Update as of April 2023

 I've established an office space at Serene Abundance Studio Space in Florence, and I plan to re-open my private practice part-time. I will be able to make use of the Studio facilities to offer a full range of media for creative arts & expressive arts therapies, and we will have room to do more movement and mind/body focused activities. 

At this time, I am applying to be in-network with a few of the major insurances available in the Lane County area. I am able to accept OHP Open Card, however I do also have to apply to be in-network with Trillium and PacificSource Community Solutions. This process takes time, and goes as fast as the insurances care to go.

I am accepting clients to a wait-list while this process is under way. I can always accept those paying out of pocket, and I am willing to arrange a payment plan, where feasible, to help you better afford sessions. I am not in a position to offer sliding-scale at this time. 

Feel free to email or call if you have any further questions, want to schedule a consultation, or would like to be added to the wait list! 

Toxic Praise: An Overview

In today's society, toxic praise is everywhere, but we don't always recognize it as such. 

"Toxic praise" comes from the use of praise as a function of manipulation, that is, it is used in order to either reinforce or mute certain outcomes in another, in order to gain a desired outcome. This can be, but is not necessarily, due to a conscious desire or awareness on the part of the praise provider to be manipulative. 

 

 

A few common types of toxic praising include:

 

• -Performance praise: A child getting praised primarily for what they can do, ignoring the child's needs for other types of acknowledgement. (Flip side: criticism)
• -Backhanded compliments, i.e. belittling someone with a tone and words that would otherwise signal approval, which feels confusing to the person who is the "target" of the compliment. (Flip side: outright cruelty)
  
• -Generic praise, i.e. flattering with impersonal, non-specific, or overly idealized and flowery compliments- typically to meet the praise provider's self-serving needs. (Flip side: verbal abuse)
  
• -Coercive praise: Giving attention and compliments in an attempt to win compliance or to get something from a target. (Flip side: antisocial behavior). 
• -Conditional praise: Rewarding someone only for doing what you want or approve of, while being dismissive and/or critical of doing what you don't like and don't value. (Flip side: controlling behaviors)
• -Fear based praise: Flattery or compliments designed to soothe the target and reduce tension. (Flip side: traumatic anxiety or panic behaviors)
  
• -False praise: Giving compliments and admiration, often to excess, in order to gain social favor- when, in truth, you may not even like the thing or person you are complimenting. (Flip side: brutal truths) 

 

Can you think of any others? Describe them in the comment section below.

The "flip sides" above are the core principle of the behavior in its direct expression. For example, praising performance uses positive language to get the target to do more of what the praise providers wants, while criticism instead attempts to extinguish anything which is NOT the desired performance behavior.

 Toxic praise can often be found in arenas where it is not acceptable to state one's desires by more direct means. Social, academic, and work settings are especially risky if they also depend on a high degree of refinement or "subtle signaling"- for example, a white-collar office job. People attempting to get their needs met in polite society, where individuals are held to high standards of visible conduct, might be tempted to rely on indirect forms of manipulation or aggression such as toxic praise. 

All too often, such behaviors are learned from those around us- justified by the belief that it is simply the "cost of doing business." 

 

 

Here's one example that may be familiar to many readers: A parent's belief may tell him his son should be good at sports to be successful. But his values may signal that it isn't appropriate to tell his child he is disappointed about how much the child is actually terrible at sports. 

So he might, instead, start pushing harder by complimenting any motion toward the desired sports performance his son does make. 

The parent might, in his frustration or resentment, fail to emapthise with the child's difficulty, get curious about why he is struggling, or notice that the child doesn't share the same values. That is, he fails to take into account the child's experience as his own person. So, instead of taking this as encouragement that he should try harder to do well at sports, the son will instead receive this message as: "My dad doesn't care about me, he only cares if I make the team." 

 

 

 

 

This is what I mean by the behavior not necessarily being conscious. We think we are doing what's best for someone else, but in our well-meaning attitude, we may have failed to examine our own shortcomings. This may not only cause problems for us, but also for those whom we value. 

