Informed Consent

Noel Anderson, MT-BC, is the owner of Anderson Music Therapy in Roanoke, VA. In this episode, she shares her passion for music therapy. Topics discussed include:-Noel’s story: her journey into finding the profession-What is music therapy?-A clinician’s own self care with music-Resources: Anderson Music Therapy - http://www.amusictherapy.com/ - Katfulton.com -Liquidmindmusic.com

If you are the average of the five people with whom you surround yourself, what does that say about you? Who are they, what are their interests, are they growing? Negativity breeds negativity. If you are surrounded by higher thinkers and growth, you will grow. Wise advice: Never be the smartest person in the room! Heather and Gabriel discuss their own experiences with this way of thinking, and they provide ways to surround yourself with growth if your work environment is lacking.

Work/Life Balance: the ultimate dream yet seemingly as elusive as the unicorn! In this episode, Gabriel and Heather debate and discuss if this balance truly exists, and if it does, how we might go about achieving it. Through identifying your perfect day and that which is most important to you, a more balanced life may be in your future. Don’t miss the lessons they have learned, both the easy and the hard way.

Are you looking for the next fantastic book to read? In this episode, Heather and Gabriel share their favorite recently read books. There is a little something for everyone, and loads of inspiration for the next great read. To easily access these books through audible or amazon, you can use Informed Consent’s affiliate links found in the show notes at www.informedconsentpodcast.com. Heather’s Picks: -Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain by John J Ratey-Feminist Fight Club by Jessica Bennett-Rosemary: The Hidden Kennedy Daughter by Kate Clifford Larson-The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van de Kolk-How to talk so kids will listen and listen so kids will talk by Adele FabreGabriel’s Picks: -Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin-The Whole Brain Child by Daniel Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson-The Anatomy of Peace by The Arbinger Institute-Delivered from Distraction by Ned Hallowell and John Ratey-Creatures of a day by Irvin Yalom

Marge Thornton, MSW, is the Program Manager for the Adoptions and Pregnancy Counseling division of Commonwealth Catholic Charities in Virginia. With over 27 yrs of experience in the field of adoption, Marge has been blessed to join with families and individuals in honoring both their joy and their pain. In this episode, Marge lends us her expertise to explore another layer in the onion of adoption.

International and Transracial adoptions add another layer of complexity to the challenges faced by those touched by adoption. In this episode, Heather and Gabriel interview Susan F. Branco, PhD, LCPC (MD), LPC (VA), NCC, ACS. Dr. Branco is a licensed professional counselor in Virginia and Maryland. Dr. Branco outlines:-Tips for mental health professionals working with individuals and families touched by adoption-Developmental tasks for identity development of an adopted individual-Specific challenges for transracial and international adoption-Racial and ethnicity identity development tasks-The concept of Reculturation

In Episode 34, we interviewed Allison Puryear, who presented a formula for networking. Gabriel took her advice and has spent the past few weeks following her networking plan. During this episode, he shares his experiences; the good, the bad, and the ugly! Gabriel and Heather discuss challenges within the community, noteable changes, and examples of abundance. If you too have attempted networking using this formula, we want to hear your stories as well. Email us at contact@informedconsentpodcast.com.

Treatment Foster Care (TFC) differs from traditional foster care in its capacity to serve a population with a higher level of need. In this interview, Lydia Strawbridge walks us through the ins and outs of TFC. Lydia is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Virginia and she is the Program Manager for Commonwealth Catholic Charities’ TFC program in Roanoke,VA.

An introduction to the Child Advocacy Center: An interview with Joyce MoranJoyce Moran is the Executive Officer of the Southern Virginia Child Advocacy Center. In this episode, Joyce lends us her expertise in preventing and responding to child abuse as a community. During this interview she provides valuable information on the role of the CAC in her local community, the ins and outs of Forensic Interviewing and variety of other programs offered by the Southern Virginia Child Advocacy Center. Head over to our show notes for links and additional information!

Episode 39: The Role of Social Services in Preventing Child Abuse: An interview with Debbie Powell, LCSWApril is Child Abuse Prevention Month. This episode kicks off a month long awareness campaign to educate ourselves about the agencies in our communities that work all year long in the prevention of abuse and protection of children. During this episode, we interview, Debbie Powell, Director of Franklin Co (VA) Department of Social Services. Debbie is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years experience in the child welfare field with much of her career spent in various roles in Departments of Social Services in Virginia.

