By Sarah Mudd, PLPC

Freud was the father of psychology, which brought about a new wave of thinking in the field of psychology. Many theories evolved due to psychoanalysis and their influence can be felt in the field today.

Two of the main aspects of Freud's theory include the interaction of conscious and unconscious thoughts and feelings. 

• Psychodynamics- the interrelation of the unconscious and conscious mental and emotional forces that determine personality and motivation, (Oxford Dictionary, 2016).
• Psychoanalysis- a system of psychological theory and therapy that aims to treat mental disorders by investigating the interaction of conscious and unconscious elements in the mind and bringing repressed fears and conflicts into the conscious mind by techniques such as dream interpretation and free association, (Oxford Dictionary, 2016).

Psychoanalysis is a lengthy process taking years to find the root of the problem, interpreting the meaning, and resolving the issue.  As a counselor, I feel that this was of understanding human nature is fascinating. By understanding psychodynamics, I am able to understand other theories better.  I feel that can be crucial to the way I conceptualize my client's and how to work best with them.

Psychodynamics helps us see that all behaviors have underlying meaning.  For example, I do my notes and research for clients, I do laundry at home. The meaning behind these behaviors is to properly treat my clients, take care of my family, and keep my household running smoothly. 

Clients' behavior also has meaning.  Being late, missing appointments, acting aggressively or crying all have meaning behind them.  The theory of psychodynamics helps us look deeper into the individual to truly understand what is happening. A missed appointment to a doctor could be a variety of possibilities: Being tired, not feeling like going, or not liking the doctor. By watching these underlying cues of others, we can understand them better than only hearing their story.

By Sarah Mudd, PLPC, NBCCH, RASAC-II

While I was in graduate school, one of my first assignments was to evaluate myself based on 5 dimensions of wellness.  This assignment was an eye opener in many aspects and became a checklist I still live by today.  I never considered having so many parts of myself were important to my well-being.

Considering these 5 dimensions of wellness in your life may lead you on a track to a healthier lifestyle and feeling more fulfilled.  Learning these components may take time, but try to consider and break down each dimension to start.  In my personal experience, some dimensions were easy and others needed more work.  The key here is not to try to have all the answers or conquer each dimension quickly, but take time to truly know yourself and work on areas where you may have trouble or are lacking.  Exploring these areas can lead to enlightenment and a healthier you! 

​The 5 Dimensions of Wellness are:

1. The Essential Self- Thinking about the person as a whole, we see various components that make up a person.  We are not whole until we have achieved all components of life.  The components that make up each individual are diverse, yet we all have similarities as well.  Spirituality, Gender/Sexual Identity, and Cultural Identity are a few components that complete a person. 
2. The Creative Self- The creative self is fun and imaginative.  Thinking, Emotions, Control, Work, and Positive Humor all play a role in creativity as a person.  For many of us, this is one of the stronger components of our being.
3. The Coping Self- The coping self is an area that some of us people struggle with and need to work on to become a healthy person.  Some of us have a hard time coping with problems that come their way.  To improve in this area, we can implement coping skills/strategies and recognize that we are a work in progress.  The coping self has four areas: Leisure, Stress Management, Self-Worth, and Realistic Beliefs
4. The Social Self- The social self is an area of the person that is extremely important.  We as human beings are made to be with one another and socialize.  Isolation is torture for many.  Human beings thrive off one another and socializing is vital for growth and development. The two components of the social self are Friendship and Love. 
5. The Physical Self- It is also important that we remember to keep our physical self healthy.  This can include nutrition and exercise.  While eating well and getting exercise are important, proper sleep, and emotional, psychological, and spiritual health also play a role in the physical self being healthy as well. These areas are intertwined.

Learning about yourself will aid in wellness.  That is why trying to make changes to be well balanced is so important and crucial to success.  Being balanced is also crucial for the success of relationships and loved ones around you.  By becoming aware of the 5 Dimensions of Wellness, you can work to have an open mind and engage in the process of change. Awareness is the first step to wellness and our lives are process of growing.

Sarah Mudd is a Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor at Unlimited Potential Counseling & Education Center in O’Fallon (MO #2016013189). Sarah is under the clinical supervision of Emily Kircher-Morris, LPC (MO #2012026754).

PTSD is a very serious disorder and is now starting to come to light in society today.  Spreading the word, researching the disorder, and creating new treatments for these diagnosed individuals is the only way to improve their personal daily life. One of the biggest accomplishments I can make is enabling these individuals to be reintegrated back into a life they are comfortable living.
 
Remember, PTSD is not only seen in military veterans. Exposure to trauma (including abuse, neglect, sexual assualt, and other types of trauma) can trigger symptoms of PTSD. Some of the negative effects of PTSD may include:​

• Lowered cohesion in families, social support and functioning
• Lower life satisfaction levels
• Difficulties in relationships with romantic partners
• Actions of violence, anger, and hostility toward others
• Hypervigilance toward real or perceived threats

 
Special care for the children of PTSD victims is also needed. “Children of veterans may also be effected, as evidenced by a RAND Corporation study of over 1,500 children in military families during 2008, which found that these children suffered from more emotional and behavioral difficulties than other American youth,” (Tsai, et al., 2012).  Alarming as that statistic is, there may be even more children out there falling victim that have not been reported. 
 
When treating people with PTSD, my goal is to aid the person and family in about the disorder. We then process traumatic events using various research-based techniques. Some of these include systematic desensitization, relaxation and mindfulness, clinical hypnotherapy, and developing other coping strategies.
 
If you or someone you know is suffering from PTSD, please seek treatment before it gets worse. Aiding in the trauma treatment, preventing social issues, and protecting family members are vitally important for people suffering from PTSD. Help is out there. The first step is to act.  You could save someone! 
 
Sarah Mudd is a Provisionally Licensed Professional Counselor at Unlimited Potential Counseling & Education Center in O’Fallon, MO. (MO #2016013189). Sarah is under the clinical supervision of Emily Kircher-Morris, LPC (MO #2012026754).
 
Tsai, J., Harpaz-Rotem, I., Pietrzak, R. H., & Southwick, S. M. (2012). The Role of Coping, Resilience, and Social Support in Mediating the Relation between PTSD and Social Functioning in Veterans Returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Psychiatry: Interpersonal & Biological Processes, 75(2), 135-149. doi:10.1521/psyc.2012.75.2.135.