6 Katy Mental Health Meetings in 2014

Here are the dates for all of our Katy Mental Health meetings in 2014:

01/10/2014

03/07/2014

05/02/2014

07/11/2014

09/05/2014

11/07/2014

Grab your calendar and pencil us in! 

Katy Mental Health networking luncheon- Friday, November 1, 2013

We will be discussing the highlights of changes in the DSM-5 and the Affordable Care Act.  To read more about the changes made to the DSM-5, I suggest that you take a look at this article before hand.

Friday, November 1, 2013. 11:30 am until 1:00 pm.

The Brazos Valley Schools Credit Union

25525 Katy Mills Parkway

Katy, TX 77494

281-391-2149 (phone number to the location).

Kris Kerlin, LPC-S, David Bueno Martin, LPC-S and Ruby Renz, LPC are co-hosting the next Katy Mental Health networking luncheon in Katy, Texas. Please bring your own lunch. There is NO COST to this meeting (donations are appreciated to help with ongoing costs). To reserve your place at this event please RSVP by filling out this simple form.  For any questions, please contact David Bueno Martin at 713-364-8590 or e-mail : David@HoustonLPC.com.

The Greater Houston Behavioral Health Affordable Care Act Initiative

Check out these TWO EVENTS in October taking place in Houston.

Register by completing the registration form (click here)  or by contacting ymendoza@mhahouston.org

We encourage you to bring staff who will be affected by these changes.

Thanks to the generosity of our funders, Houston Endowment Inc., The Meadows Foundation and United Way of Greater Houston Community Response Fund, these events are offered at no cost.

We want to acknowledge The Montrose Center for their gracious provision of meeting space.

6 Small Changes = Big Difference in Your Life

Have you heard about the new studies in neuroscience showing the importance of integrating TLCs?  “Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes” enhance therapeutic results, promote wellness, decrease stress, and facilitate the development of new neural connections, which increases brain health. Here are the 6 small changes that make a big difference:

1. Exercise

2. Nutrition

3. Social relationships

4. Cognitive challenge

5. Sleep

6. Meditation

Continue to read more about making these changes here = http://goo.gl/0RZZKW

“Can we save this marriage?”

I truly enjoy working with couples.  The most common question?  “Can this marriage be saved?"  John Gottman says: "What makes love last is cherishing your partner and feeling lucky that you have this person in your life.  That act of cherishing is something that some couples build." With up to 50 percent of marriages ending in divorce, this new research delineates the factors that make love last = http://ow.ly/o4wr2

Going Into Private Practice Full Time

Here is a short update on my professional life:  It has been a little over a week for me in full time private practice at Martin Counseling.  It was not an easy decision to leave my part time job with DePelchin, but I think that it will be the right career move for me in the long run.  Most importantly, this change will definitely allow me to spend more time with my family.  I continue to struggle to find a good work-life balance.  Can you identify with that?

Networking is very important for any business development.  And so is the case for mental health providers. Here is your next chance to do so in the West Houston/Katy area:

Katy Mental Health networking luncheon- SEPT. 6, 2013

RSVP by filling out this simple form. 

I wanted to share with you some good articles that I consider worth reading:

• The Little Kid Inside the Adult Borderline/Narcissist = http://ow.ly/nLzIQ
• 10 Tips For Raising Resilient Kids = http://ow.ly/nCv6Z
• Free Yourself by Being Direct = http://ow.ly/nxVan
• 6 Exercises to Alleviate Depression = http://ow.ly/nxUu2
• How Chronic People Pleasing Ruins your Health = http://ow.ly/nxXXV

Find the new jobs listed at Houston LPC JOBS here.

Looking for an LPC Supervisor?  Find yours here.

