Promoting mental health through clinical psychotherapy and counseling, creative art therapy and art open studios, education and training, clinical supervision, and consultation.
2015 promises to be an innovative, creative, informative, research driven, and inspirational year here at PerceptA Therapeutic and Training Center, LLC. We have many exciting things to look forward to this year:
The ACA Conference in March, and the AATA Conference in July; posts by experts in the field of counseling and psychology; interviews conducted with prominent professionals in the counseling field; supervision resources for counselors, and therapists looking to use art in their work with clients- particularly clients of color; and resources for graduate/doctoral students, especially during the dissertation portion of the process.
We are also interested in research.
What are your contributions in the larger context of the counseling psychology literature? We would like to hear from you! Special attention will be given to multicultural and social justice issues in counseling.
We continue to honor the fact that mental health should be treated and respected, much the same way as other medical issues.
Thank you,
~The PerceptA Team
Please follow us, and continue to include us in your journey:
The tragic death of beloved actor and comedian, Robin Williams (July 21, 1951- August 11, 2014), from an apparent suicide, has put a long overdue national spotlight on mental illness. Following his death, his media representative, released a statement that, in part, read that Williams had been, “battling severe depression of late.”
Authorities believe that the “Awakings,” “Dead Poets Society,” “Good Will Hunting,” “Mrs. Doubtfire,” “Aladdin,”and “Good Morning Vietnam,” genius actor’s ongoing battle with depression and bipolar disorder contributed to his suicide; Williams admittedly, also suffered from drug and alcohol addiction, and recently reports have indicated that he was also going through the early stages of Parkinson’s disease.
Robin Williams 1951-2014
Depression is real. Depression is a devastating and serious illness that should not be taken lightly, and if not professionally treated, can end in life threatening consequences that can include suicide.
In America alone, it is estimated that 7% of the population is suffering from major depressive disorder. In addition, the World Health Organization reports that over 300 million people globally are suffering from this disease. With these staggering numbers, it is time that depression gets brought out of the shadows and into the national conversation, with a focus on education to promote understanding in order to erase the sigma that is so often associated with mental illness. Perhaps more lives can be saved this way.
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders- 5th Edition (DSM-5), Major depression is characterized by, “the presence of sad, empty, or irritable mood, accompanied by somatic and cognitive changes that significantly affect the individual’s capacity to function.”
Depressive symptoms include:
Depressed Mood: Sadness, hopelessness, feelings of worthlessness and guilt.
Recurrent thoughts of death or suicidal ideations or suicide plans or attempts.
Changes in appetite, and sleep.
Difficulty thinking, concentrating or making decisions.
Constant fatigue and low energy.
Loss of interest or enjoyment in activities previously seen as pleasurable.
Depressive symptoms can persist every day for at least 2 consecutive weeks, with impairment in social, occupational, and other significant areas of functioning. Also, for a diagnosis to occur, 5 or more of the symptoms highlighted above have to be present those 2 weeks, with depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure in activities being one of the symptoms.
More information about depression from the National Institute of Mental Health can be seen here:
Bipolar disorder is a mental disorder characterized by shifts in moods from manic to major depressive episodes. It is actually believed that Williams had been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder.
According to the DSM-5, manic episodes are characterized by:
Decreased need of sleep and increased racing thoughts and/or flight of ideas.
Increased involvement in activities with a high potential of risk and consequences (over spending, risky sexual behaviors, gambling).
Inflated self-confidence and grandiosity.
Increased goal-directed activity and excessive planning of multiple activities.
Pressure to keep talking and distractibility.
The mood in a manic episode is generally described as euphoric and, “feeling on top of the world.”
There is no cure for bipolar disorder; however, it can be treated with ongoing medication and psychotherapy. Some people with bipolar disorder choose not to keep taking the medication prescribed because many describe that the medications typically dulls their senses. For this reason, If you have a loved one suffering from this disease: be loving and supportive, and remember that mental illness is a disease and should be treated in the same way a diagnosis of cancer is handled. They should be encouraged to follow their medication regime as prescribed by their doctor and also, continue to be educated about the illness including treatment options with their doctor.
For those suffering from this illness, we encourage you to please seek professional help and/or contact I-800-273-TALK (8255)
More information about bipolar disorder from the National Institute of Mental Health can be seen here:
The following is the first of a new interview series; “PerceptAInterviews.” PerceptA will be conducting a series of interviews with professionals from a variety of backgrounds, for the benefit of all students in need of guidance regarding their own professional path.
Our first interview is with Dr. Beth Gonzalez-Dolginko.
Dr. Beth Gonzalez-Dolginko
Beth Gonzalez-Dolginko, EdD, LCAT, LP has worked clinically as an art therapist for 40 years, in academia for 28 years and in private practice for 36 years. Beth has worked with children and adults in the areas of psychiatry, addictions, aging, PTSD, chronic illness, special education, developmental disabilities and child development. Beth currently serves on the New York State Office of the Professions for Mental Health Practitioners Board.
