Month: June 2012

Categories
Adolescence Communication Prevention Safety

Teens: For Your Safety, Don’t Text and Drive

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

“Don’t text and drive!” Your parents say it, your teachers say it, the billboards say it, and even some of your friends say it. But you still do it. I’d ask why, but there’s really no logical explanation for it. I’d be lying if I told you I didn’t occasionally participate in texting and driving, even though I know it’s dangerous. It’s not a good idea—for any of us. Nothing is so important it can’t wait until you can pull over or until you reach your destination. The fines alone for texting and driving should be enough of a deterrent, right?!

U.S. government research shows “more teen drivers are buckling up and not driving drunk than in years past,” but texting and driving is “posing a new threat.” In fact, according to a research team from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), “One in three high school students said they had texted or emailed while driving during the past month.” While the decline in drunk driving incidents and the increase in buckle-ups is wonderful news, the texting issue is a deadly problem.

Texting is the primary means of communication for teens: Teens typically send upwards of 100 texts a day. I’ve seen teenagers text each other in the same room! It’s clear that there’s a whole world of communication happening via technology, some good, and in the case of texting and driving, some deadly.  According to Amanda Lenhart, a senior researcher at the Pew Research Center in Washington, “A lot of teens say ‘Well, if the car’s not moving and I’m at a stoplight or I’m stuck in traffic, that’s OK.'” Lenhart goes on to say, “Other teens acknowledge they know it’s not safe, but think it is safer if they hold the phone up so they can see the road and text at the same time.” Neither one of these practices is safe.

It’s hopeful that this current generation of teens is exhibiting safer driving behaviors. There are less incidents of drunk driving (from 17% in 1997 to 8% in 2011) and a 44% drop in car crashes amongst teens. This says a lot about kids making healthier choices. I’m hoping to see a positive shift in the choice to text and drive. This is a fad that really needs a short shelf-life.

 

Categories
Mental Health Prevention Recovery Self-Care

Visions Team Building

Visions has always recognized the need for staff team building. They understand from personal experience how intense it is to work in this field. Working in treatment, it’s easy to get wrapped up in our jobs and our purpose as treatment professionals. We strive to be the best, but in order for us to do that effectively, we must also care for ourselves. Visions fosters this self-care state by creating and encouraging team building activities for the staff, understanding that we are not going to be any good at caring for anyone if we don’t take care of ourselves first.  Airline attendants tell parents to use the oxygen before they administer to their children in an emergency. The same thing applies to us: we need to feed our minds, bodies, and spirits before we pass it on to others. Otherwise we risk working with a dry well, and that doesn’t benefit anyone.

Recently, Visions gave the staff a respite from the day-to-day rigmarole and took us on a team building  “Glamping” trip. I had no idea what Glamping entailed but I have to say, it was a welcome surprise. It’s camping with the comforts of home: beds, heat, running water, and a spa for those interested in a more luxurious stay. We stayed in gorgeous cabins nestled in a canyon by the beach where there was no shortage of wild animal sightings: owls, bats, deer, llamas, goats, skunks. There was even a camp cat that hung around and nuzzled up to a few of us! It was pretty amazing. Most importantly, it was a rejuvenating trip, and a perfect outlet for team building.  I only wish more of us attended.

For two days, we got to hang out in a non-professional setting and let our hair down. We were given a wonderful opportunity to get to know each other on a different level, which helped foster trusting, open relationships within the staff population.  Some folks hung out on the beach or in the water, some played bocce ball, a spontaneous football even broke out at dusk at one point which was pretty insane to watch.  Most of all, there was a lot of laughter and good-spirited jabs floating around. It was clear that this diverse group of people care deeply about each other and about those they care for. Our differences are viewed as strengths and most importantly, we are encouraged to be just as we are. What an amazing gift! We are a family at Visions, that much is clear. And what a wonderful family to be a part of.

 

Categories
Anniversary Blogs Service Treatment

Bill Hoban, MFT – Director of Clinical Services

Bill Hoban has served as the Director of Clinical Services for Visions Adolescent Treatment for the last 10 years—essentially since the beginning! He not only brings with him decades of expertise in the fields of addiction and mental health, he carries a sense of calm focus that lends an air of confidence and security to the clients and staff.

Every interaction I’ve ever had with Bill has put a smile on my face. He is authentic, he is kind, and he strikes me as one who truly leads by example. He is also funny in that wonderful dry kind of way that I truly adore.  The staff, as you will see, was not short on words about Bill. He even garnered a Walt Whitman reference from a team member (see Lianne’s quote below!). The accolades and respect for Mr. Hoban run deeply. We are ever so grateful for you, Bill!

