Mending the Disconnect

We are still learning and analyzing the longterm toll that loneliness has had on us since the pandemic. For young adults specifically, social media has changed the landscape within the last decade. The added fuel of isolation from covid did nothing to help with reports of increased depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Reports show that these critical ages do not engage with their peers in the way teens used to, substituting social media for social interaction.

We have an easy opportunity right now for something different. If you're in Michigan, it means you can finally uncross your fingers because summer weather looks like it's finally emerged and is here to stay. With the sun comes increased opportunities for interaction and good old vitamin D, so put down your phones, get off social media and take advantage of those bright rays while you have it.

Here are some local ideas to help you be intentional about getting out of your house and connecting with others:

June 7-9: Festival of the Arts
June 8: Kentwood Food Truck Festival
June 14-16: Grand Rapids Asian Pacific Festival
Now through June 16: Grand Rapids Lantern Festival
All Summer Long: Free Outdoor Summer Fitness Classes
June-October: Fulton Street Market
June 11-July 6: Lavender Harvest Celebration
Find More Events Here!

DBT Podcast

Doing Being Thinking Podcast

Dialectical Behavioral Skills for Making a Life Worth Living

Do you want practical skills to improve your life and change the way you respond to painful events? Do you desire to make a life worth living? Doing Being Thinking is a collection of in-depth conversations between experienced therapists discussing how Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) can help to change ineffective habits to end suffering and improve mental health. Each episode unpacks one practical therapy skill to:

1.	Respond to problems more effectively

2.	Change responses that “keep us stuck”

3.	Improve communication

4.	Manage stressful emotions

5.	Build positive relationships … or end destructive ones

6.	Handle unexpected or painful events more effectively

7.	Accept things in order to move forward

8.	Develop wisdom and balance

Check out the latest batch of episodes here!

Wise Mind

DBT Challenge

Get Your Self-Respect Back

By Dr. Valencia Agnew

Let’s face it. Sometimes you have done what you can to maintain a relationship and you realize it simply is not going to work. It is unhealthy for whatever reason. It may be you are being asked to go against your values, or the relationship is toxic, or some other reason. This is when FAST skills comes in handy. Think of FAST as a way to get out quick while maintaining your self-respect. Now I wish I could guarantee you will be respected, but this skill is designed for you to respect you.

Using the FAST skill is effective because it helps you manage your emotions and relationships. Have you ever been angry and gave someone a piece of your mind and later felt like you must have lost your mind? Ever regret how you handled the situation, even though you were justified in exiting the relationship? Did you feel a bit…or a lot of shame? And we all know there are some people who will completely disregard you if they believe you were out of order or “emotional.” Fast is about your integrity, regardless of the other person accepts your decision.

DBT Graduate Group

We are introducing our new DBT Graduate Group! The DBT Graduate Group is a process support group for clients who have completed Stage I (Core) DBT Skills Group and who want to continue to strengthen and generalize skills in managing distress and problems of daily living, with a special focus on behavior activation and increasing compassion towards themselves and others.

You Will Learn:

To build a life worth living.
You've already learned how to reduce your most problematic target areas. Now what does the new normal look like?

To consolidate core DBT skills use.
You've learned the skills, but now you are going to practice and process your new reality.

To introduce DBT master skills. If you thought you knew something, just wait! We are going to go deeper into what you know, because you want more.

Resources

Mending the Disconnect

Doing Being Thinking Podcast

Get Your Self-Respect Back

DBT Graduate Group

You Will Learn:

Let's Stay Connected!

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