tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20914415300015847792024-03-07T21:59:37.922-08:00Tips, Tools, & Commentary from East Hill Counseling Services, LLCInteresting articles, useful tools, and helpful hints for mental health and wellness from around the internet and within the Pensacola community.East Hill Counseling Services, LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03934454458905719477noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091441530001584779.post-86780443941899241642015-10-31T18:57:00.001-07:002015-10-31T18:59:58.214-07:0010 Ways to Reduce Workplace Stress<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(50, 51, 51); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A couple of months ago Alice Crann Good, a local writer, spoke with me on behalf of <a href="http://www.pnj.com/">Pensacola News Journal’s</a> <a href="http://bellamagazine.com/">Bella Magazine</a> about workplace stress. She was writing an article about the impact workplace stress has on people and possible solutions to reduce stress. Her research and our discussion resulted in an article appearing in November’s issue of <a href="http://bellamagazine.com/">Bella Magazine</a> titled <a href="http://www.pnj.com/story/life/2015/10/20/10-ways-to-reduce-workplace-stress/74275448/">"10 Ways to Reduce Workplace Stress"</a>. My suggestions for reducing workplace stress address the following ten areas: (1) limits; (2) perfectionism; (3) organization; (4) focus; (5) environment; (6) movement; (7) nutrition; (8) sleep; (9) relaxation; and (10) humor. You can check out the embedded link <a href="http://www.pnj.com/story/life/2015/10/20/10-ways-to-reduce-workplace-stress/74275448/">"10 Ways to Reduce Workplace Stress"</a> to read the entire article online or check out <a href="http://www.pnj.com/story/life/style/bella/2014/05/02/bella-locations/8639129/">Bella locations</a> to find out where you can pick up a hard copy of Bella around Northwest Florida. </span><br />
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East Hill Counseling Services, LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03934454458905719477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091441530001584779.post-65572206286338052402015-08-31T14:44:00.000-07:002015-08-31T14:44:50.547-07:00Perfectionism Linked to Burnout<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(50, 51, 51); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #323333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 14px;">
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today’s post looks at new research published by the <a href="http://www.spsp.org/">Society for Personality and Social Psychology</a> that addresses how perfectionism can sabotage success at work, school or on the playing field, leading to stress, burnout, and other potential health problems.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the first meta-analysis of the relationship between perfectionism and burnout, researchers analyzed the findings from 43 previous studies conducted over the past 20 years. It turns out perfectionism isn't all bad. One aspect of perfectionism called "perfectionistic strivings" involves the setting of high personal standards and working toward those goals in a proactive manner. The study found that these efforts may help maintain a sense of accomplishment and delay the debilitating effects of burnout.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The dark side of perfectionism, called "perfectionistic concerns," can be more detrimental when people constantly worry about making mistakes, letting others down, or not measuring up to their own impossibly high standards, said lead researcher Andrew Hill, an associate professor of sport psychology at <a href="http://www.yorksj.ac.uk/">York St. John University in England</a>. Previous research has shown that perfectionistic concerns and the stress they generate can contribute to serious health problems, including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, fatigue, and even early mortality. The study was published online in the <a href="http://psr.sagepub.com/">Personality and Social Psychology Review</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Perfectionistic concerns capture fears and doubts about personal performance, which creates stress that can lead to burnout when people become cynical and stop caring," Hill said. "It also can interfere with relationships and make it difficult to cope with setbacks because every mistake is viewed as a disaster.”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The study found that perfectionistic concerns had the strongest negative effects in contributing to burnout in the workplace, possibly because people have more social support and clearly defined objectives in education and sports. A student can be rewarded for hard work with a high grade, or a tennis player can win the big match, but a stellar performance in the workplace may not be recognized or rewarded, which may contribute to cynicism and burnout.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"People need to learn to challenge the irrational beliefs that underlie perfectionistic concerns by setting realistic goals, accepting failure as a learning opportunity, and forgiving themselves when they fail," Hill said. "Creating environments where creativity, effort and perseverance are valued also would help.”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Most people display some characteristics of perfectionism in some aspect of their lives, but perfectionistic strivings or concerns may be more dominant. The study noted that the development of a personality profile that identifies perfectionistic concerns might be a valuable tool in detecting and helping individuals who are prone to burnout.</span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have you ever thought perfectionism might be a problem for you? Are you open to the idea of setting more flexible and achievable standards for yourself? Consider making an appointment with a counselor or therapist so that you might learn some some new helpful ways to set balanced and healthy standards for yourself so that perfectionism will have less of a negative impact on your life.</span></i></div>