“Bill Hoban joined us when we were not sure that we were going to make it through the year.  I believe that under his direction, Visions truly became the best program for adolescents in the country.  He is truly dedicated to helping the toughest of clients and the stubbornness of parents!  His tag line, “More shall be revealed” has been turned into mugs, bracelets and tshirts, but more importantly, a way of life for the families and clients at Visions.  We can’t imagine what the past 10 years would have been like without Bill’s sense of humor, loyalty and experience.” – Amanda and Chris Shumow

“‘Bill shall be revealed.’ Bill has a no-nonsense approach to therapy that makes sense to the kids he works with. They know exactly where they stand and he is somehow able to make parents and clients see their role in the conflict without taking sides. Bill may be intimidating at first to most people, but I have always found him to be approachable and supportive. He has taught me to be a caring professional with healthy boundaries. As a loving husband, father, and a Vietnam veteran, he earns my respect. I am fortunate to have him as a boss because he lets me know exactly where I stand.” – Daniel Dewey

“Initial impression of Bill:  a formidable man who is never afraid to make a tough decision.  However, he is also a man with a big heart, dedicated to helping teenagers become clean and sober while learning to avoid life’s pitfalls. The kids love him because of his ability to be straightforward and honest. I have known Bill for ten years and discovered early that it is very easy to tease him…I never miss an opportunity. Oh, and he never does art!” — Susan the Art Lady

“‘Oh Captain! My Captain!’ Bill Hoban is a force to reckon with. But don’t be afraid. This is a man who will melt over a newborn baby or a little puppy. Once you look past his gruff exterior, you find a man with purpose. Bill can see past a resident’s issues and get to the core of who they are. It has been great working with him these last 6 years. And even now, more is being revealed.” – Lianne Domingo

“Bill is awesome! Let me elaborate for those who need convincing.  A huge part of what I take for granted in my own skill set is derived from conversations and trainings with Bill over the last 10 years we have worked together. His contribution to Visions program development cannot be overstated. His ability to disseminate clinical objectives to a wide audience has always impressed me and our company value placed upon communication is greatly influenced by his experience and leadership.”  — Roger L’Heurault

“Bill is an amazing example of perseverance, kindness and loyalty.” – Mie Kaneda

In case you were wondering, yes, we most certainly sent Bill a list of silly questions to ponder. I love his short, concise answers, proving that he really does shoot from the hip!

1. What’s your favorite movie?

Thunder Road.

2. Regular or decaf?

Regular.

3. Would rather travel by plane, train, or automobile?

Auto.

4. Mac or PC?

Mac.

5. Do you relish in turning the pages of a book or “turning pages” in a tablet?

Book.

6. Carl Jung, Sigmund Freud, or Carl Rogers?

Carl Jung.

7. Toast or cereal?

Toast.

8. What music gets you moving?

Country.

9. Subtitles or dubs?

Subtitles.

10. Why do you choose to work for Visions?

Like kids, like families and need the money.

Categories
Adolescence Holidays Parenting

Long Summer Days

Summer field in Belgium (Hamois). (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Summertime seems to be that time of year when the common perception amongst many kids is: ultimate freedom. This perception sticks for some time, too, at least until adulthood or a regular job sets in. Think about it: There isn’t a school schedule to adhere to, there’s no homework to do, and no deadlines to meet. In many ways, summer can be the impetus for social free-for-alls: late nights, experimentation with alcohol and/or drugs. What can we do to preemptively halt the madness in its tracks?

We can start with providing some semblance of order in our kids’ lives. While school may provide the safety of confined activities and schedules that allow us to feel secure in knowing where our kids are, breaks from school can present a challenge for many of us. There’s no better time than the present to ensure that there is structure within the “freedom” of summer. Yes, that sounds like a bit of a contradiction, but we all must learn to create structure and boundaries amidst the chaos of life.

For college-bound kids, summer may have a different feel to it. It may be the last time they’ll see some of their friends for a while, especially if they’re off to different colleges. And in some ways, it may be a farewell to the freedom of childhood. College implies adulthood, and that last summer can be a humdinger.

We can start with some of these ideas:

  • Have regular family dinners. Sitting down together several days a week is a wonderful way to get grounded in family.
  • Check in with your kids. Do you know whom they’re spending time with? What they’re doing? Where they’re doing it? You should!
  • Get to know your child’s friends … and their parents.
  • Get involved. You can stay involved in your kids’ lives without being the quintessential helicopter parent.
  • Support their recovery. For example, if they’re going to college, help them find meetings in the area or support groups they can attend. Maintaining those ties are important.
  • Learn not to take things personally. While being involved is a good thing, we have to also learn when it’s okay to let go.  Remember, adolescence is prime time for individuation and sometimes that means giving the parents the cold shoulder.

