I have been studying and implementing Attachment theory in counseling methods much more often recently. I have learned to notice more and more what attachment theory researchers have coined protest behaviors and despair behaviors (as well as detachment behaviors that follow). When I came across this blog entry by Lindsay Braman on the topic, I knew I had to share it with all of you. I hope it helps support compassionate and empathic understanding of yourself, and your loved ones.

How Protest & Despair Responses Shape Adult Relationships

We are thrilled to announce a new member of the Love Positive Counseling team: Josephanie V Smith! 

​Josephanie V. Smith is a master’s level clinician, offering individual, relationship and sex therapy under the direction and supervision of Anna Baxter, LPC. She has a bachelors in Psychology, masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a specialist’s in Contemporary Theory of Mental Health Services. 

Effective communication is at the root of her practice. She aims to assist clients with the learning and implementation of effective and positive communication skills to get what you need out of life; whether that be the communication within or with those around you. The manner in which we speak to ourselves and of ourselves often proves the difference between negative and positive feelings of ourselves, our capabilities, and how we interact with each other. 

Her passion lies within promoting healthy longevity in relationships and millennial sexual literacy, as well the understanding and acceptance of ourselves as sexual beings. She is pleased to work with cisgender and LGBTQ+ identifying individuals and couples as well as those identifying with or looking to explore alternative relationship styles, including polyamory, kink, etc. 

As a client of Josephanie, you will be encouraged to explore, adopt a broadened perspective, and feel empowered to take the steps necessary to achieve a greater state of wellbeing.

Josephanie is available for scheduling new clients immediately! Leandra's rate is $125/hr with some availability for sliding scale as clients need as she forms her caseload. To book your first session with Josephanie, request an appointment and be sure to select Josephanie as the clinician (The rate will show $175 but the cost charged at the time of your appointment will be based on rate agreed upon with Josephanie). 

To contact Josephanie directly with questions or to schedule an appointment, email JVelsheecounseling@gmail.com or call 678 775 8319. 

Our friend and colleague Lucia Caltabiano,  LCSW over at Resilient Wellness, LLC is starting some new groups that may be of interest to some of our clients and followers so we want to share the details with you. 

All group fees are income based. To register, contact Lucia (They/Them/Their) directly at resilientwellnessllc@gmail.com or 678-590-8797

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​Gender Expansive Teen Group - Teens 13-18 who identify as non-binary, gender non-conforming, and/or transgender. 
Meets every other week on Thursday at 7:30 PM
Starting December 10th, 2020

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​Transmasculine Support Group - Adults (18+) who identify as masculine of center; non-binary, transgender and gender non-conforming. 
Meets every other week on Thursday
Starting December 3rd, 2020

​Trans Parenting Support Group - Parents with transgender, gender non-conforming, and gender expansive children/teenagers. 
Meet every other week on Wednesday at 7:30 PM
Starting December 9, 2020

​LGBTQ + DBT Informed Skills Group - Adults (18+) that identify as LGBTQ+
Meets weekly for 8 weeks on Monday at 7:30 PM
Starts November 23, 2020
Prior to group there is a 10-15 minute consultation call to establish goals for the group

As of today, August 1st, I have assumed the role of managing our group collaborative office in Roswell and in doing so, the name will change from Wellspring Counseling Center to Love Positive Counseling. Each of us manage our practice independently (scheduling, billing, etc), but we work collaboratively in a shared space (like professional roommates). I have loved working with my friends and colleagues for 6 years and look forward to many more as our office manager. If you haven't had the opportunity to meet my office mates before, let me introduce you to them now!

Cheryll A. Thompson, LPC

Anna Lisa Derenthal, LPC

Mike McNulty, LPC

We currently have a vacant office available for a fully licensed therapist. If you're needing an office space for video or in-person sessions, contact me to discuss joining our crew. The space is partially furnished, or can be emptied if you have your own furnishings. 

This also gives me the opportunity to expand my practice to include direction and supervision in the future. I plan to obtain my CPCS (Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor) in October and at that time will be able to supervise Masters level clinicians pursuing their LAPC/LPC. Keep a eye here on the website or on my Facebook page for an announcement when I'm officially able to provide supervision to up and coming therapists!

I'd like to share a research study currently seeking participants in case anyone following our work could benefit.

The Division of Infectious Diseases at Emory's School of Medicine is excited to be launching a new study, the Explore Study, specifically aimed towards learning more about HIV in transgender populations. 

This study aims to understand the effect of feminizing hormones on the tissues that line the rectum among 3 groups. 

Basic qualifications for The Explore Study are as follows:

Group 1:
-Transgender woman who has sex with men ages 18-59
-HIV Negative
-Taking gender affirmation hormones for at least 6 months

Group 2:
-​Transgender woman who has sex with men ages 18-59
-HIV Negative
-Not currently taking gender affirmation hormones but plans to in the next 6 months

Group 3:
-Cisgender men who has sex with men ages 18-59
-HIV Negative

Note: All volunteers are compensated for their participation.

