New Year, New Look, New Book!

Happy New Year! So far, this is turning out to be an excitingyear for me. Thanks to my talented graphic designer husband,I have a new logo and a new look for my website, along witha new practice name- Georgia Therapy, Inc. In other news,I will be be expanding my in-town office hours by adding a third day, so I will now be at my Virginia Highlands locationon Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Finally, I am proud to announce the launch of my first book, "How Zac Got His Z's: A Guide to Getting Rid of Nightmares". This book is based on re-scripting, a method that I have been using in my practice for years to help children get rid of bad dreams. After seeing such success with the children in my practice (and since I had married a talented illustrator) I decided to write a book to help more children get rid of nightmares. "How Zac Got His Z's: A Guide to Getting Rid of Nightmares" is a simple, three step guide to solving nightmare issues. In "How Zac Got His Z's", a boy learns how to conquer his bad dreams. Through fun rhymes and engaging illustrations, your child will learn how to get rid of his nightmares just like Zachary does. For immediate relief, this book can be downloaded NOW! In just seconds you and your child will have a solution to getting rid of nightmares for good! Download a printable e-book here or have a Kindle, Ipad, or Smartphone? Download a portable version here CHECK OUT WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING: A Must-Have for Sweet Dreams! As a mother of three and School Counselor, I am thrilled to see this book on the market! For years I have looked for a simple kid-friendly resource for helping kids battle the monsters under their bed. The portable e-reader format will allow parents to always have "How Zac Got His Z's" in the palm of their hand - perfect for when their little one has a nightmare away from home. Ms. Oranksy keeps the wording simple with catchy rhymes. And the illustrations are marvelous. I will use this book with my students as well as my own children. Brilliant! I love this book! I can't think of another way to describe it other than, "brilliant." It's perfect for kids who are having bad dreams. So well-written, speaks to the right audience, and gives kids tangible tools to overcome their fears.

This poem was the inspiration for my new logo. I thought it was worth sharing... Children are Like Kites You spend years trying to get them off the ground. You run with them until you are both breathless. They crash ... they hit the roof ... you patch, comfort and assure them that someday they will fly. Finally, they are airborne. They need more string, and you keep letting it out. They tug, and with each twist of the twine, there is sadness that goes with joy. The kite becomes more distant, and you know it won't be long before it will snap the lifeline that binds you together and will soar as meant to soar ... free and independent. Only then do you know that you have done your job.

Memorandum From Your Child

I found this while looking through some old resources and thought it was worth sharing. I find myself sharing at least one of these "memos' per day with my clients, so thought it would be helpful to list them all at once.

To: Mom and Dad
From: Me

1. Don't spoil me. I know quite well that I ought not to have all that I ask for. I'm only testing you.

2. Don't be afraid to be firm with me. I prefer it. It lets me know where I stand.

3. Don't use force with me. It teaches me that power is all that counts. I will respond more readily to being led.

4. Don't be inconsistent. That confuses me and makes me try harder to get away with everything that I can.

5. Don't make promises; you may not be able to keep them. That will discourage my trust in you.

6. Don't fall for my provocations when I say and do things just to upset you. Then I'll tyr for more such "victories".

7. Don't be too upset when I say "I hate you". I don't mean it, but I want you to feel sorry for what you have done to me.

8. Don't make me feel smaller than I am. I will make up for it by behaving like a "big shot".

9. Don't do things for me that I can do for myself. It makes me feel liek a baby, and I may continue to put you in my service.

10. Don't let my "bad habits" get me a lot of your attention. It only encourages me to continue them.

11. Don't correct me in front of people. I'll take much more notice if you talk quietly with me in private.

12. Don't try to discuss my behavior in the host of conflict. For some reason my hearing is not very good at this time, and my cooperation is even worse. It is all right to take the action required, but let's not talk about it until later.

13. Don't try to preach to me. You'd be surprised how well I know what's right and wrong.

14. Don't make me feel that my mistakes are sins. I have to learn to make mistakes without feeling I am no good.

15. Don't nag. If you do, I shall have to protect myself by appearing deaf.



Adapted from The King's Business Magazine published by the Bible Institute of California

Important Information about ADHD and Cardiac Risks (taken from ADD Warehouse newsletter)

