Spring 2022: Resources We Love, Collaboration & Community Edition
In order to provide truly holistic care to our families, the clinicians at The Center for Family Well-Being talk-the-talk AND walk-the-walk. We commit to ongoing, rigorous learning and training to advance our own toolkits and practices, which we can then translate thoughtfully for you. Dedicated though we are to molding ourselves into multifaceted providers, we wholeheartedly believe that collaboration is a key to the best, most integrated and effective care; there is no “I alone” in our work. We are often extending to providers and resources throughout our community, offering referrals and systems of support to our families as they pursue their goals and overall well being. In this newsletter, we’re sharing our thoughts about the importance of collaboration, and offering you resources–in print, online, and in our broader community–that embody the values of diverse perspectives, teamwork, and cross-disciplinary care.
Amelia Aburn, On the value of integrating acupuncture as an alternative and holistic approach to healing:
From both a personal and clinical perspective, I have found meaningful support through acupuncture and its powerful capacity to help stimulate the body's natural ability to heal itself. Acupuncture uniquely supports a diverse range of issues and can be utilized to promote wellbeing, release emotional blockages, and soothe physical stress. This ancient Chinese medicine practices moving and balancing energies throughout the body, and when the body heals, the heart and mind follow. I absolutely love going to City Acupuncture in Dupont Circle (JoseLo Gutierrez is compassionate, skilled, and truly works wonders!) - however there are many wonderful practitioners in the area for adults and kids alike including Little Bird Acupuncture in Adams Morgan. You might like to read more about evidence-based research to learn about the benefits of acupuncture for mental health symptoms.
Elizabeth Ebaugh, on the value of collaborating with functional medicine and functional nutrition practitioners:
I often refer people to Dr. Tracy Freeman in Chevy Chase. I would also like to let everyone know about a wonderful conference that is held every year at Georgetown University that brings in cutting edge practitioners on many health and wellness issues. Here is the link for this year's conference in October..
Liz Hagerman, One the value of collaborating with your child’s school counselor & integrating body work in your wellness routines:
Collaboration is key especially when working with children. A group of professionals who see the child in different contexts, (teachers, school counselors, education support professionals, OTs, pediatricians, etc...) all have a piece of the "puzzle" when working to find how to best support the child in removing (or negotiating around) the obstacles on her/his/their path of healthy development. Recently, I have found my conversations with school counselors to be enlightening, helping to knit together what happens at school with other aspects of a child's life. I think School Counselors are hidden gems with whom I encourage parents to engage! Here is an article written for parents about working with school counselors.
For myself, I know that I can't do my work without balancing it with supportive resources, such as acupuncture (Little Bird Community Acupuncture or Spectrum Acupuncture are great options in the community; Little Bird is also recommended by Amelia, as mentioned above!), and massage and energy work, such as Reiki (check out The Still Point). I also have used Ayurveda, especially the "abayanga” oil massage, which really calms my nervous system. Our center collaborates with an Ayurvedic practitioner, Belinda Baer, and I encourage you to attend any workshops she does; last spring she led a series on sleep. And of course the best, free resource of all: Mother Nature!
Kate Kelly, on the value of an ADHD book that integrates west and east—and a Center collaborator who helps integrate body and mind:
Navigating through so many ADHD resources can be a challenge for parents and caregivers! The book Fire Child, Water Child: Understanding the Five Types of ADHD by holistic developmental pediatrician and ADHD specialist Stephen Scott Cowan, MD, integrates western and eastern approaches. Cowan, who is clear that there’s no-one-size-fits-all when it comes to treatment of kids with ADHD, draws on the wisdom of five element theory in Chinese medicine—fire, wood, earth, metal, and water—and describes five ways children adapt to their environment. The book offers parents and caregivers a customized guide to help reduce stress that contributes to ADHD symptoms, and long-lasting solutions to help kids cultivate confidence, decrease impulsivity, and master attention.