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East Hill Counseling Services, LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03934454458905719477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091441530001584779.post-10890723451794268442015-06-30T20:52:00.001-07:002015-08-31T14:39:42.896-07:00Workplace Mindfulness-Based Interventions Reduces Stress Levels<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(50, 51, 51);">While</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(50, 51, 51); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> many people would describe their jobs as stressful at one time or another, workplace stress often ebbs and flows based on work assignments, deadlines, coworkers, and other variables. I think the research findings in today's post are particularly relevant for those people who work in careers in which stress is an inherent part of the daily grind.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A study by researchers at <a href="http://wexnermedical.osu.edu/">The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center</a> found that a workplace mindfulness-based intervention reduced stress levels of employees exposed to a highly stressful occupational environment.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Members of a surgical intensive care unit at the large academic medical center were randomized to a stress-reduction intervention or a control group. The 8-week group mindfulness-based intervention included mindfulness, gentle stretching, yoga, meditation and music conducted in the workplace. Psychological and biological markers of stress were measured one week before and one week after the intervention to see if these coping strategies would help reduce stress and burnout among participants.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Results of this study, published in the </span><a href="http://journals.lww.com/joem/Abstract/2015/04000/A_Small_Randomized_Pilot_Study_of_a_Workplace.8.aspx" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine</a><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, showed that levels of salivary [alpha]-amylase, an index of sympathetic activation of the nervous system -- also known as the fight or flight response -- were significantly decreased from the first to second assessments in the intervention group. The control group showed no changes. Psychological components of stress and burnout were measured using well-established self-report questionnaires.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Our study shows that this type of mindfulness-based intervention in the workplace could decrease stress levels and the risk of burnout," said one of the authors, Maryanna Klatt, associate clinical professor in the department of </span><a href="http://wexnermedical.osu.edu/" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Family Medicine at Ohio State's Wexner Medical Center</a><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. Chronic stress and stress reactivity have been found associated with increased levels of salivary [alpha]-amylase."What's stressful about the work environment is never going to change. But what we were interested in changing was the nursing personnel's reaction to those stresses. We measured salivary alpha amylase, which is a biomarker of the sympathetic nervous system activation, and that was reduced by 40 percent in the intervention group.”</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Klatt, who is a trained mindfulness and certified yoga instructor, developed and led the mindfulness-based intervention for 32 participants in the workplace setting. At baseline, participants scored the level of stress of their work at 7.15 on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the most stressful. The levels of work stress did not change between the first and second set of assessments, but their reaction to the work stress did change.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When stress is part of the work environment, it is often difficult to control and can negatively affect employees' health and ability to function, said lead author Dr. Anne-Marie Duchemin, research scientist and Associate Professor Adjunct in the department of </span><a href="http://wexnermedical.osu.edu/" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at Ohio State's Wexner Medical Center</a><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. "People who are subjected to chronic stress often will exhibit symptoms of irritability, nervousness, feeling overwhelmed; have difficulty concentrating or remembering; or having changes in appetite, sleep, heart rate and blood pressure," Duchemin said. Although work-related stress often cannot be eliminated, effective coping strategies may help decrease its harmful effects." "The changes in the levels of salivary alpha-amylase suggest that the reactivity to stress was decreased after the 8 week group intervention.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(50, 51, 51); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">If stress is an everyday normal </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(50, 51, 51);">occurrence</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(50, 51, 51); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(50, 51, 51);">from</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(50, 51, 51); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> the minute you start your job to the minute you walk out the door, consider </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(50, 51, 51);">looking into mindful based interventions to help alleviate some of your stress. </span></span></div>
