Evaluating if therapy will be helpful for you

The following questions have been found to be good pointers for people in assessing their need for professional psychotherapeutic help. Significant troubles in any of these areas, or combinations of them, are signals of need for help.

1. Do you have problems with memory or concentration?
2. How has your energy level been lately compared to your normal state?
3. How much transition or change is occurring in your life?
4. How is your health?
5. Are you taking time out for yourself?
6. Do you use alcohol or drugs?
7. How are your relationships with friends, family, and spouse?
8. How is your sleep pattern?
9. Are there any stressful events occurring in your life now?
10. Do you find yourself repeating unhealthful behavioral patterns?
11. Do you have excessive feelings of anxiety or fear?
12. How is your sex life?
13. How has your mood been lately compared to your normal state?
14. Do you have trouble expressing your needs and feelings and saying no when you don't feel like doing something?
15. Are you having occupational, school problems, or problems taking care of your finances or your family?
16. Do you accept the way that you look, feel good about your body, or feel positive about your self and your life?
17. Would you like to learn more about yourself and why you are the way you are?

Re-Versing the Numbers
The Way to Weight Loss and Wellness

By Cynthia Gustavson, MSW, LCSW AND ACSW

A successful wellness program addressing motivation and tools to help lose weight and change unhealthy habits.

• Calorie/Exercise Balance
• All or Nothing Thinking
• Binge eating
• Craving control
• Past association with food
• Stress Reduction
• Relaxation and Meditation
• Mindfulness
• Healing effects of laughter
• Slip and relapse prevention

Cynthia Gustavson, author of In-versing Your Life: A Poetry workbook for Self-Discovery and Healing, is a nationally recognized leader in the field of poetry therapy. She has held workshops for professionals throughout the United States addressing contemporary issues through the use of poetry. In Spring and Fall of 2001 she will be a guest lecturer for 2-week units at the Hilton Head Health Institute in Hilton Head, South Carolina. She will present her weight loss and wellness program. In Summer 2001 she will be guest lecturer at Holden Village, a Lutheran Retreat Center in the Cascade Mountains of Washington. Cynthia is a psychotherapist at the Center for Counseling and Education in Tulsa.