Santa Barbaraÿpsychotherapist Anny Eastwood brings a unique perspective on the significance of anxiety and depression in our lives and has recently added this as a specialization in her private practice.  She poses provocative questions like, what if depression is a soul call to a meaningful life?  What if stress, anxiety, and panic attacks are our body’s way of signaling us to slow down and pay closer attention to our experience?

This may sound easy enough to do, but from Eastwood’s perspective unfortunately, it is not.  “By the time most of us have reached adulthood, out of necessity we have mastered how to hide what we really feel, silence what we really think, and have stopped joyful, creative expression like singing just for the fun of it.” says Anny.

When leading a presentation for a regional gathering of psychotherapists recently, Eastwood stressed the importance of acknowledging context in relation to the mounting statistics of adults and children seeking relief from depression and anxiety. She explains, “Like it or not, we have all been dropped into the white water of rapid change.  Whether facing financial loss, health crisis, natural disasters, or feeling lack of connection on multiple levels, we are quickly discovering that authorities we turned to in the past and familiar approaches to problem solving often no longer apply. Where do we find our answers?  Who can we trust?  How do we cope with all the stress of uncertainty landing in our bodies, psyches, and relationships? The need for psychotherapy has never been greater!”

She talks about how so many of our schools have groomed us to develop a high tolerance for life without purpose or at least one that stirs our passion.  “We find ourselves in vocations lacking challenges that inspire us to take risks toward what we love–to expand and be more of who we truly are.  We live in a culture that urges us to medicate, amputate or ignore our pain.  We are quick to shoot the messenger. Our protests are driven underground and must disguise themselves as symptoms.”

Anny is convinced that it takes courage and support to listen to our truth.  “We sense that our lives could change.  Effective therapy is a special kind of relationship that provides sanctuary, a safe space to learn how to build trust in relationships while grounded in one’s own authenticity, to explore options that feel risky and also develop access to an inner kind of peace that is not dependent on our feelings, thoughts or outer circumstances.”

She believes, “When we feel safe enough to be honest with ourselves at deeper and deeper levels, doable choices emerge and we naturally make more satisfying choices.   Through this process of psychotherapy—paradoxically– depression, anxiety and addictions of all kinds become allies guiding us toward a more meaningful life.  “I watch this happen all the time, and it never ceases to inspire me.  That’s why after 18 years in private practice, I still love my job!”

Santa Barbara psychotherapist, Anny Eastwood, MFT works with families, couples, and adults who want to improve their relationships, feel passion and purpose in their lives, release the pain of the past, stop destructive behaviors, build self confidence and self trust and gain access to inner peace.

Sarasota, FL ( Prfriend ) April 19, 2010 – With the threat of prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction and urinary discomforts hovering around the heads of millions of men, many questions are now raised. Statistics reveal some astounding figures: one in every six men are being diagnosed with prostate cancer, 2 million with prostate enlargement, 30 million with erectile dysfunction and over 33 million with overactive bladder. The question is how many more men are not talking about their problems?

Typically, where the PSA level is high, the doctor requests a biopsy culminating in invasive procedures like Prostatectomy, Seed Implantation, External Beam Radiation, Proton Therapy and Hormonal Therapy. With these procedures causing loss of erection and incontinence, this impact on the physiological functions impair mental health, leading to stress, confusion, anxiety and depression .

Realizing the fact that education has a key role in defining the choices that are available, a program called PSA ZERO, under the expert guidance of Dr. Steve Bedi who has immense experience in Urology, General Surgery, Preventive Medicine, and Research, have taken into shape with the intention of maximizing cellular immunity, rejuvenating prostate and sexual health. It moves with an understanding of the fact that PSA screening tests for prostate cancer are inconclusive by themselves, are highly subjective, and should be used as a precursor to establish a baseline before any invasive procedure such as biopsy is performed .

By employing education, awareness, and polarizing treatment, men have a fighting chance to keep and or restore their natural biological functions when faced with these issues.

PSA Zero is a twelve week program specifically designed for results and the progress closely monitored by your physician. Anyone diagnosed with erectile dysfunction, prostate cancer, enlargement (BPH), high PSA or overactive bladder can take advantage of this program. PSA Zero is also ideal for those who have undergone biopsy, prostatectomy, external beam radiation, proton therapy, seed implantation and hormonal therapy to restore the natural sexual functions of the body.

When your PSA levels are high and you are considering an invasive procedure, such as a biopsy, laser surgery, prostatectomy, transurethral microwave, transurethral resection, or water-induced thermotherapy, take the time to give yourself the education you deserve before risking your biological functions to the terrible complications that these invasive procedures produce by checking out the PSA Zero program.

A peep into the experiences of the people who have adhered to this program, reveal the fact that PSA Zero is a refreshing PSA screening program that incorporates the best education and awareness, rendering one a highly satisfying life with full body functions.

With the program offering solution to a myriad of queries related to the prevention, testing, and treatment options for men faced with these problems, and a better quality of life. As emphasized by them, PSA Zero is a “21st century program utilizing cutting edge bio-technology to rejuvenate prostate and sexual health.” To quote Dr. Steve Bedi, “It is our Mission that every man should live a full span of life with normal physiological function which nature has given them.”

