Sara Strieth-Vatsella

10/10/2024

Mental health is about how you think, how you process emotions and what beliefs and attitudes you hold about self, others and the world around.

We all have bad days, but generally speaking to be mentally healthy means that you are able to value yourself, your life, and relationships. You live consciously in the here-and-now and foster hope about the future. When things get tough you have coping skills and confidence to problem solve. And if you don’t manage you ask for help.

Η ψυχική υγεία έχει να κάνει με τον τρόπο που σκέφτεσε, τον τρόπο που επεξεργάζεσαι συναισθήματα και τις πεποιθήσεις που διατηρείς για τον εαυτό, τους άλλους και τον κόσμο γύρο σου.

Όλοι έχουμε κακές μέρες. Γενικά, να είσαι ψυχικά υγιής σημαίνει ότι δείνεις αξία στον εαυτό σου, στην ζωή σου και στις σχέσεις. Ζεις συνειδητά στο εδώ-και-τώρα και τρέφεις ελπίδα για το μέλλον. Όταν τα πράγματα δυσκολέψουν κατέχεις δεξιότητες και αυτοπεποίθηση για να λύνεις προβλήματα και αν δεν τα καταφέρεις ζητάς βοήθεια.



#ψυχικήυγεία #ψυχικηυγεια

23/09/2024

Are you curious about EFT tapping and how it can be applied for managing physical pain? Join the upcoming free online event:

PRWS Registration

13/09/2024

This happened in May 📣
I am among the first few to have completed the brand new training in Trauma Focused-Emotional Freedom Techniques, by EFT International 🥳🙌

These are especially modified techniques to be used with disregulation (hyperarousal and hupoarousal) and traumatic stress activated through sensory triggers. There comes a time in psychotherapy where the person is so disregulated that talking about a traumatic experience proves too difficult. In these instances a somatic approach is more effective.

TF-EFT uses bilateral tapping to stimulate acupressure points of the meridian energy system, thereby effecting the nervous system and producing the calming effect of regulation.

If you think TF-EFT could be helpful for something difficult you are experiencing get in touch for more information!

10/09/2024

Let us take a minute to think about the serious matter of reaching the absolute limit, or what we call rock-button. When one does not want to be alive any longer… It is a dark place, a hopeless place, one filled with pain and anguish. Here is a quote that encourages the person to reconsider putting an end to life. The most precious blessing we have.

“For when you reach rock bottom: You have survived everything you have been through, and you will survive this too. Stay for the person you will become. You are more than a bad day, or week, or month, or year, or even decade. You are a future of multifarious possibility. You are another self at a point in future time looking back in gratitude that this lost and former you held on. Stay.”

Matt Haig, (2021) The Comfort Book

***de ***deprevention ***deawarness ***depreventionday ***depreventionday2024 ***depreventionmonth ***depreventionmonth2024

24/06/2024

Swipe left for English ⬅️

When a person experiences a traumatizing event (such as abuse, neglect, an accident, an assault, a natural disaster, etc) certain aspects of that event become associated with bodily sensations experienced at the time of the traumatic event. This process is called “traumatic coupling” (Goulston, 2011). The next time the person is exposed to a stimulus reminiscent of the traumatic event, he/she gets “triggered”, involuntarily bringing the traumatic event to memory or causing an emotional response or a nervous system response, such as stress (hense the name Post-Traumatic Stress).

An important aim of trauma therapy is to change traumatic coupling in order to free the person from
being triggered in everyday life. If you are interested to learn about how Trauma Focused EFT tapping can help to change traumatic coupling, get in touch! I’d be happy to help!

Goulston, M. (2011). Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder for Dummies. John Wiley & Sons

19/06/2024

Regulation of self refers to the ability to return to a set point when emotions are experienced as intense or the nervous system is in a state of arousal. Co-regulation refers to the ability to regulate self in response to another. It happens in a dynamic relationship, such as that of therapist and therapee.

When a person experiences being seen, heard and empathized with, in a genuine way by the therapist, who is herself regulated, present and attuned, co-regulation is being facilitated. By attending to the tone of voice as well as verbal and non verbal cues, like facial expressions and body posture, the therapist can communicate safety. Such a moment can also result in what we call, an emotionaly corrective experience. An emotionaly healing moment.

Are you interested in learning more about how psychotherapy can be helpful for you? Just get in touch with me, I am happy to answer your questions!

04/06/2024

Figuratively and literally speaking, a safe space for healing and growth… Space to Talk in the heart of Kifisia, Athens, Greece!

