Mental Health Tools for Self–Care
Self-care is all the rage right now. Social media channels are flooded with self-care tips ranging from bubble baths to journaling to mushroom tea to forest bathing—the practice of spending time in nature. But what IS self-care? Is it different for neurodivergent people than for neurotypicals? In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we present an overview of three mental health tools for self-care.
What is self-care, really?
Everyone has particular preferences for what makes them feel physically and mentally healthy, regardless of neurotype. Bubble baths, forest bathing, and journaling are all fantastic ways of tending to yourself. And… to each their own.
Self-care is less about which activities and behaviors promote well-being and more about your mindset. To truly care for yourself — mind, body, and spirit — means prioritizing your health and wellness. Doing things that soothe your nervous system are great, but so is the very un-fun adulting stuff like paying bills, saving for an important expenditure, getting enough sleep, and eating more vegetables.
For neurodiverse, disabled, gender-diverse, and racially marginalized people, our very existence is a radical act of resistance against social and institutional norms and oppression. As a result, we may need more than bubble baths and affirmations to help us manage the very real stressors of living in a world that does not support us.
Social connection as self-care
At IRL Social Skills, we define self-care as behaviors and practices that ensure holistic well-being, promote health, and actively manage illness when it occurs. Our coaches teach social and communication skills to autistic and others experiencing social anxiety and relational challenges so that they can connect with others and build and sustain healthy relationships.
Social connection is a very underrated way to attend to one’s mental health. It’s often a chicken-and-egg problem, exacerbated by social and institutional norms that lack inclusion, acceptance, and appreciation of differences. Left unaddressed, loneliness and isolation can cause depression and anxiety. The reverse is also true, with social anxiety and depression contributing to loneliness and isolation.
It stands to reason that one’s mental health toolkit may need to be robust, with an array of tools one can employ, depending on the moment’s needs.
May Workshop: Mental Health Tools for Self-Care
If you struggle with self-care (or social connection), we invite you to join us for a special workshop on May 7th at 2pm. This Workshop — Mental Health Tools for Self-Care — will explore three modalities and techniques for working with your nervous system to improve mood and outlook, bolster your spirit, lower stress, and increase feelings of positive self-regard.
Open to ages 11+ up, young learners must be accompanied by a parent or other caregiver. This way, parents will learn how to support their neurodivergent or socially challenged loved one at home, even as their child learns new skills to improve their mental health and emotional well-being.
Parents will also enjoy bolstering their own self-care options with these new frameworks and tools.
This workshop features two special guest instructors, and covers the following mental health tools:
Somatic Experiencing (SE)
MARA McLOUGHLIN kicks off the workshop with a brief mindfulness practice, followed by an overview of Somatic Experiencing (SE)—a form of holistic therapy used to treat trauma symptoms from the bottom up. Rather than focusing on cognitive or emotional experiences, as in many forms of therapy, attention is directed toward internal sensations. The result is better emotional intelligence, improved self-regulation, and reduced anxiety and stress.
Before she founded IRL Social Skills, Mara McLoughlin worked as a speech language pathologist on autism evaluation teams in public schools, as well as on the Navajo reservation. She also operated a stroke rehabilitation support service to assist caregivers, spouses, and family members needing tools and techniques for helping a loved one recover from strokes and traumatic brain injuries. And before that Mara was a yoga instructor and magazine publisher. Mara brings her decades-long passion for communication and mind-body healing to this workshop, and delights in helping all people breathe better, feel better, think differently, and be their best.
Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)
AMANDA FERRAT is the founder of Value Yourself Counseling LLC, a certified Advanced EFT Practitioner, wellness counselor, and international speaker. Over the last two decades, after receiving a Bachelor's in Family Science, Amanda supported others in various social service settings; including those in crisis or healing from trauma. Amanda partially completed a Masters of Social Work yet before she experienced a great number of losses in a short span and grad school was no longer the right fit. She honored her needs instead and began a deeply healing journey, exploring a number of healing modalities including talk therapy, EMDR, hypnosis, grief groups, and more. Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) was the tool that unlocked the magic for Amanda. She now helps women and teens that feel lost or out of sync with themselves. By combining her empathy, knowledge, lived experience, passion, and professional skills Amanada creates a safe, brave space for healing and personal growth.
Amanda will lead participants through a brief EFT tapping practice at the workshop. Learn more about her work at her website, http://valueyourselfcounseling.com/
Polyvagal Theory
TORRI WRIGHT joins us to guide us through an exploration of polyvagal theory. Torri has a unique approach to both state and local agencies as well as private clients by applying her in-depth trauma-informed coaching skills, behavior analysis, crisis interventions, collaborative practices, and behavior management skills. She has her M.A. focused on Special Education and Teaching from Pacific University as well as her undergraduate work in criminal justice and psychology. This has contributed to her success and unique perspective to understanding and making sense of human behavior. She leverages what she has learned and experienced with a variety of people and their neurodiversity to help clients and teams better navigate relationships within the context of the workplace and increasing quality of lives.
The author of two books—See Beyond Behavior and See Beyond Emotions—Torri has written a series of curriculum, hosts a podcast, and often speaks at conferences and workshops on topics such as the Polyvagal theory, complex behaviors, trauma responsive techniques, and much more. Her more than 25 years of experience comes alive when working with those she believes are her biggest teachers (the people she feels blessed to work with).
Learn more about Torri at her website, https://behca.com/about
You can purchase your tickets for this workshop on Eventbrite.
Want more information? Feel free to schedule a 15-minute consult with Mara here: https://calendly.com/mara-irl/15-minute-consultation
