KPCC Counseling News

March Workshops

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 17:07:00 +0000

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Motivational Interviewing Basics

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is the state-of-the-art, evidence based response to help people find the positive motivation to make significant changes in their lives.

What do you do when clients are unwilling or unable to make a better choice for themselves, even when it's right in front of them?
How can you help someone who is feeling hopeless about overcoming addiction?
What can you do when a client is high or using when talking to you and is acting in self-destructive ways?

For clients seeking addiction treatment, two of the most common obstacles for individuals are confidence and the importance of change. In this class we will learn how Motivational Interviewing can be used to answer questions, like the ones listed above, by eliciting effective conversations about behavior change and helping clients explore and resolve ambivalence. We encourage you to bring your most difficult cases and join in our discussion.

This 3-hour workshop is great for counselors, social workers, coaches, nurses, clergy, or anyone who is interested in helping support others to make difficult changes in their lives. No previous experience is necessary. CE credit available for SW, LPC, RN and Addictions Professionals.

Facilitator:
Sky Kershner, MSW, Member of MINT

Cost to attend: FREE

Danville Community Center
731 Hopkins Avenue
Danville, WV

Wednesday, March 13
9:00am - 12:00pm

Intro to the Enneagram

What's your enneagram type and what does that mean about you?
How can you better understand yourself and those around you?
How can the enneagram help you in your personal relationships and professional roles?

The word Enneagram derives from two Greek words "ennea" (nine) and "gram" (drawing or figure) and refers to the nine points on the Enneagram diagram. The Enneagram symbol describes nine distinct but interrelated personality types. The Enneagram shows nine ways of seeing and experiencing the world as well as the relationships between personality and psychological development. It explains underlying motivations, as well as strengths and weaknesses in navigating life and relating to others.

Understanding the Enneagram increases emotional and social intelligence, two of the most important predictors of success and happiness. It is a great aid in self-understanding and seeing our habits of thinking, feeling and behaving. As we become more aware through self-observation, we are better able to make empowering conscious choices.

This 3-hour workshop is great for counselors, social workers, coaches, nurses, clergy, or anyone who is in a helping profession or wants to learn more about the Enneagram. No previous experience is necessary. CE credit available for SW, LPC, RN and Addictions Professionals.

Facilitator:
Will Messer, LICSW

Cost to attend: $40

Christ Church United Methodist
1221 Quarrier Street
Charleston, WV

Thursday, March 21
9:00am - 12:00pm

KPCC Counseling offers regular weekly support groups and continuing education classes to the public. Click here to see a list of other upcoming events.

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In the door prize of life....

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 15 Feb 2019 18:05:00 +0000

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Are You Living in Your NOW?

Many of us spend our time living in the past or thinking about the future – and missing out on our present moment. In the drawing for the door prize of our lives, "you have to be present to win!"

James Doty, Stanford neurosurgeon and founder/director of Stanford's Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education, says: "Mind-wandering is the experience of having your thoughts not remain on a single topic for long." Prior research suggests people spend as much as 50% of their waking hours in mind-wandering, often without realizing it.

During this workshop, we will experience the power of living in the NOW. By practicing noticing, and other mindful techniques, we will deepen our awareness of ourselves and others as we move through each moment. NOW is the time in which to truly experience joy, grow, or change. Join us!

Objectives:

After completing this workshop, your will have had opportunity to:

Allow your breath and spirit to catch up with you;
Define mindfulness and its relationship to listening and speaking;
Notice thought-watching; thought-shifting; and mind-wandering;
Engage in practices and techniques, including Grounding, Body Scan, 3Ps;
Describe the importance of returning to the present moment.

Facilitators:
Rose Ann Hefner & Kathy Muscari - Licensed Professional Counselors

This 3-hour workshop is great for counselors, social workers, coaches, nurses, clergy, or anyone who is interested in being more mindful. No previous experience is necessary. CE credit available for SW, LPC, RN and Addictions Professionals.

Cost to attend: $40

Trinity Lutheran Church
1600 Kanawha Blvd East
Charleston, WV

Thursday, February 21
9:00am - 12:00pm

KPCC Counseling offers regular weekly support groups and continuing education classes to the public. Click here to see a list of other upcoming events.

DARN CAT

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 14:01:00 +0000

Maybe the title is a little misleading so it's probably a good idea to let you know that this is not a class where we come together and complain about our cats. Sure hairballs, shredded toilet paper and smelly litter boxes are no fun, but this workshop has nothing to do with cats. In fact, if there is a population that would NOT benefit from the application of Motivational Interviewing, it would probably be felines.

MI Workshop Series #1
Topic: Identifying the Stages of Change using DARN CAT

DARN CAT is an acronym used to help us identify the stages of change. In motivational interviewing, identifying where someone is in the change process is an important skill. Once we understand the person's level of motivation, we can be more intentional about the ways in which we are offering "help". For example, giving advice isn't really useful until the person gets to the "action" stage of change. So all that talking we're doing could likely be falling on deaf ears and even keeping the person "stuck" in their negative behavior (oh my!).

For those who don't know about Motivational Interviewing (MI), it is an evidence based way to help people find the positive motivation to make significant changes in their lives. It can apply to many behaviors such as substance dependence, health coaching, mental disorders, problem gambling, parenting and more.

Facilitator: Sky Kershner, LCSW, Member of MINT

This 3-hour workshop is great for counselors, social workers, coaches, nurses, clergy, or anyone who is interested in helping support others to make difficult changes in their lives. No previous experience is necessary. CE credit available for SW, LPC, RN and Addictions Professionals.

MI Series #1 WORKSHOP

Cost to Attend: $40

Christ Church United Methodist (Potter Room)
1221 Quarrier Street
Charleston, WV

Wednesday, February 6
9:00am - 12:00pm

Want to put your Motivational Interviewing skills into practice? Stay for the practice session! Join us after the workshop for a Motivational Interviewing practice group. Build your skills, practice roleplaying and get helpful feedback. An additional 1.5 CE hours will be given to practice group attendees.

MI Series #1 PRACTICE GROUP

Cost to Attend: $15

Christ Church United Methodist (Potter Room)
1221 Quarrier Street
Charleston, WV

Wednesday, February 6
1:15pm - 2:45pm

KPCC Counseling offers regular weekly support groups and continuing education classes to the public. Click here to see a list of other upcoming events.

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Are you living in your NOW?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 17:42:00 +0000

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Are You Living in Your NOW?

Many of us spend our time living in the past or thinking about the future – and missing out on our present moment. In the drawing for the door prize of our lives, "you have to be present to win!"

Objectives:

After completing this workshop, your will have had opportunity to:

Allow your breath and spirit to catch up with you;
Define mindfulness and its relationship to listening and speaking;
Notice thought-watching; thought-shifting; and mind-wandering;
Engage in practices and techniques, including Grounding, Body Scan, 3Ps;
Describe the importance of returning to the present moment.

Facilitators:
Rose Ann Hefner & Kathy Muscari - Licensed Professional Counselors

Cost to attend: $40

Trinity Lutheran Church
1600 Kanawha Blvd East
Charleston, WV

Thursday, February 21
9:00am - 12:00pm

MI Workshop Series #1
Topic: Identifying the Stages of Change using DARN CAT

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is the state-of-the-art, evidence based response to help people find the positive motivation to make significant changes in their lives. It can apply to many behaviors such as substance dependence, health coaching, mental disorders, problem gambling, parenting and more.

Facilitator: Sky Kershner, LCSW, Member of MINT

This 3-hour workshop is great for counselors, social workers, coaches, nurses, clergy, or anyone who is interested in helping support others to make difficult changes in their lives. No previous experience is necessary. CE credit available for SW, LPC, RN and Addictions Professionals.