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East Hill Counseling Services, LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03934454458905719477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091441530001584779.post-64947089648089911542015-04-22T17:47:00.001-07:002015-06-12T09:43:03.415-07:00Psychosocial Perfect Storm: Stress, Depression, and Cardiovascular Health<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(6, 8, 10); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">More research findings in today’s post regarding the effects of stress and depression on cardiovascular health. </span><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's always interesting reading articles that outline the relationship between mental health and physical health.</span><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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According to <a href="http://newsroom.heart.org/news/perfect-storm-of-stress-depression-may-raise-risk-of-death-heart-attack-for-heart-patients?preview=18a8">new research</a> in <i>Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes</i>, an <a href="http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/" target="_blank">American Heart Association</a> journal, the combination of stress and heavy depression can significantly increase heart patient's risk of death or heart attack.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The study examined the effect of high stress levels and high depressive symptoms among nearly 5,000 heart patients. Researchers concluded that risk is amplified when both conditions are present, thus validating the concept of a "psychosocial perfect storm.”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"The increase in risk accompanying high stress and high depressive symptoms was robust and consistent across demographics, medical history, medication use and health risk behaviors," said Carmela Alcántara, Ph.D., lead author of the study and associate research scientist at <a href="http://cumc.columbia.edu/cbch/" target="_blank">Columbia University Medical Center for Behavioral Cardiovascular Health</a> in New York.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Study participants included 4,487 coronary heart disease patients, 45 years and older, enrolled in the <a href="http://www.regardsstudy.org/" target="_blank">REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke</a> (REGARDS) study.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">During in-home examinations and self-administered questionnaires from 2003-07, participants were asked how often during the past week they felt depressed, lonely or sad, or had crying spells. To determine stress levels, participants were asked how often during the past month they felt they were unable to control important things in their lives, felt overwhelmed, felt confidence in their ability to handle personal problems and felt things were going their way.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">About 6 percent reported both high stress and high depression.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">During an average six-year follow-up, 1,337 deaths or heart attacks occurred. Short-term risk of death or heart attack increased 48 percent for those in the high stress-high depressive symptoms group compared with those in the low stress-low depressive symptoms group.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The elevated risk was most strongly associated with death rather than heart attack; additional result suggest the deaths may have been cardiovascular-related, but more research is needed, researchers said. The risk was significant only during the first two-and-half years from the initial home visit, and wasn't significant for those experiencing either high stress or high depressive symptoms alone, but not both at the same time.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Study findings may challenge traditional research paradigms that only focus on depression and its impact on patients with heart disease, Alcántara said. Behavioral interventions also should be considered to help heart disease patients manage both stress and depression better.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: start;">I highly recommend checking out </span>the <a href="http://www.regardsstudy.org/" target="_blank">REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke</a> (REGARDS) study. They have many interesting findings regarding stroke risk factors that have been gathered over the past decade. </span><br />
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Thanks for visiting! </span></div>
East Hill Counseling Services, LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03934454458905719477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091441530001584779.post-3593500049651386662015-01-24T10:39:00.000-08:002015-04-21T13:36:57.562-07:00Does an Upbeat Outlook Mean a Healthy Heart?<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(50, 51, 51); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In my post for today I have very interesting findings from a study,<i> </i><a href="http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/psp/hbpr/2015/00000002/00000001/art00006?token=00571f544cc11af420c559b5c5f3b3b474652486634257b2376455f404f582a2f433e402c3568263c2bc2b2"><i>Optimism and Cardiovascular Health</i></a>, published in the January/February 2015 issue of <a href="http://www.parisscholarpublishing.org/"><i>Health Behavior and Policy Review</i></a> that state people who have upbeat outlooks on life have significantly better cardiovascular health.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Individuals with the highest levels of optimism have twice the odds of being in ideal cardiovascular health compared to their more pessimistic counterparts,” said lead author Dr. Rosalba Hernandez, a professor of social work at the <a href="http://illinois.edu/">University of Illinois</a> (UI). “This association remains significant, even after adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics and poor mental health.”