Mindful Creativity for Client Engagement
December 21, 2015
Hosted by Mary Woods
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Guest Information
Episode Description
Mindfulness practices such as centering and guided meditations practiced at the beginning of a therapy session help clients calm their thoughts and their bodies. As a result they are better able to make associations and interpretations by using a different and more visual-based part of the brain than in regular talk therapy. Mindful Creativity works because clients often find that it’s easier to practice mindfulness while engaged in an art project- their minds are focused on a single task. When they find the task is challenging but enjoyable, clients are motivated to stick with it instead of giving up or letting their minds wander. At the end of a session, clients have a product, a tangible reminder of the therapy session which they can use to refer back to or share with others.
One Hour AT A Time
Archives Available on VoiceAmerica Health and Wellness Channel
Recovery, whether it is from substance abuse or a mental illness, or both requires a treatment plan, which in many cases is as effective as treatments for other chronic illnesses. “One Hour AT A Time” will increase awareness about recovery and decrease the discrimination against individuals in the recovery process. Host Mary Woods, will help people understand the recovery of adults and families living with co-occurring substance use disorders and psychotic and/or affective illness over the course of a lifetime. Helping individuals develop the skills and knowledge they need to take personal responsibility for their health and supporting individuals in their efforts to get on with life beyond illness has been Mary’s mission and she now brings that mission to the airwaves.
Mary Woods
Mary is the CEO of WestBridge Community Services. She is also a Registered Nurse and a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor with more than 25 years experience in substance abuse services and community mental health programs. Mary has conducted extensive workshops and trainings with a primary focus in Motivational Interviewing, Stages of Change Theory and Integrated Treatment of Co-occurring Disorders. She is also a contributor to the development of the Integrated Dual Disorders Treatment Practitioners and Clinical Supervisors Workbook and Practice Demonstration Video. Mary was the Chairperson of the NH State Board of Licensing for Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Professionals. She has been a member of the NH Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselor’s Association since 1984, and has served as the Northeast Regional Vice President for the NAADAC, the Association of Addiction Professionals, President of NAADAC and is currently past president of NAADAC.
