Developing Personal Support - Michael Irving Ph.D

PERSONAL SUPPORT
WELL BEING AND QUALITY OF LIFE Support Activities Developed by: Michael C. Irving, Ph.D. and Cheryl Irving, B.A., Psychotherapists	Psychotherapy & Clinical Work Self Help Program - Overview/Introduction Coping Strategies - Grounding - Containment - Self Nurture - Personal Support - Art as Healing Creating Coping Lists - Coping Lists - Activities - Boundaries - Stress - Crisis Meditations -Meditation Gallery -Progressive Relaxatiton Publications Survivor Monument Project -Monument Home Page -Monument StoryProject -A Healing Monument
CREATING AND ENHANCING YOUR PERSONAL SUPPORT Healing occurs in relationship. The feelings of shame, worthlessness and isolation from the abuse can wreck havoc on relationships and connections to others. Eventually it is through connections with people that the survivor gets on with life. Caring and supportive people can be one of the strongest resources of healing. It is important to think about what help or support you need and make a list of those whom you trust to turn to. Dividing your requests for support between different people can ensure that you receive a helpful diversity of care. It will also prevent burning out one ally whom you have to lean on too much or too often.
SEEKING ASSISTANCE OF YOUR SUPPORT PEOPLE List names with phone numbers. Clarify ahead of time what they can handle and what they cannot help with. Write down OK times to call them. Look through your address book. Use a buddy system. Form a support group. Support check-ins: Get a friend to phone or write you to tell you that you are safe and a good person. Designate a regular time to have check-ins with some people. Call your therapist. Call a crisis or help line. Call a trusted friend. Allow your pets to give you nurturing and support. Know that friends cannot always be there — have back up people. Write to a friend. Send e-mail. Call someone. Use the resources in your church or spiritual setting. Stay with a friend at your home or theirs. Take a class or workshop. Join a therapy group. Volunteer somewhere. Look after a child now and then. Have a slumber party. Seek encouragement from friends. Have a party. Use Internet support groups. Reconnect with someone special. Go for a walk, movie or shopping with a friend. Enjoy a pleasant activity with a friend. Listen to your favourite or upbeat music with a friend. Go dancing.
GO TO: MAKING AND USING LISTS
Michael C. Irving, Ph.D. and Cheryl Irving, B.A. have a private practice serving as psychotherapists with individuals and groups. For more than 25 years their practice has encompased individual clients and psychotherapy workshops and trainings on - healing emotional trauma through regressive therapies, mind/body integration, dissociative disorders, ego state therapy, primal therapy, art therapy, prenatal parenting and, working with pre and prenatal issues through art.
TO BOOK an appointment CALL (416) 469-4764
michael@irvingstudios.com cheryl@irvingstudios.com