System Family Therapy and the World

Last week I attended eight hours of education with the American Association of Family Therapy. I do want to report some tidbits here and there for you which I think you may be able to use. The first lecture was about the state of the systemic family therapy and the world. I have difficulty saying “black” and “brown” for people. Life is a circle isn’t it? That includes what is politically correct for the moment. So, I will try to stick to how it is being lectured with some polishing. People who are black and brown skin coloured are more impacted globally than others. Globally they don’t have basic health care let alone having health care needed because of the pandemic. We need to share our knowledge to help others. This first presentation was from a small panel and the book recommended to read was, “Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome by Joy Degruy (I believe). One panel member spoke of evil and of course that started a debate. Do I believe in evil? Of course I do which is evident in my writings. Then there was some good people, do evil things and yes there is evil……..What I like about the States is they don’t censor too much. There is a refreshing perspective of opinions. I love that myself. I suppose I didn’t get too much from the first Keynote. Why? Because I live in a multicultural city. I have studied different cultures and religions. So, I shall give you some of me here. The Corona Virus has taken many lives world wide. Still there are those who haven’t woke up and smelled the coffee. I was told that about eight children were standing in a circle at a local park, near a middle school, passing a marijuana joint around after each takes a toke. The adult was too scared to say anything and that I have found to be the case, more often. Some adults are fearing youths because of possible violent retribution. Toronto the good? We had a child walking with his mother who was shot and later died. This beautiful child loved living in Canada, his new home who loved speaking English - guns and gangs. All I believe have been arrested, one was arrested out East. One I believe was already on probation for weapons offences. A policeman,OPP, a veteran of 28 years I believe, was killed. Why? He was responding to an unwanted person call. This happened in Manitoulin Island. It’s a pretty place. I have driven through there and thought it would be a peaceful place to live. Imagine being killed when you are debating retiring? So much sorrow. I love the different cultures with the accompanying dances, religions, and foods. There are different religions, different cultures, different political regimes. There is democracy, socialism, dictatorship. All this shapes people to become who they are. People define themselves differently regarding their own belief system or within their culture. When I see a person I may have an idea of their culture, religion etc…However, what is most important is how they see themselves and what they believe in which may be opposite from what another perceives. There is no doubt that some countries suffer terribly under dictatorship and poverty. The pandemic and global warming affects those living in Impoverished situations first and foremost. Greed has become the norm at the expense of others. In my undergrad we were studying (Analytical writing or reasoning) about the native communities and how their lakes were being polluted. Now years later I hear the same. Why hasn’t it been cleaned up? Why do they not have clean drinking water? This is all important in family therapy. It is important in how people relate within a family. I want to continue with my third hour session next week. It’s been busy, but a good busy. I am looking forward to my Christmas holidays. Tomorrow I will be listening to a lecture from the York Circle which will last an hour and a half. I have more to report next week. How do you perceive others who do not look like you or talk like you or who do not share your own beliefs? Do you consider them inferior to you? Would you help someone if you could? Would it depend on their race? Do you prejudge? Keep safe please. www.silvaredigonda.ca www.redigondapsychotherapy.com next week The second lecture I chose was “mitigating our risk for burn out and compassion fatigue during COVID 19: The first responder tool kit. I have already posted the tool kit reference. The rest I have talked to you before. If I am skipping things, it is not because I don’t think it is important, it is because a lot of what I hear has already been known and I have shared it with you. As you know I have an interest in first responders, veterans and others who help people, so scroll down my blogs to find anything relevant in that area. The next hour was “The body project: Family-level prevention of Eating Disorders. I haven’t spoken about this too much so I am going to talk about this next week. Bye for now.

App for emergency persons. AAMFT Conference

"This web app aids those who are deployed to emergency response events in maintaining their own physical, emotional, and social well-being. It provides resources for before, during, and after deployments that help to responders to take care of daily needs, monitor their own functioning, reflect on experiences, and more. A variety of responders (e.g., physicians/nurses, EMTs, police/fire personnel, behaviorists) will find this app useful. Caring for oneself is essential in order to do this kind of work well. https://firstrespondertoolkit.com/" I wanted to share the above information with you. I was going to try it myself first, but I am assured that this is all legitimate. Yesterday was busy, but today I will have a few breaks with the same amount of four hours instruction. I require 20 hours of continuing education yearly and I was concerned that this year I would not be able to get courses, boy was I wrong. I have had so many invitations, that it is first come, first sign up. I don't accept invites unless it is from my associations or universities. I have checked into some interests and found that they were suspicious, so I don't even bother anymore. Much of what I have attended is not new, however some is and I will want to share with you. Because there is so much information and I still have to share my notes, I will stream line it, like I have above. I have talked to you about trauma, but I never had a kit to help you. I will update you on any information or research. If the States continues providing me with this, I will not divorce them. They are advertizing their universities and maybe today I will be able to visit them during my breaks. Virtual is making it possible for me to attend. My pets are getting older and needier. They have given me such joy and continue to do so, that they are my priority in keeping them feeling secure and happy. This pandemic has allowed me to appreciate the benefits of telehealth and so I shall continue with this stream. Will talk again next week. I am enjoying the conference, though navigating was a trial and error. I shall be more prepared today and in future. Keep safe.