 

It's not always a recipe for trauma: sometimes we use "toxic praise lite" in order to avoid a mildly uncomfortable outcome, such as hurting someone's feelings- commonly known as the use of the "little white lie." You might say to a best friend or a sibling, "that outfit really belongs on you", because admitting that you find it unflattering might be disappointing to hear- or might put a kink in your relationship.

 

 

 

...but I'm willing to bet there's at least one person reading this article (maybe more than one?) Who'd say that to someone you're close to, because you secretly enjoy knowing that your bestie looked just a little less attractive than you did. (It's okay, we won't tell anyone!) This is where the toxic potency might start to climb. 

We find this sort of intrigue fascinating as humans, and perpetuate its existence through media and personal stories that reinforce its glamour. This explains why things like historical fiction, soap operas, courtly dramas with kings and queens, etc. are some of the most perennially loved types of stories over time. 

 

 

So why is toxic praise so toxic? Well, it has to do with how, as a species, humans are hard wired to mirror one another. To relate. We seek acknowledgement of ourselves, and our worth, in the eyes of others. Think about how we describe feelings of being misunderstood: "she just doesn't see me", "I don't feel heard", "I feel so invisible", etc. 

When receiving toxic praise, instead of feeling good about ourselves, we feel even worse. It puts the individual in a no-win situation: To accept the conditional praise, one must devalue or limit other parts of one's self- and/or accept being devalued by another. This leads to inner conflict. The more you might have a need to receive approval from someone else, the more vulnerable you will be to accepting toxic praise- and the easier it will be for you to get manipulated by someone who uses it. 

Brene' Brown, the well-reknowned researcher on shame, reminds us of this: 

 

"When we spend a lifetime trying to distance ourselves from the parts of our lives that don't fit in with who we think we're supposed to be, we stand outside of our story and hustle for our worthiness by constantly performing, perfecting, pleasing, and proving." -The Gifts of Imperfection

Being split off from parts of our own self and nature, as any mental health pro can tell you, can stir up a host of accompanying health problems- from self-centeredness, to anxiety and depression, to addictions, compulsive behaviors, workaholism, eating disorders, relational problems, physical ailments, and more. 

What's even worse is that, without realizing it, we can perpetuate our own shaming by use of toxic praise onto others- friends, family, children, co workers, employees and students, to name a few.

Humans learn by watching and mimicking others' behaviors, so being around those mean girl friends in high school, or getting addicted to daytime TV, might suggest some bad habits when it comes to dealing with others. But it would take some robust research and analysis to say for sure whether being around toxic praise behavior causes us to repeat it, and what factors (such as childhood experience vs. adult) might play a role in such influence. 

If anything, exposure might turn someone off to the idea of ANY praise being simply "for show" and not to be trusted. (Hint: when you meet someone that just can't seem to accept any compliment, you might be dealing with someone who's been a victim of toxic praising.)

 

 

So if we are to evolve as humans, will we have to resign ourselves to giving up "Versailles" and turning to the Disney Channel? Not necessarily. 

The first step with arresting such behavior is, as usual with personal growth, becoming aware of it. Take a moment to examine your motives in a situation- especially if something about it feels odd. 

Did you give toxic praise to someone? What did you gain (or avoid losing) by giving this praise? How does this awareness leave you feeling? If you could get a do-over, how might you have wanted to handle the situation differently and why?

If you received toxic praise: what effect did it have on you? How might that have benefitted the praise provider? How did it leave you feeling? How could you have reacted instead if you could rewind the situation? What boundaries or awareness might protect you in future when confronted with this behavior?

Toxic praise is a byproduct of our perfection seeking, performance obsessed, highly refined civilization. But it doesn't have to ruin the party- as long as we keep it confined to the big screen and the paperback book, and treat one another to our more earnest thoughts and feelings.

Because nothing makes us feel better than REAL praise- that sincere appreciation, admiration and congratulation from someone who matters- so get out there and praise a person today!

 

 

 

Health & Safety Update- June 2020

Lane County is currently in "Phase 2 Reopening" as of this month. This has relaxed a number of the precautions that were part of the COVID-19 related shutdown.

As such, I am open to allowing face-to-face appointments on a case by case basis. However, out of respect for our community- which includes many elders and those with chronic illness or disabilities- I am going to remain conservative in my approach to allowing visitors to the office/studio space.