Ultimately, summer reminds me of time slowing down. It’s a respite from the chilly, short days of winter. Living so close to the beach, it’s prime time for witnessing sunsets and frolicking in the sea. Even if we’re working or just busy, we are truly blessed with these longer days and warmer light. Spending time with our loved ones is one more blessing we can’t pass by.

Categories
Addiction ADHD Adolescence Mental Health

ADHD Meds: Not Relief for Teen Stress!

Brain stress structures (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The pressure on our kids starts early. I’m talking pre-school early. For many parents, their child’s pre-school becomes a status symbol. The kids, on the other hand, could care less. They just want blocks and naptime, really. What they don’t need is pressure. But as our little ones advance in age, they are introduced to the latest standards and school becomes less of a place to become intellectually enriched, and more of a place to try and attain the highest test score. Sure, great test scores are a wonderful achievement, but they are not everything. Unfortunately, the pressure to do well and to be the best puts a great deal of pressure on our kids, and honestly, most pre-teens and teens couldn’t tell you in earnest what they want to be when they grow up, let alone what college they plan on attending. For most kids, adolescence is similar to the hormonal version of Survivor: full of surprises and unexpected whirlwinds of emotional adventure (with some added fear-based scenarios tossed in for good measure.).

By the time they reach middle- and high-school age, pressure from parents and school administrators can really gnaw at the edge of adolescence. The pressure increases and kids start to fall apart in various ways: anxiety, depression, eating disorders, drug use, and other forms of teen stress.  An example of this are the kids who push themselves so hard, they use stimulants like Adderal or Ritalin (typically prescribed for ADHD) just to make it through their end-of-the-year finals. This is troubling. Those who truly suffer from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder benefit from these drugs and need them in order to balance out their brain chemistry. But when someone without this disorder takes these drugs, they experience a classic amphetamine high. Their brains don’t need chemical balancing. Adolescence is prime time for brain development; the last thing it needs is to play the part of a petri dish just to do well on a test.

I wish we could eliminate this pressure and the inevitable teen stress, but realistically, we can’t. What we can do as parents, teachers, therapists, and mentors is encourage a sense of propriety in our kids. We can teach them early on to ways in which to manage their stress, and perhaps even avoid some of it altogether. When my son was a toddler, having tantrums and doing toddler things, I started teaching him breathing techniques to help him self-soothe. I often think going back to those basic self-soothing skills we learn when we’re young is beneficial for managing life as we get older. If you didn’t learn to self-soothe as a tot, you can pick up the pieces now. Learning to be gentle with ourselves when we’re under stress is an invaluable tool. Teens, in particular, need to find ways to manage stress without sinking into the negative patterns so common in adolescence. So, what can they do?

  • Breathe. Stop and take 10 deep breaths.
  • Take a break. 10 minutes of solace won’t destroy your chances for a good grade. If anything, it will allow your brain to recharge.
  • Eat something. Fruits, veggies and high-protein snacks keep your brain fueled. No fuel=foggy thinking.
  • Ask for help. You don’t have to do this alone.
  • Read something light and entertaining. In other words, take a break from the intensity of academics.

I think you get the idea. If we stop and take care of ourselves, we are less likely to take the risks of using someone else’s prescription to pass a test or to study. Sacrificing mental health and safety for good grades is self-sabotaging behavior. It’s not worth it.

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Categories
Education Recovery Service Treatment

Visions Outpatient and Day School Gets a Facelift!

Stepping into our 10th year of business, we took a quick breath to enjoy the adventures life had brought to us as a company.  Our second breath was in true Visions form: an analysis of how we can continue to evolve in the next 10 years. It started small by first addressing our Mission Statement, making sure we continue striving to be the Visions we can be.  Next, we reflected on each of our programs, examining areas in which we could improve.  Do we as a team believe in ourselves?  Do our families and teens believe in us?  A value that the Shumows always wanted was to invest in a supportive and caring staff culture.  In return, they knew that would create a platform to provide the utmost in exemplary care for their clients. It has been quite a process, combing through every level of the Visions experience, and fine-tuning the environments and their processes, but it’s been well worth the effort. It’s wonderful to recognize how this fresh breath has propelled us into our next decade.

One of our largest projects this past year was to bring our 8-year old Brentwood Outpatient Facility up to date with our ever so quickly evolving teen needs.  This called for a sophisticated facelift and an adjustment to our technology.  Our vision for Visions Outpatient & Day School was to create an educational environment that was something our teens looked forward to being a part of on a daily basis.  The Goal: a cyber café with a touch of warmth and wit.  What we have now are clean, streamlined, modern classrooms, filled with natural light and charming colors, and new Mac computers to create an environment that is conducive to learning and healing.

