![](https://basicsteps.life/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Special-Memory-Number-1.jpg)
Special Memory #3
I never knew that being attacked came with mental health work. My job, on occasion, at the Mental Health Urgent Care Center, put me at risk. Our job was to keep the pressure off of the local jails and psychiatric hospitals by handling those people who were highly unstable. From week one, psychotic types were first funneled to us at a slow rate, and then soon it became a scramble to provide...
Learn More
![](https://basicsteps.life/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Special-Memory-2.jpg)
Special Memory #2
The special memory series continues from my 30-year career in the healthcare industry with this gem of an experience. It took place at the Mental Health Urgent Care Center in Long Beach California where I worked for 11 years. The Urgent Care Center was set up to take the pressure off of the psychiatric hospitals and the jails in the area, mostly to treat people who were in a crisis. When a...
Learn More
![](https://basicsteps.life/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Special-Memory-Number-3.jpg)
Special Memory #1
Now in my 30th year as a therapist, I thought it would be great to reminisce a bit and share some of the highlights in my career. And no, I don’t want to thank my 3rd grade piano teacher because I didn’t have one. What I will share is my appreciation of the graduate schools, fellow therapists, and field experience that has prepared me to face some of the most difficult challenges one can...
Learn More
![](https://basicsteps.life/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Down-and-Out-Up-and-Out.jpg)
Down and Out, Up and Out
Lack of motivation can be a normal way of life for many people. It usually takes place when the physical body has no energy and the heart has no desire. What generally contributes to this level of blah is our level of fitness, our diet, the amount of daily exercise, and whether we are following our doctor’s orders by ingesting the proper medication. Taking care of your physical needs may be...
Learn More
![](https://basicsteps.life/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/basic-steps-self-care-v1.png)
Self Care
Most people think of self-care as taking care of our physical body. The focus is mainly on getting enough exercise, eating the perfect diet, and going for a treatment at the spa. Well, yes, this is a portion of self-care but it is not the full picture. To ultimately take care of ourselves we have to consider our whole self. This was news to me when I entered graduate school. I was so focused...
Learn More
![](https://basicsteps.life/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/basic-steps-addiction-post-june-2024-1.png)
Can an Addiction be Good?
What is an addiction? An addiction is something that you are compelled to do and find it almost impossible to stop. I know this isn’t the clinical definition, but this explanation is easy to understand in layman’s terms. It might be surprising to read that not all addictions are bad. Addiction to exercise, healthy diet, personal growth work, and helping out humanity definitely help both you...
Learn More
![](https://basicsteps.life/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Spirituality-of-Psychology.jpg)
The Spirituality of Psychology
I’ve hesitated for years on presenting this topic due to the fact that when I entered this industry my coworkers looked down on my approach. In graduate school, we all spoke the same language and had one thing in common – a belief that there was a higher purpose in life than eating, getting married, and creating a replacement for yourself. To us that seemed so pointless. We were on a search...
Learn More
![](https://basicsteps.life/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Top-Ten-Reasons-to-Not-Attend-Treatment.jpg)
Top Ten Reasons to Not Attend Treatment
I thought I would Dr. Phil in my article today, just to have a little fun, since he is known for his top 10 lists.
For years therapy has been frowned upon and many clients who have attended it have been chastised. As of recent, more and more are entering treatment due to the state of affairs in the world, and when somebody new enters my facility, I ask them what has prevented them from...
Learn More
![](https://basicsteps.life/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Confession-I-Am-an-Addict.jpg)
Confession – I Am an Addict
I have a confession to make. I am an addict. I guess that’s the best way to describe my binge-watching of the power washing and garden makeover channels on YouTube. I thought it was just a phase, but after 3 months I am still mesmerized by watching people clean up disaster areas and I wonder why. More often than not I am moved to tears. Have I literally gone mad?
There is one man (or should...
Learn More
![](https://basicsteps.life/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Who-Are-You-Creating-Your-Identity.jpg)
Who Are You? – Creating Your Identity
Identity issues are common with people coming in for treatment. For so long they’ve changed themselves in order to survive. If you find yourself always caring for others and making their wishes more important than yours, it is time to take an honest look at this. Genetically speaking, we are all the same. Nobody is above or below another, but why do you belittle yourself and cater to those,...
Learn More