MI Series #1 WORKSHOP

Cost to Attend: $40

Christ Church United Methodist (Potter Room)
1221 Quarrier Street
Charleston, WV

Wednesday, February 6
9:00am - 12:00pm

MI Series #1 PRACTICE GROUP

Cost to Attend: $15

Christ Church United Methodist (Potter Room)
1221 Quarrier Street
Charleston, WV

Wednesday, February 6
1:15pm - 2:45pm

KPCC Counseling offers regular weekly support groups and continuing education classes to the public. Click here to see a list of other upcoming events.

KPCC's January Workshops

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 07 Jan 2019 16:36:00 +0000

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Insight to Improving Your Relationship With Food

The New Year brings much resolve to "stop doing that" or to "try to add this" which begs the question: Do you control your eating or does your eating control you?

What if you could make your approach to weight management and eating a peaceful part of your life? In this workshop we will explore ways to eat with awareness and without judgement by learning how our own self-critic sabotages our safety around food choices and eating. We will also learn practical ways to identify the differences between physical and emotional hunger and healthy ways to fulfill those needs.

Facilitator: Eugenie Taylor, LICSW

This 3-hour workshop is great for counselors, social workers, coaches, nurses, clergy, or anyone who is looking to improve their relationship with food. No previous experience is necessary. CE credit available for SW, LPC, RN and Addictions Professionals.

Cost to attend: $40

Trinity Lutheran Church
1600 Kanawha Blvd East
Charleston, WV

Thursday, January 17
9:00am - 12:00pm

MI Workshop Series #1
Topic: Identifying the Stages of Change using DARN CAT

MI Series #1 WORKSHOP

Cost to Attend: $40

Christ Church United Methodist (Potter Room)
1221 Quarrier Street
Charleston, WV

Wednesday, January 16
9:00am - 12:00pm

MI Series #1 PRACTICE GROUP

Cost to Attend: $15

Christ Church United Methodist (Potter Room)
1221 Quarrier Street
Charleston, WV

Wednesday, January 16
1:15pm - 2:45pm

KPCC Counseling offers regular weekly support groups and continuing education classes to the public. Click here to see a list of other upcoming events.

New Year, New Self (Knowledge)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 21 Dec 2018 19:17:00 +0000

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Enneagram Type Study

KPCC Counseling is offering a 10-week Enneagram Type Study starting in January. Led by KPCC Therapist Will Messer, LICSW, this 10-week study will cover all the enneagram types.

This study is partially funded through a KPCC grant, so the cost to the participant is minimal (only $20 for all 10 weeks!) This fee will help cover the use of the space, as well as study materials.

Will is a student of the Narrative Tradition of the Enneagram. The Narrative Tradition is a teaching method that offers a unique and personally transformative experience of the Enneagram. It promotes an open exploration of each personality type through the interactive method of panel interviews, which bring the Enneagram to life through meaningful conversation and insights. Come prepared to learn about yourself and others!

Limited seats are available, so please be sure to register in advance.

The weekly meeting schedule is listed below:

Schedule

January 14th-Intro to Enneagram and to each other

Body Types

January 21st-Type 8 (Martin Luther King Jr was an 8 so we will honor him well this day)
January 28th-Type 9
February 4th-Off
February 11th-Type 1

Heart Types

February 18th-Type 2
February 25th-Type 3
March 4th-Type 4

Head Types

March 11th-Type 5
March 18th-Type 6
March 25-Type 7

This Enneagram Type Study is open to all persons, both professionals and non-professionals. Anyone interested in learning the Enneagram is welcome. No previous experience is necessary.

Unity of Kanawha Valley
804 Myrtle Road
Charleston, WV

Mondays (Starting January 14)
5:30pm - 6:30pm

Insight to Improving Your Relationship With Food

Cost to attend: $40

Trinity Lutheran Church
1600 Kanawha Blvd East
Charleston, WV

Thursday, January 17
9:00am - 12:00pm

KPCC Counseling offers regular weekly support groups and continuing education classes to the public. Click here to see a list of other upcoming events.

Copyright Â© 2018 Kanawha Pastoral Counseling Center, All rights reserved.
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First World Problems: Loss

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 07 Dec 2018 16:45:00 +0000

Going back to school as a working, single parent is hard. Actually, just being a single parent is a lot of work, but add in late night online classes and hours of reading and writing and you're left with very little downtime. I knew pursuing my master's degree would be time consuming but I had no idea how regimented my life would become. Nearly every minute of my day is scheduled and accounted for, which unfortunately means I've had less time to devote to writing my blog. Add in holiday blues, and I just haven't had it in me…until this week.

On most days, just after dinner each evening, my 4-year-old son and I sit together at the kitchen table doing our homework. He'll practice writing his letters and cutting out shapes while I read up on psychological assessments and write papers about the etiology and diagnosis of mental health disorders. After homework, we make time to watch a show, play games or build LEGOs before we start his bedtime routine.

Last Friday after dinner my son and I put on our pajamas and snuggled up on the couch under our favorite fuzzy throw blanket. The room was cozy with warm lighting from our Christmas tree and the candle I lit earlier filled the air with the scent of white birch. It should have been a peaceful and relaxing night, but I was distracted and sad. My grandfather had passed away just two days prior and I was fighting back tears as I reminisced about my childhood and tried to mentally prepare myself for the difficulty of attending his funeral which was to take place the following morning.

Distracted as I was, I sat on our couch with my son and attempted to watch YouTube videos of kids' science experiments on his iPad. He was astounded and wide-eyed seeing how needles could penetrate a balloon without popping it. He cheered excitedly as borax, Elmer's glue and iron filings turned into magnetic slime. But as much as I wanted to, I just couldn't share in his enthusiasm.

Sensing my solemn mood, my sweet boy suggested we have a dance party instead. He knows how much I love dance parties. They happen regularly at our house. We dance when we're happy, we dance to release stress and other times we dance when we need to "let go". Usually when we have dance parties, my son wants to be the DJ playing the Madagascar soundtrack, Bruno Mars or Megan Trainor. This time, however, he suggested that I choose our playlist.

Without hesitation, I turned on our Bluetooth speaker, opened Spotify on my phone and searched for a bluegrass song from 1979 by Ricky Skaggs called "Baby Girl". My grandpa played it often for me when I was little. I found the song, pressed play and waited for my son to snarl and tell me - as he often does - that the songs I like aren't cool. When the sound of a banjo filled the speaker, he listened carefully and watched silently as tears spilled from my eyes. I hadn't heard or thought about that song in years, but I sang it softly word-for-word while my son held my hand and wiped my wet cheeks with his sleeve.

I played the song a couple more times before my son spoke. He looked at me with his little hazel eyes and motioned for me to pick him up. He placed his skinny arms around my neck, touched his forehead to mine and said, "Mommy, it's okay to be sad. Everyone is sad sometimes. But when you're ready to stop being sad, I will help you think happy thoughts."

I tilted my head to the side and asked, "Where did you learn that?"

He replied sweetly, "You taught me that mommy. When I have to get on the bus and I don't want to leave you, you tell me to think happy thoughts until I get to see you again. It helps me when I am sad and I bet it will help you when you miss papaw, too."

I know at four years old my son doesn't fully understand the concept of death or the painful void it leaves behind, but his simple and thoughtful words brought me comfort nonetheless.

The holidays are a tough time of year for me. The older I get, the harder they seem to become. This year, however, as I think about the loved ones who have passed on, the friendships that have ended, and the traditions that have faded, I've decided I will do as my son suggested. I will think happy thoughts. I will cherish my memories. I will allow myself to live in the moment. I will make more time for dance parties. I will love harder. I will find joy in the here and now. And I will look forward to what is yet to come.