Katy Mental Health networking luncheon- SEPT. 6, 2013

Our guest speaker this month is Ruby Renz.  Shame is the feeling and conviction of never being good enough.  Brené Brown, PhD, is a research professor at UH Graduate School of Social Work who has spent more than a decade researching shame.  She has developed a psychoeducational group curriculum, Connections, to help persons become aware of, and decrease, their levels of shame.  Ruby Renz, LPC is a Certified Connections Facilitator candidate.  Ruby will give an overview of Brené's curriculum and lead us in an exercise that will help us become more aware of our shame--and our strengths.

Friday, September 6, 2013. 11:30am until 1:00pm.

The Brazos Valley Schools Credit Union

25525 Katy Mills Parkway

Katy, TX 77494

281-391-2149 (phone number to the location).

Kris Kerlin, LPC-S and David Bueno Martin, LPC-S are co-hosting the next Katy Mental Health networking luncheon in Katy, Texas. Please bring your own lunch. There is NO COST to this meeting (donations are appreciated to help with ongoing costs). To reserve your place at this event please RSVP by filling out this simple form.  For any questions, please contact Kris Kerlin at 713-471-9977 or e-mail David Bueno Martin: David@HoustonLPC.com.

Here is where the building is located (red arrow):

Networking Luncheon for Behavioral Health Professionals

Bring your business cards and information to share with other providers.

Your RSVP is needed, but there is No Charge to attend. 

Thursday, August 15th, from 12 Noon to 1:30 PM

We will facilitate networking with all participants.

The Golf Club at Cinco Ranch| 23030 Cinco Ranch Blvd. | Katy | TX | 77450

Limited seating: please RSVP by Aug 12th  -  Email: gbender@crchealth.com

Your Hosts are:

SIERRA TUCSON & ASPEN EDUCATION GROUP - CRC HEALTH

MEMORIAL HERMANN PREVENTION AND RECOVERY CENTER (PaRC)

THE MENNINGER CLINIC

Brookside Farm

Twenty-somethings, emotional health, and rates for counseling

If you work with twenty-somethings (or you are one :), take a look at this TED talk.  Meg Jay hopes to motivate a generation of twenty-somethings who have repeatedly been told they have plenty of time to figure out their lives. On the contrary, Jay sites statistics about career growth, relationship development and reproductive capabilities that all emphasize the importance of our 20s as a formative period that sets the trajectory for the rest of our lives.

Physical health is very important to many of us.  What about our own emotional health?  Guy Winch writes about the 7 habits of highly emotionally healthy people.

My rate for the first session will be $50 until July 31.  It will most likely increase after that.  If you have someone to refer to my office, now is the time.  Here are some answers to frequent questions about my rates and working with insurance.

Find Houston LPC JOBS here.

Looking for a Supervisor?  Find yours here.

Si conoces a alguien que necesite ayuda en ESPAñOL: TerapiaConDavid.com

Question Of The Day: Depressed?

Narcissist, Dad and Daughter, Sunday Night...

Many times, when I am working with a couple or in family therapy, the wife complains that her husband is behaving like a narcissist.  Here are 5 early warning signs you're with a narcissist.

I have been reading about father and daughter relationship lately... Here is a good article about How a Dad Shapes His Daughter’s Romantic Relationships.

This is a long weekend for many of us.  Do you know what day tomorrow is?  It’s Sunday!!  Here are 7 Things to Stop Sunday Night Anxiety and Depression. 

We will meet Friday of next week for the Katy Mental Health Meeting - July 12, 2013.  To reserve your place at this event please RSVP by filling out this simple form.

Find Houston LPC JOBS here.

Looking for a Supervisor?  Find yours here.

Si conoces a alguien que necesite ayuda en ESPAñOL: TerapiaConDavid.com

Katy Mental Health Meeting - July 12, 2013

This is a picture from our last KMH meeting.  We are  meeting again this summer!  

Friday, July 12, 2013. 11:30am until 1:00pm.

The Brazos Valley Schools Credit Union

25525 Katy Mills Parkway

Katy, TX 77494

281-391-2149 (phone number to the location).

