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Play Therapy

It is often difficult to understand the unknown. How can we understand the thoughts of children, when they do not know how to express themselves? Do we just ask? Will they eventually tell us? These remedies may work, but in the event they do not there is, play therapy. Play therapy is designated for children between 3 and 11. This form of therapy allows children to interact, express themselves, and communicate their feelings and emotions without ever saying a word. Play therapy relates to every other therapy in the way that there is a systematic model of success.

1. The therapists office will schedule an appointment with several children. In one session there can be as many as 2-5 children interacting. This organic interaction, allows the psychologist and psychiatrist, to properly evaluate the child’s emotions and feelings. This form of therapy allows the child to unknowingly reveal his emotion, while playing with other children.

2. Along with children interacting with other children, the therapist will have the child play with certain toys in order to determine his concentration and source of any stress. Each toy and each style of enjoying them represents a different emotion and feeling.

3. It is believed that people will interact with others, in order to work through internal anxieties. In this idea, children should be encouraged to play, in order to develop a healthy child.

4. The therapist will engage in a desensitization exercises, in order to eliminate stress for children. These exercises include teaching the child how to relearn certain behavior through a formal system of tests.

Gestalt Therapy

In 1964, Paul Goodman stated, “The issue is not whether people are ‘good enough’ for a particular type of society; rather it is a matter of developing the kind of social institutions that are most conducive to expanding the potentialities we have for intelligence, grace, sociability and freedom”. The institution, in which he would later help create and endorse, is the institution of Gestalt Psychology and Therapy.

1. GT’s Premise: Gestalt Therapy’s main concern is, the present; present issues, with present solutions. The method of human mental and physical interpretation are different from being aware. These two different forms of interpretation can be distinguished as direct and indirect experience. Once the client becomes aware of their daily process, they can develop a new perspective within their respective interpretation.

2. GT’s Practice: The practice of Gestalt theory can be broken down into four “load bearing walls”; phenomenological method, dialogical relationship, field-theoretical strategies, and experimental freedom.

The phenomenological method is comprised of three different stages; the rule of epoche, the rule of description, the rule of horizontalization. The rule of epoche is an opportunity for the patient to separate his preexisting assumptions, in order to expand their solution possibilities. The rule of description encourages the patient to erase preconceived notions, he/she has built through experience and establish unabashed observations. The last stage implies a non-hierarchical thought process.

Dialogical relationships is a practice where the therapist will build a comfortable atmosphere, and invite the patient to join him/her. In this atmosphere it is imperative that the patient reveal his/her issues.

Field theoretical strategies can be evaluated in two separate ways; ontological dimensions and phenomenological dimensions. The ontological dimensions is the tangible environment around you. This field supports our present existence and the reality of our problems.

Experimental freedom is a practice, in which the therapist will develop different exercises, in order to establish a better understanding of the issues at hand. These routine exercises are also an innovative way for the patient to understand his/her own issue, and develop a solution.

3. GT’s Issues: Although Gestalt therapy is a internationally practiced, it does have fall victim to several criticisms. Individuals who revolt against Gestalt therapy, claim that the idea of self is flawed, because of it is disregarding the idea of relationship. They also proclaim that the Gestalt idea of striving to change who one is, will eventu

Family Marital Therapy

You are born with family, but you choose your friends.” It can be difficult to establish and sustain a relationship with individuals you are you do not “choose”. Family therapy (a.k.a. couples therapy) is a psychotherapy based atmosphere which implores systems of interactions in an intimate atmosphere. Since the tension is deep, it is often difficult to see the solution. However, it is important to remember the solution is always beneficial. It is often believed that these therapy sessions are filled with argumentative forms of conversation based in a anarchical foundation, but family therapy is a systematic dissection of problems.

Methods of Therapy:

1. Communication Theory: It is important to not only reveal information, but to listen to another individual’s problems. This careful exchange of information can conceptualize the main issues and highlight a solution.

2. Psycho Education: Each session is conducted by a well trained therapist. The therapist will use her years of training and education to pinpoint the issues through exercises. Although it may seem like an average conversation; signs of an individual’s personality are laced in the way they conversate.

3. Psycho Therapy: This type of therapy is not for psychos; it is for any individual who must establish a well being. Once an individual, has formed a internal confidence, he/she will have an easier time understanding others issues.

4. Relationship Education: During these exercises, individuals are encouraged to understand each other and their issues. They are not only taught how to respond to certain relationship, but he/she is asked to perform the lessons they have learned.

5. Systemic Coaching: This practice is a new progression in the world of therapy. It allows the therapist to establish more of a coaching role, through constant feed back, positive reinforcement, and solutions through work. Coaching is a method which transcends the therapy office, and gives the patient a sense of familiarity.