Cardiac Risks for Stimulant Meds?
	Last week, the American Heart Association (AHA) announced a recommendation that will affect the way children and teens with ADHD who are either taking stimulant medication or who are thinking of getting started on stimulant medication. The AHA believes that children and teens with ADHD should receive a careful heart evaluation, including an electrocardiogram (ECG), before they begin taking any of the stimulant drugs commonly prescribed to treat ADHD. Studies have shown that these medications can increase heart rate and blood pressure. While these adverse effects are generally insignificant for most children with ADHD, they become important to consider when a child or teen has a heart condition. In a study done by the AHA, up to 2 percent of healthy school aged children had potentially serious undiagnosed cardiac conditions identified by an ECG. Certain heart conditions increase the risk for sudden cardiac death (SCD), which can occur when the heart rhythm becomes erratic and doesn't pump blood through the body. Data from the Food and Drug Administration showed that between 1999 and 2004, 19 children taking ADHD medications died suddenly and 26 children experienced cardiovascular events such as strokes, cardiac arrests, and heart palpitations. For the past year, the FDA has required all manufacturers of drug products approved for ADHD treatment to develop Medication Guidelines to alert patients to possible cardiovascular risks. "After ADHD is diagnosed, but before therapy with a stimulant or other medication is begun, we suggest that an ECG be added to the pre-treatment evaluation to increase the likelihood of identifying cardiac conditions that may place the child at risk for sudden death," said Victoria L. Vetter, M.D., head of the statement writing committee and Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in Philadelphia. The medical workup currently done by pediatric and psychiatric practitioners who are prescribing stimulant medications for children and teens with ADHD includes a screen for cardiac disease, although the medical workup is often not as extensive as suggested by the AHA. ECG is not a standard evaluative tool administered by physicians before prescribing stimulant medications. However, the AHA found using ECG screening in this specific population of ADHD children and teens is medically indicated and reasonably priced. Vetter also said doctors should evaluate children and adolescents already taking these medications if they were not evaluated when they started the treatment. Those with known or suspected heart conditions should be routinely monitored by their physician for side effects related to taking stimulant medication. This can mean a simple, routine blood pressure and heart rate check. Children who are suspected of having heart problems after the screening evaluation is done by their pediatrician or psychiatrist should be referred to a pediatric cardiologist to get clearance for using a stimulant. Once stimulant treatment begins, these at risk children should have their heart health monitored periodically, with a blood pressure check within one to three months, then again at routine follow-ups every six to 12 months. "While we feel that an ECG is reasonable and helpful as a tool to identify children with cardiac conditions that can lead to SCD, if, in the view of their physician, a child requires immediate treatment with stimulant medications, this recommendation is not meant to keep them from getting that treatment," said Vetter, who added that some children may not have access to a pediatric cardiologist who can evaluate an ECG or perform a cardiology consultation. The statement writing committee of the ADHD said its recommendations were not intended to limit the appropriate use of stimulants in children with ADHD. Their intention was to provide the physician with some tools to help identify heart conditions in children with ADHD and help them make decisions about the use of stimulant medicaitons. The goal of the committee was to reduce cardiac risk of stimulant products in susceptible children.
	For more information see the link below.

WHAT AMERICAN IDOL TEACHES US ABOUT SELF-ESTEEM

We all have a little bit of the stars of American Idol in us, even if we can't sing. Not Kelly Clarkson, not Chris Daughtry- instead, we have Simon, Paula and Randy, the infamous judges. You only need to watch the show a time or two to see what the judges are about. Simon, the sharp-tongued Brit, is cocky, rude, and famous for bringing contestants to tears with his harsh comments. Such comments as "That was absolutely dreadful!" or "It sounded like karaoke- terrible karaoke" . While he is often accurate in his disapproval, the way he so ruthlessly communicates his judgement raises concern. Paula on the other hand, is the anti-Simon. No matter how retched the performance, Paula finds a way to tell the contestant with kind words ("I'm sorry sweetie, but your pitch was off"). She typically finds some nice words to leave them with ("You look beautiful" or "I love that outfit"). Sometimes she can be sappy and sugary sweet and at times it seems like she has nothing bad to say about anyone, but she is always sensitive to the contestants feelings. At times she even publicly berates Simon for his lack of sensitivity. Randy is a combination of the two. He isn't afraid to tell someone he didn't like them, but he does it in a kinder way than Simon does ("I'm sorry dawg, that wasn't good").

So how does this relate to self-esteem? We all have the voices of the judges inside our heads. Unfortunately, some of us have far too much of the hyper-critical Simon and far too little of the sensitive and caring Paula. Even less of us have the sensible and realistic Randy. Every time we make negative comments to ourselves ( "I'm fat", "I'm not good enough") we are channeling Simon. Would we ever talk to the contestants with the same disdain that Simon uses? Then why is it okay to talk to ourselves that way? How often to we channel Paula? If we could learn to talk back to our inner-Simon the same way that Paula does- to tell him to shut up and stop being so negative, this would do wonders for our self-esteem. If we could learn to be more like Randy- to be realistic yet kind- we would feel better about our selves. The next time your inner-Simon says "I'm such a loser", let your inner-Randy talk back and say "I made a mistake but I will learn from this" or let your inner-Paula find the good in what you've done ("You tried really hard and deserve credit for trying")

Pay attention to the American Idol judges in your head. Simon Cowell might help Fox get the ratings but he doesn't help your self-esteem. Talk back to your inner-Simon!