Friday, December 18, 2009

Holiday Stress

The holiday season is one of the most joyous times of the year, but also one of the most demanding, fatiguing, and chaotic. Full of hopes and expectations, it may weigh heavily on time, finances and expectation. The holidays are a “look back” time, offering a celebration of the good things, but also raising memories of loss and sadness.
For some thoughts on making the most of this time, see our December Avantage EAP Newsletter at http://www.psychhealthroanoke.com/Resources/December2009Newsletter-HolidayStress.pdf.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Charlie Finn on the Winter Solistice

At our 4th Annual Holiday Season Celebration, Charlie Finn offered his perspective on the approaching winter solistice, and its meaning in our work.

We Are the Winter Solstice

Before we eat, drink and be merry,
let us remember a good reason to do so,
let us remember who we are.
This is the year’s dark time,
the deep and dark December time.
Long nights will keep getting longer
until the great reversal point is reached on December 21st
when, sun standing still, the deepest advance of night
swings back towards the light.
What does this have to do with us?
It has everything to do with us
for we are the winter solstice!
We are the winter solstice in the lives of every man, woman or child
who comes through that downstairs door.
They come at a dark place in their lives,
a stuck place,
a weighed down with worry place,
a heavy with sadness place,
a place that most of all feels like a long dark tunnel,
but they come clinging to a hope there is a light at the end of it
and that some how, some way, some one can help them reach it.
We are the some how and the some way, but we are more than some one.
It’s not just what happens in the counselor’s office.
It’s every single encounter of kindness they receive,
from the first contact over the phone to every contact at the front window,
along with all the absolutely essential business behind the scenes
that make possible that mysterious reversal back towards the light
that can happen in the counselor’s office.
It takes a village, they say.
Well, tonight is for celebrating the whole village of us.
We have reason to eat, drink and be merry,
for we are the winter solstice!

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Head Injury in Sport

In a year of controversy about right and wrong behavior in sport, the good news is the serious attention being given to head injury. Football season will always bring its share, but the days of laughing off a hit to the head as a “bell ringer” are fading fortunately into obscurity. The really good new is the message that gets sent down the line to the college game, and to high school and to youth sport. Like it or not what the pros do sets the trend across the board –and, fortunately this is a trend that everyone can live with a little better.
For more information take a look at the article by Mike Sanserino from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (with comment by John Heil) which tries to put into perspective the controversy surrounding the decision of Steeler quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, to sit out this past Sunday’s game. http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09335/1017514-66.stm

Monday, November 9, 2009

Sport & Society

As sport moves ever more into the forefront of public consciousness, athlete behavior and misbehavior is receiving greater and greater scrutiny – as it should. The extraordinary fame and fortune heaped upon some athletes raises them to role model status - like it or not. With this comes potent downstream effects on societal norms for behavior, on and off the playing field. What to do with the worst transgressions raises a dilemma for all stakeholders, pressing them to be fair in disciplining the offender, while remaining sensitive to the message sent to those would be role modelers. Sadly, the latest national incident brings darkness to womens' soccer, which has been one of the bright lights of the rise of womens’ sports in the last generation. See for yourself at:
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=4629837&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines

Friday, October 23, 2009

Charlie Finn on Abraham Lincoln

In these days of partisan acrimony and shrill attack, we have need of remembering the manner in which Abraham Lincoln's courage and kindness transformed adversities such as we are witnessing, and worse. Among Lincoln's greatest achievements of spirit... was his refusal to vilify, to demonize, to retaliate in kind when vitriol was heaped upon him.

Read the Roanoke Times for more of Charlie Finn's thoughts on the enduring relevance of Abraham Lincoln http://www.roanoke.com/editorials/cpmmentery/wb/221938

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

John Heil in Fitness Magazine

In the October issue of Fitness Magazine, staff writer, Chee Gates offers advice about getting and staying fit - with some input from John Heil. In the article, “Bounce Back Better,” she notes that on the journey to your healthiest, fittest self, setbacks are inevitable. Gates goes on to identifies a series of strategies crucial to reaching your ultimate fitness goals. Check out Fitness Magazine website http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/ for a wide array of fitness information.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Poetry by Charlie Finn

Charlie Finn is a licensed professional counselor specializing in addictions and working with adolescents. He describes the counseling process simply and incisively as: helping people get unstuck, learning to tap outer and inner resources when “up against it,” regaining confidence that “I have what it takes,” turning discouragement into encouragement, from “ain’t it awful” to “I can grow through this.”
Alison Allsbrook, who has worked with Charlie for about 15 years describes a strong silence presence that evokes trust and confidence. She takes care to listen closely when he has something to say, and is a fan of Charlie’s poetry.
A sample of Charlie's poetry is at http://www.psychhealthroanoke.com/resources.html

