17. April 2008 by admin.

By KC Kelly, Ph.D., LMHC 

www.DOCintheBiz.com 

Once we begin to understand the mind/body connection, I think we’ll have a much better understanding of just how much psychology plays a part in our everyday health and wellness. Health is not just about working out and eating well. It’s also about taking care of our minds. Our mental health is just as important, if not equally important than our physical health because of the way in which they are ultimately connected.  

By finding the right balance needed to keep our mental and physical health strong, we can have some say in determining our destiny towards good overall health and happiness.  

Our bodies respond to the way we act. The way we act is in direct correlation with the way we think and feel. And this is what we call the mind/body connection.  When dealing with a stressful situation or a stressful period of time in your life, did you ever develop headaches, abdominal pain or upset stomach, high blood pressure, insomnia, increase or loss of appetite? These are just some of the physical symptoms that prove overtly that there is something not right with your emotional health. Somewhere, your emotional health is out of balance causing your body to physically react. Again, this is called the mind/body connection.  During the days when doctors and scientists were frowned upon if they did not stay stringently in the realm of the observable and strictly quantifiable, people thought there was a distinct divide between mind and body. Even the 17th-century philosopher/scientist and the Father of Modern Philosophy, Descartes, in an attempt to study this metaphysical phenomena, was stopped by the Roman Catholic Church, who restricted him to the study of human anatomy, leaving the mind and body to the care of the church. It wasn’t until the 1970’s when doctors and scientists began to provide irrefutable data showing that it is indeed true that mind and body ARE connected in an undeniable way.  Do we really need these ancient philosophers or even today’s doctors to tell us this is so? Perhaps we do. If you suffer from daily headaches, for example, have you ever thought about what may be causing these headaches? Have you ever thought about the possibility that the stress from your job, for instance, is what has been causing you to live with these awful headaches that persistently impede your daily activities? 

Every second we have a thought. Every thought that we have releases chemicals called neurotransmitters into our body. With the brain being most enigmatic organ of the body, scientists and doctors have not yet been able to perfect and fully understand what causes the mind to have such an effect upon the body and our physical health. We may be looking YEARS into the future before such answers are found.  

One thing remains true, at least in my humble opinion: We need the contentment of the mind to help us in our every day strides towards overall health and ultimate happiness in our lives. It seems to be all in our matter of thinking! 

Please visit us at www.DOCintheBiz.com for our mental health self help links and the opportunity to subscribe to email Dr. KC for professional and confidential help with any concerns you may be having.

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15. April 2008 by admin.

 By KC Kelly, Ph.D., LMHC 

http://DOCintheBiz.com 

“I think, therefore I am” – Descartes     

This amazing quote by the man coined “The Father of Modern Philosophy” has been said to have been written by Descartes as he examined his beliefs in his own existence and found it impossible to doubt that he existed. Dare I say that I find this to be a very surface look at these very powerful words and may I take the liberty to dig a little deeper?    

 May I take the freedom to put another meaning to a very popular phrase that a man wrote sometime between 1596 and 1650? Wow, that’s a lot to ask, but I’m going to go out on a limb here. As I began to think about  this quote, it jumped at me and I looked at it in a whole different way.    

“I think, therefore, I am”    What you “think” about yourself is what you will ultimately “become.” It all has to do with being secure with yourself, believing in yourself, and overall, having a true sense of who you are. No one ever reaches full self actualization, but just knowing who you are and what your limitations are, and beginning to find what will make you truly happy in life is a great step in the direction towards living a stress-free and happy life. I know, however, that it is A LOT easier said than done. And with influences from others, as well as the ones we put upon ourselves, it makes it even harder. What do you think?   Please visit us at http://DOCintheBiz.com for our mental health self help links and the opportunity to subscribe to email Dr. KC for professional and confidential help with any concerns you may have!  

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15. April 2008 by admin.

By KC Kelly, Ph.D., LMHC  

www.DOCintheBiz.com  

Dr. Abraham Maslow (1908-1970) coined the term “Self-Actualization” as the pinnacle in the hierarchy of human needs which begins with simple survival. It is also commonly known in the field of psychology, that reaching self actualization, which is the highest point of the ladder, is rarely reached in one’s lifetime. I believe, however, that the happiest people in life, do come close because they have the courage and strength to do everything and anything it takes to grab and live life to its fullest.   

Dr. Maslow summed up the concept as:  

“A musician must make music, an artist must paint, a poet must write, if he is to be at peace with himself.  What a man can be, he must be. This is the need we may call self-actualization … It refers to man’s desire for fulfillment, namely to the tendency for him to become actually in what he is potentially: to become everything that one is capable of becoming …”

Dr. Maslow is one of my heroes as he is one of the very few psychologists who actually studied healthy people rather than most doctors of his time and of today, who studied/study sick people. What a positive view and way to help others! Find out what does work instead of whirling in the pool of negativity of what does not work.