Erin Stroup has been the Development Director at KPCC Counseling since 2014. She's the author of the First World Problems blog and a Families Motivating Recovery support group leader.

Copyright Â© 2018 Kanawha Pastoral Counseling Center, All rights reserved.
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Our mailing address is:

Kanawha Pastoral Counseling Center

16 Leon Sullivan Way, Charleston, WV

Suite 300

Charleston, WV 25301

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Because of you...

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 04 Dec 2018 17:37:00 +0000

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Donate

Support Groups

Counseling

KPCC Counseling has Neighborhood Investment Program (NIP) tax credits. If you would like to reserve tax credits, please contact Erin Stroup at 304-389-9960 with your pledge amount or make an NIP-eligible gift of $500 or more today. Credits are offered on a first come, first served basis while supplies last.

2-DAY Motivational Interviewing Classes

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 12 Oct 2018 14:18:00 +0000

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MOTIVATIONAL INTERVIEWING

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is the state-of-the-art, evidence based response to help people find the positive motivation to make significant changes in their lives.

What do you do when clients are unwilling or unable to make a better choice for themselves, even when it's right in front of them?
How can you help someone who is feeling hopeless about overcoming addiction?
What can you do when a client is high or using when talking to you and is acting in self-destructive ways?

Locations: Beckley & Fairmont, WV
Times: 9:30a.m. - 4:30p.m., both days
Cost: $20 per person (includes lunch & book)

This training is open to all persons, both professionals and non-professionals. Including counselors, social workers, nurses, peer recovery coaches, chaplains, clergy, and even concerned family and community members. Anyone interested in the using Motivational Interviewing as a resource in healing is welcome. No previous experience is necessary. 12 CE credit hours available for LPC, SW, RN and NAADAC.

There are a limited number of seats per class. Lunch is provided. Registration is required to attend.

November 6-7 (Beckley)

November 27-28 (Fairmont)

Motivational Interviewing is an evidence-based practice which can be highly effective in helping people make healthy choices about their behaviors. This training is sponsored by the WV Council of Churches, with generous funding from the Benedum Foundation.

KPCC Counseling offers regular weekly support groups and continuing education classes to the public. Click here to see a list of other upcoming events.

Women & Trauma

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 01 Oct 2018 16:32:00 +0000

Women & Trauma: Be Kind to Yourself!

Did something bad happen to you?

Feeling shame, insecurity, blame, or fear?

Criticizing yourself for not "being good enough"?

Want to build resilience and improve relationships?

Trauma is the most avoided, ignored, denied, misunderstood, and untreated cause of human suffering wrote expert Peter Levine back in 2008. Today, the "Me Too" movement brings world-wide attention to issues of sexual harassment and assault.

Maybe you, or someone you know, has experienced fright, helplessness, loss or abuse. Perhaps childhood experiences, like exposure to death, violence, drugs, and/or rape – also had damaging effects.

Fortunately, the ability to enhance mind-body well-being is already within you! Heal wounds of trauma through self-acceptance and mindful self-compassion. Start by addressing daily difficulties with kindness toward yourself and others. Learn basic skills to bring together basic instinct and reason. Become your own best friend!

In this workshop, participants will have opportunity to:

1) Explore trauma, its symptoms, and effects;

2) Review psychological flexibility and acceptance;

3) Identify ways to be more self-confident, less self-critical;

4) Participate in hands-on mindful self-compassion exercises.

This 3-hour workshop is great for counselors, social workers, coaches, nurses, clergy, or anyone who is interested in learning about trauma in women. No previous experience is necessary. CE credit available for SW, LPC, RN and Addictions Professionals.

Facilitator:

Kathy Muscari, PhD, LPC

Mind-Body Medicine

Cost to attend: $40

Trinity Lutheran Church
Charleston, WV
Directions

October 18, 2018
9:00am-12:00pm

New Families Motivating Recovery Support Groups

Hinton, WV
Fairmont, WV
Charles Town, WV
Princeton, WV
Charleston, WV
Sissonville, WV

See Support Group Details Here

KPCC Counseling offers regular weekly support groups and continuing education classes to the public. Click here to see a list of other upcoming events.

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Kanawha Pastoral Counseling Center · 16 Leon Sullivan Way, Charleston, WV · Suite 300 · Charleston, WV 25301 · USA

🎃 Just in time for Halloween...

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 24 Sep 2018 14:23:00 +0000

For the past 24 years, KPCC Counseling has hosted an annual fundraiser known as the Jim Dent Dinner. Each year this event brings together more than 400 people for a common purpose - to laugh.

We've brought in comedians

We've brought in magicians

Now in our 25^th year, we bring you something new….

A new name: Friday Night Live

And a MENTALIST

Just in time for Halloween! We know spooky, right?!

Mentalist Craig Karges is an award-winning entertainer, a nationally recognized speaker, and an author. Karges has made over five thousand appearances in 22 countries on four continents and in all fifty states. He combines the art of magic with the science of psychology and the power of intuition to create the impression that nothing is impossible.

Fun fact about Craig – He's a native West Virginian and proud graduate of Marshall University. When Craig isn't out on the road blowing peoples' minds, he lives in Wheeling, WV with his wife Charlotte.

Proceeds from this event help provide fee subsidies for those in our community who cannot afford the cost of counseling services.

We invite you to join us for an extraordinary evening of fun, mystery, mind reading, and illusion.

**There is no dress code for this event... Wear a costume if you dare!**

Friday, October 26, 2018
Embassy Suites, Charleston WV

6:00 Cocktail Hour
7:00 Dinner
8:00 Performance Begins
9:00 Event Ends

Tickets: $85

Buy Tickets

NIP Credits

Sponsorships

Copyright © 2018 Kanawha Pastoral Counseling Center, All rights reserved.
You are subscribed to receive updates from KPCC.

Our mailing address is:

Kanawha Pastoral Counseling Center

16 Leon Sullivan Way, Charleston, WV

Suite 300

Charleston, WV 25301

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Boundaries, Frustration, and Self-Care

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 04 Sep 2018 15:27:00 +0000

Boundaries, Frustration, and Self-Care
How to Say No and Not Feel Guilty

Ever feel frustrated in a relationship? Wanting something to change, but not being able to get that change to happen? Do you ever bounce between being a doormat and banshee (or a bully) on wheels?

Boundaries are one of the hardest things to navigate in our relationships, especially when things are not going well. This workshop will explore how to be more effective and strategic with our frustration.

We will explore the Bowen Family Systems concepts of :

Understanding the place of frustration in relationships
De-selfing and re-selfing
Setting boundaries, change-back messages, and fall-back positions
Assertiveness, guilt, and crazy glue

Concepts and practice are applicable to all relationships: spouses and partners, children and adult children, siblings, parents, ex-partners, bosses, co-workers, dogs (though not cats) -- just about everyone, except some husbands during football season.

This 3-hour workshop is great for counselors, social workers, coaches, nurses, clergy, or anyone who is interested in learning to set boundaries. No previous experience is necessary. CE credit available for SW, LPC, RN and Addictions Professionals.

---

Led by Sky Kershner, LPC, LCSW, ALPS, Member of MINT

Cost to attend: $40

Trinity Lutheran Church
Charleston, WV
Directions

September 20, 2018
9:00am-12:00pm

FREE Understanding Your Loved One's Addiction - Boone County

Do you know someone who struggles with substance abuse?
Are you concerned about the way drug and alcohol use have torn our communities apart?
Do you wonder if there is more you could be doing to help?

Research shows that for every one person with a substance use disorder, four loved ones are negatively impacted. That means that throughout our beautiful state, many, many people are suffering.

