Outlaw Therapy

03/05/2022

Please meet our new Outlaw therapist, Guthrie Strozier! Born and raised in Madison, Guthrie is a proud University of Georgia Double Dawg, earning an undergraduate degree in Psychology and a Masters degree in Community Counseling with a specialist certificate in Gerontology. Guthrie will see clients both virtually and in-person. She brings with her the honorable experience of counseling individuals and groups at the Athens VA Clinic working through a variety of concerns, such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, and grief. This work coupled with her specialist education in Gerontology has prepared her to assist all ages as they move through life's many transitions. She is currently accepting new clients with immediate availability week day evenings and Saturdays. Please visit our website (www.outlawtherapy.com), email us (vanessa@outlawtherapy.com or guthrieoutlawtherapy@gmail.com) or call us at 706-342-6233 for more information or to schedule an appointment. We feel so lucky to have Guthrie join us and can’t wait for you to meet her, too!

06/22/2021

Much like my right eye in this pic, unwanted intrusive thoughts can be lurking and scary to manage. While therapy can help, I strongly believe many people benefit from being given multiple resources to help them better understand intrusive thoughts. This is one resource I recommend to help with understanding thoughts, myths about thoughts, counter-productive tactics, and the usefulness in observing and letting go of the “sticky” disturbing thoughts. (“Overcoming Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts” by Sally M. Winston, PsyD and Martin N. Seif, PhD)

05/13/2021

This is important. Familiarity is comforting. But growth is found in that which is new and unfamiliar. You can be scared, but do it anyway. Go out while you are able and learn about humanity and yourself. Return home to share what you’ve learned and seek comfort to recharge. Then go out again. Rinse and repeat.

04/13/2021

Art Therapy: useful in healing emotional injuries, increasing understanding of self and others, developing capacity for self reflection, reducing problematic symptoms of distress, altering behaviors and thinking patterns (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2804629/), and not to mention sometimes fun. Ease of engagement can foster connection, security, and sense of mastery and pride. This is my piece from a session yesterday...which I quite love and will associate to the connection made in that space of time with that client.

12/21/2020

Your presence truly is the best gift you can give others. We all know what it feels like to be rushed. And rushed over by others. During this typically busy season, try a few of these ideas out and see what happens:
1. Listen...really listen. Give your full attention instead of waiting or silently preparing your next words. Be curious, even if you've heard the story a 100 times and see if you can't learn something new. Also, talk, don't tech. Maybe post your pictures when the gathering is over.
2. Try your best to drop your judgments. It's a stressful time (day, month, year, era) and it's just so much more pleasant when we don't have to explain or justify why we feel what we do. Let others off the hook you don't want to be on either.
3. Pay attention to the details. This is a sure fire way to slow yourself down if you're feeling rushed. Use all your senses here. Challenge yourself to really focus on details discovered through each sense. While you're at it, go ahead and compliment someone on a newly noticed detail (i.e., strength of a warm fire, delicious smell of what's in the oven, peaceful sound of the music selection, careful placement of the ornaments, refreshing taste of the eggnog....ok, I've possibly gone a little too far for some, but you get the idea).
4. Enjoy or start a new tradition. Traditions are special because they typically happen once a year and inherently invite us to be present.
5. Don't compare this year. 2020 is in a league of its own. It can be easy to get down about this year not going as well as past years or how we'd hoped it would go. We may have given more gifts and seen more people last year, just try to let it go. Your time with loved ones (be it 1, 5, or on zoom) is special...if you just Let It Be.

12/08/2020

Yeah, I'll admit it, virtual therapy sounds a little distant and disconnected. But thanks to COVID-19, I was forced to reconsider my own biases and push my own growth edges re: this delivery format. (Hey, therapists are works in progress, too). And guess what!?! I actually enjoy virtual sessions and have discovered this format is very well-suited for many of my clients.

While face-to-face therapy remains safe if the proper precautions are taken, online therapy is a great alternative to traditional in-office therapy. It offers ease of access, scheduling convenience, elimination of commuting time and expense, pandemic safety, and for many a format for privacy that actually increases willingness to open up and be vulnerable.