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In this latest study, the UI team looked at the associations between optimism and heart health in more than 5,100 adults. The researchers used seven metrics to assess participants’ cardiovascular health: blood pressure, body mass index, fasting plasma glucose and serum cholesterol levels, dietary intake, physical activity and tobacco use — the same metrics used by the American Heart Association (AHA) to define heart health and targeted by the AHA in its “<a href="http://mylifecheck.heart.org/Multitab.aspx?NavID=3&CultureCode=en-US">Life’s Simple 7″ (LS7) public awareness campaign</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Believed to be the first study to examine the association of optimism and cardiovascular health in a large, ethnically and racially diverse population, the sample for the current study was 38 percent white, 28 percent African-American, 22 percent Hispanic/Latino and 12 percent Chinese.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Data for the study were derived from the <a href="http://www.mesa-nhlbi.org/default.aspx">Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis</a>, an ongoing examination of subclinical cardiovascular disease that includes 6,000 people from six U.S. regions, including Baltimore, Chicago, Forsyth County in North Carolina, and Los Angeles County.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Begun in July 2000, MESA followed participants for 11 years, collecting data every 18 months to two years. Dr. Hernandez, who is an affiliated investigator on MESA, is leading a team in conducting prospective analyses on the associations found between optimism and heart health.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dr. Hernandez said, “They hope their future research will help them sort out exactly how optimism and heart health are related.” For instance, although the evidence clearly suggests a connection, it is not yet known whether optimism or healthy behaviors come first. It could be that happier, more positive people are more likely to engage in healthy behaviors, which in turn improves factors like blood pressure. It could also be that engaging in healthy behaviors and having a better biological profile helps boost psychological well-being. “Longitudinal data will help resolve these questions,” said Dr. Hernandez.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks for visiting! </span></div>
East Hill Counseling Services, LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03934454458905719477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091441530001584779.post-58140515787710289862015-01-05T19:55:00.000-08:002015-01-05T19:55:28.209-08:00Stalking: Know It. Name It. Stop It.<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">January is National Stalking Awareness Month. The theme for 2015 is “Stalking: Know It. Name It. Stop It.” </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The <a href="http://www.victimsofcrime.org/">National Center for Victims of Crime</a> launched National Stalking Awareness Month (NSAM) in January of 2004 to increase the public’s understanding of the crime of stalking. NSAM emerged from the work of the <a href="http://www.victimsofcrime.org/our-programs/stalking-resource-center">Stalking Resource Center</a>, a National Center program funded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice, to raise awareness about stalking and help develop and implement multidisciplinary responses to the crime. NSAM began in response to a 2003 call to the Stalking Resource Center from Debbie Riddle, the sister of murdered stalking victim <a href="http://www.victimsofcrime.org/docs/Information%20Clearinghouse/A_Tragic_Murder.pdf">Peggy Klinke</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss6308a1.htm?s_cid=ss6308a1_e" target="_blank">An estimated 23.4 million men and women in the United States have experienced stalking during their lifetimes.</a> Stalking is a crime in all 50 states, the U.S. Territories and the District of Columbia, yet many victims and criminal justice professionals underestimate its seriousness and impact.<i> </i>Stalking is difficult to recognize, investigate, and prosecute. Unlike other crimes, stalking is not a single, easily identifiable crime but a series of acts; a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause that person fear. Stalking may take many forms, such as assaults, threats, vandalism, burglary, or animal abuse, as well as unwanted cards, calls, gifts, or visits. <a href="http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/svus_rev.pdf">One in four victims reports that the stalker uses technology, such as computers, global positioning system devices, or hidden cameras, to track the victim’s daily activities.</a> Stalkers fit no standard psychological profile, and many stalkers follow their victims from one jurisdiction to another, making it difficult for authorities to investigate and prosecute their crimes. <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss6308a1.htm?s_cid=ss6308a1_e">Victims often suffer from anxiety, social dysfunction, and severe depression at much higher rates than the general population, and many lose time from work or have to move as a result of their victimization.</a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you or anyone you know is currently a victim of stalking, contact your local law enforcement agency for assistance. If you are interested in learning more about resources for stalking victims, visit the <a href="http://www.victimsofcrime.org/our-programs/stalking-resource-center">Stalking Resource Center</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; background-color: white;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks for visiting and learning a little about National Stalking Awareness Month.</span></span></div>