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Virginia Tech Shootings

Following trauma, time passes, wounds heal and life goes on -- but the lessons of painful experiences must be remembered. The Lessons Learned report completed in the aftermath of the Virginia Tech Shootings by Psychological Health Roanoke and our associates is being published in the Online “Journal of Excellence”. By thus memorializing the event, we continue to honor the dead and those that responded to the tragedy with wisdom, skill and courage.
The paper authored by John Heil, Loren Johnson, Dick Gilbert, Joelle Inge-Messerschmidt, Ron Salzbach, Maisha Smith and Steve Strosnider is available at: http://www.zoneofexcellence.ca/Journal/Issue13/index.html

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

VT Psych Practicum Summer 09

PHR continues to offer a Psychology Practicum to undergraduate VT psychology majors. Comments from Molly Madden follow.

Psychological Health Roanoke gives undergraduates an unbelievable experience on the inner workings of clinical psychology. The staff made it such a welcoming and pleasurable experience. The doctors were more than willing to take time out of their schedules to help me and were some of the nicest people I have ever met. They are very knowledgeable in their specific fields. It was very rewarding to work with each individual psychologist. Sitting in on group psychotherapy for patients with pain and medical problems helped me to appreciate what I have. I hope to have a long career in clinical psychology and will never forget I got my start at Psychological Health Roanoke.

Molly Madden

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Motivating Your Teenager

School is back in session, and the first round of exams is just around the corner. How will your teen stand up to this moment of academic reckoning? Will things be well begun or just half-done? Will priorities be in order or disarray? Check out the June edition of the Advantage EAP Newsletter for insight and advice for parents dealing with these tough teenage years. Click on the Resources tab on our homepage http://www.psychhealthroanoke.com/index.html

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Workplace Violence

Workplace violence has increasingly become a topic of concern for businesses nationwide. It is estimated that some 2 million American workers are victims of violence in the workplace each year. Most employers now recognize the importance of helping to prevent workplace violence and bullying. The August edition of the Advantage EAP Newsletter offers some tips on establishing a healthy work environment and on offering protection from workplace violence and bullying.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Obsessive Compulsive Support Group

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (often referred to as OCD) is a condition in which an intrusive thought causes anxiety. In response, the individual is compelled to think some other thought or take some action that neutralizes the anxiety caused by the intrusive thought. The OCD sufferer often feels trapped in a vicious cycle that ends up making them even more anxious. The classic example of OCD is an obsession with germs and dirt, or the compulsion to wash. Other forms include Checking, Counting, Repeating, Neatness and Hoarding.
On the second Thursday of each month from 600pm to 730pm, Dr. Sam Rogers meets with the Support Group at Psychological Health Roanoke, at 2727 Electric Road, Roanoke (La Premier Office building) -- talking about what OCD is, how it affects your life, and what you can do about it. This group is open at no charge to any one who thinks they may have OCD. Friends and family members are also welcome.

For more information about the Support Group call: 540-772-5140.

To learn more about OCD you can visit the following the web sites: Obsessive Compulsive Foundation (http://www.ocfoundation.org/) or the Anxiety Disorders Foundation of America (http://www.adaa.org/).

Friday, August 14, 2009

Good Luck to Reid Shores

On August 18th, Reid will be leaving for his first year at Christopher Newport University. Reid has been with Psychological Health-Roanoke since March on a part-time basis to help with our computers. He graduated with Honors from Hidden Valley High School in June, and has received a CompTia A plus certificate in computers. Reid has been selected to be in the prestigious President’s Leadership Program at CNU and has received two scholarships from the University due to his high school performance. The President’s Leadership Program teaches leadership skills, has an emphasis on community service and encourages studying abroad. Join us in wishing Reid the best in his new academic career at CNU!

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Internet "Addiction"

On July 29th, J. Steve Strosnider, LPC and Managing Partner of PHR, was interviewed by Joy Sutton on WDBJ-7 on the topic of Twitter and FaceBook Addiction. The issue of Internet Addiction is an increasing phenomenon, seen frequently at PHR. Very few clients will present themselves as addicted to the Internet, but it is often manifested in marital and work related problems. The Internet can become the center of people’s lives to the detriment of relationships, jobs and overall well being. Internet Addiction can take many forms; from E-bay, Games, Twitter, FaceBook and Pornography. There is also the vagabond who surfs the Internet for hours.
The Internet has given mankind a power unprecedented in our history. As such, it is quite seductive and can become addictive. If one cannot limit time on the computer and/or it is adversely affecting jobs or relationships, professional help is indicated.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Welcome to Julian Taylor

Julian Taylor has recently joined PHR on a part-time basis. With a Bachelor’s degree in biology and a Master’s degree in Human Development Counseling, he has a continuing interest in the effects of brain neurochemistry on temperament, and how culture affects behavior. Julian also values broad experience and changing circumstances as opportunities for growth, and attempts to apply this in counseling as well as in everyday life. A Navy veteran, he also served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Philippines. His work experience includes teaching in Australia, working as a counselor in a 900-bed prison, and coordinating a treatment team in a private psychiatric hospital. Prior to relocating to Roanoke, Julian lived in Charlottesville where he was an educator and in private practice. He has been licensed as a Professional Counselor in Virginia since 1979.

