Goal of the Week

Last month I started a six month long training and certification process to become a certified trauma therapist for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. I have  started Cognitive Processing Therapy with four of my veterans so far, and while I am a cognitive therapist a heart CPT really speaks to me in a way that makes sense, and it feels so hopeful to know that people CAN recover from PTSD and really can move forward with their lives once they move away from their distorted beliefs to a more balanced way of thinking. The difficult part has been hearing and carrying their trauma stories, from combat trauma to deeply disturbing interpersonal and other traumas.

One of my research projects as an intern was on vicarious traumatization and how therapists can develop clinical symptoms based upon their patients' stories. Since getting hired on I've become aware that this is an area that we seem to have some deficits in as a social work community, but I do feel fortunate to have a few very supportive people I can turn to.

Achieving the elusive "work life balance" has been challenging, more so than I imagined, so my goal for this week will be to employ some of my own strategies, and I really hope to work on some more mindfulness skills and realize that in my growth as a therapist one of the most important things I can do to take care of my patients is to take care of myself.

9-10-11

Happy First Anniversary to us! It's hard to believe this year has gone by so fast, but I have loved every minute of it! I feel so blessed to have found the love of my life, and I can't wait to continue to share my life with Joel and look forward to all of our adventures together. This year has brought so many wonderful surprises in just getting to know each other even more and learning all of our little quirks.

I found this part of our vows and am reminded of the many happily married couples we know and seeing the way they nourish themselves and their marriage, and how important it is for us to do this every day.

"Dedication, love, and happiness can grow only when you nourish them together. Stand fast in that hope, having faith in your shared future, just as strongly as you have faith in yourselves and in one another today. Only with this spirit can you forge a union that will strengthen and endure all the days of your lives.

We hope that the words and spirit of our gathering may be filled with a truth that will sharpen with the passing years. We hope, too, that the meaning of the vows that Joel and Lisa are about to share with one another will deepen as well, as they discover the endless possibilities of life together. "

 

Aside from the beginning of our journey as husband and wife, I'm still in awe of our beautiful wedding day, how very special and meaningful it was, and how much help my mom and my sister were, and how everything came together so perfectly. Since you never really can have enough pictures, here a few more!

At the beautiful Rancho de Corrales in Corrales, NM

 

Beautiful Bridesmaids and Groomsmaids

 

 

Mr. and Mrs. Joel Anderson!

Absolutely loved my gown from Maggie Sotero

 

 

Thank you all for the anniversary wishes. We had a great day celebrating at the Melting Pot and in the mountains.