Belinda Baer (also mentioned in Liz’s resources, above!) is the Center for Family Well-Being’s Ayurvedic practitioner. Ayurveda, the system of healing and health that originated in India more than 3,000 years ago, utilizes lifestyle and food for a healthy balance—and believes the body and mind are directly linked. The system encourages daily self-care rituals, yoga, meditation, breathing, and healthy eating for the maintenance of both body and mind, and I’ve found Belinda to be an invaluable resource for nutritional advice and self-care practices. My clients who struggle with worries and sadness have also found an Ayurvedic consult with Belinda to be particularly valuable. Belinda offers— free or by donation—50-minute consultations by Zoom: just log onto her website, https://www.wisewomanayurveda.com/. We hope to have her back from India for in-person sessions later this spring.
Amy Murphy, on the value of connecting with her community
A community resource that I turn to often is the Chevy Chase Listserv. On any given day, one can read posts about new local shops and restaurants, the best doctors for whatever ails you, available housing, etc. Particularly through the past couple of years, it has been a valuable resource for learning of opportunities to help those in need. From helping to feed local DC families, gathering furniture for an Afghan refugee family, donating school supplies to under-resourced local schools, to tracking down lost pets and shoveling snow off the sidewalks of those unable to do so themselves. In my job as Intake Coordinator, I've spoken with parents who first learned of the Center, or our Girls In Tune groups, from the Listserv. Many local organizations, which themselves are community resources, will post events, classes, job listings, on the Listserv - PEP, Politics and Prose, Northwest Neighbors Village, libraries, etc. Of course, there can sometimes be long discussions on controversial topics, but those, too, can be a resource to learn about our neighbors and see other points of view. I value the Chevy Chase Listserv as a community resource.
Lisa Oakley, on the value of collaborating on issues around parenting:
As a parent myself and as a therapist supporting many parents on their journey, I know full well that being a parent is not one of those go-it-alone endeavors. In addition to the support of spouses, family members and other parents, it is often helpful to get the perspective of counselors and coaches. There are two parent coaches in particular whose perspective and input I have found quite useful over the years. The first is Paige Trevor and her business, Balancing Act. Paige describes herself as a parent educator and provides individual coaching as well as workshops. She has great advice and input on everything from maintaining a peaceful household to decluttering a closet. The other go-to parenting guru is Meghan Leahy who is widely known from her Washington Post parenting column. She has a very active blog and also offers individual coaching and workshops. Her humorous and irreverent style often focuses on easing the pressure that many parents feel of having to do it all (you can't), and getting everything right (you won't)! It's always nice to have the support and validation of others who are going through - or have been through - the same thing and can help guide us.
Veronica Suleiman, on the value of collaborating with body workers to support overall mind-body wellness:
When I am feeling tired, spent, or with body aches, I like going to the Bethesda Salt Cave for a massage; I like working with Ursula. They also offer other types of body services, but I've only had their massages, which are so good and rejuvenating. They also have a salt cave, which I have not tried yet, but I intend to one day.
Lida Sunderland, on the value of collaboration in research and scholarship:
It’s easy to get lost at sea when looking for a resource to help orient us with new education and skills; this is especially true when it comes to parenting books. Within the greater fields of psychology and psychotherapy, it can be important to recognize that some authors are researchers, and some are clinicians. I like to think about the implications of roles and backgrounds of authors when considering literature to read and recommend, and often I find that the richest resources are co-authored by people who can speak from both (and more!) perspectives. I love the many collaborations between neuroscientist Dr. Dan Siegel and psychotherapist Dr. Tina Payne Bryson, especially The Whole-Brain Child. This book provides practical strategies for promoting grounding and emotional regulation in our children and family systems, as well as easily digested developmental explanations for why the strategies work. And I can think of no better place to pick up a copy than Politics and Prose, our neighbor in the community and unofficial office waiting room!