Kris Kerlin, LPC-S and David Bueno Martin, LPC-S are co-hosting the next mental health networking luncheon in Katy, Texas. Please bring your own lunch. There is NO COST to this meeting (donations are appreciated to help with ongoing costs). Space is limited to the first 45 registrants. To reserve your place at this event please RSVP by filling out this simple form.  For any questions, please contact Kris Kerlin at713-471-9977 or e-mail David Bueno Martin: david@houstonlpc.com. 

Here is where the building is located (red arrow):

SOME GOOD LINKS

I know this list of links could seem a little random, but this is what my twitter followers are clicking on.

I wanted you to have the opportunity to find something worth reading.

1.  Have Anxiety? There's an App for That = http://ow.ly/kQhkc

2.  The NIMH Withdraws Support for DSM-5 = http://ow.ly/kIhsa

3.  21 First Date Questions = http://ow.ly/kIhJZ

4.  7 Tips for Making Other People Feel Smart and Insightful = http://ow.ly/kWeWn

5.  What Makes a Good Therapist? = http://ow.ly/kNS7W

CAN FINANCIAL STRESS MAKE YOU ILL?

This is the first in a series of joint articles by Adam Schachter (Houston Bankruptcy Lawyer) and David Bueno Martin (Counselor in Houston).

Adam: I think financial stress could cause illness. Most forms of stress have a negative impact on the psyche and the body. Financial stress is more insidious than other types of stress for a couple of reasons that we outline below.

David: When people are stressed about money, their health declines. In fact, 75–90% of all doctor visits are stress related. Personal financial problems are the number one factor that causes employees to lose focus and become less productive at their jobs. It's been found that 40% of employee turnover is attributed to stress.

1. It’s a Rollercoaster

Adam: When you are suffering financially, no matter what else is going on in life, there is often a low hum in the background that bills are not getting paid. That hum is often blasted into a shrieking sound when collectors call. You don’t know when they’ll call, but you do know it’s them when you see a toll free number or “anonymous” on the phone. Sure, you can try to ignore the calls but for most people it turns the unpleasant background noise of unpaid bills into an ambulance siren that landed in your living room trying to collect those bills.

David: Financial stress can hurt in more places than just your wallet. It can have a ripple effect on your health and interpersonal relationships. Stress can impact our thoughts and alter our bodily functions very sud­denly and powerfully. This is yet another example of the mind-body connection.

Stress starts as soon as your brain senses danger. Your amygdala makes sure that your brain goes into fight-flight-or-freeze mode. This response triggers the production of hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. These in turn send reinforcements to different areas of the body to increase blood pressure, heart rate, and energy for you to either fight, flight or freeze with all the might your body can muster. In a crisis, stress moves us into action to save us from the immediate danger or it can absolutely paralyze us.

2. There’s a lot of guilt associated with it.

Adam: Few people seek our help because they were financially unintelligent or simply did not budget correctly. Most people had a major life event cause their financial issues. Common factors include job loss or lower income, sickness or the sickness of a loved one, divorce, etc. It’s very common for someone who is suffering financially to ignore the precipitating events and simply blame themselves.

The Rollercoaster Effect and Guilt work independently AND magnify each other. It creates a type of stress that is always there, seemingly impossible to relieve and constantly getting worse. Being in a constant state of stress can lead to many emotional and physical problems. We’ve seen clients who appear to have significant problems related to anxiety, depression and obsessiveness. We’ve also heard from many clients who end up getting sick because they are not sleeping, or report having a reduced immune system because of their stress level.

David: The truth is that all of us, even the most challenged, have financial choices. Finding those choices may feel impossible: the second you get ahead, you're defeated by relatives needing loans, kids wanting the latest phone, downsizing, layoffs, unexpected medical expenses and a myriad of other obstacles.

It is easy to understand why someone would feel defeated. The trick to getting rid of a negative attitude is finding a way to believe that somehow, even in the most untenable of circumstances, there is hope. Simple things like finding a support system, asking for help to qualified professionals, making a gratitude list or visualizing yourself free of financial stress can also help you feel more hopeful.