That's not to say there aren't some drawbacks that you should consider, such as: practice restrictions across state lines, potential technical difficulties, limitations on therapists' ability to observe and interpret body language and facial expressions, and it may not be appropriate with certain mental health concerns or with clients that require close crisis assessment/intervention.

Virtual therapists (at least in the State of Georgia) are required to be specially educated in telemental health. Secure HIPAA compliant video sessions are a breeze to set up...make sure your therapist can assure you of compliance. And, research demonstrates it can be just as effective as face-to-face therapy.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165032713005120?via%3Dihub https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0887618517304474?via%3Dihub

If you've been considering virtual therapy, maybe it's time to try.

12/07/2020

Bottling your emotions means you prevent or suppress your feelings rather than express them. This may be happening without you even being aware of it. Often this is a habit formed by a belief that emotional expression is a sign of weakness, that we can avoid difficult emotions if we put them off long enough, or we've been misguided to believe we must be or project happiness and optimism all the time. Research has shown that bottling difficult emotions can actually make them more powerful (https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110323105202.htm). Let's not fight nature here, emotions exist for a reason and are signs that can be used to help you identify when changes need to be made.

Some signs you might be bottling:
1. Rarely express emotions but find yourself erupting over small issues;
2. You distract yourself when you feel uneasy (think escape or avoid);
3. You feel different around others than you do by yourself;
4. You feel uncomfortable or don't know how to respond around emotional people;
5. You feel distant around others, maybe even like you are observing rather than engaging; or
6. You avoid confrontation, even with your own emotions.

Here are a few quick pointers to get your own emotional rescue jump started:
1. Name your emotions (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4721564/);
2. Write them down (https://psychcentral.com/lib/the-health-benefits-of-journaling/);
3. Talk to someone (https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/talk-therapy-off-couch-into-lab/);
4. Take a brisk walk...5 minutes will do (https://www.apa.org/monitor/2011/12/exercise);
5. Identify the cause (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/art-and-science/201801/identifying-your-feelings).

12/02/2020

Grounding techniques intentionally use the power of your senses (yes, all of your senses can be used) to ground your attention in the present moment. This tool can be especially useful for those who suffer with PTSD, dissociation, or any overwhelming anxious feeling. When learned and practiced it can serve to remind and reassure one they are safe in the present moment. Pictured here is one grounding object (I have more!!!) I use frequently. It doesn't hurt that this object is small, cute, and full of texture for my fingers to feel, but really anything can be used. Common grounding objects include: stones/rocks, coins, a favorite fabric, a key chain, a ring, a small figurine. Sometimes there is nothing better than a pocket full of rocks.

12/01/2020

Man's Search for Meaning is a 1946 book written by Viktor E. Frankl in which he chronicles his experience with suffering while a prisoner in N**i concentration camps during WWII. It is a favorite of mine and I encourage you to read it if you're looking for perspective on purpose and meaning. None of us are free from suffering and it is often through the most unimaginable circumstances that we are brought closer to meaning and purpose. While it may not always be possible (or even suggested) to ignore external stressors, I offer that our internal experience is always within our reach and may create a greater positive impact on our overall experience than we ever realized.

11/30/2020

Wait, is this a therapist telling you not to go to therapy!?! Well, not exactly, but quite possibly. While I believe in the power of traditional therapy, I know there are many other powerful tools out there that can work. So look, traditional therapy is NOT for everyone. Traditional therapy is NOT available or accessible to everyone. So, here's a good list of alternatives to supplement or complete your therapeutic healing if traditional therapy doesn't work or feel right for you. Be curious and find what works best for you!

11/27/2020

Check out my website www.outlawtherapy.com for more info! You can also follow me on Instagram.

Individual & Couples Therapist (Vanessa E. Outlaw, LPC) providing in-person counseling services in Madison, Georgia and vitual sessions for clients in all of Georgia. Specializing in Anxiety & Depression, Relationships, Grief & Loss, Young Adults, Trauma, and Identity & Meaning. Outlaw Therapy, LLC