My Profile for Social Work Week

March 12, 2012 / admin / No comments

Last week, I told you that I am one of two recipients to receive the Inspirational Leaders in the Field of Social Work Award during last week’s Social Work Week (March 5 – 11, 2012) from the Ontario Association of Social Workers.

My profile is now live on the site. It is reprinted here for your convenience:

Inspirational Leader Mary K. Armstrong – March 2012 

For Mary K. Armstrong, making the world a better place has always been a driving force. Mary was the Founder and Director of the Centre for Focusing in Toronto and currently operates a private psychotherapy practice. She is also the author of the 2010 book: Confessions of a Trauma Therapist: A Memoir of Healing and Transformation.She is being recognized by OASW as an Inspirational Leader during Social Work Week, which is celebrated March 5-12, 2012, under the theme: “Social Workers Help People Get Back on Track”. Read more

Category: Interview /

Celebrating Social Work Week

March 5, 2012 / admin / No comments

You can imagine my surprise and excitement when I heard that I am one of two recipients to receive the Inspirational Leaders in the Field of Social Work Award during Social Work Week (March 5 – 11, 2012) from the Ontario Association of Social Workers.

The award is in its 10th year. Here is the criteria:

- extraordinary contribution
- positive role model
- inspirational leader
- theme – social workers help people get back on track Read more

Category: Interview /

Expert on Mental Illness Reveals Her Own Fight

February 19, 2012 / admin / One comment

This was the headline in The New York Times on June 23, 2011 when Marsha M. Linehan, famous as the creator of a treatment used worldwide for severely suicidal people, disclosed her own history of mental illness.

Why did she tell something so personal?

Dr. Linehan explains: “So many people have begged me to come forward, and I just thought – well, I have to do this. I owe it to them. I cannot die a coward.” Read more

Category: Traumatic Memories /

What Do I Say & How Do I React When Someone Discloses CSA?

February 9, 2012 / admin / 6 comments

Recently I’ve been putting this question out to many different groups.

A lot of good ideas have come back. Some pieces of advice stand out:

- maintain a state of calmness. Try not to react with shock or upset. The person disclosing needs to be free to attend to her own emotional response and not be distracted by yours. The person shouldn’t have to look after you and your response to her disclosure.

- A calm, accepting presence is needed here. Ideally, your attitude will show that you’re able to hear what the person has to say. Read more

Category: Child Sexual Abuse /

I Believe You

January 24, 2012 / admin / 4 comments

These are precious words for victims of child sexual abuse.  Unfortunately, it’s still common for victims to hear “Are you sure?” uttered by incredulous friends and family. Apparently, in spite of the grim statistics, it remains difficult to believe that someone who looks fairly normal has actually been sexually abused in childhood by a trusted adult.

It’s hard enough to deal with one’s own struggle to get clear on what actually happened. For me, when my own memories first surfaced, I didn’t want to believe what I was learning. Read more

Category: Child Sexual Abuse /
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