6. Systems Theory: This theory investigates the the relationship of a group through nature, society, and science.

7. Reality Therapy: Reality therapy has no regard for the unconscoius or the past, the therapist is focused on the here-and-now quality of the problem. If you are suffering from mental and/or emotional stress; it derives from an issue occurring now; therefore the solution is in the present.

8. Media Psychology: Today more than ever, the media infiltrates our mind on a 24 hour basis. This constant injection of ideals, beliefs, morals, and values from a media stand point can mentally drown an individual. This form of psychology examines the way an individual responds, perceives, and interprets the media. Once their perspective is determined, the issue can be confronted, and the solution can be implemented.

Cognitive Therapy

In 1967, Ulric Neisser coined the term “cognitive psychology” when proclaiming, “The term “cognition” refers to all processes by which the sensory input is transformed, reduced, elaborated, stored, recovered, and used. It is concerned with these processes even when they operate in the absence of relevant stimulation, as in images and hallucinations… Given such a sweeping definition, it is apparent that cognition is involved in everything a human being might possibly do; that every psychological phenomenon is a cognitive phenomenon. But although cognitive psychology is concerned with all human activity rather than some fraction of it, the concern is from a particular point of view”. Through the practice of cognitive psychology, cognitive therapy was born. Each patient’s emotional and behavioral problem lie within a preconceived notion about perception, thinking, reasoning, and judgment. The idea behind, cognitive therapy is to alter those assumptions and attitudes, in order to properly direct the patient to a solution. Below, is a small list of the cognitive therapies offered by, psychologists and psychiatrist of today.

1. Cognitive Therapy: When an individual is suffering from, lets say, depression, cognitive therapy believes that is due to distortions in their perspectives (i.e. all or none thinking, over generalization, selective perception. Initially, the therapist will attempt to highlight these distortions, and then the patient is encouraged to change the attitudes.

2. Rational-Emotive Therapy (RET): The practitioners of this practice, believe that most problems, originate in irrational thought. Perfectionist and pessimists usually suffer from issues related to irrational thinking; for instance, if a perfectionist believes in perfection, and then encounters a small failure; “the world is over”. It is better to establish a reasonable standard emotionally, so the individual can live a balanced life. This form of cognitive therapy, is an opportunity for the patient to learn of his current distortions and successfully eliminate them.

3. Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT): This form of therapy is the most prevalent of practitioners in this field. The practice is cemented in the belief that using both cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy is more of a sufficient solution to success. There are very few therapist that solely believe in one style of therapy for success, anymore.

Behavioral Therapy

What comes to mind, when you think of a therapists office? Perhaps, you are lying on a couch, while the therapists takes notes, between his rhetorical questions (”what do you think the problem is?”); or maybe you are sitting in a white room while you study ink blot tests; well the days of stereotypical therapy are over. The advancement psychology and therapy have made over the past few generations have been incredible. Therapy, has not only made progressive movements in the psychological stand point, but the variations within therapeutic advancements, have enabled patients to recover in all different fashion.

Behavioral therapy uses learning principles to reduce the external distractions, in order to properly focus on the main issues. The method of behavioral therapy, eliminates Freud theory of the unconscious, and establish a perspective of events people can tangibly witness. During this practice, the individual is taught to replace his current fears for future goals (i.e. fear of heights for a goal to overcome that fear). The term behavioral therapy, actually encompasses several different styles of behavioral therapies, ranging from Exposure Therapy to Biofeedback.

1. Biofeedback: An individual has their heart rate or muscle tension monitored through a small machine. This function allows the patient to see the difference in his physical nature, during anger, humiliation, or depression. This information will teach the patients body how to properly react during times of stress.

2. Modeling: This simplistic perspective at recovery has been sweeping the psychological field. The patient will observe another individual performing their desired behavior. Once, the patient understands the simplicity behind his goal, it is intended to inspire their dedication to recovery.

3. Behavioral Activation: When an individual is currently suffering from depression, this is one of the most common forms of therapy. This practice of therapy encourages the patient to establish a list of goals, which would make their life more satisfying. The therapist will then advise the patient, to begin with the easiest and progress after each completion. This form of therapy not only displays responsibility, but a deep sense of independence.

4. Contingency Management: This controversial form of therapy attempts to purely ignore the negative and influence the positive.

5. Exposure Therapy: As opposed to the contingency management, exposure therapy, patients are encouraged to expose their traumatic experiences. This sort of therapy allows an individual to establish closure and peace to past events.