1. What drew you to become an art therapist and how did you become interested in the profession? Share some of your background.
When I was a teenager, I was interested in art and psychology, so I used to say I wanted to be an art therapist, even before I actually knew it was a profession. I have been working clinically for 40 years, both in private practice and institutions, in: in-patient psychiatry, with PTSD, with developmental disabilities, with the medically ill, in special education, in child development, with aging and with addictions issues. I have also taught art therapy on both the undergraduate and graduate levels for 28 years.
2. Where did you earn your PhD/EdD? What made you pick that school and what was your experience like.
My EdD is in Foundations, Leadership and Policy Studies in Education Administration. Honestly, I needed only my Master’s in art therapy for my NYS license. I earned a doctorate because I was a professor on a full-time tenure track at Hofstra University and was required to get my doctorate. I earned it at Hofstra because I got tuition remission, and I was right there.
3. What is your area of expertise?
My areas of expertise as both an art therapist and psychoanalyst are psychiatry and child development.
4. How did your education get you where you are now?
Again, I needed only my Master’s in art therapy for my NYS license. My Master’s in Art Therapy, getting my ATR-BC and my license are what has served my professional path.
5. What benefits have you had since earning your PhD?
None, really. I am on a NYS Board for Mental Health Practitioners, and there is some recognition from them but not really in terms of my practice. The knowledge of how to engage in meaningful research and write professionally is probably the best outcome of earning my doctorate.
6. What advice would you give the future generation of art therapists about what is important in the field?
It is important to stay current with trends in the field of psychotherapeutic treatment and engage in research related to these fields. The more research and publications that exist related to art therapy, the more credibility our profession will have. It is also important to work towards licensure in your home state. We finally got it in NYS. It has not necessarily increased our salaries, but it has given us more credibility and visibility.
7. In regards to picking a graduate school and choosing a program to suit their needs, what advice would you give to art therapists?
It is important to do your homework and pick a program that matches your philosophy and personality. Look at where their internship placements are. Definitely, do a face-to-face interview with the program director or other faculty members, and ask plenty of questions. You should interview them, too. The location might be an important consideration, as well.
Please join us in welcoming our new intern, Orly Rosenberg to the PerceptA family. We are very lucky and honored to have Ms. Rosenberg, who will be focusing on Social Media Management, Research, and offering a student perspective on therapeutic issues. Welcome aboard Ms. Rosenberg!
In the wake of the recent school tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, how do we help children cope during such a traumatic event?
Our children need reassurance, comfort, and emotional support. Here are some resources to help children deal with fear, anxiety, grief, and other feelings following such a traumatic event:
After spending a wonderful Thanksgiving with my family and friends, I found that I was dreading coming back to my fairly new, and relatively isolated private practice. I knew that I had to find a way to tap into my resources, and add richness and value to this awesome field and career choice I had worked so hard to achieve. In addition, I wanted to find opportunities to grow my business. So, today, I made a list of things that I needed to do. Here they are:
Create or join a support group for mental health professionals who are in private practice. Specifically, start a meet-up group of mental health professionals in private practice, for support and resources.
Get in touch with former classmates, professors, and mentors, who provided such valuable support to me in the past, and who could certainly provide a source of strength and empowerment, during these beginning stages of private practice and the inevitable uncertainty that goes along with such a time.
Keep attending continuing education courses, but also look to network with other mental health professionals during those times, and talk about the services I offer, and discuss any opportunities for collaborations in any area.
Be more actively involved in my professional associations. Contribute to professional journals, offer own expertise and professional experiences through presenting at seminars and trainings.
Start preparing for the opportunity to present at one or more of the annual professional conferences. All to help stimulate my intellect, contribute to the field of mental health, and provide exposure to my business.
Exposure, Exposure, Exposure! Use every opportunity to tell the community about what my business is about, including offering free trainings at local churches and community centers.
Wow! I have lots to do! I hope this list is helpful to others in private practice. If you are in the Baltimore area and would like to join a meet-up group for mental health counselors in private practice, please contact me @ 443-992-1796. Also, if anyone has any other ideas, let me know. Thanks.
Hello everyone, and welcome to the PerceptA Blog. The mission of this blog, is to provide a resource for mental health professionals to receive information regarding important topics in the field, and invite a community of professional peers to join me in sharing their thoughts, feelings, and experiences regarding a broad spectrum of presenting issues across various clinical populations. Topics discussed will include: mental health disorders and effective evidence-based treatment approaches; art therapy; clinical supervision and training of supervisees; professional development; clinical consultation and examination preparation tips; and topics related to social justices, advocacy and multicultural issues as it relates to different sections in the field of counseling, art therapy, and psychology. I look forward to our collaborative efforts as we embark on this journey of collective professional growth and development, awareness and creativity, and ongoing learning and self-evaluation…
