Posts Tagged ‘help’

From the radio show: Domestic Violence Info

Tuesday, August 4th, 2009

This morning, I was privileged and honored to be a guest on Nina Sutton‘s radio show “One Smart Mother“, heard Tuesdays at 9a on WGCH-AM 1490 (Greenwich, CT).  You can listen to the 30 minute interview in its entirety below (also available through this direct link to the MP3):

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Today’s topic was one near and dear to my heart and my profession as a therapist – domestic violence. I embrace every opportunity to speak about the real face of domestic violence, to break the myths and help end the generational cycle of abuse.

As I promised on the show, here are some of the best resources (National and local) if you suspect that you or someone you love is in an abusive relationship. Remember, you don’t need a black eye or a hospital stay for a relationship to be abusive or illegal, some of the deepest and longest lasting wounds happen on the inside.

Help is ready and available. Join me in talking about this problem.

  • 24-hour, toll-free National Domestic Violence Hotline  1-800-799-SAFE http://www.ndvh.org
  • 24-hour, toll-free Connecticut statewide hotline  1-888-774-2900
  • The first of its kind, NTDAH will operate via telephone and Web 24 hours a day and will be staffed by both teen and adult advocates. Teens (and parents) anywhere in the country can call toll free, 1-866-331-9474 or log on to the interactive Web site, loveisrespect.org
  • Loveisnotabuse.com Tips and tools to start the conversation with your teen, in your school, in your community.
  • CWF  (The Center for Women and Families of Eastern Fairfield County, Inc.)
    753 Fairfield Avenue,
Bridgeport, CT
 (203) 384-9559 www.cwfefc.org
  • DVCC  (Domestic Violence Crisis Center)  1-888-774-2900 www.dvccct.org
    Norwalk, CT (203) 852-1980 and Stamford, CT (203) 357-8162
  • CCADV  (Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence) (860) 282-7899 http://www.ctcadv.org
  • 2-1-1 Infoline in Connecticut
  • Worldwide  hotpeachpages.net

Check back in October for another radio guest spot and further resources for specific populations, namely affluent victims and resources for teens regarding dating choices.

As always, MFT3 is ready and able to help if you are experiencing abuse or violence in your relationship. We can be reached at (203) 416-6008 or at info@mft3.com. All calls and emails are completely confidential.

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Independence

Tuesday, June 30th, 2009

In the spirit of independence, the therapists at MFT3 would like to acknowledge how difficult it can be to ask for help when you need it. After all, aren’t we all supposed to be able to manage our problems on our own? Shouldn’t we be able to keep all the balls in the air with our families, careers, and social obligations? Isn’t that what it means to be independent? In these difficult economic times, it’s important to recognize the impact that stress is having on our lives. The truth is that sometimes individual independence comes easily and other times, you need an army.

We challenge you to view independence as utilizing the proper resources to maintain a healthy emotional and physical state of well being, which doesn’t necessarily mean doing it on your own.

How does our concept of independence affect our relationships with our partners, children, family members, friends, and co-workers? How can we establish intimacy with our significant other while creating safe boundaries for ourselves in which we are able to express ourselves as individuals? How do we allow our children to be independent but also to continue to lean on us when they need us and offer guidance and wisdom in their lives?

All of this requires a balance, where we are comfortable letting others know our strengths and weaknesses and accept what is offered to us when there are too many responsibilities to juggle. It may mean not being the best at everything all the time. It may mean relinquishing control and coping with the uncertainty that comes with allowing someone else to do it their way. It may mean giving ourselves permission to be the leader and the follower, the rock and the tumultuous storm, to be independent and dependent.

We encourage you to start off your summer by being patient and kind to yourselves, by taking stock of your accomplishments and the successes of your family, and by recognizing that if there are areas of your life that call for a little less self sacrifice and a little more asking for help, help is available and asking for it is truly an independent act.

Happy Independence Day!

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Substance Abuse Info

Monday, April 27th, 2009

April is Substance Abuse (SA) awareness month. In this spirit, the therapists of MFT3 would like to share some thoughts about SA and its impact.

How can you tell if someone is losing control regarding alcohol or drugs? As a therapist, I have yet to meet a family or client that has not been impacted by the effects of SA in their lives, be it themselves, a family member, a close friend or colleague. Some of the warning signs are: isolating one’s self, “needing” one more drink than everyone else, making excuses as to why or how much one is drinking or using drugs, arriving at a social event already having drank or used drugs on one’s own and being “primed”, getting angry if there aren’t drugs or alcohol available at a social event.

These are just a few signs that a person may be struggling with SA. You may have seen these behaviors and others in yourself or a loved one. But know that if you suspect that something is off balance, it usually is.

Here are some useful and free links for information for you or someone you care about in regards to education about the signs and risks of SA, as well as places to seek help. And of course, the therapists at MFT3 are all experienced and available to assist you or someone you love should SA be an issue in your lives.

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