Please call, email or text to arrange your visit. Keep in mind that I will be allowing one person at a time, or only small groups that are members of one household, or members of the same "quarantine bubble".

I will be wearing a mask for in person visits, for your safety. You can bring a mask to wear if it helps you feel more comfortable.

I will continue to offer remote (phone or online) therapy and group appointments, as well as online Serene Abundance Studio Space activities.

NOTE: If you have been experiencing COVID-19-like symptoms, or you have been in recent contact with someone who is suspected to have the Novel Coronavirus, please stay home and arrange for a remote visit instead of in-person.

I will continue to take recommended precautions with keeping the office clean, including use of disinfectants, adequate ventilation, proper social distancing, and use of an air cleaner.

Please contact me directly if you have any additional questions or concerns. Be well!

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Now Open

Good news, folks- The State of Oregon Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program is now ready to take applications!

This is a special form of Unemployment Assistance that allows those who are self-employed, "gig workers" such as people who drive for Uber or are a 1099 contractor (aka doing freelance work) to apply for unemployment assistance during the COVID-19 crisis.

Go here to access the Unemployment Dept's page:

https://govstatus.egov.com/ui-benefits/CARES

There is a paper form that you will need to either fill out and sign on a desktop, or print out. It can be either faxed in or mailed at the contact info on the bottom. (I'd advise faxing, personally, if you can get through.)

Don't delay- there will only be so many funds available for this round of assistance!

Updated Resources for Current Times

I have spent the past couple of weeks tweaking, revising, updating and adding to some resource pages, here on my website.

You can now find COVID-19 Pandemic-specific help on my "Resources" page. This includes ways to manage stress or traumatic anxiety, find local resources, ideas for creative healing projects you can do at home, and more. There's also an online version of my Crisis Services Handout. Visit it here:

Resources Page

I've also put together a list of self-help resources for common (non-urgent) issues, including anxiety, depression, grief and loss, Eating Disorder symptoms, and more:

Self-Help Page

Feel free to share this information with anyone who can benefit.

I am also currently available for online (phone and video) appointments for State of Oregon residents, ages 12 and up. See my "About" info to learn more about what type of approaches I use in therapy, and what areas I specialize in. I am able to bill a variety of insurances, and I take OHP on a case by case basis.

Wishing you all health, peace and well-being!

Virtual Online Meetings- What You Need to Know

As we navigate the new landscape of 2020 during the current pandemic, when so many people are obliged to stay home due to Social Distancing, it can feel intimidating to shift to meeting with others online. Here's a "quick start" guide to get you comfortable with understanding and using technology for connecting with your therapist, clients, employer, friends, family, etc.

• Treat it like a "normal" appointment

You will get much more quality and overall benefit from your appointments and "live" social engagements if you treat them with as much value as if you were still meeting face-to-face. It can also lend structure to your routines, and improve self-esteem, to get yourself ready for your day online- having your coffee or tea ready, going through a morning routine as though you were headed out for the day. 

All of this may seem awkward at first, but once you and the other person/people have settled in to the online format, this tends to melt away, and instead you are able to focus more on relating to others.

• Types of online and virtual communication 

-2-Way Video Calling. Most cell phones and messaging apps now have a person-to-person video function. Each of them work a little differently. Keep in mind that only device-to-device calls are "private", especially if they use certain privacy apps such as Signal. Social Media apps (Facebook Messenger for example) can NOT be considered private, and are still under the Social Media site's terms and conditions. Google, to date, has made available a private version of Hangouts Meet that can be used for therapy sessions.

-Virtual Meetings/Groups. You may meet with people at work, have a virtual appointment with your doctor's office, therapist, etc., attend an online event, or even hang out with your friends and watch a movie together using a Virtual Meeting platform. Zoom is the most common right now, but there's others (doxy, GoToMeeting, private platforms used by online health care management systems, and more.) These generally feature an event organizer or presenter who runs the meeting, and can control the settings- but you can also potentially share directly with all the other people in the group in real time. 