East Hill Counseling Services, LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03934454458905719477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091441530001584779.post-28283785500209748882014-11-13T18:18:00.000-08:002014-11-13T18:19:02.045-08:00November: National Family Caregivers Month<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">November is National Family Caregivers Month. Taking on the challenges of becoming a caregiver is one of the most stressful life transitions that people can face. It is important for caregivers to take care of themselves as well as the the people in their care.</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sponsored each year by the Caregiver Action Network (CAN), National Family Caregivers Month focuses on the challenges facing family caregivers. <a href="http://www.caregiveraction.org/about/">CAN serves a broad spectrum of family caregivers ranging from the parents of children with special needs, to the families and friends of wounded soldiers; from a young couple dealing with a diagnosis of MS, to adult children caring for parents with Alzheimer’s disease.</a> While some family caregivers provide 24/7 care for loved ones who require assistance for all daily living activities, others may provide care on a part-time basis. Family caregiving can extend for a few years or a lifetime.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you or anyone you know is currently a caregiver, please visit the Caregiver Action Network website to learn more about National Family Caregiving Month and for additional resources and information for caregivers. Their <a href="http://www.caregiveraction.org/resources/">Resources</a> section is excellent, and I recommend spending some extra time looking over the <a href="http://www.caregiveraction.org/resources/toolbox/">Family Caregiver Toolbox</a> section. Some of the topics in the Caregiver Toolbox include: Respite Care, Eldercare, Caregiver Depression, Support Groups, and Financial Planning.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until my next post, take some time for yourself. Thanks for visiting!</span></div>
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East Hill Counseling Services, LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03934454458905719477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091441530001584779.post-89997782643691153832014-11-11T17:56:00.001-08:002014-11-11T17:56:26.764-08:00Personal Relationships vs. Therapeutic Relationships<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In my <a href="http://easthillcounselingpensacola.blogspot.com/2014/10/mental-health-maintenance-for-all.htm" target="_blank">last post</a>, I discussed how mental health maintenance was important for everyone. Counseling and therapy were identified as effective ways to develop or strengthen coping skills during stressful times. A few people who read that post mentioned to me that they understood that they should take time for themselves or self-evaluate to monitor whether they were overwhelmed or stressed. However, they didn’t understand the benefits of talking with a mental health professional if they have friends and family with whom they can discuss problems. </span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While friends and family are a source of support, the manner in which support is offered in a professional therapeutic relationship is different. It is important to clarify that therapy and counseling are not intended to replace friendships or family, but rather to enhance these relationships. So, how is talking with a counselor, therapist, or psychologist different that talking with friends, family, or significant others?</span></span></div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #999999; letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A counseling or therapeutic relationship is not reciprocal. The mental health professional’s job is to focus on a client’s concerns and offer support and encouragement. An appointment with a professional is a client’s time to focus on his or her issues without feeling obligated to focus on the issues or successes of the person with whom he or she is speaking. </span></span></li>
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<li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The therapeutic relationship is confidential. While one certainly hopes that friends and family will respect the privacy of loved ones, a therapist is ethically and legally bound by confidentiality. Unless a client is an immediate danger to themselves or others, conversations between a therapist and client will be private.</span></span></li>
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<li style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The therapist exists outside of the normal flow of the client’s life, and therefore has the perspective of an outsider. Because of the nature of the therapeutic relationship, the therapist will not be angry, offended, or judge a client for statements made during a session.</span></span></li>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While a therapist will never and should never replace a client’s supportive relationships with friends and family, it can be helpful to have an objective outsider who will be available for a set time and at a reliable location regularly to help with issues. Consider these benefits when weighing whether therapy or counseling might be an option for you or someone in your life.</span></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until my next post, spend time with your friends and family. Thanks for visiting!</span></span></div>