Art Therapy

Ernst Ludwig Kirchsner eloquently, stated, “A painter paints the appearance of things, not their objective correctness, in fact he creates new appearances of things.” A quote that has resonated through the minds of artists, and lies as the cornerstone ideology of art therapy. Since the beginning of psychology, it has been known that any form of art, is a liberating expression; but until recently those expressions were never analyzed. In order to completely understand the foundation of art therapy; the art assessments must be understood.

1. The Diagnostic Drawing Series: The therapist will put the patient through three different steps of drawing. The first step involves the individual drawing any picture they choose, using colored chalk pastels. The patient, is then asked to draw a tree. In the final part of the assessment, the individual is asked to draw how they feel using lines, shapes, and colors. After the test is completed, the therapist will analyze each picture, and attempt to determine the individual’s unconscious issues. As well as, establishing the underlying problems, the assessment is used as a liberating method for the patient.

2. The Mandala Assessment Research Instrument (MARI): The mandalas are designs that are in a geometric shape. This deck of mandalas originated in Buddhism, and is said to be a gateway into an individual’s spirituality and unconscious thought. In this assessment, the patient is asked to choose a mandala from the deck of cards, and then draw the chosen shape. Depending on the color in which they choose to draw a picture, and the style in which they draw; the therapist can attempt to diagnose an issue. This practice is based on the work of Joan Kellog; who believed that reoccurring shapes, can be a portal to an individual’s personality.

3. House-Tree-Person: The therapist encourages the patient to draw a picture in the order of the title (i.e. first, house; second, tree; third, person). Once the individual has drawn the required picture, the therapist will ask the patient several questions like, “What is the weather in this picture”, “What is the house made out of?”, “How old is the person in the house?”, “What is that person’s story?” Each answer an individual gives, is analyzed through previous training and charts, by the therapist.

4. Road Drawing: In this assessment, patient is asked to draw a road. Upon completion, the therapist will analyze the picture, in a “road of life” perspective. Although it seems, auspicous, a single drawing can depict an individual’s thoughts on his future, and his current standing in life.

Cancer

The mission of the AACR is to prevent and cure cancer through research, education, communication, and collaboration. Through its programs and services, the AACR fosters research in cancer and related biomedical science; accelerates the dissemination of new research findings among scientists and others dedicated to the conquest of cancer; promotes science education and training; and advances the understanding of cancer etiology, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment throughout the world. Watch a video about the importance of basic science in cancer research: http://www.youtube.com/user/AACRNews#p/a/u/2/fPB0NrxJ1eo

The AACR is the authoritative source of information about advances in the causes, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of cancer, and publishes six peer-reviewed scientific journals: Cancer Research; Clinical Cancer Research; Molecular Cancer Therapeutics; Molecular Cancer Research; Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention; and Cancer Prevention Research, as well as CR, a magazine for cancer survivors, patient advocates, their families, physicians and scientists.

Dynamic interactions and exciting science characterize all of the AACR’s meetings, conferences and educational workshops. The Annual Meeting, the largest of its kind in the world for cancer researchers, attracts more than 17,000 researchers from over 60 countries. In addition to the Annual Meeting, the AACR holds several large conferences that focus on the latest developments and advances in Molecular Diagnostics, Frontiers in Cancer Prevention, Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics (joint meeting with EORTC and the NCI), Cancer Health Disparities, and Translational Cancer Medicine. Eight to 12 Special Conferences focus on emerging areas of cancer research each year. Similar conferences are held overseas in conjunction with international cancer research organizations. The AACR also conducts a unique series of educational workshops that offers young scientists the latest scientific information along with critical skills that include mentoring, networking and career development opportunities.

Watch a video about AACR meetings: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxNa3_DEC5o&feature=player_embedded

Building upon the AACR’s longstanding commitment to fostering partnerships with survivor advocates—and to fulfill its goal of significantly expanding these relationships—the association’s Survivor and Patient Advocacy Program is dedicated to fostering mutually beneficial and enduring partnerships among leaders of the cancer survivor, patient advocacy and scientific communities. Additionally, the AACR’s office of Science Policy and Government Affairs advocates for strong federal research funding.

Cancer Research

In 1974, Nobel Laureate and MIT Professor, Salvador Luria, established the Center for Cancer Research, in order to properly study the genetic and molecular basis of cancer, the immune system’s ability to recognize antigens, and the cellular behavior during growth. In December 2010, Luria’s dream will reach heights, he could have never imagined, when the doors open to the David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research. An institute, which will stand as one of the SEVEN National Cancer Institute-designated basic research centers in the United States.

The Institute will house 11 core facilities in what is called the Swanson Biotechnology Center (or SBC), which will interact with a network of 90 biotechnology and bio pharmaceutical companies; along with Boston’s world class institutions, such as, Children’s Hospital Boston, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Massachusetts General Hospital. Within the walls of the Institute, two dozen biologist and engineers, will be working together to advance the cause of cancer research. In conjunction with the faculty, the Institute will have 120 postdoctoral associates, 50 research scientists, 70 technical assistants, and over 200 graduates and undergraduates striving for the same goal.

