Summer is approaching and camps and vacations are being planned. Volunteering can be a great addition. There are many local, national and even international ways to volunteer. Volunteering is a great way to help out struggling nonprofits, teach values and save money. Volunteering can be as elaborate or as intimate as you want it to be. It can be scaled to meet the needs of an older adolescent or a small child. Below are some ideas to make summer a fun and deeply rewarding experience.
Small children can hold a lemonade stand to raise awareness for their favorite charity. One I love is Ryan's well. Ryan started collecting change when he was 6 years old. He sent the money he collected to Africa to help build a well at a school. 10 years later, Ryan has just finished building his 500th well! There is a documentary about him that you can show your children to inspire them.
http://www.ryanswell.ca/
A personal favorite is Children of Uganda. This organization provides education to orphaned and impovershed children.
http://www.uccf.org/howYouCanHelp/volunteerOpps.cfm
A family may decide that they want to spend a week of vacation helping others. For older children a family volunteering project with Habitat for Humanity could be just the thing.
http://www.habitatgsf.org/
Locally, Marin Humane Society has summer volunteer internships for students. They fill up fast!
http://www.marinhumanesociety.org/HelpAnimals/Volunteer/Volunteer.html
Volunteering to help a neighbor can be a great way to gets kids involved and out of the summer doldrums. Make a meal for a neighbor in need. Paint a fence or weed a garden for an elderly neighbor. Be creative and have fun.
Volunteering teaches lessons and creates deep memories that last a life time.
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Receive the help and guidance you need
If you or a loved one is suffering we can help. Life brings both challenges as well as rewards. Dealing with a child’s behavioral issue can seem daunting at times. Being a new parent can deplete resources at a time when they are needed most. Couples and individuals can become stressed with all the demands. Our goal is to give clients the help they need. We provide practical tools and strategies to resolve the most pressing issues.
We cover a diverse population with a focus on ADHD, Sensory Motor processing, child and adult anxiety, Postpartum depression, child therapy, couples counseling and individual therapy. At Marin Therapy Partners we work with clients to re-establish and bring forth the well being that is inherent in each individual. Marin Therapy Partners is comprised of independent psychotherapists whose specialties are grounded in theory and expertise. As psychotherapists we believe in the resilience of the human spirit and the capacity for healing and growth. Whether it is postpartum depression, child and family therapy, couples counseling,ortrauma, we work with clients to effect change and growth.
To find out more and to schedule an appointment call 415.453-1402 or email Kate@kebrennan.com. We look forward to helping you.
Kate Brennan Marriage and Family Therapist
How I work
Sometimes, we choose therapy specifically as an opportunity for enhancing our awareness and enjoyment of life. Other times, something is out of balance in our lives and we seek assistance to regain harmony.
I work with clients to re-establish and bring forth the wellbeing that is inherent in each of us. I have found that this model gives clients more than just a solution to their problems. It enhances the quality of their lives.
I work with clients to re-establish and bring forth the wellbeing that is inherent in each of us. I have found that this model gives clients more than just a solution to their problems. It enhances the quality of their lives.
Clinical Areas Served
Adults, Children and families
• Depression/Anxiety
• Postpartum Depression
• Trauma
• Stress related disorders
• Mindful based stress reduction techniques
• Early Childhood development
• Temperament
• Attachment
• Sensory Processing
Services
• Individual sessions
• Phone sessions available inside Ca
• Speaking engagements
• Speaking engagements
• Some insurance accepted
• Sliding scale
About Me
As a 5th generation Marin resident, I have a deep sense of connection and appreciation for the natural beauty and community in which I call home. As an advocate for wellness and social change, I have worked for Kaiser Permanente as a parenting specialist, have lectured and taught throughout the county, and have focused on parenting and family health in my private practice. Championing local organizations as well as Global ones (Children of Uganda, Renewable Choice Energy, Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, Habitat for Humanity and Glide Memorial Church), I believe that the choices we make impact our communities and the world at large.
M.A. Counseling, University Southern California.
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist 1993
Education
B.S. Psychology, University California, Berkeley.M.A. Counseling, University Southern California.