East Hill Counseling Services, LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03934454458905719477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091441530001584779.post-45531056461746258742014-10-20T18:21:00.001-07:002014-10-20T18:21:52.013-07:00Mental Health Maintenance: It’s for Everyone<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">I</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">n my <a href="http://easthillcounselingpensacola.blogspot.com/2014/10/walk-hike-or-amble-that-stress-away.html" target="_blank">last post</a>, I discussed how exercise and nature can help reduce symptoms of stress and depression. That information is very much related to this post as participating in exercise and nature-related activities would be considered types of coping skills which is a large component of mental health maintenance. But, in general, what exactly is mental health maintenance? Well, that depends. For an individual who has a diagnosed mental illness, most people would probably say that mental health maintenance would consist of taking prescribed medications as needed, keeping regular appointments with mental health professionals, self-monitoring for any signs that one might need to seek help, and utilizing coping skills that were learned in counseling or therapy to keep stressors at bay. In a sense, mental health maintenance looking through the lens of a diagnosed mental illness, is not much different than maintenance for an individual who has any chronic illness such as Diabetes, Heart Disease, or Epilepsy. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">That means that everyone else, those people who have no diagnosed mental health illness, are off the hook for mental health maintenance, right? Well, again, that depends on how one approaches other aspects of his or her life. How do you maintain your car? Do you regularly inspect and change fluids, balance and rotate tires, or inspect and replace filters, belts, and other miscellaneous car parts? Do you perform similar preventative maintenance with your house, your yard, your clothes, your hair, your body, or your teeth? Many people are not able to perform what many consider to be routine maintenance for themselves or for their possessions because they lack the means and opportunity. Many people, who have the means and opportunity, think nothing of performing, what they consider routine maintenance because they believe that they are protecting investments or their long-term health. However, if people leave their emotional and mental health unchecked, stress can escalate into more severe issues that could negatively impact daily functioning or ruin physical health.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">What does mental health maintenance look like for someone who does not have a diagnosed mental illness? Well, in many ways there is a lot of overlap because optimal physical health and stress reduction are recommendations for both populations. Exercise, healthy eating habits, and sleep hygiene are tips that everyone should heed. But how someone combats stress can be pretty unique and particular for each individual person and is dependent on his or her coping skills or methods. One person might relax by receiving a therapeutic massage while another person might enjoy getting manicures and pedicures to unwind. Some people use books, art, music, and athletics as an outlet. Others enjoy socializing with friends and family while some enjoy assorted hobbies to blow off steam. For some, the act of maintaining various aspects of their life, be it home, yard, garden, etc., is in and of itself, a form of relaxation. Many people find peace through prayer or meditation. All of the aforementioned things can be categorized as coping methods that people use to deal with stress. A problem arises when a person has unhealthy coping methods, insufficient coping methods, or no coping methods at all. Sometimes demands or events in life are greater than an individual's ability to cope. During these times, people can often feel overloaded, under tremendous pressure, and very tense or emotional. Counseling or therapy can be useful for these situations to help people develop new, or rediscover once used but forgotten, coping skills.</span><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">So—mental health maintenance is for everyone. </span><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; letter-spacing: 0px;">Until my next post, practice those coping skills. Thanks for visiting!</span></div>
East Hill Counseling Services, LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03934454458905719477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091441530001584779.post-65954968787792620542014-10-06T20:41:00.001-07:002014-10-22T08:16:54.578-07:00It’s Autumn: Walk, Hike, or Amble that Stress Away<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A couple of weeks ago when I left my house to leave for work, I couldn’t help but appreciate the crisp cool weather. I thought to myself, “Wow. It feels like autumn.” The first person I saw that day commented on the weather, and I excitedly replied, “I <i>know</i>! It <i>feels</i> like autumn,” to which she countered, “It <i>is</i> autumn.” Not one of my more observant moments, but this day, of course, was September 23, the autumnal equinox, and I smile to myself everyday as I notice more and more people taking advantage of the moderate evening temperatures to enjoy outdoor activities. While many Pensacola residents thrive in the heat and humidity of our summer months, others seek the indoors for relief during the hottest months. If you’re one of the locals who holed up in the air conditioning during the last couple of months (I would be one of those) then now is the time to come out of hiding. Autumnal weather in Pensacola is an opportune time to ease back into outdoor activities, and for those who might have spent the last couple of months at the beach (brave heat resistant people), it might be an opportunity to explore new outdoor activities and ease the tension of everyday life. Exercise and nature have long been associated with reducing symptoms of stress and depression. As a matter of fact, a study conducted by the University of Michigan that was published in <i>Ecopsychology</i> in September explores this very topic. The study found that group nature walks are linked with significantly lower depression, less perceived stress and enhanced mental health and well-being. You can read more about the findings here: <a href="http://www.uofmhealth.org/news/archive/201409/walking-depression-and-beating-stress-outdoors-nature-group" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Walking off Depression and Beating Stress Outdoors</a>. So, as the days get shorter, the kids settle in to the new school year, and, yes, you begin to, think about the holidays that are just around the corner, take some time and enjoy a nice walk outside. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Want to put the study to the test for yourself? We, in the Pensacola area, are lucky to be able to enjoy extended moderate temperatures compared to our brethren further on up in the northern latitudes. Want to take advantage of it? Here are some areas in the Pensacola area to walk, hike, or amble that stress away:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The following state parks have walking trails:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="http://www.floridastateparks.org/biglagoon/default.cfm" rel="" target="_blank">Big Lagoon State Park</a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="http://www.floridastateparks.org/tarkilnbayou/default.cfm" rel="" target="_blank">Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park</a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="http://www.floridastateparks.org/blackwater/default.cfm" rel="" target="_blank">Blackwater Heritage State Trail</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The following City of Pensacola parks (according to <a href="http://playpensacola.com/" rel="" target="_blank">playpensacola.com</a></span><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">) have<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">walking paths/trails:</span><br />
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<td style="border-color: #000000 #000000 #000000 #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; height: 38.0px; padding: 4.0px 4.0px 4.0px 4.0px; width: 147.0px;" valign="top"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Admiral Mason Park</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0px;">200 South 9th Avenue</span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0px;">Pensacola, FL 32502</span></td>
<td style="border-color: #000000 #000000 #000000 #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; height: 38.0px; padding: 4.0px 4.0px 4.0px 4.0px; width: 147.0px;" valign="top"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Bay Bluffs Preserve</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0px;">3400 Scenic Highway</span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0px;">Pensacola, FL 32504</span></td>
<td style="border-color: #000000 #000000 #000000 #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; height: 38.0px; padding: 4.0px 4.0px 4.0px 4.0px; width: 147.0px;" valign="top"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Bayview Park</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0px;">2001 East Lloyd Street</span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0px;">Pensacola, FL 32503</span></td>
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<td style="border-color: #000000 #000000 #000000 #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; height: 39.0px; padding: 4.0px 4.0px 4.0px 4.0px; width: 147.0px;" valign="top"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Bryan Park</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0px;">1200 Langley Avenue</span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0px;">Pensacola, FL 32504</span></td>
<td style="border-color: #000000 #000000 #000000 #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; height: 39.0px; padding: 4.0px 4.0px 4.0px 4.0px; width: 147.0px;" valign="top"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Eastgate Park</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0px;">3500 Forest Glen Drive</span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0px;">Pensacola, FL 32504</span></td>
<td style="border-color: #000000 #000000 #000000 #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; height: 39.0px; padding: 4.0px 4.0px 4.0px 4.0px; width: 147.0px;" valign="top"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Estramadura Square</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0px;">1500 East Lakeview Avenue</span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0px;">Pensacola, FL 32503</span></td>
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<td style="border-color: #000000 #000000 #000000 #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; height: 38.0px; padding: 4.0px 4.0px 4.0px 4.0px; width: 147.0px;" valign="top"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Granada Square</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0px;">1001 East Cervantes Street</span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0px;">Pensacola, FL 32501</span></td>
<td style="border-color: #000000 #000000 #000000 #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; height: 38.0px; padding: 4.0px 4.0px 4.0px 4.0px; width: 147.0px;" valign="top"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Hollice T. Williams Park</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0px;">1601 North Hayne Street</span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0px;">Pensacola, FL 32503</span></td>
<td style="border-color: #000000 #000000 #000000 #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; height: 38.0px; padding: 4.0px 4.0px 4.0px 4.0px; width: 147.0px;" valign="top"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Lamancha Square</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0px;">1400 East Cross Street</span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0px;">Pensacola, FL 32503</span></td>