The Institute will focus on five target areas, which are necessary for the rapid progress in cancer research; developing nanotechnolgy based theraputics, creating novel devices for cancer detection and monitoring, exploring the molecular and cellular basis of metastasis, establishing the relationship between cancer pathways and drug resistance, and engineering the immune system to properly fight cancer.

Through these forms of research, the Koch Institute, has contributed to incredible discoveries within the field of cancer research. Discoveries, such as, isolating the first human cancer genes, identifying the molecules that led to two of the first FDA-approved molecularly targeted anti cancer drugs, and developed novel materials for sustained delivery of anti-cancer drugs.

Since the early 70’s MIT, has contributed enormous discoveries to the cancer research field, their faculty has earned the most prestigious accolades in the national and international science fields. Currently, five members of faculty were awarded the Nobel Prize, 15 faculty are members of the National Academy of Sciences, two faculty are memebers of the National Academy of Engineering, six members of faculty have been awarded the National Medal of Science, and nine faculty members are Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigators.

Along with being the epicenter of cancer research, The Institute, also holds the annual Summer Symposium. Next year, the Summer Symposium, will take place on June 10th and 11th; featuring four separate sessions. Each session will allow the public to converse and engage in a Q&A (question and answer) on four different topics (i.e. Cancer Immunology and Translation, Cellular Mechanisms of Tumorigensis, Detecting and Modeling Cancer, From Systems to Targets). If you are interested in information surrounding the Summer Symposium, or general information on The Institute; go to, http://web.mit.edu/ki/

Military

Militaryconnection.com

GiveAnHour.org

Along with providing information and resources to the military and veteran communities, MilitaryConnection.com has the honor to join forces on a regular basis with outstanding organizations.  GiveAnHour.org is one of these organizations.  The work that they do is nothing short of extraordinary.  They provide pro bono and free counseling to troops, veterans, family and extended family members.  They have a network of over 5000 mental health professionals nationwide who are dedicated to making a difference for those with PTSD and other mental health issues.

Along with extending aid to veterans and their families, Militaryconnection.com, has cemented a partnership with Give An Hour. GiveAnHour.com is a non-profit organization who has collected over 1700 mental health care professionals. Each professional is dedicated to providing aid to the returning troops and their families, who have been affected
by PTSD through a pro bono program.

Will Lee
Counselor Network Writer

Stress Disorders

The Pentagon is now flying large numbers of uniformed therapists and mental health workers into war areas to counsel troops.

The shooting at Fort Hood has affected much beyond the families of those killed and hurt.  The suspected killer, Nidal Hasan was part of a plan to offer treatment to U.S. troops in Afghanistan, reaching soldiers and other members of the army that required psychological counseling.  In these war zones, counselors are often not available.  The Pentagon’s efforts have changed after Hasan reportedly killed 13 people and wounded another 31.

At least three of the victims killed were fellow mental health specialists that were to be sent to Afghanistan.  Another six who were wounded are in the 1493rd Combat Stress Control team to which Hasan was assigned.  Commanders have been struggling with the decision to either proceed with or cancel deployment of the team after the shootings occurred.

It is estimated that one in three soldier are unable to reach a counselor when they need one, this according to an Army survey conducted last year.  As troops are spread out in more than 350 locations across Afghanistan, it is a tall order to send therapists to reach psychologically damaged troops.  The military, in effort to reach all troops in need, have begun to send record numbers of therapists to Afghanistan.

Currently, 45 mental health workers are deployed in Afghanistan.  Another 45 therapists were to join 25 behavioral health specialists in southern Afghanistan.

The push by President Barack Obama to send more troops to Afghanistan, following the demand for more mental health providers, caused Hasan to be sent into combat.  Hasan did not want to go, but had served for 12 years with no deployments.  The assignment was likely very stressful for him, as he had no combat experience and had never been overseas.

Mental health professionals are subject to numerous risks when deployed in Afghanistan, from flying over dangerous terrain to driving on roads filled with bombs.  They are in constant risk to be stranded at a base for long periods of time, and being victim of rockets shot at outposts.

The therapists do important work, however.  Soldiers that struggle with stress disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder or typical mental health issues such as grief and nightmares.  They do what they can to help soldier be comfortable with the help that they are offering, from bringing a dog to pet to smoking cigars with the soldiers.

The aftermath of Fort Hood has undoubtedly had its impact on the deployments.  Investigators are currently trying to determine whether Hasan should have been receiving counseling, instead of administering it.

Will Lee
Counselor Network Writer