Two Day Conference - AAMFT tid bits

Remember when I said I was not going to renew my membership with the States? Well, I paid my dues for another year since they offered a two day free conference which begins today. I just can't seem to divorce from the States. It's been another busy week and I have decided to take a few weeks off near Christmas, from the 20th to Jan 4. I don't normally do that because people become very sad during that time. However, everyone is much sadder because of COVID and elections and etc.....so I am going to take the time off and take a break from all this continuous education etc....and get back to my book. I don't want to stop writing because I am busy. I am now 100% on line or telephone though I have not eliminated person to person completely. There is always a window. Normally I do telephone because people don't have a computer or idea how to use one. Technology was not kept up with everyone, even the young. There is always a learning curve and someone always gets missed. I am sorry I am not enlightening you today. I do have to go now. Keep safe, wear your mask and stay 6' away from people not in your household. Reach out if you can to someone who is alone or elderly or sad. A phone call can go a long way. What do you think? www.redigondapsychotherapy.com silvaredigonda.ca (books for fun only)

www.silvaredigonda.ca

My new web site has just been completed and is now up and running. www.silvaredigonda.ca

Updates on Hallowe’en, seminars, elections! - Food for thought

Once again it has been a busy week. Even my vehicle is sick and so it is getting treatment as we speak. It is on its last wheels. I told you I would update you on my Hallowe’en experience. This is the first year that I never put out anything, not even a pumpkin though they were very cheap. I didn’t because I did not want to encourage children to go trick or treating at my home. Normally I will get 125 + and that is not counting their parents, dogs (I have treats for them too) etc…This year I put out the sign that I was invisible due to Covid and to help themselves to treats. I had about a total of 10 children in all. There was barely a dent in what I had out. I was impressed at how meticulous each child was as she/he carefully chose a treat. I was also impressed at how no one took the entire bowl. They were so polite and sweet. It was nice to see. Aside from seeing clients, I have also attended meetings, seminars and conferences (I need to send a reminder for a certificate). I have a drawer full of certificates just in case I am asked by my college for proof. I am going to have to think of a better way, rather than keep filling up drawers. Perhaps I shall keep them on a usb stick. Good idea. There has been quite a controversy this year about racism and I did hear lectures on what I wrote earlier about the Oriental community, and also black lives from three different men speakers. I have decided not to share all that. You know that racism is wrong. You know that prejudice is wrong. Who did impress me the most was one man at a meeting as a guest speaker and not an educator. He is a reporter and he spoke about unity. He talked about the Jane and Finch corridor and how the university, York, helps. I remember being told years ago about how gang sexual assaulters would persuade young girls that they shouldn’t bother reporting it to the police because they are even worse. He talked about how newspapers are full of black men in the crime section and not very much in the community pages. As a reporter he was able to influence and he spoke about a florist who gave him a dozen roses and asked that he give 11 away. This was for community spirit. What this reporter did as well is plant a dozen roses and when people walk by his house he will cut off a rose and give it to them to start a conversation. His talk during this meeting had me reflecting on what I can do for my community. My community is not underserved or is it? My community is changing. Someone started a community alert system and conversation and so residents were contacted and of course I am one. They recommend services and if someone doesn’t perform we all know about it. If someone steals or goes canvassing, we all hear about it. It is very proactive and it unites. What I liked about the reporter is that he too unites. With the US elections I wasn’t expecting such a close race. It tells me that this election is very polarized. I completed watching the 9/11 history series and contemplated how connected we all were. I had tears watching the towers go down at the time. I remember how we all stood united. I remember how Canada helped. With the elections in the States, I see the polarized division and only hope that we all unite once again. I love the States. I had actually wanted to work there, but now with my registration, I am no longer allowed to work there for more than a year without jeopardizing my license. Oh well. New York I shall visit once again and Disney World, you are my favourite happy place. The States is my neighbour regardless who is elected. This morning 24 hours news reported that wholesale foods won’t allow their employees to wear poppies. What can I say to that? Have a good weekend. I should be back to normal in my reports next week. If you have a question, don’t hesitate to ask. Today I am going to finalize my new website with shopify. I will give it a go. It is a Canadian Company and I am able to connect to the post office here which will be easier for delivery costs world wide. The web site for that should be www.silvaredigonda.ca I am now at www. silvaredigonda.com. I shall keep my American site for advertising my psychotherapy services. I am adding a calendar for psychotherapy as well, but I won’t be able to provide many appointments. I have no time to write my book. It is still a 20pages. Have a good weekend. Be safe. Keep your distance and wear your mask. This pandemic is very serious and very real. Bye for now.