Many people forge on the journey to reach self actualization, but get side tracked by either intrinsic or extrinsic factors along the way and never even have the chance to get even ½ way to their final destination. Whether it be the reality of life and bills that need to be paid, internal personal factors, or outside influences in their lives, they get held back in their attempt to find true happiness.  

The luckiest people in the world to me; the ones I envy most, are those who are able to set off on the excursion towards self actualization with others around them who truly (whether they believe in this “stuff” or not) allow that person the ultimate freedom to find happiness. But it is not only about others “allowing” the opening (our extrinsic obstacles), but whether or not we will “allow” ourselves means to access (our intrinsic obstacles). Which are you? 

Extrinsic factors certainly play a huge role in keeping us from happiness. So many people want to find happiness, but when they are stuck in the reality that is the “real world”, it is just not as easy to obtain. The musician can’t just go out on the road and play. The actor can’t just pick up and move to LA and actually get work. You cannot have the man or woman you want just because you want them. These are the realities of life and the factors that can cause us from reaching our goals which will ultimately make us happy. Not only are the things we want not easily obtainable because they rely on others to make them happen, but we may also have responsibilities that impede us such as bills that need to be paid or the family that we must raise.  

Intrinsic factors may play a huge role in reaching our goals as well. Self worth and esteem, anxiety, and fear of the results of self actualizing are just three. After all, becoming self actualized means that you are completely honest with yourself, that you must take responsibility when necessary, and you that you may learn things about yourself you may not like. And to take it a tad bit deeper, your deepest fears which were once on the subconscious level, are now out on the table to confront. And whether or not you can deal with them is another story. And to go once again one step farther, not many people have the patience to even attempt to reach their ultimate potential, let alone read this blog. LOL! Sorry for getting so deep on you, but boy does it feel good.  

So, back to the original point. What can we do to live in the “real world” as it is so often called, AND at the same time, attempt to reach self actualization? I have ALWAYS been a true believer that one CAN have it all. We CAN do what truly makes us happy in life, find the love of our life, and pay the bills. And all at the same time. Can you imagine that? ;)  I guess the question is: How can we do this? Have you ever attempted to study the characteristics of a person you find to be very happy and fulfilled in life? Have you ever asked yourself, “How many of these characteristics do I have? How many does my job allow me have? How many does my partner allow me to have? Does my family, my partner, my job, not only support me in my life, but actively encourage me to expand? What do I do to hold myself back?”   

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14. April 2008 by admin.

 KC Kelly, Ph.D., LMHC

www.DOCintheBiz.com

Hi there! I’m Dr. KC and I wanted to share a little about myself with all of you! I’ve been in the field of Psychology for more than 15 years earning a Masters Degree and Doctorate of Philosophy, getting licensed along the way. During my journey towards meeting my career goals, I have worked extensively with children, adolescents, adults, geriatrics, and families with a vast number of diagnoses and in a vast number of settings. I’ve worked in psychiatric hospitals, drug/alcohol programs, group homes, community mental health clinics, and the school system. 

I have worked with those dealing with issues such as low self esteem, relationship difficulties, depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, substance abuse, schizophrenia, and suicidal ideation.  

I always strives to use the positive solution-focused model believing that with the correct guidance from the psychotherapist, all people have within them the power, strength, and resources to come up with their own solutions to their issues. I also finds it immensely gratifying to work as a life coach helping clients find happiness and fulfilled dreams!  

My search for new cognizance of the etiology and treatment of mental/emotional health disorders remains ongoing with continuous education and research.    I am proud to say that I have been effectively helping to steer those in need down paths of higher self-esteem and self-worth, which in return aids in their success at home, at school or work, and in society. I truly believe that when positive growth and development begins, so does active goal setting for a healthy and happy present and future.  

Outside of psychology, I am a professional SAG actor and find that I am in another world when on the stage or in front of a camera. I love singing, reading, professional hockey, and my puppy. My friends and family are extremely important to me and there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for them. My passion for life, helping others, and making my own dreams into goals makes me the positive, compassionate and inspirational person I am.  I truly hope that you will be able to put your confidence in my experience and help me to help you to live the life and dreams you have always wanted. My motto: DON’T JUST DREAM IT…DO IT!  

Please visit and learn more about how www.DOCintheBiz.com can help you! AND…Please enjoy, learn from, and comment on my blog! Thank you!!

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