Wow, I cannot believe how crazy the past few years have been and that I have not written for three years. Part of the reason for doing so is that it is apparent in the counseling profession, anything can be used against you. There is no innocent until proven guilty. There is simply guilt and good luck proving otherwise. So, I have not written in order to not provide additional writings that could be turned around, twisted or manipulated in order to present me in a false light.
I have reached a point though where I am not going to let fear, anxiety or apprehension stop me from being who I am and doing what I need to do. When I created this blog it was to be honest. One of my blogs was been used against me as a breach of confidentiality even though there is no person named etc.
The truth? If you are a therapist cover your a**. I have come to learn how truly vulnerable we are in our field. If you irk someone or make them mad, there is nothing stopping them from going after you in many forms including litigiously. In these cases, there is much protection for the public as there should be. But, there is no protection for us. Recently while providing evidence for the lies within an issue I was disputing, I was told "Just because some of it is lies, does not mean it is all lies". WHAT???? We do not have the protection of a rational court where you are innocent until proven guilty. It is totally the other way around.
I am in the process of writing a few books one of which will include some horrible but honest experiences that I have had as a psychologist. Last year, I terminated with a client in order to help her with finding housing, straightening her social security etc. There is little you can do, in my opinion, if trying to provide therapy for a client who has no housing, food, water etc. Three months later as winter was approaching and the hard frosts hitting, this individual was still homeless. So, my husband and I invited her into our home and she lives with us since that time the end of last Nov. I found her a new therapist and have never served in that capacity since terminating with her last summer.
I was told by a so-called expert that psychologically it would have been better to stay her therapist and leave her homeless. SAY WHAT? I live in a very rural area where all housing options had been exhausted. You cannot do cognitive behavioral therapy when a person does not have the basics such as shelter, food and water. HELLO MASLOW!!! I am baffled and disgusted.
There is such a considerable lack of humanity in a profession that is all about helping people and yet the manner in which we are to help is drastically limited. Why? The code says DO NOT HARM! Absolutely but providing food, water and shelter is more harmful than remaining her therapist? I am so concerned with the direction the mental health field appears to be going. So, I will not provide counseling services again. I plan to continue to speak and teach, helping others to help to the best of their ability while providing accurate protection for themselves. The reality is that none of us are safe if a client wants to pursue us. I never understood the true nature of this profession until I was already in over my head.
So, what to say and how to conclude, I do not know except to say I am me. I have significant empathy and compassion for others and am not going to change who I am. I may change the manner in which I help others but cannot deny the nature of my being. Even if I save one person or make one person's life better than I have made a difference. This is an honor and priviledge I will not waste or take for granted.
Tuesday, July 25, 2017
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
The first of three radio shows I did with Dr. Karen Sherman
When a mate has an eating disorder it's an
issue for the person & the relationship. Dr. Christine Dargon
offered wonderful information about dealing with this situation in my
interview with her.
Karen Sherman, Ph.D. Private practice
Here's the replay: http://sextalkradionetwork.com/2014/08/27/empowered-relationships-eating-disorders-all-shapes-and-sizes/
Karen Sherman, Ph.D. Private practice
Here's the replay: http://sextalkradionetwork.com/2014/08/27/empowered-relationships-eating-disorders-all-shapes-and-sizes/
First of three radio shows that I did with Dr. Karen Sherman
When a mate has an eating disorder it's an
issue for the person & the relationship. Dr. Christine Dargon
offered wonderful information about dealing with this situation in my
interview with her.
Karen Sherman, Ph.D. Private practice
Here's the replay: http://sextalkradionetwork.com/2014/08/27/empowered-relationships-eating-disorders-all-shapes-and-sizes/
Karen Sherman, Ph.D. Private practice
Here's the replay: http://sextalkradionetwork.com/2014/08/27/empowered-relationships-eating-disorders-all-shapes-and-sizes/
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Robin Williams: Suicide is not an issue
No who who attempts or who successfully commits suicide is a coward.
It is an act of desperation. When you see no end to the pain, no end to
the anguish, no end to the suffering, no end to the torture, no end to
the turmoil. The only way out is to not be here anymore. That is not
being a coward. It is finding a solution to something that seems to have
no other means to end. It is living in hell day after day after day
after day until finally you see one door that will get you out. You do
not know where that door leads but you know it leads out of hell!