Check out the new digs: [slideshow id=3]

The new technology allows for teacher and students to be on the same page, something typically variable due to individualized educational goals. While every client may not be working on the same subject at the same time, with this updated technology, our teachers can access any subject or lesson plan at lightning speed. There are some truly terrific, new amenities to behold in our classrooms: There is a beautiful, community table, which encourages a European approach to lunchtime, creating a connective environment for our clients and staff alike. The walls are lined with an innovative framework of natural wood, designed to hang art with non-traditional clamps–this is something I want to recreate myself, it’s so cool! Ultimately, our new classroom design allows for effective and immediate communication between our teachers and students. It has also created a virtually paperless classroom, which meets the needs of the modern Internet driven educational system we thrive in.

In addition to the classrooms, we’ve also revamped our therapists’ offices. They were given a mini-facelift of their own, and they genuinely look and feel like a place where healing can and will continue to occur. Our updated environment is both therapeutic and welcoming, allowing our extraordinary team to work with our clients via an easier system of support and inter-office efficiency.

With gratitude, we must give a well-deserved shout-out to the wonderful designer Curtis Micklish, who handcrafted the majority of our new furniture and designed a unique space for our teens to thrive! Curtis has already been recognized by the modern design industry for the work he has put together for Visions. You can also check out Curtis’ blog and/or purchase his wares on his Etsy page!

We have stepped into our 10th year in style and we couldn’t be more excited! Here’s to another 10 years and beyond.

Thank you to Christina Howard for her eloquent input to this blog. 

Categories
Anniversary Blogs Service Treatment

Celebrating Fiona A. Ray, MA, LMFT – Clinical Director

Fiona Ray has never ceased to be authentic, straightforward, and honest. She carries herself with confidence and exudes an aura of calm wisdom. She heads several sober living houses and oversees our treatment programs as Visions Clinical Director and she does all of this while appearing cool as a cat. Always moving and tracking information, Fiona has her finger on the pulse at all times. She knows when to be firm, and she knows when to soften. She is able to tend to the needs of the staff and the families in such a way that you know she is there for you.  Fiona is one of a kind.

 

Honestly, I think this is just who Fiona is: a sincerely dedicated, determined woman, desirous of creating an environment that is both healing and empowering for her clients and co-workers. She shoots straight from the hip, she doesn’t candy-coat things, and she essentially tells it how it is. These are qualities deeply respected by our population, and revered by those who work beside her. It’s refreshing to encounter someone like Fi, whose truth drives her authenticity. As a result, she has a client base that respects her deeply and a staff that is willing to stand with her on the front lines of this transformative process of recovery. We are grateful to have someone like Fiona as our Clinical Director.

 

The staff has some pretty amazing things to say as well. Check it out:

 

“Fiona, is one of the most determined, committed professionals I have had the honor to work with. There are very few individuals who are as intensely driven to do the best for each and everyone of their clients.” – John Lieberman

 

“I remain in total awe of Fi’s capacity to multitask – she flows so quickly from managing one area of our operations to the next, always treating everyone with the equal expectation to keep Visions humming at the highest level.  The only way she could command so much respect from so many is that we all know she has the biggest heart, and is working harder than anyone.” Jesse Engdahl

 

“Fiona is amazing.  I am grateful for being given the opportunity to work with her here at IOP.   She has a fun and, at times, bubbly personality and I feel safe and comfortable approaching her with any issues that I have (personal and professional). Bottom line: The longer I work with Fiona, the more I love and admire her.  She is one of the strongest women I know.” Natalie Holman

 

“If Fiona is around, you know the job will get done. So smart and great at what she does. I owe a lot to her: a friend, colleague and great person. I feel truly blessed to know her and work with her. A pillow doesn’t stand a chance around her!!”  Nono AKA Noelle Rodriguez

 

And without further adieu, let’s hear what Fiona had to say when we sent her very own silly set of questions:

1.  Cats or Dogs?

Meow.

2.  Favorite shop in Los Angeles?

Livestyle

3.  Describe your dream car

1962 Chevrolet Impala Super Sport. 409 V8/4 Speed/4:11. Black on Black.

4.  What’s your Starbucks order?

Grande Quad Sugarfree Vanilla Soy Latte.

5.  Cupcakes or Smuffins?

Both, at the same time. Now.

6.  If you could have dinner with anyone who would it be with?

Steve Jobs.

7.  Favorite poem?

Desiderata – Max Ehrmann.

8.  Favorite song to belt out in traffic?

In the Evening – Led Zeppelin.

9.  How do you keep your locks so shiny?

Shu Uemura – Moisture Velvet – Shampoo & Conditioner with a dash of Moroccan Oil.

10.  Why do you choose to work for Visions?

I care. They care. We care. It works.

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