Friday, July 24, 2009

Geoffrey Bader

Geoffrey Bader is taking a break from his medical record duties this summer to head off to Hawaii as part of a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship from the American Society of Plant Biologists. This award will allow him to dedicate full-time effort to a research project for a ten-week period this summer, and provides the opportunity to present his results at the Society's annual meeting in Hawaii. The study, titled "Uptake and Efflux of Auxin and the Polar Auxin Transport in Land Plant Gametophytes," is under the direction of Dr. DorothyBelle Poli, assistant professor of biology. Geoff is the first Roanoke student to be honored with this prestigious fellowship.

For more information:
http://roanoke.edu/News_and_Events/News_Archive/Bader_Receives_Distinguished_Fellowship.htm

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Water for Tshapasha

Last summers phone and computer tech is this years engineer without borders. Ethan Heil and fellow UVa students, Rachel Brown-Glazner and Veronica Gutierrez, are installing a water filtration system in a small rural village, Tshapasha, in the Venda region of South Africa. The project is student run and funded by a Jefferson Public Citizen Grant awarded to Ethan, Rachel and Veronica.
It is easy for us all to take the simple things, like clean water, for granted. But in an ever shrinking and contentious world, water and good will are increasingly precious commodities.

You can check out their website at: http://people.virginia.edu/~bms8a/watervenda/tshapasha.html

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Summer Biathlon

The Biathlon is best known as a winter sport event that combines skiing and shooting- but you will not need your boots and gloves for the event. This is its warm weather counterpart, and is part of the Coventry Commonwealth Games, which will be held Saturday, July 25th in Roanoke, Virginia.

Competitors begin with a 1 mile run that brings them to the shooting range. They lay down, pick up the rifle, shoot five shots at metal knock down targets, jump up, walk to the end of the range, and continue the running. One mile later they are back at the range, and shoot five shots from the standing position. The race ends with a 1 mile dash to the finish. Interval starts are used, with 1, 2 or 3 runners starting together every minute. Rifles and ammunition will be provided.

There is a team competition with a Police Team Trophy sponsored by Psychological Health Roanoke.

For more information about the event go to: http://www.commonwealthgames.org/.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Sports Medicine Seminar

In conjunction with the Coventry Commonwealth Games of Virginia, a Sports Medicine Seminar will be offered on Friday, July 17 from 300pm-600pm. It is jointly sponsored by Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM), Virginia Tech Primary Care Sports Medicine, Virginia Athletic Trainers Association (VATA) & Psychological Health Roanoke. There will be instruction in osteopathic manipulation by Drs. Mark Boyer, Jarred Harrall & John Tait of VCOM, and a presentation on the sport psychology of injury by Dr. John Heil of Psychological Health Roanoke.
Continuing education credits will be offered by VATA.
For more information go to: http://www.commonwealthgames.org/pdf/medical.pdf

Friday, July 10, 2009

Coventry Commonwealth Games

Our clinicians and staff have long been closely involved with the Coventry Commonwealth Games and with Virginia Amateur Sports, the organization producing the event. Now in its 20th year, the Commonwealth Games is an Olympic-style sports festival for athletes of all ages and abilities in Virginia. The Games are sanctioned by the National Congress of State Games, the NCAA, and the Virginia High School League. There will be nearly 10,000 athletes participating in 50 sports.
The featured speaker for this years Opening Ceremonies (Friday, July 17) is soccer player, Tiffany Roberts, a member of both the gold medal winning team at the 1996 Olympics and of the 1999 World Cup Championship team. The opening ceremonies will conclude with a concert by 2006 American Idol finalist, Elliott Yamin. He is a worthy role model having coped with near deafness in one ear and Type I diabetes, to go on to achieve success in his musical career.
For more information go to: www.commonwealthgames.org