03/06/2024

Για Ελληνικά ⬅️

William James was an American psychologist and the first to offer a psychology course in the US in the 1800s. He is considered the father of American psychology.

30/05/2024

Co-regulation refers to when
a person calms their nervous system and turns off the stress response or calms intense emotions by connecting with another person who is self-regulated. Either by simply being in their calm presence (gentle breathing, calm tone of voice and relaxed facial expressions) or by doing something together such as holding hands (gentle touch), hugging (gentle pressure), walking together or dancing (movement), essential communication (attuned listening and empathic feedback).

Some people struggle a lot with self-regulation and are helped more by co-regulation. After all, we are wired to seek out human connection. It is a natural human need. Therefore co-regulation is a healthy and natural way to calm one’s self.

28/05/2024

Είχα την χαρά να φιλοξενήσω την Νούρα Ροχάνη, ψυχολόγο με μεταπτυχιακές σπουδές στην ψυχική υγεία παιδιού και εφήβου και πιστοποίηση στις εναλλακτικές θεραπείες της παιγνιοθεραπείας, μουσικοθεραπείας και δραματοθεραπείας. Μιλήσαμε για την εφαρμογή της μουσικοθεραπεία στην ζωή μας και τα οφέλη της για την ψυχική μας υγεία!

Θέλετε να μάθετε περισσότερα, επικοινωνήστε με την Νούρα: nouraroh@yahoo.gr
Ariadne Nura

23/05/2024

Η μουσικοθεραπεία απευθύνεται σε όλες τις ηλικίες σαν εργαλείο αυτο-ρύθμισης καθώς είναι μέσο να επεξεργαστεί κάνεις το συναίσθημα και να διαχειριστεί το στρες.

Μέσα από τον ρυθμό, την μελωδία και την αρμονία βοηθιέται το άτομο να έρθει σε επαφή με το σώμα του και τον εσωτερικό του κόσμο. Έτσι, διευκολύνετε να εντοπίσει, να εκφράσει και να διαχειριστεί το συναίσθημα και να εστιάσει το νου.

Θέλεις να μάθεις περισσότερα για την Μουσικοθεραπεία; Μπες στην παρέα την ερχόμενη Τρίτη 28 Μαΐου, 19:30, στο Facebook Live με την Νούρα Ροχάνη (ψυχολόγο-μουσικοθεραπεύτρια) και την Σάρα Στρίτ-Βατσέλλα (ψυχολόγο-ψυχοθεραπευτρια).

20/05/2024

Η αυτο-ρύθμιση είναι μια σχετικά νέα έννοια στον χώρο της ψυχικής υγείας. Όταν ένα άτομο είναι απορυθμισμένο σημαίνει πως βρίσκεται σε κατάσταση συναισθηματικής και σωματικής υπερδιέγερσης ή υποδιέγερσης. Αυτό συμβαίνει όταν έχει ενεργοποιηθεί η αντίδραση του στρες για να αντιδράσει το άτομο με αποφυγή, μάχη ή πάγωμα. Συμβαίνει επίσης όταν το άτομο βιώνει πολύ έντονα ένα δύσκολο συναίσθημα όπως, φόβο, θυμό ή λύπη. Και στις δυο περιπτώσεις, εκκρίνονται ορμόνες που επηρεάζουν όλα τα συστήματα ου σώματος από το καρδιακό μέχρι το μυοσκελετικό. Τα σωματικά συμπτώματα που μπορεί να βιώσει το άτομο περιλαμβάνουν ταχυκαρδία, γρήγορη αναπνοή, ιδρώτας, σφίξιμο στο στομάχι, μυϊκή τάση, ζάλη και άλλα. Η κατάσταση της απορρύθμισης λοιπόν είναι το αντίθετο της αυτό-ρύθμισης. Για να ρυθμίσει το άτομο τον εαυτό του σημαίνει να καταφέρει να ηρεμίσει τον εαυτό του, ερχόμενος σε επαφή με το σώμα και το περιβάλλον του.

20/05/2024

When a person is dysregulated it is due to either emotional or physiological overwhelm, by which either the nervous system is in the stress response mode of fight, flight or freeze, or a difficult emotion, such as fear, anger or sadness, is being felt intensely. When the stress response is activated or an emotion is felt intensely, hormones are released effecting all the systems of the body, from the cardiovascular to the muscular, which is experienced with increased heartrate and breathing, sweating, upset stomach, tightened muscles, alertness, etc. The state of dysregulation is the opposite of calm and relaxation. Therefore to regulate oneself when in this state means to be able to calm ones self down and connect with the body and the environment.