So sad to hear of the suicide by Robin Williams. I was just saying to my husband that in all of the years I have been on Facebook, I have never seen anyone's death rock and rattle so many people as this one has. My news feed has been blowing up with people posting about Robin Williams. I have never seen anyone else's death have near this impact. If only he knew. Would it have mattered?
Two friends have thanked me, as a result, for what I do. I am honored to work with people who have depression, bi-polar and an array of mental health issues. I help people through the dark. I see people get better. It can get better. Never give up hope. Know that there are people who care and people who want to help!
I hope that something good comes out of this such as more awareness, less stigma, more services and supports, better coverage by health insurance policies and greater education/prevention. We have a long way to go!!
Knowledge is power: Suicide Facts
Suicide takes the lives of nearly 30,000 Americans every year.
Many who attempt suicide never seek professional care.
There are twice as many deaths due to suicide than HIV/AIDS.
Between 1952 and 1995, suicide in young adults nearly tripled.
Over half of all suicides occur in adult men, ages 25-65.
In the month prior to their suicide, 75% of elderly persons had visited a physician.
Suicide rates in the United States are highest in the spring.
Over half of all suicides are completed with a firearm.
For young people 15-24 years old, suicide is the third leading cause of death.
Suicide rates among the elderly are highest for those who are divorced or widowed.
80% of people that seek treatment for depression are treated successfully.
15% of those who are clinically depressed die by suicide.
There are an estimated 8 to 25 attempted suicides to 1 completion.
The highest suicide rate is among men over 85 years old: 65 per 100,000 persons.
1 in 65,000 children ages 10 to 14 commit suicide each year.
Substance abuse is a risk factor for suicide.
The strongest risk factor for suicide is depression.
By 2010, depression will be the #1 disability in the world. (World Health Organization)
In 2004, 32,439 people died by suicide. (CDC)
Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the U.S. (homicide is 15th). (CDC)
Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for 15- to 24-year-old Americans. (CDC)
It is estimated that there are at least 4.5 million survivors in this country. (AAS)
An average of one person dies by suicide every 16.2 minutes. (CDC, AAS)
There are four male suicides for every female suicide. (CDC, AAS)
Research has shown medications and therapy to be effective suicide prevention.
Suicide can be prevented through education and public awareness.
Last year SAVE educated 10,618 youth & parents on depression and suicide prevention.
Last year SAVE received 810 requests for information from 72 countries.
In 2004 it is estimated there were 811,000 suicide attempts in the US. (AAS)
There are three female suicide attempts for each male attempt. (CDC, AAS)
According to the Violent Death Reporting System, in 2004 73% of suicides also tested positive for at least one substance (alcohol, cocaine, heroin or marijuana).
http://www.save.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.viewPage&page_id=705D5DF4-055B-F1EC-3F66462866FCB4E6
Thank you,
Dr. Christine Frydenborg Dargon
So sad to hear of the suicide by Robin Williams. I was just saying to my husband that in all of the years I have been on Facebook, I have never seen anyone's death rock and rattle so many people as this one has. My news feed has been blowing up with people posting about Robin Williams. I have never seen anyone else's death have near this impact. If only he knew. Would it have mattered?
Two friends have thanked me, as a result, for what I do. I am honored to work with people who have depression, bi-polar and an array of mental health issues. I help people through the dark. I see people get better. It can get better. Never give up hope. Know that there are people who care and people who want to help!
I hope that something good comes out of this such as more awareness, less stigma, more services and supports, better coverage by health insurance policies and greater education/prevention. We have a long way to go!!
Knowledge is power: Suicide Facts
Suicide takes the lives of nearly 30,000 Americans every year.
Many who attempt suicide never seek professional care.
There are twice as many deaths due to suicide than HIV/AIDS.
Between 1952 and 1995, suicide in young adults nearly tripled.
Over half of all suicides occur in adult men, ages 25-65.
In the month prior to their suicide, 75% of elderly persons had visited a physician.
Suicide rates in the United States are highest in the spring.
Over half of all suicides are completed with a firearm.
For young people 15-24 years old, suicide is the third leading cause of death.
Suicide rates among the elderly are highest for those who are divorced or widowed.
80% of people that seek treatment for depression are treated successfully.
15% of those who are clinically depressed die by suicide.
There are an estimated 8 to 25 attempted suicides to 1 completion.
The highest suicide rate is among men over 85 years old: 65 per 100,000 persons.
