Valerie Gotcher

Election cycles can bring intense stress and division, impacting our mental health and relationships. In my latest article, I explore 'Election Trauma' and practical ways to manage the emotional toll during this polarizing season. Discover insights into setting boundaries, managing media consumption, and fostering resilience amidst the noise. As a therapist, my goal is to help individuals find peace and maintain well-being despite the turmoil. Read the full article to learn how you can navigate these times with compassion and calm: #MentalHealth #ElectionSeason #StressManagement #TherapistInsights #Resilience"

7

1 Comment

High-quality child care facilitates healthy brain and socioemotional development in children, while also allowing parents to participate in the workforce. Lack of access to consistent, high-quality child care costs the Texas economy billions of dollars through lost tax revenue and missed work days. Learn more from this panel of experts. https://lnkd.in/gt6ABW7M

9

Nurturing, Smooth Transitions: Supporting Teens’ Journey to College

1

As most folks know, Louisiana is regularly ranked at the wrong end of ratings of health, educational, and social outcomes. While we are not (yet) leading the pack, we are working hard to increase recognition and responsiveness to the effects of childhood trauma, adversity and resilience on significant adult outcomes. I'm very proud of the Acadiana PACEs Alliance, a dedicated, voluntary group of academic and community members collaborating to provide education and advocacy, develop research, and engage with the Lafayette/Acadiana community in addressing childhood trauma and adversity. At our recent summit, local leaders highlighted some of the work -and needs-in several child-serving sectors in the community: What can Acadiana do about childhood trauma? – The Current (thecurrentla.com)

8

There are so many stories like this, but they rarely get told. I'm pleased NPR did this piece of reporting. In response to the content of this piece: 1. The special education teacher shortage is real. It's a very challenging job, and it doesn't pay particularly well. Beyond pay issues, staff working with students with moderate and severe disabilities (as they are classified in education generally) need careful and thoughtful support in order to avoid burnout. It's very rare that they receive the support they need. The result is teacher shortages and fast turnover, leading to unstable programs and care for some of our most vulnerable students. 2. Having attended many de-escalation and restraint trainings, I can report that they can seem silly and impractical to apply in real world situations. But wow, they certainly are important given what's reported in this story. Did this staff member receive de-escalation and restraint training? Certainly doesn't seem like it. The piece does not address that in a specific way. #inclusion #mentalhealth #education

2

1 Comment

Embracing the journey of self-discovery and growth. #SelfGrowth #selfcare #Monday #therapy #black #blacktherapist #blackcounselor #Katy #Houston #selflove #friendship #marriage #relationship #counseling #inclusive #blackwomantherapist #texas #therapistofkaty #therapistofhouston

1

Allison Schmid, MA, LPC and I dropped this blog last week! If you can't get Sabrina Carpenter's Please Please Please out of your head either, check out our thoughts on this song through the eyes of two therapists! #therapy #counseling #mentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthsupport #therapist #empowerment #dallas

11

2 Comments

Tough Moms carry Naloxone. We believe Narcan should go home with every pregnant or postpartum mom. For providers, understanding naloxone's role and availability is crucial for mothers in recovery in Colorado. It offers a layer of safety for themselves and for their loved ones, providing peace of mind and a tangible solution in the fight against the opioid crisis. Listen to the facts for yourself → https://lnkd.in/gkJUVUTK

4

I had the honor of co-facilitating The Power of Peers Summit at Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) this week immediately following a week with amazing peer leaders in Texas as they continue to rise to their greatness. Similarly, there were amazing peer leaders at the summit who inspire me and remind me that changing status quo requires community, courage, grace, and love. As I reflect, I am reminded of these two quotes. The first about getting in the arena, putting oneself in the face of criticism, critique, and even venom, but still remembering that daring greatly is an honoring of yourself and the others that show up in vulnerability. There were many that were in the ring at SAMSHA this week, both in person and behind the scenes. The other quote is a reminder to me of continuing to show up and lead with love and gratitude, rather than allowing my wounds to bleed on people that didn’t cut me. Thank you Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and so many colleagues, allies, and friends in the room who lifted one another and me while I was in the ring 💜 The [Person] in the Arena It is not the critic who counts; not the [person] who points out how the strong [person] stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the [person] who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends [themself] in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if [they] fail, at least fails while daring greatly, so that [their] place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat. Theodore Roosevelt

58

5 Comments

Turns out that safety, placements, and permanency-focused practices may leave children and families without healing. A problem emerging around the world in systems that have ignored skilling up healing practices rather than investing in policing and moving children from place to place like puzzle pieces in search of the right placement and services. I describe one agency as having created a Fedex shipping practice, developing complex and expensive processes for moving children like packages reliably from one service and placement to another.

8

1 Comment

Summit Center Update for November 2024: Don't miss tomorrow's free webinar addressing challenges faced by neurodivergent and medically complex families. Plus how to handle holiday stress, more podcasts from Dr. Dan, and upcoming events. https://conta.cc/4fqXvS2 #Thanksgiving #ParentingSupport #Neurodiversity #ChildDevelopment #ResilientFamilies

3

Finding valuable and reliable resources is crucial, especially for those aging in rural areas. Organizations around Colorado are forming classes which cover exercise, nutrition and more. #Aging #ColoradoAging #RuralAging #AgingResources

2

As a second-grader at Annunciation Catholic School in Webster Groves, Missouri, I encountered multiple challenges that made it difficult for me to succeed. Our class was too large, and only one teacher was responsible for 52 students. As a result, students like me were not given the attention and resources we needed to perform well. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ed3Rfi_U #dyslexic, #dyslexia, #dyslexiaawareness, #adhd, #dyslexiaeducation, #education, #Learningdisability, #mentalhealth #neurodivergent

3

Intuitive eating is a powerful way to bring mindfulness into your wellness journey, and can help those in recovery from addiction and mental health to feel more grounded, stable, and present. https://zurl.co/76dv

6

1 Comment