Having a friend or loved one who abuses drugs and alcohol can feel like being on an emotional rollercoaster. How do we talk to our loved ones about their substance abuse? How can we better understand the challenges our loved ones are facing? Lecturing and arguing with our loved ones can feel hopeless and be frustrating for everyone involved.

This training is designed to help you be more effective when you talk to people about their drug and alcohol use.

This training is open to all persons, both professionals and non-professionals. Including counselors, social workers, nurses, peer recovery coaches, chaplains, clergy, and even concerned family and community members. Anyone interested in the using Motivational Interviewing as a resource in healing is welcome. No previous experience is necessary. Three CE credit hours available for LPC, SW, RN and NAADAC.

There is no cost for the training, however, there are a limited number of seats per class. Registration is required to attend.

Motivational Interviewing and CRAFT are evidence-based practices which can be highly effective in helping people make healthy choices about their behaviors. This training is funded by Broun Properties, LLC.

Amazing Grace Fellowship Church
Seth, WV

September 18, 2018
1:00pm-4:00pm

KPCC Counseling offers regular weekly support groups and continuing education classes to the public. Click here to see a list of other upcoming events.

Understanding Intimacy Disorders

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 01 Aug 2018 14:42:00 +0000

An Intimacy Disorder is an interpersonal style or behavior pattern that fails to support the progressive healthy deepening of intimate relationships or secure attachment bonds. Put more simply, having trouble getting or staying close to others.

Since it is biologically impossible to regulate our own affect for any extended period of time, individuals who have difficulty establishing emotionally regulating attachments are more inclined to seek substitutes for their deficiency in intimacy. Their need for connection, yet fear of connection leads to unhealthy relational patterns. The emotional pain caused by these patterns are unbearable. These vulnerable individuals attempt to soothe or distract from the gnawing emptiness of this emotional pain by seeking or avoiding connection the only way they know how. The treatment of Intimacy Disorders requires us to focus on the pain these individual seek to numb or escape.

In this workshop, we will seek to understand the four categories of Intimacy Disorders: Sexual Anorexia, Love Addiction, Love Avoidance, Sexual Addiction.

This 3-hour workshop is great for counselors, social workers, coaches, nurses, clergy, or anyone who is interested in intimacy disorders. CE credit available for SW, LPC, RN and Addictions Professionals.

---

Led by Angie Juniper, LPC, Certified Sex Addiction Therapist

Cost to attend: $40

Trinity Lutheran Church
Charleston, WV
Directions

August 16, 2018
9:00am-12:00pm

KPCC Counseling offers regular weekly support groups and continuing education classes to the public. Click here to see a list of other upcoming events.

First World Problems: Consequences

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 27 Jul 2018 14:54:00 +0000

We don't always think about them, do we? Many times, we just do what we want and assume nothing bad will happen. We all make mistakes. Consequences are supposed to occur. We learn from them.

Allowing consequences to happen is one of the ways I teach my son. If he talks back to me, he doesn't get to watch Garfield or ride bikes with me before bath time. It devastates him when I tell him no. It's as hard for me to say no as it is for him to hear it. It's challenging to let someone you love feel pain when your instinct is to protect them. I often ask myself, am I teaching him to change or enabling him to continue his bad behavior? I wondered this too, during my marriage, when I tried to help my ex-husband as he struggled with an opioid addiction.

A couple of weeks ago, I learned a lesson of my own. Around 9:00pm, I was driving home from the Clay Center. The sun was setting, I was tired, and I wanted to get home to my little boy. As I pulled onto my street, I noticed there were two cars stopped in front of me. My road was flooded. These cars were sedans, both smaller than my SUV. There were other vehicles behind me too. I couldn't turn around. I was stuck. We all were.

After about 10 minutes of waiting, the vehicles in front of me decided to chance it. I watched as one car after the other drove successfully through a 20 yard stretch of muddy standing water. Without a second thought, I followed suit. Only I didn't make it. Halfway into my pursuit, my SUV began to steam and grumble. The engine hissed and clanked and my vehicle came to a stall.

I managed to get my car out of the water, but it wouldn't go any further. It was dark and I was alone. A phone call later and my dad and brother came to my rescue. Upset that I caused such an inconvenience, I fought back tears. I felt so stupid. Why on earth did I drive through that water? I really didn't think anything bad would happen. Everyone else was doing it. But that was no excuse. This wasn't like me. I knew better. I was frustrated with myself.

The following morning we took my car, whom I call Daisy, to the auto repair shop. Turns out Daisy would need to stay there for a while.

Recently I had a meeting at Recovery Point in Charleston. Recovery Point in Charleston is a 100-bed program providing women with long-term residential treatment from drugs and alcohol. When I arrived to my meeting, I was flustered and in a hurry. I'd forgotten to eat lunch and was still upset about my vehicle being in the shop. The car I was driving didn't have Bluetooth and I couldn't listen to my podcasts. Yup, I showed up to an addiction recovery center FEELING SORRY FOR MYSELF. What? Thank you life, yet again, for another shift in perspective.

As I stepped into the facility I was greeted with warmth and happy faces. Every resident and staff member of Recovery Point has been through, or is working through, the recovery process. Some of the women are in long-term recovery, some are peer mentors who recently graduated, and some are just starting the detox phase of the program. The length of stay in this facility is 9-12 months.

These women have been through so much. Many of them have lost their jobs, homes, families, children and independence…and somehow, they were smiling at me. I felt selfish. I had a lot of compassion for these women. They were facing some difficult consequences. My heart broke for their families, too.

I realized, about 10 minutes into the tour, that this visit was the first time I'd stepped foot into a recovery facility since Thanksgiving Day 2014, when I took my infant son to see his father at an out of state treatment center in North Carolina. The family visitation room at Recovery Point was lovely and peaceful with pink and yellow paint on the walls, a comfy sofa and many toys. I remembered what it was like when my son visited with his dad. There was no special room for us. It was a challenge to find privacy and the whole visitation process was uncomfortable and emotional for everyone involved. I was grateful that these women (and their families) had such a nice room for their visits.

I cried as I looked at the bunk beds and the women's personal belongings…nail polish, brightly colored blankets, pictures of their loved ones. I watched the women as they cleaned the industrial sized kitchen and prepped for upcoming meals. Cooking for over 100 people is no easy task. I stood in the doorway of the laundry room and played with one of their three house kittens as the women folded clothes and placed them into personalized laundry bags. I heard them giving support, love and encouragement to one another. It was inspiring to see.

I've been working on a master's degree in clinical and mental health counseling. One of my recent assignments was to write a paper on what makes me a resilient person. This was a difficult paper to write. "Resilient" is not a word I used to describe myself.

The American Psychological Association describes resilience as "the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or significant sources of stress — such as family and relationship problems, serious health problems or workplace and financial stressors. It means "bouncing back" from difficult experiences."

I thought about the women at Recovery Point. How many times had they lectured themselves the same way I did when I drove through that flood water?

I didn't think anything bad would happen. It seemed like a good idea at the time. Everyone else was doing it. This isn't like me. I know better.

I learned, as I wrote my paper, that my ability to bounce back from my bad decisions has a lot to do with my level of self-compassion. The more critical I am of myself, the less resilient I tend to be.

The women at Recovery Point – those women are resilient. They inspired this blog post. Think of all the "bouncing back" they've had to do. Witnessing their resiliency reminded me that I am resilient too…because I am learning to treat myself with kindness and compassion and I'm beginning to accept that my mistakes do not have to define me.

Erin Stroup has been the Development Director at KPCC Counseling since 2014. She's the author of the First World Problems blog and a Families Motivating Recovery support group leader.