If after reading this you are interested in counseling or bankruptcy advice please contact David Bueno Martin and Adam Schachter through their respective websites.

Disclaimer: Nothing on this page, or on any page on this site, should be construed as legal or medical advice and your use of this site does not create an attorney/counselor client relationship. You cannot create an attorney/counselor client relationship with us until you have met with us and signed a contract.

Katy Mental Health Meeting - May 3, 2013

Friday, May 3, 2013

11:30am until 1:00pm 

Our guest speaker is Ben Carrettin and he will be speaking on Working with Managed Care.

The Brazos Valley Schools Credit Union

25525 Katy Mills Parkway

Katy, TX 77494

281-391-2149 (phone number to the location).

Find other mental health folks. Form teams, solve problems. Hire. Be hired. Dream big. Make promises and keep them. Talk about Katy. Talk about helping others. Invite your friends. Reinvigorate yourself. Invigorate someone else. Discover how small the world is. Remind yourself how big the world is. This meeting is for counselors, social workers, psychologists, and psychiatrists. 

Kris Kerlin, LPC-S and David Bueno Martin, LPC are co-hosting the next mental health networking luncheon in Katy, Texas.  Please bring your own lunch.   There is NO COST to this meeting (donations are appreciated to help with ongoing costs).  Space is limited to the first 45 registrants. To reserve your place at this event please RSVP by October 29 by contacting Kris Kerlin at 713-471-9977 or e-mail David Bueno Martin:david@houstonlpc.com.

April is Stress Awareness Month

The Center for Stress Management is offering free stress screenings this month. Although stress is a part of life, you can learn skills to manage the level of stress in your life and increase your quality of life. Stress management is a skill for people of all ages. To learn more visit the Center for Stress Management online at www.center4stressmanagement.com or call to schedule your free stress screening -713-471-9977.

Clinical Supervision Certification Course 2013

This 5-day course will be offered at DePelchin Children's Center, 4950 Memorial Dr., Houston, TX  77007.  The cost is $100 per day, a total of $500 for the course.  The series meets the requirements outlined for LMSW-ACP, LCSW, LPC and LMFT supervision certification in the State of Texas. The presenters are Catherine Clancy, PhD, LCSW, and adjunct faculty at Smith College; along with Stephanie Washington, Ed.D., LCSW, Aldine ISD Social Worker, adjunct faculty at University ofHouston, Main Campus.  The classes are scheduled for March 14, 15, 21, 22, and April 5, 2013, meeting from 9:00 – 5:00 p.m. each day.  [ FIND MORE INFORMATION HERE ]

My picks of the week

I hope you find something on this list that resonates with you.

1.     Do you want to go paperless in your private practice? = http://ow.ly/hSGpO

2.     Relationship Anxiety Is Hard On The Immune System, Study Says = http://ow.ly/hSHk5

3.     How to Spot a Narcissist = http://ow.ly/hWlPW

4.     6 Tips for What to Do When You Feel Exhausted by Life = http://ow.ly/hP0La

5.     Signs You Are Verbally Abused = http://ow.ly/hWlXR

Understanding Addiction

Its influence is everywhere: family, workplace and school.  What can you do about it?

This TWO SESSION program is for those with addictions; their families, friends and coworkers; those who treat them; and anyone interested in learning more about addictions. 

See more information here.

Some interesting reads

I found these articles interesting and worth reading this week.  I hope you choose to read one or two of them.  Feel free to share and comment.

17 Psychology Experts Share Their Best Stress Relief Tips = http://ow.ly/hddzb

Making Mental Health Part of the School Safety Solution = http://ow.ly/hgUyX

Texas facing mental health crisis = http://ow.ly/hgUgK

The paradox of empathy: When empathy hurts = http://ow.ly/hgUle

Boundaries: It's Time to Say No When You Need To = http://ow.ly/hlEBF

iVegetarian: The High Fructose Diet of Steve Jobs = http://ow.ly/hdf2A