-Virtual Presentations and Webinars. These use similar setups as Virtual Meetings (the alternate of GoToMeeting is literally called GoToWebinar), however they focus on a one-way demonstration from the presenter to an audience. These are used for work-related trainings, presentations or classes by teachers or topic experts; sometimes for entertainment purposes too. They usually include a way to send questions or comments to the presenter in real time, such as a text box. 

Some Presentations will only be offered "Live"- that is, you have to plan to access them during a specific day and time- and some offer a limited-time "replay", or will store the video recording to watch later at any time. Read the description of the event to find out whether recordings will be available, and whether these will be for free or for sale- every event varies! 

-Facebook and Youtube, etc. Live. This is essentially a Virtual Presentation hosted on a Social Media platform, but it's a combination of Presentation and video calling, since anyone on the Social Media site can start a Live Stream, and choose who to broadcast it to. These also may or may not be recorded. 

You can use the Social Media framework to hold discussions, submit your content to the presenter, or ask them questions during the Live Stream. 

-Text. You can hold a person-to-person or group chat on phone text, or over Social Media. This isn't the same as talking "live", as people sometimes do other things while they're texting, and take varied amounts of time to respond. Some virtual therapy and support companies, such as Better Help or 7 Cups, advertise text-based communication with your therapist or helper- but few companies offer text-only therapy sessions. 

-Phone Appointments. Most of us are familiar with how this one works. As mentioned, phone appointments are preferred when you can't- or don't want to- have a video call with your therapist.

• Why use video and not just phone or text?

As a therapist, I often encounter people wanting to just talk on the phone, or sometimes text, instead of meet virtually face-to-face. These folks might feel less comfortable, or uneasy, about video calling for a variety of reasons. 

However, professional organizations such as the American Counseling Association encourage video calling over voice or text wherever possible. Why? Well, it's been documented that over 50% of communication is expressed non-verbally, as is explained in the article HERE. So limiting communication to phone only might miss out on a lot! And with texting, which doesn't have streaming face or voice, you're getting even less. It could be easy to miss out on some important clues to how a client is doing if we can't see or even hear them- and that means a lower-quality appointment for you. 

While I would never force someone who is video-phobic to have to use video calling, it's worth tackling some short-term, mild discomfort to try something new- and possibly exciting! Remember, you're always in charge of how, and how much, you communicate online.

• Plan Ahead - space, time, privacy

Due to "shelter in place" and quarantine demands, many of us may be at home for the time being, without access to the ideal space. Family members, kids, pets, and so on can pose potential interruptions to a private video or phone appointment. Think ahead about where you could have some quiet space to yourself, to better focus on your time online. Do you have a guest room, walk-in closet, sun porch, or garage you can make use of? Can you plan to use your car as a "phone booth" (whether you drive it someplace else or not)? Could you go someplace outside, in good weather? If you don't have space to yourself, can you schedule your time with family members so they can let you have the living room or a bedroom to yourself for your appointment? A little planning ahead can make a world of difference in being able to hear, focus well, and make good use of your call.

• Set your tools up well to have a great call. 

There are a few basics to setting up your equpiment, that can make a world of difference in your virtual communications:

-Connection. The more reliable your phone or Internet connection, the better it can handle smooth, easy to see and hear video and voice. Cell phone quality varies by phone, carrier, and how strong the cell signal is in your area. For Internet, quality goes in order from coffee-shop or other public Wi-Fi connections being the least reliable, to "high speed" cable or fiber Internet on your own private line being the most reliable. Try to use the most reliable connection you can afford or borrow, for important appointments and meetings. 

-Dedicated Phone/Tablet Spot. If using a hand held device, you have a place set aside to park the device you will be using, so that the image isn't shaky. You have it set up vertically so the camera is upright (and your image won't be coming out sideways.) 

-Device Readiness. You've made sure your device settings are all ready to go (Internet connection is on, other texts or conversations are muted, desktop camera is active, other tabs or apps that might be open are closed, etc.) 

-Image Readiness. You've set the camera at your eye level, so that the person looking at you will see you making eye contact with them. You're sitting at least 12 inches away from the camera, so that your face won't be distorted. You have enough lighting that the other person can see you clearly (hint: setting a light behind your monitor or device can help light up your face. You can bounce it off a wall to get softer lighting and prevent eye strain).

