The Center for Credentialing & Education (CCE) announces the creation of a comprehensive online directory of human services education programs.

According to CCE Executive Vice President Shawn O’Brien, the directory offers the first online platform where students can view the full scope of their educational options in human services. In addition, it enables students to compare multiple human services programs on a single Web site. Program representatives can update their listings in real time, giving students access to the most current program information.

Stressed?
Let’s face it. We are all stressed. We are stressed at work, at home, in our relationships and yes, even at church. Sometimes it’s hard to find a balance in our personal lives and commitment, and that leads to stress. How we cope with stress effects the quality of our lives and our ability to lead a healthy and happy existence with others.

Prolonged stress negatively affects our health and suppresses immune function. Still think it’s not a big deal?
The question is… How stressed are YOU and what are you going to do about it?

Test Your Stress Rating
Rate yourself as to how you typically react to the situations listed.  There are no right or wrong answers.

Give yourself the following points: 
(4) Always  (3) Frequently (2) Sometimes (1) Never

1.  Do you try to do as much as possible in the least amount of time?
2.   Do you become impatient with delays or interruptions?
3.   Do you always have to win at games to enjoy yourself?
4.   Do you find yourself speeding up the car to beat the red light?
5.   Are you unlikely to ask for or indicate that you need help with a problem?
6.   Do you constantly seek the respect and admiration of others?
7.   Are you overly critical of the way others do their work?
8.   Do you have a habit of watching your watch or clock often?
9.   Do you constantly strive to better your position and achievements?
10. Do you spread yourself “too thin” in terms of your time?
11. Do you have the habit of doing more than one thing at a time?
12. Do you frequently get angry or irritable?
13. Do you have little time for hobbies or time by yourself?
14. Do you have a tendency to talk quickly or hasten conversations?
15. Do you consider yourself hard-driving?
16. Do your friends or relatives consider you hard-driving?
17. Do you have a tendency to get involved in multiple projects?
18. Do you have a lot of deadlines in your work?
19. Do you take on too many responsibilities?
20. Do you feel vaguely guilty if you relax and do nothing or take some leisure time?

_____ What’s your score?

SCORING

20 – 29                 
Chances are you are non-productive or your life lacks stimulation.

30 – 49  
Good balance in your ability to handle and control stress.

50 – 59                 
Stress level is marginal and you are bordering on being excessively tense.

60 ++
Major candidate for heart disease and other illnesses.

Remember, this scale is not an absolute predictor of how stress will affect your life. It is an awareness tool for you to gauge your level of stress. (This test is not meant to replace a clinical assessment but to help you judge how you are doing. If you score as stressed you may need to seek help.)

So you scored a 60++
What are you going to do about it? Change begins with making healthy choices for yourself, so if you or anyone you know is having difficulty coping with stress, please share this article with them and encourage them to get assistance. 

For more information call 407.415.2493.

About the Author Melody Kipp, PhD, LMHC is the President and CEO of Life & Work Soulutions, Inc. She holds an earned Doctorate degree in Psychology with a specialization in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Applied Psychology with a Clinical-Counseling emphasis. Dr. Kipp has been a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (MH5137) in the State of Florida since 1999 and is a State of Florida Qualified Clinical Supervisor for Mental Health Counselor Interns and Marriage & Family Therapy Interns. [...] Life & Work Soulutions 407.415.2493 | info@lifeworksoul.org

With all that’s going on in our world, the economy, the environment, politics as usual, wars, famine, earthquakes, tsunamis, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and lose the joy in our lives. You can regain your lost joy and peace by becoming ‘actively thankful’ about things that you may take for granted.

Things like:
• A place to sleep tonight
• Three meals today
• Clean water to drink and bathe in
• Electricity and indoor plumbing
• A job. It may not be your ideal job, but it provides money for the necessities of life
• Health. You may have some health issues, but you are here, breathing and alive.
• Family and friends who care about me and I care about them
• A car, clothes, computer, house, etc…
• Pets
• Eyesight, hearing and the other senses, that sadly, some do not have
• Ice Cream! Chocolate!
• The sun on your skin
• Clean sheets air dried on the clothesline and smelling like sunshine
• An unwarranted act of kindness
• The wind in your hair when riding a bike, or driving a convertible

What are some of the benefits of being thankful?
According to a Psychology Today article, people who practice being grateful experience “greater levels of optimism, positive mood and feelings of belongingness, psychological well-being, fewer illnesses and spend more time exercising. “ The conclusions of the study quoted in the article suggest that adopting an attitude of gratitude may promote healthy living.

Feeling stressed and depressed? Keep an ongoing journal of whatever simple things brought a smile to your face and joy into your life each day. By keeping a list all of the things that you have to be thankful for you’ll become aware of just how truly blessed that you are. Your family, your friends, your home, your job, your health, your pets, food on the table, clothing, shelter, the basic creature comforts, etc.