Some methods to help facilitate physical and emotional self-regulation include grounding methods which help us get in touch with the body through bodily senses (breath, sound, taste, temperature, observing ones surroundings) or physical interventions which include movement or relaxation, and finally cognitive exercises such as mindfulness.

The human organism is not built to be in constant stress and overwhelm, therefore self-regulation is a skill we all need to learn for our health and well-being!

If you need help in learning how to self-regulate, counselling and psychotherapy provide a safe space to do that!

23/04/2024

A great book about the basics of communication, which is highly essential for all relationships, whether it is between friends, parent-child, husband and wife, work colleagues, etc. I personally believe communication skills should be taught in school! It is that important!!!

Rosenberg emphasizes with examples some of the most common communication barriers and teaches more effective ways.

I would say that the title is misleading, as it suggest that this is a book about resolving conflicts only. It is much more!

Here are some favorite tips:

* In order to understand the other we should try to observe not evaluate.

* Learn to distinguish between thoughts, emotions and needs.

* Identify underlying needs and emotions in communication. Avoid thought analysis.

* Empathize and reflect back what you have understood.

* Our objective should be a relationship build on honesty, empathy and trust.

* When we are not conscious of our responsibility for how we behave, think, and feel (oh yes, we have a choice in the matter!) there is danger of misunderstandings and conflict.

19/04/2024

I recently discovered that my bachelors research dissertation, which got published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders is a Springer Publucation!!! 🎉🥳

I still remember carrying the heavy camera around to film the kids playing in the “old” and “new” playgrounds, who often tried to engage me in their play 😊

Thank you Tina Nantsou for opening my eyes to the importance of Springer Publications 🫣
And thank you to my professor Nicola Yuill, research professor at the University of Sussex, for patiently guiding and supporting me.

This study investigated possible changes in social play and initiations in eight boys (5 to 7-years-old) with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) who were moving from an old to a new school playground that was designed specifically to enhance playful peer interaction. Each boy was observed for half an...

15/04/2024

Εμπειρία μίας μητέρας που συμμετέχει στην εβδομαδιαία ομάδα υποστήριξης γονέων που έλαβε χώρο στο Space to Talk, στην Κηφισιά.

Πάνω σε θέματα που έφεραν οι γονείς χρησιμοποιήθηκε καθοδήγηση από την θεωρία θετικής γονεικότητας και ασκήσεις EFT tapping (Τεχνικές Συναισθηματικής Απελευθέρωσης ή EFT).

Το EFT tapping είναι ένα σύνολο σωματικών τεχνικών για την αυτορρύθμιση του ατόμου. To EFT εφαρμόζεται με ελαφρά χτυπήματα σε συγκεκριμένα σημεία βελονισμού ή μεσημβρινά σημεία στο σώμα, επαναλαμβάνοντας μια αυτοδημιούργητη θετική επιβεβαίωση σχετική με τα συναισθήματα ή τις σκέψεις πάνω στις οποίες δουλεύει το άτομο. Είναι ιδιαίτερα αποτελεσματική για την μείωση του στρες και την αποσυμφόρηση αρνητικών συναισθημάτων ή αρνητικών σκέψεων, προσφέροντας έτσι μια αίσθηση ελευθερίας. Τα αποτελέσματα του EFT tapping είναι συνήθως άμεσα.

Για περισσότερες πληροφορίες σχετικά με την θεωρία θετική γονεικότητα καθώς και τις τεχνικές EFT tapping επισκεφτείτε την ιστοσελίδα μου: www.spacetotalk.gr

#γονεϊκοτητα
#γονείς #γονείςκαιπαιδιά #παιδιά #εφηβεία

11/04/2024

How does trauma affect the brain in the first three years of life?

In the first 3 years of life, brain growth is predominantly in the right hemisphere of the brain, which processes nonverbal signals and communications, including facial expression of feelings, perception of emotion, and regulation of the autonomic nervous system.

If a child is exposed to significant stress during this time, the critical function of self-soothing (regulated by the right hemisphere) is unable to develop properly (Siegel, 2003).

Typically, brain growth and increased organisation means that the higher, more complex areas of the brain begin to control the more reactive, primitive-functioning parts of the lower brain. Chronic arousal of the sympathetic nervous system impacts the development of those higher brain functions, making it difficult for the person to think logically, plan, and problem-solve before reacting.

The more complex the survival network becomes (i.e., the more traumatised the person is), the more difficult it is for the person’s higher cortical functions to subdue the primitive parts during learning, concentration, and recall.

As educators/teachers/parents, this is worth knowing in the classroom.