Tag: health psychology

October Happenings

Posted on by Dr. Diane Sanford in Self-Care

It’s been a crazy ride the last few months in both my psychology practice and personal life so I haven’t posted much on social media. Social media is one of the first things to fall off my list when life becomes more stressful. With our current COVID crisis, I’m never certain how my day will go or how I’ll feel. Maybe some of you are having that experience too. Lol.

So, I’m taking this time to let you know of some events I have coming up and how to join in. Also, I’m sending you a video from Tiffany Jenkins, who I absolutely love, about “If our anxiety was brutally honest.” For me, laughter has been the best remedy for overcoming stress. Don’t miss out on what Tiffany has to say.

Stay sane, safe and well or like the rest of us, keep trying.

Namaste 

Recording of my most recent webinar with Heartland PMAD Consultants: https://youtu.be/cveFeoxFS_o

My upcoming virtual workshop on Perinatal Mood and Anxiety:


The Most Frequent Complication of Childbirth:
Understanding and Treating Perinatal Mood and Anxiety 
Friday, October 30, 2020
1:00 – 4:00 P.M. | 3 CEUs 
Because of the hormonal, psychological and situational changes of having a baby, 1 in 7 women will experience a postpartum mood or anxiety episode. The rates are higher, up to 1 in 4 women, among those in “at risk” groups. 

This workshop will increase your understanding of the etiology underlying postpartum clinical conditions and how to distinguish them from normal postpartum adjustment changes. Understand the risk factors associated with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMAD’s) and early intervention strategies to decrease your client’s vulnerability to a clinical episode. We will explore evidence-based treatment approaches to PMAD’s including mindfulness-based interventions, Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) and Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). 
  REGISTER NOW  $60 General Admission*

For Lillian As You Leave

Posted on by Dr. Diane Sanford in Self-Care

Lillian Michalsky is an extra-ordinary person and someone I’ve been privileged to know if only for a short time. I met her over a month ago at a women’s retreat at Feathered Pipe Ranch. Although she was not teaching the class, her wisdom and insight made an impression as she sat in her lounge chair in our circle, living with pancreatic cancer. Her life is a legacy for the strength of human spirit which I know will continue in the hearts and souls of those she’s touched long after she dies.

In truth, I don’t know much about Lillian’s past. I know that when she was in her early 20’s she came out to Montana on a mission trip, got “adopted” by one of the Native American tribes who live there, and became a medicine woman because of their trust in her. Until then, this tribe’s language had only been spoken, and they were afraid of losing their stories which they wanted to impart to their children and others. Together, she helped them develop a written alphabet and translate their stories so they could be preserved. Remarkable indeed.

I was fortunate enough to be in a prayer circle she led at Feathered Pipe at the conclusion of our retreat. As we shared our prayers with Lillian and India and prayed for each other, we created a sacred space which lovingly held our souls. It was the most meaningful, spirit-filled ceremony I’ve ever been in and a beautiful way to end our time together. For this, I am forever grateful. I am likewise grateful for the generosity and compassion of all my sister goddesses in the circle.

Saturday, I learned that her physical strength is dwindling and her time here may be drawing to a close. In celebration of Lillian, I am asking that this week each of you meditate on a song which is one of her favorites, “Give Yourself to Love” by Kate Wolf. It is a good reminder for all us. Here are some of the lyrics:

“Kind friends all gathered ’round, there’s something I would say:
That what brings us together here has blessed us all today.
Love has made a circle that holds us all inside;
Where strangers are as family, loneliness can’t hide.

You must give yourself to love if love is what you’re after;

Open up your hearts to the tears and laughter,
And give yourself to love, give yourself to love.”

You can listen to the song  by clicking here.

With much love, Lillian. Namaste.

Creating An Epic Life: “Careful the Tale You Tell”

Posted on by Dr. Diane Sanford in Self-Care

When I was on retreat in June at Feathered Pipe Ranch with Dr. Jean Shinoda Bolen, we shared our stories of the different life passages we’d journeyed through and how these experiences shaped our growth and change. Since then, I’ve wanted to discuss how this relates to leading a mindful life but didn’t know what to say until now. The late Carl Sagan remarked in his series, Cosmos,“The nitrogen in our DNA, the calcium in our teeth, the iron in our blood, the carbon in our apple pies were made in the interiors of collapsing stars. We are made of starstuff.”

If you believe that we are spiritual beings having a human existence, then you may think that what we do in this lifetime matters, especially when human existence ( and that of all sentient beings and our planet) may not survive if we choose poorly. In one of my favorite stories, “Into the Woods” the witch warns the villagers, “Careful the tale you tell, that is the spell. Children will listen.” Although we may not consciously be aware of our “stories” and how they are affecting us, we can learn.

Mindfulness teaches us that “with awareness we can respond with choice” instead of “reacting on auto-pilot.” The starting point is to become aware of the automatic thoughts, feelings, and sensations which trigger our bodies and minds without us even knowing. After a month of tuning into her “automatic thoughts,” one of my clients “noticed” that she kept having negative thoughts about herself and when she did start to feel good, felt undeserving of it and resumed her self-criticism.

Recently the same client told me,”I was my worst critic. Now I know that I’m the only person who can change my life. I’m in charge of what I choose to tell myself and my destiny.” Because our habitual “stories” like my client’s “I’m no good” keep playing in our heads, they often happen outside our awareness. When we choose to “pay attention,” to our automatic thoughts and “stories,” we free ourselves to experience the moment we’re in, rather than worrying about the future or regretting the past.

This week, pay attention to your self-talk and your “stories.” Practice the mindfulness exercise which follows (yes, it’s here this week) to help “Stay in the Moment.” I you are in STL and want to learn more, I will be teaching my “Mindfulness in 5 Simple Steps: How to Stress Less and Live Better” at my practice, Midwest Mind Body Health Center on Saturday August 29 from 10-12:30 am. Click here to “Like” us on Facebook to find out more about this and upcoming events.

Have a good week. Namaste.