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist 1993
MFT 31122
Somatic Experiencing Practitioner Certification 2012
Emotional Freedom Technique
Mindful based relaxation and meditation training for children and adults
categories
- Anxiety and Trauma (4)
- Depression (2)
- media (2)
- parenting (9)
TRAUMA
Understanding Childhood Trauma
By Dr. Peter Levine
Although anyone – regardless of strength, capability, or experience – can be traumatized by a threatening event, those at greatest risk are infants and young children.
How to Tell If Your Child Has Been Traumatized
Any unusual behavior that begins shortly after a severely frightening episode may indicate that your child is traumatized. Compulsive, repetitive mannerisms – such as repeatedly zooming a toy car into a doll – are an almost sure sign of an unresolved reaction to a traumatic event. (The activity may or may not be a literal replay of the trauma.) Other signs of traumatic stress include persistent controlling behaviors, tantrums, uncontrollable rage attacks, hyperactivity, an exaggerated startle reflex, recurring night terrors or nightmares, thrashing while asleep, bedwetting, inability to concentrate in school, forgetfulness, excessive belligerence or shyness, withdrawal or fearfulness, extreme clinginess, and stomachaches or other ailments of unknown origin.
To find out whether an uncustomary behavior is indeed a traumatic reaction, try mentioning the frightening episode and see how your child responds. A traumatized child will not want to be reminded of the predisposing event – or conversely, once reminded, will become excited, or fearful and unable to stop talking about it. A traumatized child may also respond with silence.
If you have questions or would like to know more about the treatment of trauma call 415 453-1402 or email kate@kebrennan.com.
For further reading
Trauma Through A Child’s Eyes by Dr. Peter Levine and Maggie Kline
Our Approach
The Therapeutic Process
At Marin Therapy Partners it is our belief that we all have an inherent inner drive to grow, heal, and evolve wired deep within our brains. Through the therapy process, crises, difficulties and challenges become doorways to transformation as we access this powerful inner force. We now know that the brain can actually re-wire itself. We have great faith in the therapeutic process and know from experience that healing and change are truly possible. Some of the modalities we work with include attachment based theories, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Somatic Experiencing Technique, EMDR and Mindfulness. We invite you to check our articles section where we have included material on these topics for further reading at www.marintherapypartners.com
Resources/links
You and your Child’s Health - Dr. Sue Johnson Pediatrician
http://www.youandyourchildshealth.org/youandyourchildshealth/articles.html
Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation - research and education on SPD
Dan Siegal – Neuroscience of attachment. Through the use of MRI’s Dr. Siegal demonstrates how attachment, meditation and effective psychotherapy all tap into the brains capacity to create new neural pathways. Author of Parenting From the Inside Out – how our attachments with our children create resiliency.
Sensory Processing Disorder -Carol Stock Kranowitz author of Out of Synch Child.
Somatic Experiencing - website for SE.
SE supports people in accessing their innate resiliency and their inherent capacity to rebound and recover from overwhelming experiences.
http://www.traumahealing.com/somatic-experiencing/index.html
Campaign for a Commercial Free Childhood
CCFC works for the rights of children to grow up—and the freedom for parents to raise them—without being undermined by commercial interests. http://www.commercialfreechildhood.org
Common Sense Media
Dedicated to helping families make the best media choices for their kids. www.commonsensemedia.org
Media Education Foundation
A nonprofit educational organization devoted to media research and resources to aid educators and others in fostering analytical media literacy. www.mediaed.org
Hand in Hand
A resource for parents to help build close connections with their children.
Books
Hold onto your child- Gordon Nuefeld
The pivotal importance of children's relationships to those responsible for them and the devastating impact in today's society of competing attachments from peers.
Last child in the woods- Richard Louv This is the first book to bring together a new and growing body of research indicating that direct exposure to nature is essential for healthy childhood development.
The other parent-Jim Steyer founder of Common Sense Media. The Inside Story of the Media's Effect on Our Children
The end of Solitude- William Deresiewicz
http://chronicle.com/article/The-End-of-Solitude/3708