RockyMtnMentalHealth

Therapy for anxiety, depression, trauma, bereavement, caregiver fatigue, and living with chronic illness available on your device by a licensed therapist.

[The Lincoln Project @ProjectLincoln]

Retweet if you’re ready to end this and vote for Joe Biden.

[RockyMtnMentalHealth @LaurieLCSW]

We find our personal power in little tasks and quiet moments. It’s really amazing how strong you will feel when you declare your preferences at the polls. Wearing that silly little sticker is a magical powerful thing. Use your superpower, VOTE today!

[RockyMtnMentalHealth @LaurieLCSW]

Unless you’ve TOTALLY unplugged (👍you), you know today is Election Day. Not registered? Many states let you register on the spot. Don’t know all the issues? Vote for the ones you know. Voting is a great equalizer. No matter who you are, everyone gets just one vote. LaurieLCSW

[RockyMtnMentalHealth @LaurieLCSW]

@LivPsy @BossBeliefs And those of us with health challenges also have hope. Hope is more critical to those of us who do not have the health we want. LaurieLCSW #chronicillness #chronicillness #MEandCFS #depression #trauma #traumainformed

[RockyMtnMentalHealth @LaurieLCSW]

Families take care of the “caregiver” in your family. What would you do if the self designated caregiver gets sick? Who will step up? You? If the thought of an out of commission caregiver scares you, the remedy for your fear is to do everything you can to preserve that caregiver!

[RockyMtnMentalHealth @LaurieLCSW]

Caregivers what do you need to be happy and healthy? Yes it is possible even with all the chaos and sadness around you. If you have figured out your own caregiver balance, how did you do it? Share your wisdom! #aging #caregiverfatigue #caregiverburnout #AARP #CDC #elderabuse

[RockyMtnMentalHealth @LaurieLCSW]

Caregivers when did YOU last see YOUR doctor or go to church or have coffee with a friend? Let’s get real, when did you last find a quiet moment to say a prayer that wasn’t a desperate plea through gritted teeth or talk with anyone about anything other than your sick loved one?

[RockyMtnMentalHealth @LaurieLCSW]

Family caregivers need to figure out how to be a caregiver for a period of time. Anything over a few months demands greater balance for the caregiver than devoting themselves full time as the caregiver. A first question I ask caregivers is “when did YOU last see YOUR doctor”?

[RockyMtnMentalHealth @LaurieLCSW]

My husband died after a brief illness. I was his caregiver. It was most helpful to me when people did the shopping or yard work. Getting away was not helpful for me. I knew he was dying. Had we been in it for a longer I would’ve needed another plan, a longterm plan. #caregiver

[RockyMtnMentalHealth @LaurieLCSW]

If you know a family caregiver, reach out to them. They won’t reach out to you. Most caregivers don’t acknowledge they need support. They fear a call for help will not be seen not as desperate attempt at self care but rather as a complaint about the loved one they are caring for.

[RockyMtnMentalHealth @LaurieLCSW]

As part of my clinical training, I was taught about the need to support caregivers. Like most lessons learned, my wisedom came from real life. I went to the funeral of a “healthy” caregiver of a patient seven years before I was notified of the patients death. Seven years folks!

[RockyMtnMentalHealth @LaurieLCSW]

We know addictions can cost lives but did you know that caregiving, especially family caregiver, costs lives. Caregivers become fatigued, stop caring for themselves and get sick. #familycaregiving #caregivingfatigue #burnout #PTSD #trauma

[RockyMtnMentalHealth @LaurieLCSW]

Give yourself permission to say good-bye to hurtful and stress filled relationships, including family. Tell them what you need and what you can’t tolerate, give them the opportunity to honor your boundaries then opt in or out. Simple? No! Worth it?Absolutely! #recovery #addiction

[RockyMtnMentalHealth @LaurieLCSW]

What are your relationship dealbreakers? Are they different for romantic relationships than non-romantic relationships? #marriage #dealbreakers #relationships #healthyboundaries #caregiverburnout #recovery

[RockyMtnMentalHealth @LaurieLCSW]

To be transparent, my first 25 years of married life ended with his death(cancer). I had a well intended but short marriage that had issues we were unable to work out. I am now in my third. I am more guarded but the most patient and tolerant I’ve been Wisdom? Maybe. Hope so.

[RockyMtnMentalHealth @LaurieLCSW]

As a very young bride I had a long list of things that I would not tolerate from my spouse. A few decades later my list had shrunk to a few things. Now even more years later, I don’t have a list. I have a question. “How’d we get here and can we or do we want to fix it. Read next

[RockyMtnMentalHealth @LaurieLCSW]

Trusting is worth the risk just like love. The part we don’t talk about is what is your plan for trust violated or love betrayed. How will you react? What are your deal breakers? What will keep your heart whole? It’s a different answer for all of us. Figure out what yours is.

[RockyMtnMentalHealth @LaurieLCSW]

So what do you do when someone betrays your trust and hurts you? Be brave, it’s your trust. Ask why? Someone worth working through this relationship challenge will let you know by how they react. If they deny, attack or avoid you, it’s a lesson learned. Face the truth and move on

[RockyMtnMentalHealth @LaurieLCSW]

Trust isn’t earned in a moment. Trust is earned in several moments.

[RockyMtnMentalHealth @LaurieLCSW]

Carefully select who you share pieces of your soul with. Once shared, it is never returned to you in the same shape. Choose people who have earned your trust through their words and deeds. It’s ok to be picky.