• Get ready for "Tech Check"

Technology industry folk are familiar with this custom- arriving a few minutes ahead of a planned meeting or appointment, so that there is time to check your phone or Internet connection, test out your call or meeting app, and make sure everything's working as it should. If you're not sure whether your planned setup will work, try testing it out on a friend or family member before your appointment, and leave time to trouble-shoot or find ways around problems.

• Considerations for group meetings

With most group meetings, the person presenting or organizing the group will control how the group interacts. You can trust them to tell you when, and how, it is appropriate to talk, ask questions, or provide input. You should always be able to get a hold of the event organizer to ask for help. 

If you are on a group meeting, such as on Zoom, you will have control over your audio (muted to everyone or un-muted to everyone), your video (everyone else can see you/no one else can see you), and text question/answer. Zoom also has a feature that lets you draw on a whiteboard and share it with others. 

It's polite to keep your audio and video "off" unless it's encouraged by the event organizer. When you have these "on", the meeting app will share your screen on top of everyone else's when you are talking. So it's important to know when to take turns! 

Texting questions goes into its own container, so this should always be available even if you don't get to talk out loud. This also lets you text a question or comment to the group whenever you like, and the presenter or group organizer can review these during question-and-answer time.

• Considerations for Ergonomics

Since so many events and activities are moving online, you may find yourself spending a lot more time in front of your device or desktop computer. This can quickly get tiring if you aren't used to it. You can read about ergonomics for computing HERE. Basically, think about how you're positioning your body, if it's comfortable for long periods, whether you are getting up and moving enough in between work or visiting sessions, and how you can help yourself reduce eye strain.

• And Please Remember- try to stay patient and be flexible as we adjust to this new "normal"- your efforts will be well worth it, and much appreciated! 

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE - MARCH 15, 2020

Due to the current recommendations from the CDC regarding "Social Distancing" to help reduce the spread of the Novel Coronavirus, I will be making a few alterations to my practice for the time being. Please review this update, and contact me directly with any questions or concerns. 

At this time, I will continue seeing individual therapy clients face-to-face as it is practical. My office is already equipped with an air purifier, and I clean and sanitize surfaces and follow protocols as recommended. If you see me behaving any differently than usual (such as not agreeing to shake hands), please understand that it is in the best interest of this risk reduction protocol. 

If you are feeling ill or showing symptoms of an illness, you're encouraged to stay home and avoid coming to sessions. Please notify me as soon as you can, if you are unable to attend due to illness. You will never face penalties for canceling your sessions due to illness or emergencies.  

If you still want to do a session despite signs of illness, or feel uncomfortable about going out in person, I am happy to offer remote appointments (phone or video calling). Please leave enough advance notice so that I can make arrangements for this- at least a few hours in advance. I'm also available to take new remote clients living within the state of Oregon. 

As of this edit, I am going to cancel any in-person meetings for new or ongoing therapeutic and support groups/events, until it seems safe to lift the cancellation. I hope to still offer events later this month/year through Serene Abundance Studio (updates for that will be on the Serene Abundance Studio page and website.) 

I hope to put together some online versions of these in-person group offerings- Sign up for updates to this page, follow the Serena Appel, MA Facebook page, or contact me directly to learn more. 

I will post future updates to this announcement, plus any additional useful advice or resources, as it becomes relevant. Read on for a little article that I hope will provide some helpful suggestions. 

BUT, NOW WHAT DO WE DO? 

Coping with a pandemic is naturally going to bring up anxiety, fears for one's self and loved ones, worries about the future and about existential issues, and unease about what to expect or who/what to trust. 

It's worth remembering that, as has been true for other crises in the U.S. in the past, there is a certain amount of hysteria and spread of misinformation that goes along with really life-changing national events. 9/11... Y2K... Ebola virus... the AIDS crisis... All of these and more have been met with a certain amount of panic (and inflation of that panic). 

