September is dedicated to being Self-Improvement Month. Our team members are dedicated to helping all of our clients become the best versions of themselves. Our certified Family Therapist, in particular, Jasmeka Wilson, has a knack for helping bring out the best in our clients. We sat down and had a chat with Jasmeka about the work she does and what fulfillment she gets out of it.
What is the greatest need for our community, regarding self-help, that you've experienced in your line of work?
During my time in this line of work, I've surprisingly learned that a lot of my clients are unaware of what self-help is. When the word self-help is mentioned in the therapy room, the majority of my clients express how they use monetary resources to take trips, shop, or pamper themselves when needed. Not to discredit these methods, however, other effective and cost-efficient self-care techniques can be explored. To name a few; exercising, meditating, practicing acceptance, opposite-to-emotion thinking, deep breathing, reframing, and envisioning. These are a few methods that I share with my community as therapy may not be accessible to all.
What are the steps you'd recommend to a client for them to realize that at some point, they have to take responsibility for their situation to change it?
Below are some general tips:
Identify some things (vices, handicaps, internal struggles; pride; ego, etc.) within yourself that may be filtering the way you view the problem.
Take responsibility for your role in the current state of your life.
Identify any productive actions that can be taken toward rectifying any presenting problems. Some techniques to help in doing this is by accepting, apologizing, retribution, and forgiving anyone who may have caused you harm or pain and addressing them as soon as possible.
What emotion or feeling does the work you do bring you and why?
As a Licensed Marriage and Family therapist, I find joy in assisting others sort out their life's current stressors. I enjoy seeing my clients shift from a place of hopelessness and discouragement to a place where they can see the potential in themselves as well as in their circumstances. It brings me great joy in being a part of that change. We all, in some way, shape, or form are faced with what we interpret as roadblocks, which in turn can be an opportunity to learn more about the greatness that lies inside of us.
What are some great resources for self-help that you'd recommend? List at least 3. Can be books, websites, videos, etc.
YouTube has tons of self-help videos. In addition to YouTube clips, one of my favorite books to recommend is, "How to Heal Yourself When No One Else Can", by Amy B. Scher. I also suggest subscribing to a podcast whose solutions and subject fit your current stressors or situation.
What type of disorders do you often see in clients where you'd recommend those self-help resources?
I am so glad you asked this question, as some diagnosis requires more attention than self-help techniques alone. The techniques mentioned above can assist with mild depression, anxiety, and adjustment disorders. Those are just a few techniques. Yet, it is very critical to recognize when to seek professional help.
How important is self-help, especially since COVID-19?
With the many effects and factors that contribute to COVID-19, I believe that self-help is very imperative to your mental well-being. Self-help is empowering as it allows you to keep control of your destiny and outcomes. It also allows you to have control over your strengths and weaknesses as you develop a plan to respond to specific challenges. During this time of lots of uncertainty, self-help should be not neglected.
Explain your role and how you work to ensure our clients have access to these self-help resources.
In my role, I educate my clients on self-help techniques, I provide books that are fitting to their presenting problems. Moreover, I follow up on the resources provided and customize what works best for them. Designing a self-help plan is imperative so that it is fitting to your particular strengths and weakness, and specifically addresses your problems.
For more information about our free family therapy sessions or learn how you can book a session with Jasmeka, CLICK HERE.
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