Watch out! Thankfulness is contagious and may inspire you to make a difference in the lives of others less fortunate. Get involved and become a volunteer at your local shelter, hospital, church or other community organization. Give someone else something to be thankful for…

When you really think about it and put things into proper perspective… Life is good.

Know someone who is feeling anxious, depressed or overwhelmed by life? Please share this article with them, let them know that they are not alone and encourage them to get assistance.

About the Author Melody Kipp, PhD, LMHC is the President and CEO of Life & Work Soulutions, Inc. She holds an earned Doctorate degree in Psychology with a specialization in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Applied Psychology with a Clinical-Counseling emphasis. Dr. Kipp has been a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (MH5137) in the State of Florida since 1999 and is a State of Florida Qualified Clinical Supervisor for Mental Health Counselor Interns and Marriage & Family Therapy Interns. [...] Life & Work Soulutions 407.415.2493 | info@lifeworksoul.org

It’s no secret that workplace bullying is on the rise and it’s unacceptable in any form. Companies are starting to recognize this as a serious problem to their bottom line as it affects not only the victim, but their entire staff, not to mention their brands reputation among potential employees and clients. Long term bullying can take its toll on the emotional and physical health of their staff and make a major impact on the overall productivity of a company. Not to mention having to deal with a host of legal issues that arise when there is a hostile workplace.

It’s no secret that workplace bullying is on the rise and it’s unacceptable in any form. Companies are starting to recognize this as a serious problem to their bottom line as it affects not only the victim, but their entire staff, not to mention their brands reputation among potential employees and clients. Long term bullying can take its toll on the emotional and physical health of their staff and make a major impact on the overall productivity of a company. Not to mention having to deal with a host of legal issues that arise when there is a hostile workplace.

So as an individual, when should you be concerned? As an employer what should you watch for?

Here are even more signs that you’re being bullied at work:

Burning Personal Days
Pressure has gotten so bad that you are burning through your personal days by using them to escape, even if it’s only for a day, from your current work environment. You are so mentally and emotionally drained that you spend your day off depressed and on the sofa. You’ve lost interest in activities that you used to enjoy.

Obsessing About Work
Is there a reoccurring theme to your complaints and are they centered around a specific co-worker? If your spouse, family and even the dog are sick of hearing you complain about work, then bullying could be at the core of your frustration.

Criticism Never Stops
The criticism just keeps on coming. You’ve proven yourself at work. You’re highly respected and have an excellent work ethic. However, the criticism from your boss or co-worker never stops. It’s as if they are just looking for a reason to criticize you and you have a target on your back.

Getting Yelled At
Bullies who hold powerful positions in a company don’t feel the need to be covert in their bullying. They aren’t shy about making their feelings known by yelling, screaming, insulting and humiliating their target, while innocent bystanders scurry for cover.

Reliving Past Mistakes
Even though your boss or co-worker are walking amnesiacs when it comes to their own mistakes, they remember every little mistake that you’ve ever made. It’s like they are keeping a list and constantly looking for opportunities to bring them up, especially in front of your co-workers.

Becoming Isolated
You’ve suddenly become invisible at work and being slowly phased out and socially isolated by your boss or co-workers. You are constantly being omitted from meetings, lunch invites and afterhours activities. Some powerful bullies even go as far as to have your desk moved and openly discourage others from interacting with – Congratulations! You are now exiled on the Isle of Misfit Toys.

Request Denied
Your requests to transfer to a different position, department or office location are denied and the boss’ aggressive behavior escalates.

Bullying is all about CONTROL and the people targeted are almost always seen as threats. Targeted people are seen as competition and need to be eliminated. The targets are almost always people who excel at their work, are competent, personable and well liked. So if you are being bullied stop blaming yourself thinking that you somehow caused the bullying. Recognize what’s really going on and start working on your options of handling the situation. Should you stay and fight? Or should you wait it out until a better opportunity comes along? Either way, don’t attempt this alone. Seek out professional assistance. A counselor can teach you how to better recognize and cope with bullying, while giving you an invaluable personal skill set that you will use for the rest of your life.

Wait! There's more to this article!

Workplace Bullying Series

Part 1 - Bullying - It's not just for the Playground anymore

Part 2 - Bullying - More Signs You're Being Bullied at Work

If you know someone dealing with bullying of any kind, please share this article with them and encourage them to get assistance.

For more information call 407.415.2493.