What is most challenging about the Novel Coronavirus and COVID-19 is that we just, honestly, don't have a fully accurate way to know how to track it, or isolate those who have it. Much has been made of the stock market plummeting. Events larger than 250 people in Oregon are being canceled. Those in the healthcare fields are dedicated to doing all they can to help, but we are unsure at the moment how much this will impact our health care facilities. All of this evokes a strong fear of the unknown in people, and we as humans HATE fear of the unknown on a really primitive level. 

Yet, despite the huge and lasting impact of those crises I just mentioned- if you're reading this, you are still here. Right now, you are surviving. Life as we know it right now has, largely, gone on as usual. We have faced many threats as a nation and as a society, but we have somehow managed to continue to pull through. 

The best thing to do in the face of a national (and global) threat is counterintuitive, and sometimes challenging: It helps best to REMAIN CALM and make real-world plans, based on what information you find the most sensible or accurate. 

Many of the efforts that helped with that, in past times, came from people living their every day lives, sticking things out and finding ways to help one another however they could, using their ingenuity, common sense, and resourcefulness to care for themselves and others. For just one example, we have so many examples of people in New York City who had previously been complete strangers to one another, pulling together to help those in need during the 9/11 Ground Zero event. And we can do it again. You can start anywhere, anytime.

So what can be done about all this? 

1. Keep alert for local  updates. 

Stay in touch with resources you feel you can trust, to provide guidance and information. Here are a few you can try out. Click on the titles below: 

Senator Jeff Merkley's Update Page

Oregon Health Authority 

Lane County Public Health 

Peace Harbor Medical Center 

211 Info

2. But don't be TOO alert! 

As a mental health provider for more than the past decade, and having done a bit of studying into areas such as mind-body medicine, mindfulness approaches, wellness and longevity, I can back up the message coming from many of today's health resources: UNMANAGED STRESS IS NOT GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH. 

We have a body of evidence suggesting that stress, i.e. what happens when you don't feel you have the resources to meet the demands of everyday life, can have a direct impact on your immune system, heart function and blood pressure, mental or emotional health symptoms, pain levels, and more- when it is not being managed properly. 

I see a lot of people hyperfocusing on information about COVID-19... Or being forced to, because of the nature of their personal or work-related involvements. And of course, worrying about the future is inherently stressful! 

While you are working on upping your hand washing game, talking to others about current events, or stocking supplies, ALSO make time in your day to build in some stress reduction and healthy coping strategies. This could look like a variety of things, but it includes:

-Taking care of basics, such as getting good sleep, eating nutritiously every day, keeping up on any daily health routines, setting medication or supplement reminders, etc. 

-Get some (fun) exercise. If you aren't moving, or haven't been doing much moving around other than daily tasks, consider doing a yoga or stretching practice, walking the dog, shooting some hoops, playing with the kids, etc. You can get a break from staying indoors by going for a hike or just being outside for a little while. (hint: direct exposure to daylight- no sunglasses- for just 5 or more minutes per day can help boost your mood and your body's Vitamin D levels!) 

-Build in daily mindfulness. There are plenty of apps available on our cell phones these days to help you relax and unwind. Calm, Headspace, The Tapping Solution, Heart Math, Noom, etc. Find one that speaks to you and use it- or perhaps listening to guided imagery podcasts or relaxing music is more your thing? Try to spend at least a few minutes a day on mindfulness breaks, and work your way up to at least 10 minutes daily. If you have trouble sitting still, try practicing walking, or doing a routine chore such as dish washing/floor sweeping plus deep breathing and present-moment awareness (i.e. active meditation).

-Spend enjoyable time. Do you craft? Maybe it's time to pick up creative journaling? Do you like to hang out on the phone or play online videogames with friends? Have a show you love to binge watch? Now might be a good time to allow yourself to get absorbed in an activity, or spend quality time with others. (hint: if you talk to friends/family, try to limit the amount of time you discuss current events & re-focus on things you both enjoy.)

-Maintain a positive outlook. This basically comes down to learning how to self-reassure. Reminding one's self of key phrases, such as "Yes, this is scary, but those scary things aren't happening to me right now" are one way to handle this. Write out some phrases you can believe and keep them handy to help yourself stay calm. 

