Oh Hey Spring. Don't Stop Be-Leafing

Grow Through What You Go Through.

by Chris Cantergiani on March 20th, 2023

The start of spring is proof that winter doesn’t last forever. And, in my book, the first day of spring might as well be EFT's unofficial holiday. It signals a time of renewal and growth. Those two ideas also both perfectly in-tune with Step 7 of Emotionally Focused Therapy, which we’ll conveniently be discussing next Friday.

During recent EFT Core Skills 1 & 2 classes I attended last week in Nashville, trainers Teri Murphy and Greg Cheney pointed out that the goal at the end of Stage 2 (which ends with Step 7) is healthy human beings, but not yet healthy relationships. You've got to get through the attachment needs for each member of the couple before you can move into Stage 3 and get to the relationship work. If one looks at the relationship part as the good-time-vibes of summer, at Step 7 we're still growing into the season.

Where are you noticing growth personally and professionally? With the first day of spring, it's time to start looking around for signs, because some changes may not be visible at first. Clients may also be be experiencing growth just below the surface now too. Just like the dormant seeds that have been under the soil that will soon be sprouting, we can remind clients they can emerge from difficult times stronger, and more resilient than ever before.

Come on, spring. Do your thing.

Now, on with this week’s Ohio EFT Newsletter:

Need Help For Stress and Anxiety? Maybe You Shouldn’t Talk To A Therapist.

by Dr. Samantha Boardman on March 20th, 2023

This headline made me stop and think. We believe that talking to a professional about one's psychological woes is always helpful, right? Well... it's complicated, as this Wall Street journal article points out. Dr. Boardman makes a compelling argument that the ‘therapy-is-the-answer’ model is problematic for several reasons.

For Long-Term Health and Happiness, Marriage Still Matters.

by Brendan Case & Ying Chen on March 20th, 2023

It's been said that marriages are made in heaven. But so are thunder and lightning. Here's an interesting forecast: a new study reports that for women, getting married is linked to significantly better physical and mental health.

It’s Tax Season. Time For A Marriage Audit?

by Jean-Claude Chalmet on March 20th, 2023

This quiz has been making the rounds on places like The Sunday Times in the U.K. and The View here in America. Although I personally think a marriage therapist has better assessment tools, there’s something to be said about viral Cosmopolitan Magazine-like, pop-culture moments such as this. It might be a soft entry point for clients to discuss some difficult topics. Take a look and tell me what you think.

Ohio EFT’s Next Monthly Google Meet video call - Friday, March 31st @ 9:00am (EST)

by Ohio EFT on March 6th, 2023

Join us at 9:00am on the last Friday in March for our continuing discussion about the 9 steps of EFT. We are now at the tail end of Stage 2, and will discuss Step 7: Facilitating the expression of unmet needs and wants. We’re switching from Zoom to Google Meet, and if you send me a direct message here on LinkedIn I'll send you the link.

Video: The Work/Life Balance For Therapists.

by Dr. Marie Fang on March 20th, 2023

This 5-minute video was passed along by Dr. Rob Eubanks, my professor for a recent Grief, Loss & Trauma class. It's part of a free YouTube channel called @PrivatePracticeSkills by Dr. Marie Fang. Two tips that stood out to me were “find a niche you love” and “charge what you’re worth”. Click here for more about self care in private practice.

This Nerve Influences Nearly Every Internal Organ. Can It Improve Our Mental State, Too?

by Christina Caron on March 20th, 2023

Clearly we’ve touched a nerve here… TikTok videos with the hashtag “#vagusnerve” have been viewed more than 64 million times. There are nearly 70,000 posts with the hashtag on Instagram. Many of these clips promote exercises that aim to “tone” one of our body’s longest nerves. Is it the cure-all for anxiety and other psychological ailments? Here’s what the research says.

"Breathe. Breathe In The Air. Don’t Be Afraid To Care.”

by Richard Sima on March 20th, 2023

Did you just sing that in your head? You’ve probably heard those lyrics from one of the best tracks off Pink Floyd’s essential album “Dark Side of the Moon”, which was released 50 years ago this month. In honor that milestone anniversary, here’s an article about cyclic sighing. Never heard of it? Me either. Turns out it’s actually a totally cool way to reduce anxiety and elevate your mood in simple and snackable five-minute breathing exercises. The author explains that cyclic sighing appears to be particularly effective among different breathing exercises and better than mindfulness meditation.?

How Love Changes Your Brain.

by Hope Reese on March 20th, 2023

Neuroscientist Stephanie Cacioppo delves into romance, loss and human connection in her 2022 book “Wired for Love: A Neuroscientist’s Journey Through Romance, Loss and the Essence of Human Connection.” (Spoiler alert: the love of her life dies.) For more about her story and the notion that love is, literally a product of the imagination, check out this great interview with Cacioppo in The New York Times.

What Is "Type II Fun" And Why Do Some People Want To Have It?

by Erin Strout on March 20th, 2023

Planning some outdoor activities as the weather improves? How about some Type II fun? It’s based on a hip assessment of outdoor rec known as “the fun scale”. This Washington Post article explains that Type II fun challenges you without putting you in danger — and it’s often uncomfortable but in ways that also make you feel alive.

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