So make the right choice, learn to keep or restore your normal biological functions and relish the satisfying moments of life.

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Anchorage, (GoodTherapy) Aug-25-2009 – Goodtherapy.org is an international directory of around 5000 therapists operating online for around 2 years now. In a recent survey conducted through an email questionnaire sent to around 4350 therapist members, it was asked if respondents favor state licensing programs that require professionals to participate in psychotherapy as clients. A significantly high 85% of respondents replied that they would in fact support such measures, and several of them expressed their desire to help facilitate and promote an initiative to convince state licensing authorities to adopt the idea. On the other hand, 11% respondents did not approve of this and answered negative, while 3.9% gave a vague response choosing ‘it depends’.

“Although the survey was not very scientific with only a 13% response rate, it was an effort to evaluate the scope of this positive change in state licensure requirements”, stated LMFT Noah Rubinstein who is the Executive Director at GoodTherapy.org. “One of the basic and much-lauded principles of healthy psychotherapy, the idea that therapy for mental health care professionals should be available, encouraged, and used may be fairly new on the scene, but it can quickly become de rigueur as a growing number of professionals show their support”.

Following the announcement of the survey’s results, the site has played host to a lengthy discussion of the issue, in which the majority of readers warmly welcomed the idea and expressed their interest in helping bring the issue to a wider audience. Some joining the discussion have added their own twists on the possibilities of requiring that licensed therapists, counselors, and other mental health professionals receive their own therapy, including ideas about making the requirement a part of post-graduate training, and developing a widespread encouragement program rather than a strict licensing prerequisite.

In the coming months, new developments in this initiative are sure to arise as more professionals consider the benefits –both for therapists and their clients– of the proposed requirement and bring their own thoughts and resources to the project. It is worth noting here that GoodTherapy.org is a strong advocate of non-pathologizing psychotherapy and all members have to agree with this stance before they are granted membership. So this bias might have skewed the results slightly and there’s clearly room for more surveys on a broader scale.

About GoodTherapy.org:

Created in 2007 by Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Noah Rubinstein and supported by a network of therapists who all provide collaborative and non-pathologizing therapy, GoodTherapy.org is an online hub for clients, therapists, and anyone interested in positive, effective, and meaningful mental health care. The site has recently achieved a monthly yield of over 120,000 unique visitors.

Anchorage, (GoodTherapy) Aug-10-2009 –The prominence of psychotherapy can make it toilsome for relevant organizations to get a good start. With a few dozen therapist directories battling it out for prominence in a bid to offer users useful incentives and options to increase their practice, the market for linking potential clients with psychotherapists is great. Excepted from the realm of making it to the top by means of throwing the most funds at advertising, a particular site is making the rounds with a mission of caring. GoodTherapy.org, a relatively young directory compared with its major rivals, is reaping the rewards of an increase in popularity among idle browsers and relevant professionals alike, and has recently revealed a stunning 120,000 visitors every month, along with the second highest number of unique visitors for mental health directories on the internet.

A significant step on its path from a small community to an international network, the traffic jump has been received with celebration. The site’s users can retain a detailed profile including interesting new multimedia features and offer their thoughts and perspectives with others via an individual journal and frequently refreshed news headlines at http://www.goodtherapy.org/therapy-news-article.html. A number of therapists and professionals in related fields prefer GoodTherapy.org for the quality of its community and the attractive benefits available through the site, but overwhelmingly, potential clients prefer GoodTherapy.org for its key distinction among online therapy directories: heart.

Popular directories such as Psychology Today, 1-800-Therapist, Therapist Unlimited, Fix My Family, and other large outlets have risen in popularity over the years for the sheer volume of psychotherapists and clients they connect, in tandem with making an effort to provide additional incentives and services too. Even though these websites provide what they claim –a potential client is certain to come across an area psychotherapist whether they’re based in a big metropolis or a distant outpost–, they are all about numbers, rather than meaning, a shortcoming that is proving threatening for business as GoodTherapy.org earns a greater audience.

Focusing on what it holds as the principles of “good therapy,” ranging from the ability of mental health professionals to admit their mistakes and seek counseling of their own to collaborating with clients and treating them as able, whole, and basically good people, the website is committed to ensuring that therapy heals rather than hinders, even in especially difficult situations. As the professionals included at http://www.goodtherapy.org/ are personally committed to these rigorous ideals, people interested in therapy can depend on a therapy opportunity based on a sound, high-potential foundation. While the news might cause some stress among the online industry, it is clear that GoodTherapy.org’s rise in ranking is paying off for the users.

About GoodTherapy.org:

Created in 2007 by Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Noah Rubinstein and sustained by a community of caring and driven psychotherapists, GoodTherapy.org is an internet destination for clients, therapists, and anyone curious about powerful, healing, and meaningful mental health care. The site has recently achieved a monthly visitor yield topping 120,000.

The London Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy reported today that it had more than doubled its clinical resources for Couples Therapy. The Company Director, Donald Kirkpatrick, explained why.