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<td style="border-color: #000000 #000000 #000000 #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; height: 38.0px; padding: 4.0px 4.0px 4.0px 4.0px; width: 147.0px;" valign="top"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Legion Field</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0px;">1301 West Gregory Street</span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0px;">Pensacola, FL 32502</span></td>
<td style="border-color: #000000 #000000 #000000 #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; height: 38.0px; padding: 4.0px 4.0px 4.0px 4.0px; width: 147.0px;" valign="top"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Malaga Square</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0px;">1000 East Blount Street</span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0px;">Pensacola, FL 32503</span></td>
<td style="border-color: #000000 #000000 #000000 #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; height: 38.0px; padding: 4.0px 4.0px 4.0px 4.0px; width: 147.0px;" valign="top"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Miralla Park</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0px;">650 Connell Drive</span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0px;">Pensacola, FL 32503</span></td>
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<td style="border-color: #000000 #000000 #000000 #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; height: 38.0px; padding: 4.0px 4.0px 4.0px 4.0px; width: 147.0px;" valign="top"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Operto Square</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0px;">1600 East Blount Street</span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0px;">Pensacola, FL 32503</span></td>
<td style="border-color: #000000 #000000 #000000 #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; height: 38.0px; padding: 4.0px 4.0px 4.0px 4.0px; width: 147.0px;" valign="top"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 9px; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Parker Circle Neighborhood Park</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0px;">601 Parker Circle</span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0px;">Pensacola, FL 32504</span></td>
<td style="border-color: #000000 #000000 #000000 #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; height: 38.0px; padding: 4.0px 4.0px 4.0px 4.0px; width: 147.0px;" valign="top"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Pintado Park</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0px;">1830 Hallmark Drive</span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0px;">Pensacola, FL 32503</span></td>
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<td style="border-color: #000000 #000000 #000000 #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; height: 39.0px; padding: 4.0px 4.0px 4.0px 4.0px; width: 147.0px;" valign="top"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Toledo Square</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0px;">1700 East Gonzalez Street</span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0px;">Pensacola, FL 32501</span></td>
<td style="border-color: #000000 #000000 #000000 #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; height: 39.0px; padding: 4.0px 4.0px 4.0px 4.0px; width: 147.0px;" valign="top"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>Wayside Park West</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0px;">745 Bayfront Parkway</span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0px;">Pensacola, FL 32502</span></td>
<td style="border-color: #000000 #000000 #000000 #000000; border-style: solid; border-width: 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px 1.0px; height: 39.0px; padding: 4.0px 4.0px 4.0px 4.0px; width: 147.0px;" valign="top"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0px;"><b>William E. McNealy Sr. Park</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0px;">520 Woodland Drive</span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; letter-spacing: 0px;">Pensacola, FL 32503</span></td>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until my next post, enjoy the weather. Thanks for visiting!</span><br />
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East Hill Counseling Services, LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03934454458905719477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2091441530001584779.post-9971239802771554742014-10-06T19:33:00.000-07:002014-10-24T18:55:09.608-07:00Hello Everyone: What This is All About<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My first blog entry coincides with the opening of my new counseling and therapy practice called <a href="http://www.easthillcounseling.com/" target="_blank">East Hill Counseling Services, LLC</a>. Think of it as an introduction, of sorts. So, who am I? I am Kristi Ging, the owner of the aforementioned counseling and therapy practice. I will be writing all of the posts that will be appearing on this blog from here on out. What are my hopes and goals for this blog? I hope for everyone to be able to use the information in this space, whether or not he or she utilizes the services offered by East Hill Counseling Services. My goal for this space is to collect interesting articles, useful tools, and helpful hints for mental health and wellness from around the internet and within the Pensacola community. I might stray, narrowly, from those topics every once in awhile, but for the most part, mental health and wellness will be the focus for this space. I am aiming to post at least twice a month so if you think this is something that you might like, that’s the schedule I have planned. Thanks for visiting!</span></span></div>
East Hill Counseling Services, LLChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03934454458905719477noreply@blogger.com