Episode X: Adoption and Mental Health Part IAdoption is complex in it’s implications in mental health and it is broad in scope. In this episode, Heather and Gabriel begin to discuss the complex topic of adoption. This topic will not be discussed in it’s entirety in this episode; it’s just too vast to fit into one episode. This is only the beginning of this discussion. More episodes will follow on this topic.Resources mentioned:Book: Foster Care Odyssey: A Black Girl’s Story by Theresa CameronCASE: Center for Adoption Support and Education: www.adoptionsupport.org

For over 25 years Joan Sotkin has helped entrepreneurs and practitioners experience freedom from struggle personally, professionally, and financially. Thousands have benefitted from her groundbreaking book Build Your Money Muscles: Nine Simple Exercises for Improving Your Relationship with Money and her ongoing support programs. Joan is a holistic Prosperity and Mindset Mentor and a dynamic, inspiring speaker who brings a depth of knowledge plus a huge dose of empathy and compassion to her work. She is THE expert when it comes to understanding how emotions learned in early childhood can affect a person's earning capacity as an adult.Free downloads and discount courses of Joans at www.informedconsentpodcast.com/eparchive

Jody Anderson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Certified Psychodramatist with over 20 years of experience in the field of substance abuse, addiction, and co-occurring disorders. Jody provides both individual and group therapy to address a range of mental health disorders in a private practice setting in Roanoke, VA. In today’s episode, Jody shares with us her knowledge and skills of a psychodramatist.For more information on Psychodrama, Jody’s practice, and/or to sign up for an upcoming training visit www.jodyandersoncounseling.com or email Jody at jody75@verizon.net.

Sorry for the duplicate episode last week guys (travel and publishing don't mix!). But without further ado, Mrs. Jill Williams!Agency work is wrought with challenging cases, long hours, low pay, etc. How does one survive in this environment? In this episode, Heather and Gabriel interview Jill Williams, LCSW in order to answer that very question. Jill owns a private practice in Asheville, NC, Flourish Counseling and Life Coaching, where she provides supervision for licensure in addition to clinical work specializing in anxiety disorders and PTSD. Prior to opening her practice, she successfully navigated the challenges of working in an agency. Jill shares with us her strategy for surviving and thriving working in an agency setting!To find more information on Jill Williams, LCSW, visit her website at https://www.flourishasheville.com.

When you imagine networking, does it seem as though it is an impossible task? It is actually MUCH easier that you think! In this episode, Gabriel and Heather are joined by Allison Puryear of Abundance Practice Building. Together they explore the many facets of networking:-What is networking-Why network-The power of networking-When to network-Fears about networking-How to tackle networking

Collaborative Divorce is a legal process that empowers you to resolve your divorce without litigation using a future focused model. Collaborative Divorce is a team approach utilizing lawyers, mental health professionals, and financial professionals to educate, support, and guide you through a process of developing an agreement specifically for your family. In this episode, Gabriel and Heather are joined by Collaborative Divorce professionals, Cheryl Watson Smith, JD, Robyn Walker, CFP, Susan Witt, LCSW, and David Nixon, JD. Together they will provide information on the Collaborative Divorce Process answering all things involved in this process.

Where do you stand with Technology? Are you a Digital Native or a Digital Immigrant? Regardless of our feelings or comfort with technology, it's fully present in our everyday lives, personally and professionally. Join Heather, a digital immigrant, and Gabriel, a digital native, as they explore considerations in the use of technology in our roles as mental health professionals. Ethical considerations discussed include:-HIPAA regulations-Confidentiality-Informed Consent-Competency-Dual/Multiple RelationshipsSpecific Technology Considerations include:-Data storage-Use of Email-Texting -Use of smartphones and tablets-Social Media

What are you worth? That is the question that Gabriel and Heather pose in this episode. To fully celebrate your value, one must first evaluate their own worth asking yourself the questions:-What are your strengths?-What is your unique genius?Most of us have heard and/or used the phrase “I didn’t get into this field to make the big bucks.” Today’s episode challenges you to end the martyrdom and to begin to explore your relationship with money. We all have a narrative that we have created our our life that includes our relationship with money. This narrative affects our self worth and informs our relationships with ourselves, others, and our clinical work. The exploration of our relationship with money begins with an assessment of:Our belief system around money and about those who have money:-Our religious beliefs-Underlying emotions about moneyAs you increase your awareness about financial matters and your beliefs about money, it is easier to see money as an equivalent of your time and as a symbol of a r

As counselors we treat our clients with genuineness, respect, unconditional positive regard but how do we treat our ourselves, our colleagues, families, friends, acquaintances, and even strangers? Join Gabriel and Heather as they explore kindness towards others as a recipe to improve our own happiness. In this episode they will discuss five problematic patterns of communication: gossip, meddling, boasting, complaining, and cynicism. Heather and Gabriel will define and give examples of each of these communication patterns and suggest strategies for moving from negative to positive communication. While each of the problematic communication patterns has specific strategies for change, there is one strategy that can be used to address kindness in general and can augment your current gratitude and goal setting practices.

Our journey into self betterment continues with this episode on exercise. Heather and Gabriel will discuss the benefits of exercise for ourselves and our clinical population. A resource that is repeatedly cited in the is episode is “Spark” by John Ratey. Topics discussed include:-Definition of Exercise-The research on the effects of exercise on depression-Reasons why exercise is not widely embraced for medical treatment-Top 9 benefits of exercise-Concerns regarding exercise addiction.