Donald Kirkpatrick, psychoanalyst at the London Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, said: “Couples Therapy (Marriage or Relationship Counselling) at Lacap is receiving further clinical resources, as we have found demand for this service is increasing.”

“This is particularly in the current climate with worries about work and redundancy starting to affect the cohesion of couples and families. And with the concomitant problems of reliance on drugs, alcohol, gambling, & pornography as escapes from reality, and the increasing amounts of stress, anger and unfulfilled expectations that impact on our relationships and on our sexual lives.” Donald Kirkpatrick commented.

Donald Kirkpatrick announced that he was pleased to welcome Anando Emryss and Sara Breinlinger as Associate Members. The addition of these two Couples Therapists to the clinical team will expand service provision for Couples Therapy (Marriage or Relationship Counselling) by some 100 clinical hours per month to around 175 therapy sessions.

Full details are given at this link: http://www.london-counselling-psychotherapy.co.uk/Couples.Therapy.htm

The London Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy has benchmarked its fees for Couples Counselling (Marriage or Relationship Counselling) against those of Relate – the best known service for Couples Therapy in the UK. Access to Lacap’s services is immediate and does not involve extended periods of time on a waiting list for services.

Dr. Sara Louise Breinlinger graduated with first class honours in psychology from the University of London with the Elaine Gladstone Prize in Psychology. Sara went on to obtain her Doctorate in Social Psychology. Sara trained at the Tavistock and Portman clinic in North West London, receiving the Postgraduate Diploma in Couple Therapy. Sara is also registered as a chartered psychologist with the British psychological Society, and is a registered member with the UKCP.

Sara’s publications include “The Social Psychology of Collective Action: Gender, Identity and Injustice” – [Kelly & Breinlinger,] and “Men’s responses to feminism” and “Attitudes, Intentions and Behaviour. Applying the theory of planned behaviour to women’s participation in collective action.”

Anando Emryss also trained at the Tavistock, receiving the Postgraduate Diploma in Couple Therapy, and is advancing her therapeutic skills with the MSc Psychosexual Couple and Individual Therapist training at the Tavistock Centre for Couple Relationships enabling work with couples and individuals who are experiencing difficulty in their sexual or have a sexual dysfunction. The training integrates a psychodynamic way of thinking with a cognitive behavioural approach.

Anando’s previous studies were in Social Anthropology at Birkbeck College, University of London. Anando has been involved in the therapeutic world in many capacities for over a decade, and in addition to couples therapy will be working with individuals for counselling & psychotherapy.

The Tavistock clinic offers the most comprehensive training in London for Couples Therapists: including the three-year clinical and academic training course that provides a professional qualification to practice as a couple counsellor. The Tavistock Centre for Couples Relationships was founded in 1948 is recognised in its field as a centre of advanced practice and study, both nationally and internationally. It is a practice-based organisation committed to studying the nature of the couple relationship. The centre runs a broad range of courses for those wanting to increase their understanding of relationships.

If you want to make an enquiry for Couples Counselling (Marriage or Relationship Counselling) at The London Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy, please use the email application form posted here: http://www.london-counselling-psychotherapy.co.uk/Couples.Therapy.htm

‘Citizen Therapy’ website, Big White Wall (bigwhitewall.com), is the first emotional health network where people can express themselves anonymously without fear of being judged or stigmatised. Big White Wall empowers individuals from all over the world to reach out and share support with their online neighbours.

Big White Wall users express their secrets, fears or deeper concerns on a brick on The Wall by uploading images, drawing or writing. The brick is then posted alongside thousands of others on The Wall, each of which represents one unit of human emotion. The range of topics posted so far is vast, from self harm and depression, to family issues and relationship problems; all of which can lead to mental health problems if not addressed.

Big White Wall offers peer support, or ‘citizen therapy’, as users interact with each other by commenting on bricks, offering views and encouragement in the Talkabout forum or through using one-to-one private messaging.

At a time when emotional health is fast being recognized as a global issue with anxiety and depression are set to become the second largest health problem by 2020, with economic recession beckoning, and with increasing doubt about the value of medication as an adequate response to poor mental health, Big White Wall offers a life-enhancing space for those who need a place to express what is really on their mind. As one of the users recently commented:

‘I am very new in here, finding my way to the wall is my last attempt to keep fighting. I find everything so difficult to bear at the moment, but this community is somehow enabling me to continue the struggle. I thank you for your kind welcome and for all the people who have not turned their back on me in my moment of crisis. My only hope is that when my strength returns, I can be as empathetic as you all.’ JayT

The Big White Wall audience is hugely varied and more recently has included US and UK military veterans struggling to come to terms with rehabilitation into civilian life as well as those who are feeling the bite of economic downturn. Also on Big White Wall are concerned parents, distressed and lonely college students, individuals struggling with their sexuality, and many others.

The one thing all these users share is a struggle to express how they are really feeling to their friends and family. On Big White Wall people share issues in a safe online space to gain the confidence to have emotionally healthy lives offline.

Founder Jenny Hyatt, Chairman Vanda Scott OBE, and CEO Charlotte Vere of Big White Wall, are all available for interview

Contact:

Clare Spurrell, Communications Director

email: clare at bigwhitewall.com