Dr Gail Eastman PhD

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE .if you are reaching out for help please include checking the credentials, the backgrounds, and training of the people you are considering. I need to have a conversation about mental health services and qualifications to provide support. There are numerous terms for people in the helping field - psychologist, social worker, therapist, counsellor, nurse etc. Only a few of these terms are protected, for example - you can only call yourself a psychologi...st in Alberta if are registered through the College of Alberta Psychologist. However, terms like therapist, counsellor are generic - ANYBODY can use them. The importance of a regulatory body https://www.alberta.ca/regulated-health-professions.aspx (link to all the regulated health professions is AB) Seeing someone who belongs to a regulatory body offers protection. As a Registered Psychologist, Social Worker, nurse etc.. if you don't like the service you have a place to go to lodge a complaint and there is some accountability. Especially in the private world (someone just hangs up a shingle calling themselves a therapist), there is no way to hold a person accountable for their actions/behaviours or the harm they inflict. In order to belong to any regulated health profession, a person needs to meet minimum education standards (masters degree for a psychologist in AB), adhere to an ethical standard, have liability insurance, and agree every year to adhere to all standards. Questions to ask So please, please, please ask about what their 'title' means, what are their qualifications (get details - length of training, who is actually providing the certification), do they belong to a regulatory body or specific organization (check out the credibility - is it a professional - child and youth care, pastoral organization or is it an organization that someone created to sell their product). There are lots of courses online where there are NO requirements and when completed can say they are certified to provide therapy. This means someone who has absolutely no training or background in mental health can take a video course online and now say they are ‘certified’ to provide therapy, counselling etc. Buyer beware please ask questions. COVID-19 is already being recognized for its trauma, and as more money becomes available for trauma work, more people will be coming forward offering services. There are good people, doing good work - so ask around, get references, check qualifications before spending money and putting yourself/family/friends at risk.

Dancing for joy! We now have a choice of having appointments virtually or face to face. The College of Alberta Psychologist has stated that we can start seeing people in person following some guidelines. If you prefer, we can keep seeing each other virtually as well! Great to have both options.

An amazing colleague shared this and I just needed to pass it along. Again, do what works for you! Not making the "win" about buying into the pressure of what other people think we would be doing.

Over the past few weeks I have been inundated by emails, facebook, twitter, and other sources telling me what I need to be doing to take care of myself during the pandemic. Do this, do that and you will be ok. ARGGGGGGGGGGGG I feel like having a Rick Mercer Rant every time I get one so here it is. The ONLY THING that you need to do is follow the direction of the Chief Medical Officer stay home, quarantine, self isolate, physical distancing, wash your hands etc. T...hat is it..everything else is up to you. DO WHAT WORKS FOR YOU, AND WHEN IT IS NOT WORKING MAKE A CHANGE. So give yourself permission not have to follow a multitude of directions. So..if you want to exercise, then exercise if you don’t, then don’t. There was one list that said call and talk to someone 30 minutes a day - I didn’t want to do that before the pandemic, why would I want to do that now (my introvert is showing )!!!! If you want to reach out, then reach out. If you want routine, have routine. If you don’t like routine, don’t have routine. If you want to stay in your PJ’s and can, then do if you don’t, then don’t. Stressed parents teaching stressed children is a recipe for disaster. Give yourself permission to do what you can and not to buy into the pressure to replicate what happens in school on a daily basis. If you want to spend more time playing and having fun, then do it. Stop buying into the pressure that we need to be completely productive during this time learn a new skill, learn a new language, clean out the closet etc. If you want to do it, then do it, if you don’t, then don’t. If you want time for still, then have time for still, if you don’t, then don’t. See the theme. There is no list that works for everyone. So take what works for you and leave the rest. If this is helpful, use what you can, and if not, then don’t. Thanks for reading and my hope is that we can be safe, be kind, and if you need help you reach out. Wholeheartedly, Gail See more