1 in 65,000 children ages 10 to 14 commit suicide each year.
Substance abuse is a risk factor for suicide.
The strongest risk factor for suicide is depression.
By 2010, depression will be the #1 disability in the world. (World Health Organization)
In 2004, 32,439 people died by suicide. (CDC)
Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the U.S. (homicide is 15th). (CDC)
Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for 15- to 24-year-old Americans. (CDC)
It is estimated that there are at least 4.5 million survivors in this country. (AAS)
An average of one person dies by suicide every 16.2 minutes. (CDC, AAS)
There are four male suicides for every female suicide. (CDC, AAS)
Research has shown medications and therapy to be effective suicide prevention.
Suicide can be prevented through education and public awareness.
Last year SAVE educated 10,618 youth & parents on depression and suicide prevention.
Last year SAVE received 810 requests for information from 72 countries.
In 2004 it is estimated there were 811,000 suicide attempts in the US. (AAS)
There are three female suicide attempts for each male attempt. (CDC, AAS)
According to the Violent Death Reporting System, in 2004 73% of suicides also tested positive for at least one substance (alcohol, cocaine, heroin or marijuana).
http://www.save.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.viewPage&page_id=705D5DF4-055B-F1EC-3F66462866FCB4E6
Thank you,
Dr. Christine Frydenborg Dargon
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Work in Progress
Shouldn’t we all consider ourselves a work in progress?
If you think about it, we are never done growing and never done learning. We can always work to improve who we are, how we handle things, what we want to do and who we want to be. We are never complete and never done. Life is always throwing surprises at us that we have to respond to. Things never go exactly as we planned and life never stays stagnant or consistent.
I have always believed such things. However, recently I came to some conclusions pertaining to what I always thoughts I wanted to be and should be. After all of these years for that perception to change does not mean I was wrong. It just means that it is time to adjust and make a shift.
If we plan out who we are and what we will do in our late teens and early twenties, for example, and we never veer away from that path then are we thinking? Are we growing? Are we allowing ourselves to consider other possibilities? Do we not want to allow that process? Will life at times not require us to consider other possibilities?
Life should be not predictable or boring. Do not settle for the same in yourself.
Dr. Christine Frydenborg Dargon
If you think about it, we are never done growing and never done learning. We can always work to improve who we are, how we handle things, what we want to do and who we want to be. We are never complete and never done. Life is always throwing surprises at us that we have to respond to. Things never go exactly as we planned and life never stays stagnant or consistent.
I have always believed such things. However, recently I came to some conclusions pertaining to what I always thoughts I wanted to be and should be. After all of these years for that perception to change does not mean I was wrong. It just means that it is time to adjust and make a shift.
If we plan out who we are and what we will do in our late teens and early twenties, for example, and we never veer away from that path then are we thinking? Are we growing? Are we allowing ourselves to consider other possibilities? Do we not want to allow that process? Will life at times not require us to consider other possibilities?
Life should be not predictable or boring. Do not settle for the same in yourself.
Dr. Christine Frydenborg Dargon
Are we the bastards of the healthcare field?
Question:
Why are those of us in the mental health field not considered on the same level of other healthcare service providers? Many people have no respect for our time, our need to make a living etc. I had this week a family that asked me to attend a meeting at a school and were shocked that I charged for that time. If you request my services whether it be for something of that nature, to go to court, write a report etc., where would you get the idea that such service would be free? It seems that those of us who are psychologists are not seen as “real doctors” and so do not command the same respect. Is it because we are in the caring field that we are to understand people missing appointments rather then charge them? Would love thoughts!
I have been amazed over the years at how differently we are treated from those working in a medical doctor’s office. Insurance coverage of mental health services is no where near as through as medical although advancements have been made in this area. I think part of what contributes to the stigma of mental health professionals and psychologists are things such as Dr. Phil:
The profession of psychology has no problem with what he does, although some disagree with how he does it. You should judge for yourself.
http://everydaypsychology.com/2008/01/is-dr-phil-actually-psychologist.html#.U6Bflyj5fMg
People may be aware of this and I think it diminishes the respect and tarnishes the perspective of other real psychologists like myself.
On Wiki someone asked “Are psychologists doctors?” (http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Are_psychologists_doctors) – the public has no idea the years of education we go through and the years of training. Similar ignorance applies to master’s level mental health clinicians.