About the Author Melody Kipp, PhD, LMHC is the President and CEO of Life & Work Soulutions, Inc. She holds an earned Doctorate degree in Psychology with a specialization in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Applied Psychology with a Clinical-Counseling emphasis. Dr. Kipp has been a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (MH5137) in the State of Florida since 1999 and is a State of Florida Qualified Clinical Supervisor for Mental Health Counselor Interns and Marriage & Family Therapy Interns. [...] Life & Work Soulutions 407.415.2493 | info@lifeworksoul.org

May is National Mental Health Awareness Month

Help Promote Mental Wellness in the Military Community.
Our soldiers and their families are under extreme pressure to maintain a sense of normalcy in what is decidedly one of the most stressful situations that they will ever be asked to endure. With long deployments, short state side assignments and then redeployment to war zones they need all of the support they can get. So if you know of anyone facing challenging life changing issues of military service, (i.e., loss and grief of a loved one, life after service) let them know about this great website ‘Take Mental Health to Heart’ which is geared towards assisting our military with meeting the challenges of military service. It’s a great resource so don’t be shy, pass it along.

Donate & Support Our Wounded & Their Families
Serving and protecting our country with uncommon valor, they deserve all of the support that we can give them. Our military and their families deserve to be remembered because the greatest casualty is being forgotten. Want to help? Visit the Wounded Warrior Project and make a difference!

If you, or anyone you, know is having trouble meeting life head-on, please know that there are caring and compassionate professional counselors who can give you the tools that you need to smooth out the bumps in your life. Don’t go it alone, seek assistance.

For more information call 407.415.2493, or email us at info@lifeworksoul.org.

About the Author Melody Kipp, PhD, LMHC is the President and CEO of Life & Work Soulutions, Inc. She holds an earned Doctorate degree in Psychology with a specialization in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Applied Psychology with a Clinical-Counseling emphasis. Dr. Kipp has been a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (MH5137) in the State of Florida since 1999 and is a State of Florida Qualified Clinical Supervisor for Mental Health Counselor Interns and Marriage & Family Therapy Interns. [...] Life & Work Soulutions 407.415.2493 | info@lifeworksoul.org

Be thankful.
Feeling stressed and depressed? List all of the things that you have to be thankful for and you’ll become aware of just how truly blessed that you are. Your family, your friends, your home, your job, your health, your pets, food on the table, clothing, shelter, the basic creature comforts, etc. When you really think about it and put things into proper perspective… Life is good.

Unplug and relax.
Technology is a wonderful thing, but it can also add to our stress levels. Technological advances enhance our lives making it possible to do more in less time. The more efficient technology makes us at work, the more we are expected to produce. We need to ask ourselves, “How much is too much?” At what point does doing more actually become less efficient? Eye strain, neck strain, headaches, brain fog and the inability to focus are all symptoms of cyber over load. It’s important to reduce stress levels by making time each day to unplug. That means no cell phones, email, internet, work, video games, TV or news for a specified amount of time each day. Don’t be surprised if you experience withdrawals, dependency on technology can be an addiction. Start unplugging every day for an hour in the morning and an hour in the evening. When you’ve mastered that, you’re ready for something even more radical. Unplug completely for a whole day, weekends are usually best. – Make the most of your tech-free time by doing something that you love to do.

Exercise.
It’s a fact that regular exercise combats anxiety, depression and even high blood pressure. It also gives us a positive outlet for our frustrations, anger and other toxic emotions. Exercise can help clear your mind and reduce stress level so you’ll be more relaxed and able to meet life’s challenges head on. You don’t have to run a marathon either, studies show that walking on a regular basis has health benefits as well. BONUS! Exercise releases those wonderful ‘feel good’ endorphins, so try to get at least 30 minutes 3 or 4 times a week. More is better! Just work up to it slowly. Be sure to check with your physician before starting any strenuous exercise programs.

Remembering and actively practicing these tips will help to reduce stress and enrich your life. But what do we do when we need more than a ‘self-help’ article can provide? First of all don’t feel bad we all need a little help from time to time. If you or someone you know is struggling with life’s challenges, please seek out professional assistance.

Solutions for Life’s Challenges Series
Part 1 - Too Much Drama

Please take a moment to read “Top 10 Solutions for Life’s Challenges” for more in depth information on how counseling can assist you in living a balanced, healthy and happy life.

For more information call 407.415.2493

About the Author Melody Kipp, PhD, LMHC is the President and CEO of Life & Work Soulutions, Inc. She holds an earned Doctorate degree in Psychology with a specialization in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Applied Psychology with a Clinical-Counseling emphasis. Dr. Kipp has been a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (MH5137) in the State of Florida since 1999 and is a State of Florida Qualified Clinical Supervisor for Mental Health Counselor Interns and Marriage & Family Therapy Interns. [...] Life & Work Soulutions 407.415.2493 | info@lifeworksoul.org

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Our lists are focused on providing you one-stop links to great articles and tweets, we’ve already searched high and low in the twitterverse for you. All you have to do is relax and become part of our Twitter community to get the latest updates, events, and articles of interest…all things Life Work & Soul

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