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16 Leon Sullivan Way, Charleston, WV

Suite 300

Charleston, WV 25301

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Mindfulness for Pain Management

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 09 Jul 2018 14:55:00 +0000

Does constant pain affect your life?

Afraid to move? Hoping for relief?

Try using your brain!

Mindfulness-Based Strategies for Managing Chronic Pain

Are you aware that mindfulness, stress-reduction, and change-thinking are all catalysts for reducing your experience of pain? It's true!

Pain is both physical and emotional. Lots of people living with pain avoid activities and then get out of shape. Some rely on pain medication, which loses its effect over time. Along with hurting bodies, many develop signs of depression, anxiety, and too often: opioid addiction.

The Center for Disease Control (2016) says behavioral treatment (mindfulness and cognitive behavioral therapy) is the most effective option for chronic pain and should be tried before prescribing opioids.

In this mind-body workshop, participants learn step-by-step safe and effective mindfulness / cognitive techniques for managing chronic pain.

Objectives:

Workshop participants will have the opportunity to:

Describe pain and its emotional features;
Practice cognitive-behavioral approaches for easing the experience of pain;
Utilize mindfulness-based methods for effectively managing chronic pain.

Workshop Facilitator:

Kathy Muscari, PhD, LPC, has over twenty years of experience working with individuals, couples, and groups. A Gestalt therapist, board certified health and wellness coach, she focuses on present moment awareness and action steps to help create positive change. Trained in mind-body medicine, Muscari enjoys using mindfulness-based stress reduction for herself as well as others.

This 3-hour workshop is great for counselors, social workers, coaches, nurses, clergy, or anyone who is interested in earning about mindfulness for pain management. No previous experience is necessary. CE credit available for SW, LPC, RN and Addictions Professionals.

Cost to attend: $40

Trinity Lutheran Church
Charleston, WV
Directions

July 19, 2018
9:00am-12:00pm

KPCC Counseling offers regular weekly support groups and continuing education classes to the public. Click here to see a list of other upcoming events.

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Increasing Emotional Intelligence

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 05 Jun 2018 20:46:00 +0000

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Understanding Emotional Intelligence

Led by Ric Hardison, LPC

Why is emotional intelligence so important and how do you increase yours?

The intelligence traditionally known as IQ contributes to an initial level of personal and professional success and fulfillment. But the greater determinate of those outcomes is emotional intelligence - EQ/EI.

Research, since it was first presented in the 80's, shows that emotional intelligence can be increased. It is not therapy but a set of skills for living life more relationally. Exercises at this workshop will take your steps further along in the development of your EQ/EI. You will also learn tools you can use to help others grow in theirs.

This 3-hour workshop is great for counselors, social workers, coaches, nurses, clergy, or anyone who is interested in learning to increase emotional intelligence. No previous experience is necessary. CE credit available for SW, LPC, RN and Addictions Professionals.

Cost to attend: $40

Trinity Lutheran Church
Charleston, WV
Directions

June 21, 2018
9:00am-12:00pm

KPCC Counseling offers regular weekly support groups and continuing education classes to the public. Click here to see a list of other upcoming events.

How To Help Motivate Recovery

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 30 May 2018 18:15:00 +0000

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HOW TO HELP MOTIVATE RECOVERY

Do you know someone who struggles with substance abuse?
Are you concerned about the way drug and alcohol use have torn our communities apart?
Do you wonder if there is more you could be doing to help?

There is!

Research shows that for every one person with a substance use disorder, four loved ones are negatively impacted. That means that throughout our beautiful state, many, many people are suffering.

Having a friend or loved one who abuses drugs and alcohol can feel like being on an emotional rollercoaster. How do we talk to our loved ones about their substance abuse? How can we better understand the challenges our loved ones are facing? Lecturing and arguing with our loved ones can feel hopeless and be frustrating for everyone involved.

This training is designed to help you be more effective when you talk to people about their drug and alcohol use.

KPCC Counseling is pleased to offer six FREE regional MOTIVATING RECOVERY workshops throughout the state of WV. Participants will learn how to engage persons who are abusing alcohol or drugs in various stages of their addiction and recovery: from denial and ambivalence, to preparation for change and taking a positive action.

TESTIMONIAL

"This workshop taught me what the research in evidence-based practices shows...actually being helpful is very different from what I thought it was." - Rev Barbara Chalfant

If you are interested in learning skills to help motivate recovery or in finding ways to use these skills effectively in your community, this class is for you.

This training is open to all persons, both professionals and non-professionals. Including counselors, social workers, nurses, peer recovery coaches, chaplains, clergy, and even concerned family and community members. Anyone interested in the using Motivational Interviewing as a resource for healing is welcome. No previous experience is necessary. Six CE credit hours available for LPC, SW, RN and NAADAC.

There is no cost for the training, however, there are a limited number of seats per class. Lunch is provided. Registration is required to attend.

June 20 - Lewisburg

July 25 - Morgantown

August 22 - Wheeling

September 12 - Martinsburg

September 26 - Parkersburg

October 10 - Huntington

KPCC Counseling offers regular weekly support groups and continuing education classes to the public. Click here to see a list of other upcoming events.

The Ennea-what?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 08 May 2018 21:16:00 +0000

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Intro to the Enneagram

Led by Will Messer, LICSW

What's your Enneagram type and what does that mean about you?
How can you better understand yourself and those around you?
How can the Enneagram help you in your personal relationships and professional roles?

1 - Reformer

2 - Helper

3 - Achiever

4 - Individualist

5 - Investigator

6 - Loyalist

7 - Enthusiast

8 - Challenger

9 - Peacemaker

This 3-hour workshop is great for counselors, social workers, coaches, nurses, clergy, or anyone who would like to learn more about the Enneagram and how it can increase self-knowledge and growth. No previous experience is necessary. CE credit available for SW, LPC, RN and Addictions Professionals.

Cost to attend: $40

Trinity Lutheran Church
Charleston, WV
Directions

May 17, 2018
9:00am-12:00pm

MI Series: Motivational Interviewing Basics

Led by Sky Kershner, LCSW, Member of MINT

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is the state-of-the-art, evidence-based response to help people find the positive motivation to make significant changes in their lives.

What do you do when clients are unwilling or unable to make a better choice for themselves, even when it's right in front of them?
How can you help someone who is feeling hopeless about overcoming addiction?
What can you do when a client is high or using when talking to you and is acting in self-destructive ways?

For clients seeking addiction treatment, two of the most common obstacles for individuals are confidence and the importance of change. In this class, we will learn how Motivational Interviewing can be used to answer questions, like the ones listed above, by eliciting effective conversations about behavior change and helping clients explore and resolve ambivalence.

This 3-hour workshop is great for counselors, social workers, coaches, nurses, clergy, or anyone who is interested in helping support others to make difficult changes in their lives. No previous experience is necessary. CE credit available for RN, LPC, SW and Addictions Professionals.

Cost to attend: $40

Trinity Lutheran Church
Charleston, WV
Directions

May 23, 2018
9:00am-12:00pm

KPCC Counseling offers regular weekly support groups and continuing education classes to the public. Click here to see a list of other upcoming events.

First World Problems: Personalities

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 02 May 2018 18:23:00 +0000

It's 11:00pm on a Sunday and you can't relax. You crawl into bed, pull the covers up to your chest and start replaying all the conversations and text message exchanges you've had in the last week, or ahem, year. You become fidgety as you think of something you wish you'd said differently, or maybe you wish you hadn't said anything at all. You're frustrated and angry at yourself and you reach for your phone to consult Google for advice and commiseration. You start with questions such as:

"Why do I always second guess myself?"

"Why does conflict give me anxiety?"

"Why is it so hard for me to say NO to people?"