I cannot begin to tell you how often people make appointments and never show up for them – no phone call no nothing. I know most officers, medical and mental health, have a 24 hour cancellation policy and yet people are shocked when you charge them. We chase people to get paid meanwhile doctor’s officer will take payment up front or you will not be seen and no one balks at this.
So why are we the second class citizens? What can be done to change societies perspectives? Yes we are in a profession of helping, caring, empathizing and supporting but this is also our jobs, our livelihoods and our means to put food on the table. I drive a Ford Focus. What does your primary care doctor drive?
Dr. Christine Frydenborg Dargon
Why are those of us in the mental health field not considered on the same level of other healthcare service providers? Many people have no respect for our time, our need to make a living etc. I had this week a family that asked me to attend a meeting at a school and were shocked that I charged for that time. If you request my services whether it be for something of that nature, to go to court, write a report etc., where would you get the idea that such service would be free? It seems that those of us who are psychologists are not seen as “real doctors” and so do not command the same respect. Is it because we are in the caring field that we are to understand people missing appointments rather then charge them? Would love thoughts!
I have been amazed over the years at how differently we are treated from those working in a medical doctor’s office. Insurance coverage of mental health services is no where near as through as medical although advancements have been made in this area. I think part of what contributes to the stigma of mental health professionals and psychologists are things such as Dr. Phil:
Is Dr. Phil actually a psychologist?
Article summary:
This article was written soon after Dr. Phil involved himself in
an incident with Britney Spears. When he stepped off the stage and into
someone’s real life, he almost got himself in trouble. - Dr. Phil is a Doctor. He has a Ph.D. in Psychology.
- Dr. Phil is not a psychologist. He is not licensed as a psychologist.
- Dr. Phil used to be a psychologist. He used to be licensed.
- He cannot practice psychology, and what he does is not actually the practice of psychology.
- Yes, he can call him self Dr. Phil.
The profession of psychology has no problem with what he does, although some disagree with how he does it. You should judge for yourself.
http://everydaypsychology.com/2008/01/is-dr-phil-actually-psychologist.html#.U6Bflyj5fMg
People may be aware of this and I think it diminishes the respect and tarnishes the perspective of other real psychologists like myself.
On Wiki someone asked “Are psychologists doctors?” (http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Are_psychologists_doctors) – the public has no idea the years of education we go through and the years of training. Similar ignorance applies to master’s level mental health clinicians.
I cannot begin to tell you how often people make appointments and never show up for them – no phone call no nothing. I know most officers, medical and mental health, have a 24 hour cancellation policy and yet people are shocked when you charge them. We chase people to get paid meanwhile doctor’s officer will take payment up front or you will not be seen and no one balks at this.
So why are we the second class citizens? What can be done to change societies perspectives? Yes we are in a profession of helping, caring, empathizing and supporting but this is also our jobs, our livelihoods and our means to put food on the table. I drive a Ford Focus. What does your primary care doctor drive?
Dr. Christine Frydenborg Dargon
Friday, June 28, 2013
Lots in the works!
It has been a challenging few weeks. Sorry that I have not blogged in some time. Here is the update:
I have begun giving webinars on working with children with anxiety as well as one on working with adults. These are offered through Cross Country Education.
I will also be back on the road beginning in August with my full day seminar on Play Therapy. First stop is NJ and Nanuet, NY. This fall I will be off to Boston, Ohio, Missouri, Arkansas, Virginia, Tennessee, Los Angeles, Seattle and perhaps a few other destinations. These are available through PESI.
I am teaching a significant course load as Grand Canyon University, all on the masters' level.
I will be developing a new seminar on eating disorders that will also be available through Cross Country Education.
So it has been a busy few weeks.
Dr. Christine Frydenborg Dargon
I have begun giving webinars on working with children with anxiety as well as one on working with adults. These are offered through Cross Country Education.
I will also be back on the road beginning in August with my full day seminar on Play Therapy. First stop is NJ and Nanuet, NY. This fall I will be off to Boston, Ohio, Missouri, Arkansas, Virginia, Tennessee, Los Angeles, Seattle and perhaps a few other destinations. These are available through PESI.
I am teaching a significant course load as Grand Canyon University, all on the masters' level.
I will be developing a new seminar on eating disorders that will also be available through Cross Country Education.
So it has been a busy few weeks.
Dr. Christine Frydenborg Dargon
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