Tag: SOCIAL SKILLS

    Dr John & Dave Akerly discussion on DISCONTINUING THERAPY IF NOT COMFORTABLE WITH YOUR THERAPIST OR THE DIRECTION OF THE THERAPY

    Dr John & Dave Akerly discussion on DISCONTINUING THERAPY IF NOT COMFORTABLE WITH YOUR THERAPIST OR THE DIRECTION OF THE THERAPY 12-08-2020 Over the decades of doing therapy I have been amazed how many persons continue in therapy even when they are not comfortable with the therapist,are not satisfied with the direction of the therapy or feel there is no progress. In such situations,it may be time to end therapy completely,alter the direction of the therapy or seek a new therapist who better meets your needs. Therapy is very personal and always remember therapists are human beings who have their own life history. When you have such feelings,have an honest talk with your therapist about your feelings. Do not assume you are the problem and resistant to therapy. You may not be the right combination in a relationship that requires a strong mutual connection of respect,acceptable interventions and desired outcomes. It also may be the case the therapeutic relationship has gone as far as it can go and needs to end. Whatever the reason,it is time to have an honest discussion with your therapist and discuss your future and what you will decide to do. It is your life.

    Dr Braccio & Dave Akerly discuss KEYS TO SUCCESSFUL COMMUNICATION IN FAMILIES. 12-01-2020

    One of the sad things in life is how poorly so many families get along. During this holiday period, even during this pandemic, fractures in family communication are becoming apparent as some combination of parents, children, grandchildren, and in-laws have grievances that hurt or even destroy communication. The following are keys to successful communication in families: 1.ELIMINATE SECRETS THAT LEAD TO POTENTIAL CONFLICT. 2.BE ACCEPTING OF DIFFERENT VIEWS, INCLUDING SPIRITUAL AND POLITICAL. 3.DO NOT PLAY FAVORITES. 4.SUPPORT AND RESPECT ALL MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY. 5.CHAMPION AND CONFIRM EACH OTHER. 6. DO NOT PRAISE GRANDSTANDING, POWER SEEKING, FINANCIAL AND/OR PROFESSIONAL SUCCESS AND COMPETITION. 7.PROTECTING EACH OTHER. 8.HONORING, HONING AND CREATING NEW FAMILY TRADITIONS THAT UNIFY AND ENHANCE FAMILY COMMUNICATION.

    Dr Braccio & Dave Akerly 1320 AM discuss- A SALUTE TO THANKSGIVINGS DAY

    Dr Braccio & Dave Akerly 1320 AM discuss- A SALUTE TO THANKSGIVINGS DAY 11-24-2020 Thanksgiving is the one day a year we all need to kick out all negative thoughts and replace them with positive ones. In psychology,that is called COGNITIVE RESTRUCTURING. It is my favorite day because the vast majority of persons have positive non-judgmental feelings about it. That is unique in this age of rage and the ongoing pressures of the Pandemic. This is the time to think about positive things in the present as well as from the past. We can focus on good family memories,positive work experiences,enjoyable readings,enjoyable music,sporting victories,friendship magical moments,and events of spiritual and/or moral growth. The list can go on and on. The main thing is to give thanksgiving for what you have now and have had in the past in the form of memories. Those are things we can give super positive focus on this 2020 Thanksgiving Day! Go for them and get them! Happy Thanksgiving!

    Dr Braccio & Dave Akerly WHY GRATEFULNESS PRIOR TO THANKSGIVING IS IMPORTANT DURING THE PANDEMIC WITH EXPANDING RESTRICTIONS

    Dr Braccio & Dave Akerly of 1320 AM WILS 11-17-2020 WHY GRATEFULNESS PRIOR TO THANKSGIVING IS IMPORTANT DURING THE PANDEMIC WITH EXPANDING RESTRICTIONS As Michigan and other states have even been adding more restrictions prior to Thanksgiving,people already weary must adapt to new restrictions which will result in millions of persons not being with many loved ones and friends during this Thanksgiving period. Even worse,many persons will be alone from now until after Thanksgiving. This year,Thanksving,generally a time of happiness for the vast majority,will be a difficult time emotionally for most. With that said,even in this very difficult period,it is good for our own mental health to show gratefulness for what we have and help others having a hard time. The following are ways we can show gratefulness even in these difficult pandemic times: 1.Call persons from your past or even more recently who helped advance you in life and thank them. 2.Call persons to cheer them up when you know or believe they are not doing well. 3.For many,be grateful for the time to further develop your spirituality and individual relationship with your God. 4.With or without a sense of spirituality,this is a time to be grateful to evaluate and more strongly develop your moral code. 5.Be grateful for the time to contact friends and other persons for long interactions which you probably would not have had without the extra time.

    Dr Braccio & Dave Akerly discuss OCD AND THE PANDEMIC 11-10-2020

    Dr Braccio & Dave Akerly discuss OCD AND THE PANDEMIC 11-10-2020 The pandemic impacts all of us to one degree or another. Persons with OCD(OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER) can suffer very severe psychological dysfunction due to it. The characteristics of this psychological disorder are far above average unreasonable thoughts and fears(OBSESSIONS) that result in compulsive behaviors to help reduce the anxiety The condition can be severe in times of relative normality. Common types of OCD INCLUDE CONTAMINATION,HOARDING,INTRUSIVE THOUGHTS,CONSTANT CHECKING,INCESSANT HAND WASHING AND ANYTHING ELSE THAT WOULD SEEM ABSURD TO ANYONE ELSE. The anxiety can only be relieved by the compulsive behavior. Prognosis is not good and the person needs to always be on guard so as not to return to the compulsion and to add others. The following are some remedies to use during the pandemic: 1.KEEP IN CONTACT WITH PERSONS. 2.DO NOT SOCIAL ISOLATE. 3.PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCE 4.WASH HANDS REASONABLY,DO NOT TOUCH THE FACE AND WEAR MASKS. 5.DO NOT OBSESS OVER THINGS THE PERSON CANNOT CONTROL. 6.STAY IN CONTACT WITH THERAPIST OR SEEK ONE OUT IF NECESSARY. 7.TAKE CARE OF BASIC PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL NEEDS. 8.EXERCISE DAILY. 9.ELIMINATE NEWS,PEOPLE AND CIRCUMSTANCES THAT CAUSE ANXIETY. 10.MAINTAIN A CONSISTENT AND REASONABLE ROUTINE.