01Dec 2015 by Dawn Strommen

Thankfulness

General
November was the month when we paid, at the very least, lip service to being thankful. We even had a day on the calendar marked specifically for a whole day of being thankful. It’s an important part of being human. We become more self aware and, frankly, happier, when we think and feel thankfulness. So what does it mean when someone doesn’t feel thankful, can’t think of anything or anyone for whom to give thanks. Generosity is one of the human needs, which I wrote about in last month’s Blog. And in so many ways, generosity of one’s time, money, material effects, and even sense of humor has to do with being aware of thanks. But again, what does it mean if one cannot seem to muster those thoughts and feelings? Dysthymia…
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20Oct 2015 by Dawn Strommen

Our Five Needs for Healthy Living

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All human beings have wants and needs and it can be difficult at times to understand the difference. Recognizing our five basic needs is a good start in helping manage our thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and behaviors. Everyone has a need to be safe: safe emotionally, verbally, physically, sexually, spiritually, financially.  Safety is the most basic need from which springs the grounding to provide for our other needs. A second need is belonging.  As humans, we desire being a part of a family, group, or community that provides us with a vital sense of connection to other human beings. Paradoxically, humans also have a need for independence.  This becomes observable with babies, whose bodies are directing them to roll over at 4 months, crawl or walk around a year, and begin…
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27Jan 2015 by Jenny

Dawn Strommen Speaking at Teen Dating Violence Event

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We are proud to have Dawn Strommen, Psychologist, be one of three speakers featured at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church of Plymouth in February. Dawn will be helping raise awareness and prevention of teen dating violence in our community. Some dating violence facts: -Approxiimately one in three adolescent girls in the United States is a victim of physical, emotional, or verbal abuse from a dating partner. -One in five tweens (ages 11-14) say their friends are victims of dating violence Save the Date: Breaking the Silence Sunday, February 15 6:30-8:00 pm Mount Olivet Lutheran Church of Plymouth Please join us in this conversation.
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13Aug 2014 by Jenny

Child Therapist at Reimann Counseling Clinic

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With mental health becoming less of a stigma, more families are becoming more comfortable reaching out for help and support for their children. Many parents and families seek support for their child for a variety of reasons, including: having trouble with school, adjusting to change (new baby in the family, moving, divorce, new marriage, new grade), sibling rivalry, grief/loss, ADHD to name a few. We responded to this need in Maple Grove by adding an exceptional Child Therapist to our team. We are proud to welcome Amy Gold, MA, LMFT to Reimann Counseling Clinic. Amy has extensive experience in working with children as young as 3 years old. Not only is she experienced, but she is also passionate about what she does-which makes such a difference in the work we…
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17Feb 2014 by Dawn Strommen

Understanding Domestic Abuse

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Understanding Domestic Abuse There are hundreds of ways in which a person may experience domestic abuse. They can be understood as, what I call, the C.A.P.E.R. Dynamics. Sadly, the vast majority of domestic abuse is men abusing women or children. Therefore, I will use the pronoun “he” for the abuser and “she” for the victim. Of course, domestic abuse occurs in gay couples as well. CONTROL-When one person attempts to manage the thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and behaviors of another. ANGER-The abusive person has limited emotional expression. He can appear happy but all other emotion comes out as anger. He does not take responsibility for his emotions but blames others for how he feels. POWER-External strength given to the abuser through society. It can be through his physical stature, status in…
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