Before Google can confirm that you're a social outcast whose life would be better served as a recluse on some remote commune, you've stumbled onto Buzzfeed and begun taking personality quizzes. An hour into your research you've learned that your energy aura is orange, your canine spirit animal is a Saint Bernard and if you were a character on the cast of Friends, you'd be Rachel. Super helpful. Thanks, Google.

But, of course, this scenario is purely hypothetical.

Ok, not really. I did this. But after I fell into the rabbit hole of Buzzfeed quizzes, I started to wonder why those silly quizzes exist in the first place, or better yet, why are they so popular? Why do we spend so much time trying to learn about ourselves? Are we looking for affirmation and validation about who we are? Do we need to understand what makes us unique and different? Or are we really looking for ways in which we are alike?

Maybe we're trying to figure out how we fit in and belong.

Between career assessments, teambuilding workshops and my interest in self-development, I've taken just about every major personality test there is…The DiSC, The Big Five, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), Buzzfeed's Which Avenger Will You Marry?...With MBTI being the most popular, I bet at least half of the people reading this could tell me their MBTI type.

For example, I'm an INFJ. I've always enjoyed reading about INFJs because it helps to me feel understood and accepted, and it even gives me a sense of comfort knowing that other INFJs may experience the world the same way I do. I know it's not exactly scientific and that people are dynamic and complex and change over time, but the MBTI offers a fairly accurate description of my strengths and weaknesses.

What the MBTI and Buzzfeed quizzes do not do is help me answer questions like the ones I posed above. Sure, they're fun and useful for many reasons (like prolonging insomnia) but I'm still left with my original inquiries:

"Why do I always second guess myself?"

"Why does conflict give me anxiety?"

"Why is it so hard for me to say NO to people?"

A few months ago I was sitting at the KPCC office chatting with one of our therapists, Will Messer. Will and I have been friends for years so when he asked me how things were going, I opened up about some personal problems I was facing and complained about my anxiety and inability to say NO when I needed to. I wanted to know why I had these tendencies and what I could do to take better care of myself. During that conversation, Will asked me if I'd heard of the Enneagram. He said it might be a useful tool in helping me understand some of my perceived flaws.

The Ennea- what?

Later that evening, I read everything I could find online about the Enneagram.

"The word Enneagram derives from two Greek words "ennea" (nine) and "gram" (drawing or figure) and refers to the nine points on the Enneagram diagram. The Enneagram symbol describes nine distinct but interrelated personality types. It shows nine ways of seeing and experiencing the world as well as the relationships between personality and psychological development. It explains underlying motivations, as well as strengths and weaknesses in navigating life and relating to others.

Understanding the Enneagram increases emotional and social intelligence, two of the most important predictors of success and happiness. It is a great aid in self-understanding and seeing our habits of thinking, feeling and behaving. As we become more aware through self-observation, we are better able to make empowering conscious choices."

Two paragraphs in and I was hooked.

I read that some people can determine their number within minutes. For others, it's a much longer process and that was true for me. It took me a couple of months to figure out my type. I had to dig down deep.

Since November, I've learned about the history of the Enneagram, taken several online tests and studied the nine types in detail. I've subscribed to the Typology podcast so that I could listen to other people's experience with the Enneagram and I've read several books on the topic. My KPCC colleagues and I even participated in a weekly Enneagram staff meeting study which turned out to be a wonderful team building tool.

Today I can confidently say that I am an Enneagram Type 9 with a 1 wing and a social variant. Maybe that sounds a little too cryptic. In short, I'm a peacekeeper. Think doves, peace signs and pizza (I tend to make people feel comfortable). I prefer calm and relaxation and I don't like telling people NO because it may disappoint them and therefore disrupt the peace – mine and/or theirs. Miss Congeniality, if you will. I make a great mediator because I'm really good at seeing others' points of view. What that also means is that I sometimes fall asleep to my own needs because I am so attuned to everyone else's. It's quite exhausting really.

What I like about being a Nine:

Being able to relax and have fun
Being nonjudgmental and accepting
My ability to help people and let them be comfortable in my presence
My heightened sense of awareness of what's going on around me
My ability to see things from many different perspectives and offer that insight to others
Being able to enjoy my own company and feeling self-reliant

What's hard about being a Nine:

Caring so much about someone's feelings that saying NO is paralyzing
Being judged or misunderstood for being placid or indecisive
Not feeling like I matter and worrying what others think of me
Not realizing when someone is taking advantage of me
Being critical and second guessing myself
My tendency to procrastinate when I feel overwhelmed

It's true. Sometimes I procrastinate (don't tell my boss), especially when it comes to personal endeavors. It may take me a very long time to do something that is challenging for me…such as ending a relationship, switching jobs, or going back to school. I get stuck because I don't want to make the wrong decision so I just do laundry, organize my pantry or go for a run instead. But once I get started, I can be unstoppable. Hey there inertia.

Can anyone relate to this? If so, you may be a Nine. Call me and we'll go sit in a field and meditate together. Actually, you won't call because Nines don't want to bother or inconvenience others so we just wait until someone calls us. :)

I won't explain all the numbers here as I can best speak to my own, but I will say this:

There is no good or bad type. I think what I like most about the Enneagram is that it shows you some really beautiful ways in which each type can contribute to the world, but it also reveals the dark underbellies of our personalities with brutal honesty. It can smack us right it the face. The Enneagram gives language and brings awareness to some of our deep-rooted motivations and behaviors. It floats some of these shadowy, hidden things to the surface and once you're armed with that kind of knowledge, it's much easier to identify patterns and make adjustments for what you could be doing better.

If you were to ask me the difference between MBTI and the Enneagram, I would say that MBTI tells us WHAT we do and the Enneagram gives us more insight into WHY we do it. Both are useful, but as a far as being a tool for self-knowledge and growth, I'm team Enneagram.

The process of determining my type has helped with my self-awareness and given me a whole new lens through which to see myself and those around me. It's equipped me with another resource to achieve emotional freedom and taught me ways I can move toward health and integration. I really can't say enough good things about it.

Now I will step off my soapbox.

I realize personality typing isn't for everyone, but if you're interested in learning more about the Enneagram, I've listed a few resources at the end of this post.

Before I go, I'll leave you with this:

"To know oneself is, above all, to know what one lacks. It is to measure oneself against Truth, and not the other way around. The first product of self-knowledge is humility." – Flannery O'Connor

Enjoy the journey.

Erin Stroup has been the Development Director at KPCC Counseling since 2014. She's the author of the First World Problems blog and a Beyond Addiction Support Group leader.

The Road Back to You
FREE Book Study
with Will Messer, LICSW

Mondays
5:30pm-6:30pm
Unity Church
Charleston, WV

The Enneagram Book Study

A Workshop:
Intro the Enneagram
with Will Messer, LICSW

May 17, 2018
9:00am-12:00pm
Trinity Lutheran Church
Charleston, WV

Typology Podcast

This podcast explores the mystery of the human personality and how we can use the Enneagram typing system as a tool to become our most authentic selves.

Typology Podcast

Kanawha Pastoral Counseling Center

16 Leon Sullivan Way, Charleston, WV

Suite 300

Charleston, WV 25301

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Spring Cleaning: What to Keep and What to Let Go

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 03 Apr 2018 16:37:00 +0000

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Hoarding: The Stuff of Our Lives & Using MI to Help

Led by Sky Kershner, LCSW

Why are some people are prone to keeping everything and how do we treat the problem?

Hoarding disorder is a persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions because of a perceived need to save them. A person with hoarding disorder experiences distress at the thought of getting rid of their possessions. Excessive accumulation of items, regardless of actual value, occurs.