3. Learn how to prepare for the unexpected. 

For those of us in the local Central Coast area in particular, and folks generally, it's not a bad idea to review your Emergency Preparedness level. Here are a couple of websites that offer practical advice to consider when making plans:

https://emergency.cdc.gov/

Ready.gov

One personal observation I'd like to empahsize: While you are stocking up for a possible emergency, PLEASE DO NOT CLEAN OUT LOCAL STORES OF ALL SUPPLIES! It will make the community, as a whole, LESS and not MORE safe, if members of the general public are not able to access basics such as cleaning and sanitizing supplies, medical equipment, OTC medications, (ahem! toilet paper) and so on. Last notice I saw recommended preparing for a two-week supply of basic necessities/non-perishable food, in case of slowed supply lines. Remember that you can now also have many items delivered through UPS, USPS, and Amazon Locker, which should be at least- if not more- safe than getting your items in person.

4. Do what you can do, leave the rest.

At the end of the day, there's only so much any of us as individuals can do. Learning to recognize and work within your own limitations- and respecting the limitations or vulnerabilities of others- is extremely valuable in any type of crisis response. Our limitations help us remember what it's like to be human and infallible, and how precious that can be!

Try to avoid the urge to over-extend yourself or give in to fear-based reactions. Others will make do if you become ill or too worn out to help. Communicate honestly what you can or can't do, and try to ask directly for what you need of others. Let's set our minds on getting through all of this together.

5. Schedule a session.

If the above tips aren't helping you enough, consider scheduling a therapy session and talking things over. I have availability for both remote and in-person appointments. I am able to take a variety of private insurances, and I offer a pay-what-you-can arrangement for those who can't afford a full fee out-of-pocket appointment. I can also refer to other therapists or health resources, where necessary. You can reach me at the "Contact" page on this website. 

NEW! Featured Artist Series 2020

The page you are looking for has moved. Please CLICK HERE if you are not redirected within 60 seconds. 

Call for Art/Classes/Presentations 2020

For 2020, SASS will be changing things up a little bit for art shows and presentations. Please reply ASAP if you are interested in being a part of the activities for this year!

Now seeking:

~Individual visual/2D artists, small sculpturists, or crafters, working in any media, to show their work in the space for quarterly exhibits (2-3 months at a time.) Open to artists of any skill level, background, or topic, but the work MUST align with our vision and mission to provide examples of creativity as a means for healing, inspiration, visionary exploration/experience, and/or community building.

You will have roughly 75 sq. ft. of wall space to play with for planning a show. Those with 3D work can make use of about 3 sq. ft. of bookcase display space. Work must be ready to hang at the time of dropoff. There are no hanging/application fees, but there is 30% commission on any work sold. (No fee charged to our current clients.)

To apply, please submit a few examples of your work or a link to an online portfolio, introduce yourself and your background, and describe how your work fits within the theme of creativity for healing.

~Presentations, Classes and Workshop ideas. This can be in concert with an art exhibit of your work, or can be stand-alone.

Seeking presentations and workshops that help promote related themes such as creativity for healing or therapy, inspiration, personal expression/development, community building and enhancement, visionary or spiritual exploration.

The Studio can offer space for a small group (3-10 people), but can also help sponsor your offering to a larger audience, if desired, through our partnership with local businesses and organizations.

To apply, please describe a little about your background, whether you've taught or presented to the public before, some examples of the type of work you'd like to feature, a brief idea pitch or outline, how this project aligns with our Studio vision and mission, and your rate (if any).

Looking forward to seeing what you've got for 2020!

2nd Saturday January: Holiday Deconstruction!

Stop by the Studio during 2nd Saturday Gallery Tour, January 11th, 3-5pm for a last fond look at the "Humorous Holidays" show before it comes off the wall! Why are we calling this "Holiday Deconstruction", you ask? You can help SASS clean house for 2020 by picking your favorite meme, art piece, decoration or card on the wall and taking it home with you! The Spirit of the Season is guaranteed to be with you all year long.

You'll also have a chance to shop handmade jewelry from Honey Morrison of Barefoot Hippies before it goes away for the year- at amazingly affordable prices. Maybe a good time to stock up on some gifts for next December? Ho Ho Oh Yeah!