to ‘real world’ settings. Skill building exercises, clear presentations, detailed transcripts, recorded examples and a comprehensive handout will all be included to provide you with a rich and engaging training experience in brief narrative single-session practices. This will be a valuable training experience for hardworking newcomers as well as advanced practitioners. This energizing training experience will help you move your understanding of time-sensitive practices to exciting new territories.

 https://jstinstitute.com/.../brief-narrative-short-stories/

KATY SPIRITUAL CARE NETWORK EVENT - MARCH 1, 2024

JOIN US!

1818 Katyland Drive

Katy, Texas 77493

There is NO COST for attending this meeting. 

To reserve your place at this event RSVP by following the link:

https://forms.gle/Sa3aRfgPwrFdEhq89 

THE MEETING TIME IS 11:30 AM TO 1:30 PM.  

Hosted by:

Katy Spiritual Care Network

Martin Counseling

Light lunch provided by Magnolia City Detox

For any questions, please contact Martin Counseling’s office at 713-489-5473 or email: Info@HoustonLPC.com

EARLY WARNING SIGNS OF MANIA/HYPOMANIA (Jongsma, 2014, p.50).

This blog is presented by Yamid Montalvo, LPC. For more information, please visit Martin Counseling.

Spotting the beginning of mania or hypomania can be tricky because they make you feel really good, and it's tempting to ignore them. But it's crucial to get help early before things go wrong. If these episodes aren't addressed, they often lead to a sudden drop into serious depression and increase the risk of relapse. This guide helps you recognize warning signs so you can seek help before things get worse. Everyone's experience is different, so you might not have all the signs listed. If you notice more than one in a day, reach out to your therapist or doctor. Encourage your family or housemates to do the same. (Jongsma, 2014, p.50). 

1.Watch out for changes in your thoughts and feelings as signs of mania or hypomania. Check if you notice these shifts in your thinking. You might see them yourself, or someone close to you might point them out. Use this as a checklist (Jongsma, 2014, p.50).

• Suddenly improved mood when nothing in your life is significantly better

• Suddenly feeling more irritable and impatient than usual

• A sudden burst of creative thinking, with lots of new ideas

• Feeling more restless than usual

• Your mind jumping from one subject to another more than usual

• Becoming more easily distracted by things going on around you

• Suddenly feeling more impulses to do things that feel good (using alcohol/

• other drugs, sex, spending, traveling, etc.)

• A sudden and significant increase in self-confidence and self-esteem

2. Look out for changes in how you act; people around you may notice and mention them (Jongsma, 2014, p.50-51):

• Suddenly feeling more energetic and needing less sleep than usual

• Increased sex drive and sexual activity

• Talking more/faster, interrupting more, having a harder time than usual

• being quiet

• Snapping at people or blurting out things you wouldn’t usually say

• Unusual bursts of physical activity, such as walking, pacing, exercise,

• fidgeting

• Decreased appetite and eating less

• Increased impulsive behavior in areas like spending money

• Suddenly working

References
Jongsma, A. E. (2014). Addiction treatment homework planner (5th Ed.). John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Coffee and Connections February 16th 8am - 10am! Please use link below to RSVP

Please use RSVP link:  https://forms.gle/MjYpB46pG8GWE1Yw5

Katy Spiritual Care Networking Event - January 2024

JOIN US!

1818 Katyland Drive

Katy, Texas 77493

There is NO COST for attending this meeting. 

To reserve your place at this event RSVP by filling out this simple form.

https://forms.gle/Sa3aRfgPwrFdEhq89 

THE MEETING TIME IS 11:30 AM TO 1:30 PM.  

NETWORKING 11:30 AM TO 1:00pm.  

Hosted by:

Katy Spiritual Care Network

Martin Counseling

Light lunch provided by New Dimensions Day Treatment

For any questions, please contact Martin Counseling’s office at 713-489-5473 or email: Info@HoustonLPC.com