Join Sky Kershner - guest therapist, TLC's "Hoarding: Buried Alive" - as he shares with us how to avoid becoming too attached to our stuff. Kershner will go over the psychological reasons some of our homes are overflowing with too many "treasures". He will also discuss how Motivational Interviewing can help us resolve our ambivalence about letting go.

This 3-hour workshop is great for counselors, social workers, coaches, nurses, clergy, or anyone who is interested in helping support others to make difficult changes in their lives. No previous experience is necessary. CE credit available for SW, LPC, RN and Addictions Professionals.

Cost to attend: $40

Trinity Lutheran Church
Charleston, WV
Directions

April 19, 2018
9:00am-12:00pm

MI Series: How to Lead a Family Support/CRAFT Group

Led by Sky Kershner, LCSW, Member of MINT

Beyond Addiction Family Support Groups are founded on the evidenced-based practice models of Motivational Interviewing and CRAFT. In these groups, members learn how to take control of their lives, and as part of this process, to change their interactions with their loved one in ways that promote positive behavioral change.

This class will teach the skills needed to facilitate a Beyond Addiction Family Support group.

KPCC Counseling currently hosts and/or supports 20 groups throughout the state. See www.kpcc.com/craft for more information.

This workshop is great for those who work in the behavioral health fields, faith leaders, recovery coaches and anyone who has a loved one struggling with substance abuse. No previous experience is necessary.

Three hours of CE credit is available for Social Workers, Addictions Counselors, Recovery Coaches, LPCs and RNs.

Cost to attend: $40

Trinity Lutheran Church
Charleston, WV
Directions

April 25, 2018
9:00am-12:00pm

KPCC Counseling offers regular weekly support groups and continuing education classes to the public. Click here to see a list of other upcoming events.

How Can Families Help Motivate Recovery?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 12 Mar 2018 16:38:00 +0000

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Do you have a loved one who struggles with substance abuse?

Are you interested in learning how to help motivate recovery?

Join us for a FREE seminar with Jeff Foote, PhD, co-author of the book Beyond Addiction: How Science and Kindness Help People Change. If you have heard about KPCC's support groups for families, then you have probably heard the phrase "Beyond Addiction". This book is our primary support group resource and we recommend it to anyone who attends our groups or asks for new reading material regarding substance abuse.

Learn more about the book here:
https://motivationandchange.com/beyond-addiction

(PS - The book is also available for digital download at the Kanawha County Public Library!)

Our friend Jeff Foote, PhD, is Co-Founder of the Center for Motivation and Change (CMC) in Manhattan, an outpatient substance abuse treatment center, as well as CMC:Berkshires, an inpatient substance abuse treatment center in western Massachusetts. Dr. Foote is a nationally recognized clinical research scientist who has received federal grant funding for his work on motivational treatment approaches and substance abuse treatment research, focused on the implementation of evidence-based treatments.

Dr. Foote was also Psychologist for the NY Mets for 11 years, and continues in sports psychology as an independent performance consultant to professional athletes. Before co-founding CMC in 2003, Dr. Foote was the Deputy Director of the Division of Alcohol Treatment and Research at Mt. Sinai Medical Center in NYC, as well as Senior Research Associate at The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA) in NYC. Dr. Foote also served as Chief of the Smithers Addiction Treatment and Research Center as well as Director of Evaluation and Research between 1994 and 2001.

Dr. Foote is also co-author of two workbooks combining strategies from CRAFT and Motivational Interviewing: The Parent's 20 Minute Guide and The Partner's 20 Minute Guide, which offer specific tools and practice in evidence-based strategies for helping a loved one change.

This event is FREE and open to everyone. Please RSVP to attend.

Christ Church United Methodist
(Fellowship Hall)
1221 Quarrier Street
Charleston, WV 25301

Saturday, April 21, 2018
1:30pm-3:30pm

RSVP to Attend

KPCC Counseling offers regular weekly support groups and continuing education classes to the public. Click here to see a list of other upcoming events.

First World Problems: Running

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 15:03:00 +0000

Recently, my son and I made a trip to North Carolina so he could spend some time with his dad. We were both excited about the warmer weather and change of scenery. We started our drive on Friday afternoon and arrived at our hotel 5 long hours later. How we made it from Charleston to Charlotte without stopping for food or bathroom breaks took a considerable amount of determination on both our parts, especially while we took turns complaining about the traffic 30 miles north of the city.

"Why don't the big trucks push the little ones out of the way?" he'd say.

"Why does everyone slow down to look at Lake Norman? It's just water!" I'd respond.

"Come on people…" we'd sigh in unison.

We were antsy as we checked into our room. We both had a full weekend of activities planned. My son and his dad were going to gallivant around Charlotte, race remote-controlled cars, eat Mexican food, and play at the trampoline park (hopefully not in that order). I intended to catch up with my girlfriends, try new restaurants and sit on as many sunny patios as possible. I also wanted to run some (ok, maybe just one) of my favorite greenways. The greenway trails in Charlotte are pretty enough to make you WANT to exercise, which is something I would need after all the eating I was anticipating.

On Saturday morning, after I waved goodbye to my smiling son through the back window of his dad's car, I had to take a moment to collect myself. It's always a little strange being alone right after my son leaves. I stood in the parking lot and looked around. There I was, only a few miles from the high-rise condo building I once called home. The trees lining the streets were already abloom with pink flowers. The air smelled of sun-warmed blacktop. I could hear the sounds of city traffic, idling cars and sirens in distance. It was all so familiar in a hazy, dreamlike way.

I decided to return to my room and change into my running clothes. When I opened my suitcase, I noticed that I forgot to pack running shorts. I grabbed my keys, walked down three flights of stairs, got into my car and drove four blocks east to the South Park Mall. I parked where I always do, at the second-floor entrance of Belk and walked past the SALE signs in the shoe department, trying my best to stay on task.

Moments later I arrived at my intended destination - Athleta. When I walked into the store, a sales associate immediately approached me. Instead of the usual "can I help you find something?" this associate asked instead, "do you run?"

I paused before responding. "Do I run?" I asked myself.

Do I run from my emotions and pretend I don't care when I sometimes do?
Yup.

Do I run from conflict or confrontation whenever possible?
Sure do.

Do I run from new opportunities because I'm scared I won't be good enough?
Absolutely.

Of course, I realize this woman is not asking about my self-esteem or emotional stability, but her question caught me off guard. I stared at her blankly. She tried again, "Are you a runner?"

A runner? I certainly don't see myself as one. I've never participated in any race longer than a 5k. I have no proudly placed 26.2 stickers on the rear window of my car. The only marathons in which I've ever partaken require the use of my Netflix or Amazon Prime logins. I have no finisher medals hanging on my wall. I've never consumed an energy gel mid-stride or needed to wear a hydration belt. I don't even own a GPS watch. It's not like I run the risk of getting lost when I'm only able to make it a few miles before I collapse.

"Um, not really", I reply. "But I would like to get some running shorts. If you could point me in that direction (and stop asking all these thought-provoking questions) that would be great." I say cheerfully.

One hour later, I'm wearing my new shorts and pulling into the parking lot of the McMullen Creek Greenway. I appreciate running because it gives me a chance to be alone with my thoughts. I like that I am surrounded by nature and sometimes people and dogs or cyclists, but I can still listen to what I want and think about what I want and no one knows the difference.

I know where my body will take me but where will my mind go? Will I daydream, listen to an educational podcast, jam to 90s grunge music or mentally write my next blog post, who knows?

I put in my pink earbuds and hit play on my phone.

About two miles into my run I think about how much different this experience is compared to the runs in my neighborhood back home. The greenway is flat and lined with trees. It's part pavement, part boardwalk, and part dirt, but it's smooth. There are mile markers every quarter mile and people everywhere. This particular trail is adjacent to public parks, streams, and affluent subdivisions.