Hallowe'en and bringing you up to date

The weekend is here once again. It has been a busy week. I had a full day education with one organization, a meeting with an association. Another meeting with a guest speaker today and of course I see my clients in the midst of all this. TGIF. I cannot believe Hallowe'en is here. Hey, I even managed to go out and buy a mini bottle of champagne to celebrate the American elections, but I will have to wait for next weekend to celebrate that with pizza, because I have an early, early morning Wednesday. Tomorrow is my first virtual Hallowe'en party celebration. I am not quite sure how it works, but I am game. It is with the Sisters of Crime. Men are members too and that is how I was introduced to the organization. My book is still suffering due to all the other work I am doing. However, it is all in my brain cells. Tomorrow night should prove interesting. I have been debating what to do with kid's who knock on my door. Aside from when I have been out of the country or working the night shift or going out trick or treating myself, I have never missed it. This year I did not decorate my house except for one table cloth runner which I bought in the States last year. The rest of my fun stuff is still in its storage waiting for next year. I debated about what to do. So, finally I decided that kids will still get their treats if they come around. I will put out a sign tomorrow (orange) and say that this year I am invisible and they are to help themselves. I shall put the chips and chocolate and they can take whatever they want. My neighbourhood is full of kids and they are so very cute. I just cannot stop myself, my bad. Please parents take the sanitizer with you, stay 6' apart and better still celebrate at home with popcorn, games, scary kid movies. However, I know that in my neighbourhood, they will still come out and I just cannot ignore that. I'll let you know how that goes next week. I have lots of information for you and I will make some time to get it out to you. Stay safe. Enjoy the holiday and make time for fun.

Acute discrimination and the Asian-white mental health gap during COVID -19 by Dr Wu (notes)

I attended this one hour session provided by Dr C. Wu, Associate Professor at York University’s Department of Sociology. He stated that before the pandemic there was a low level of harassment and threats in Canada and the U.S.A. This changed. He showed a slide of an Asian woman in Vancouver (I believe it was) being punched. There have been over 2500 anti-racism incidents in the States. In Canada - over 40% report more racism. What are the consequences? When people experience racism, it could lead to higher rates of mental incidents. In China Town (downtown Toronto) a middle aged woman at the Dragon Mall started swearing at a man, calling him “a fu——-g Chinese.” There has been 30 methods of data collected in the States. Longitudinal studies depict Asian Americans having a higher level of discrimination. There is a gap between white and Asian immigrants, over time - First wave in March there was a rise in discrimination and a huge increase in mental issues. Asian and white immigrants tend to be healthier (younger/healthier). During the 2nd wave there was a decline in gap. The findings were that Asian immigrants had an increase in mental health issues. In Canada there is a similar pattern. What can be done? Group - specific mental health interventions and support in response to COVID 19 pandemic. Health professionals play a key role in countering racism and its consequences. Ensure medicine as a field continues to care for all minority communities. We need to find a way to stop all this hatred. People are born here; belong here. The Chinese community is less likely to use mental health services. In Western society we are more open to it. When President Trump calls COVID 19, the Chinese Virus there is a spike in Asian mental issues each time. Research has shown that since the outbreak, there is prejudice against Asians. In data analysis only Asians show correlation to the pandemic. Historically the Chinese were discriminated against in the States and Canada. There are historical issues and now the pandemic has worsen it. This educational piece is on U-tube and Facebook. Any errors are my own. I have a virtual meeting and a one hour educational piece regarding couples in crises and brief therapy today. Monday I have an educational day with a Professor from the States regarding racism. Next Month I will be attending 8 hours at two hour intervals regarding Ignatian spirituality. I will be sharing with you as much as possible. If you ever have questions, I am more than happy to try to answer them. I am also working on a web site with Preet to list my books/ebooks on shopify. You will be able to order my books from all over the world. I am also starting a new online calender for new clients in my private clients. I am afraid I don’t have much room or openings but since I am paying for the service, I should be using it. Take care. Tomorrow is my day of rest. Talk soon.