To participate in the study, contact Lana Brooks lnbrook@emory.edu or Jessica Swiniarski jessicaswiniarski@emory.edu or call their office.

The Emory Hope Clinic
(470).485.1444
 
Office:
404-712-2961

The world is currently facing a threat I don't believe we've ever known before. As a result all of our routine activities have been interrupted or changed in some way. I haven't written about my thoughts, feelings, and opinions around COVID-19 until this moment because I've been incredibly busy holding space for all my clients as our personal worlds change. All of us are experiencing a scary time in the world and we (as individual people and as society) will be changed forever as a result. I specialize in working with often oppressed populations who face difficulty getting quality medical care on a good day (never mind when there's a potentially life threatening virus traveling around the world). Many of us are worried about ourselves, our loved ones, the effect of the precautions on our economy, and what the local and federal governments' response will be to the virus and the effects of physical distancing on our economies. Physical distancing is a privilege not afforded by all, and can exacerbate a tendency to isolate. Social and physical isolation has long term negative effects on mental health. If you're able to #stayathome please be sure to use video event platforms (like Zoom) and social media to remain connected to your loved ones and your community. It's too easy to fall into a belief that we are alone in our feelings when we don't talk to or see other people. If you're struggling with strong emotions during this time, please know there is help and support available. Reach out to schedule an appointment with me. 

Due to our collective efforts to #flattenthecurve including a statewide shelter in place order, all counseling sessions with me will now be conducted over video (through my secure client portal video platform) or telephone. Many have already made the switch during the previous three weeks. If you're a current client of mine with an appointment scheduled, I will contact you directly ahead of your scheduled appointment to determine which method you'd like to use for your session. 

Living or working in North Fulton (Roswell, Alpharetta) area? You’re invited to a networking event for local counselors, therapists, and social workers. This event will be a casual environment to meet your neighbors in the business to “talk shop,” build referral networks, and support each other in our important work.

Light refreshments will be provided. Please bring business cards to trade with colleagues who seem interesting to you.
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Details:
Friday February 21, 2020 at 11:00am – 1:00pm
Wellspring Counseling Center
700 Old Roswell Lakes Pkwy Suite 300
Roswell, GA 30076
 
About us:
We are a group therapy practice that values diversity, authenticity, and safe space. We provide individual, relationship, and family therapy for adolescents and adults. Our therapists each specialize in different therapy modalities, psychological and developmental concerns, and relationship styles but one thing unites us: a positive and accepting attitude towards sexuality and gender. We most commonly support clients struggling with mood, depression, anxiety, trauma, self-harming behaviors, family-of-origin issues, and/or life transitions.
http://www.wellspringlife.com/

Today I want to share a community resource that a friend and colleague is offering because in both my personal and professional life, learning how to savor the pleasure in every day life experiences has been the key to unlocking greater happiness and satisfaction. 

Savoring: The Golden Hours by Orion Crook,  The Practice

If we understand that evolution has set us up to be savoring machines when negative shit is happening, then we may begin to question what to do in order to outweigh the biological reactive response we have to negative cues.

This Gabshop is a way deeper look at how to develop a skill set that uses enjoyable chemicals and experiences to re-traumatize ourselves with the good. There will be a mix of learning, sharing, and experiential expressive activity to offer a well-rounded glimpse into the possibilities of savoring.

Learning Objectives
1. Detail the 3 states that a client may be into beginning practicing savoring.
2. Identify how awareness is the first step towards a savoring practice
3. Explore the potential effects of how savoring can modify emotions, thoughts, and life direction.
4. List examples of ways one might be blocked psychologically from practicing savoring.
5. Develop a Practice that through time leads one to gain awareness, acceptance, all while we collecting savorable data for our psyche to store more deeply and be more attuned to noticing.

This Gabshop is Orion's desire to help bring what they feel is so critical to developing mental health out into the community. It's also a process put in place to help them dive in, grasp on, and surface with articulation.

Learn more about this gabshop and how to join in on Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/savoring-the-golden-hours-tickets-65865340005

I'm really glad to see another support group resource for transmasculine folks in the Atlanta area. So glad to spread the word to everybody who may need to know about this! Note: This group is in no way hosted/facilitated/sponsored by Anna Baxter, LPC or Love Positive Counseling - Please do not contact me regarding participation.

Are you post-op phalloplasty or metoidioplasty?
Are you actively seeking one of these surgeries?

Join us for Atlanta’s only peer-led support group for transmasculine folks going through lower surgery. Our first meeting will take place on Wednesday, December 4th, 2019. Refreshments will be provided.

Please send an email to carepackagetransmasc@gmail.com for time and location information.
Please note that this group is only open to people on the transmasculine spectrum who are having or have had gender-affirming lower surgery.