At home in my neighborhood, I run on hills and dodge potholes. I almost never pass another runner or walker and my neighbors' dogs usually bark at me on the first lap. Sometimes kids shoot me with water guns or hit me with snowballs, depending on the time of year. There are no mile markers. I have to count my laps or use my phone to track my runs.

My parents and I live in the same neighborhood and they watch my son for me. If I'm running and he's outside, he will often sit at the end of their driveway with the dogs and count the laps as I go by. He yells "Go mommy!" and holds up little fingers, one for each lap I complete. He also gives me high fives every time I pass and offers me drinks from his bottle of water. He knows that he's allowed to run the 8^th and 9^th laps with me, so he waits impatiently and shouts at me to go faster.

When I approach my 8^th lap, I can see him up ahead, crouched down like an Olympic sprinter. As I go by, he bolts out to me, reaching for my hand. He insists that we run side-by-side and holding my hand is the only way to ensure that I don't creep out ahead of him.

He gets discouraged when I run in front of him, saying that he can't keep up. He doesn't like it when I'm behind him because he claims that I am pushing him to run faster than he wants. His preferred tempo is slow and steady, right next to me, gripping my fingers.

As I finish my 3^rd mile on the McMullen Creek Greenway, I realize how much easier my runs are back home. I think about how encouraging it is to see someone I love cheering for me as I get tired and lose momentum. I think about how my son likes to run with me so we can finish together. And how I encourage him, by coming alongside him – not pulling him from ahead or pushing him from behind.

I think of life the same way. It's much easier to achieve our goals when someone is there encouraging us, and standing by our side, not pushing or pulling, but meeting us where we are.

If life is a race, then I have been blessed with some pretty amazing running buddies. Without them there's a good chance I'd still be stuck, standing at the start line, believing I couldn't do it.

I revisit the question. "Am I a runner?"

The answer is YES. I am literally a runner. It's my primary source of exercise.

Figuratively speaking, I'm a runner too.

I think about how much I've changed and grown over the past three years. Yes, I'm still running. But thanks to my job at KPCC, and the self-development work I've done with the help of my own counselor, I am learning how to stop running away from what scares me, and start running toward the things that make me happy.

Erin Stroup has been the Development Director at KPCC Counseling since 2014. She's the author of the First World Problems blog and a Beyond Addiction Support Group leader.

How Sturdy is Your Fence?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 26 Feb 2018 16:33:00 +0000

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Boundaries:
Setting Limits for Yourself and Others to Take Control of Your Life

Led by Deana Samms, LPC

The old saying is that "good fences make good neighbors." In the same way, good boundaries make good relationships. Healthy boundaries help us establish what we allow in and keep out of our lives and relationships. If we do not set boundaries for ourselves, others will do it for us. This workshop will help you define appropriate personal and professional boundaries and help you set limits for yourself and others.

This course will help participants:

Learn what are healthy boundaries and why we need them
Identify problems that occur because of lack of boundaries
Learn about the 10 Laws of Boundaries

Who should attend?

Anyone with a desire to learn and apply healthy personal and professional boundaries to enjoy a better life. This is especially important for helping professionals. Participants will learn what it means to create and enforce healthy boundaries in order to develop more satisfying relationships with friends, family members, coworkers, supervisors, teachers, neighbors, and others.

No previous experience is necessary. Three hours CE credit available for SW, LPC, RN and Addictions Professionals.

Trinity Lutheran Church
Charleston, WV
Directions

March 15, 2018
9:00am-12:00pm

MI Series: Motivational Interviewing

Led by Sky Kershner, LCSW, Member of MINT

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is the state-of-the-art, evidence based response to help people find the positive motivation to make significant changes in their lives.

What do you do when clients are unwilling or unable to make a better choice for themselves, even when it's right in front of them?
How can you help someone who is feeling hopeless about overcoming addiction?
What can you do when a client is high or using when talking to you and is acting in self-destructive ways?

For clients seeking addiction treatment, two of the most common obstacles for individuals are confidence and the importance of change. In this class we will learn how Motivational Interviewing can be used to answer questions, like the ones listed above, by eliciting effective conversations about behavior change and helping clients explore and resolve ambivalence. We encourage you to bring your most difficult cases and join in our discussion.

Theses 3-hour workshops are great for counselors, social workers, coaches, nurses, clergy, or anyone who is interested in helping support others to make difficult changes in their lives. No previous experience is necessary. CE credit available for SW, LPC, RN and Addictions Professionals.

MI Series: Basics

This class is great for anyone who would like to better understand and incorporate Motivational Interviewing into their practice or volunteer role.

Trinity Lutheran Church
Charleston, WV
Directions

February 28, 2018
9:00am-12:00pm

MI Series: Intermediate Level

This class is for anyone who wishes to enhance and elevate their current use of Motivational Interviewing skills.

Trinity Lutheran Church
Charleston, WV
Directions

March 28, 2018
9:00am-12:00pm

KPCC Counseling offers regular weekly support groups and continuing education classes to the public. Click here to see a list of other upcoming events.

Lessons From the Charleston Love Lab ❤

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 13 Feb 2018 16:06:00 +0000

Love Banks, Hormones, and How to Help Couples Stay in Love

Gottman trained couples therapist Andy Counts and West Virginia AAMFT President Sky Kershner reflect on lessons they've learned about love, life and working with couples.

They will discuss questions such as: What is the science behind love? What role do hormones play in attraction? How do we build trust? What are the phases of falling in love and how do we make a relationship last?

Based on over 40 years of research with thousands of couples, this workshop will give insights and teach research-based skills that can dramatically improve the intimacy and friendship within a relationship. It will also teach how partners can manage conflict in a healthy, positive way.

This 3-hour workshop is great for anyone who works with couples including counselors, social workers, coaches, clergy, as well as anyone who is interested in improving his or her own relationship. No previous experience is necessary. CE credit available for SW, LPC, RN and Addictions Professionals.

Trinity Lutheran Church
Charleston, WV
Directions

February 15, 2018
9:00am-12:00pm

KPCC Counseling offers regular weekly support groups and continuing education classes to the public. Click here to see a list of other upcoming events.

A Workshop for the Day After (Valentine's Day)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 19:20:00 +0000

Love Banks, Hormones, and How to Help Couples Stay in Love

Led by Andy Counts, LPC, Certified Gottman Couples Therapist
& Sky Kershner, LCSW

What is the science behind love? What role do hormones play in attraction? How do we build trust? What are the phases of falling in love and how do we make a relationship last?

Based on over 40 years of research with thousands of couples, this workshop will give insights and teach research-based skills that can dramatically improve the intimacy and friendship within a relationship. It will also teach how partners can manage conflict in a healthy, positive way.

This 3-hour workshop is great for counselors, social workers, coaches, clergy, or anyone who is interested in helping support others to improve their relationships. No previous experience is necessary. CE credit available for SW, LPC, RN and Addictions Professionals.

Trinity Lutheran Church
Charleston, WV
Directions

February 15, 2018
9:00am-12:00pm

MI Series: Motivational Interviewing Basics

Led by Sky Kershner, LCSW, Member of MINT

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is the state-of-the-art, evidence based response to help people find the positive motivation to make significant changes in their lives.

What do you do when clients are unwilling or unable to make a better choice for themselves, even when it's right in front of them?
How can you help someone who is feeling hopeless about overcoming addiction?
What can you do when a client is high or using when talking to you and is acting in self-destructive ways?

Trinity Lutheran Church
Charleston, WV
Directions

February 28, 2018
9:00am-12:00pm

KPCC Counseling offers regular weekly support groups and continuing education classes to the public. Click here to see a list of other upcoming events.