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Mollie Guzo, LPC

Mollie Guzo, LPC divides her time between PHR and the Lewis Gale Medical Center, Center for Behavioral Health. Her areas of clinical expertise are broad ranging from anxiety, depression & psychotic disorders to couples & marital counseling, eating disorders & body image issues.
For all the good that therapy does and for the sense of satisfaction it can bring to the mental health provider, it is a sedentary way of work. If a way of life is to have the right balance, there must be something else. For Mollie Guzo the remedy is to get up and go.
She completed the XTERRA Atlantic Cup Triathlon June 14 in Richmond Virginia. The competition involved a 500 meter swim, 12 mile mountain trail bike ride and a 4 mile run. Earlier in March, she ran in 13.1 mile half marathon at the Shamrock Competition in Virginia Beach, VA.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Remembering Michael Jackson

Following the untimiely death of Michael Jackson, Sam Rogers spoke with Joy Sutton of WDBJ-7. He offers insighs on the out-pouring of grief across the world at the passing of this iconic musicical artist.
People connect with artists because they express ideas and emotions that we all experience and struggle with. That is the essence of art. That is the reason art is important. This may be especially true for musicians and singers. The music that Michael Jackson produced helped millions of fans to experience and, at some level understand their own emotions. Most of us, if we hear the music of our adolescence, will remember with nostalgia or pain the emotions of that period of our lives. When an artist dies, especially if it is sudden and unexpected, it will touch us, and we will experience a sense of grief and loss. Without the tension of day to day associations, we place our idols on a pedestal. They seem greater than they are. Although we only knew that artist through his or her medium (music in this case), we are moved. The more that artist touched us, the more that artist expressed our own emotions, the stronger that loss will be. Although Michael Jackson had a somewhat uneven life, his music touched the hearts of many, and they grieve his passing..
The interview appears on the WDBJ-7 web site. (www.wdbj7.com) in the "Local Health" section under the title, "Why do the death of celebrities move us to tears?"

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Virginia Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (VACLEA)

The VACLEA Conference, hosted by Chief Mike Gibson of the University of Virginia, was held earlier this Summer in Virginia Beach. PHR was represented there highlighting our Police Assistance Program and our work with employment testing, training and consultation with public safety agencies throughout the state. VACLEA is the group responsible for safeguarding the wellbeing of college and university students throughout the Commonwealth. The campus environment presents its own unique set of challenges in balancing security and order with the need to explore and discover that is the hallmark of the college population. This means tackling everything from the day-to-day crime found in any environment, to the festivity of college football game day, to the dangers of student drug abuse.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Parenting Group Therapy

“Children don’t come with a manual.” The first time I heard this, it went right over my head – having not yet become a parent. Upon having children of my own, I quickly came to appreciate the poignancy of this comment. No doubt, parenting is a challenge, and some children are clearly more difficult than others.
The Parenting Group Therapy sessions offered by Dorene Fick, LCSW are a great opportunity to take on some of the tough questions, with the guidance of a mental health professional and the support of other parents. Focused on those with children aged 2-12 years, the group sessions will begin in July and run for about 6-8 weeks. There will be separate groups for Mothers & Fathers (Step Mothers & Fathers are welcome, too).
For more information call 540-772-5140. Or, you may contact Dorene Fick directly at DFick@PsychHealthRoanoke.com

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Sport Psychology Seminars

John Heil will be conducting a series of Sport Psychology seminars at the United States Fencing Association (USFA) National Championships in Dallas, Texas.
The seminar schedule is: Parent Seminar - Achieving Excellence as a Sport Parent (Sunday, July 5th - 1pm); Mental Training: Focusing and Refocusing from Distractions (Monday, July 6th - 10 am); Goal Setting: Road Map to Success (Tuesday, July 7th - 2 pm); Mental Training: Composure Control (Wednesday, July 8th - 10 am). The seminars are primarily for coaches and athletes, but others, particularly parents, are welcome to attend. A special “Executive Performance” add-on session is available for the Goals Setting & Composure Control seminars – for those who wish to apply sport psychology high performance principles to their work environment. More information and instructions for enrollment are available at fencing.net

Friday, June 12, 2009

Katie Overstreet

The clinicians and staff here would like to congratulate Katie Overstreet on her graduation, cum laude, from Roanoke College - with a major in Psychology and a minor in Education. Katie will be starting on her Master’s degree in the Counseling Education program at Virginia Tech, and is looking forward to a career as a child psychologist.
Katie has been with us about 2 years. Among other duties, she has been serving as our EAP Newsletter editor. This Newsletter presents psychological matters for the general public. At this point, she has produced a nice body of work. You can take a look on our web site in the Resources section. We are all very pleased to have Katie continue to work with us as she begins her graduate career.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

ART & PSYCHOLOGY

Bill Beamer is a former patient with us who sought treatment to help deal with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. While participating in biofeedback, he was able to experience a trance-like state, that provided relief for a time from pain. When he realized that he was able to produce this same state of mind through a methodical repetitive drawing technique, his longstanding interest in art took on a new meaning and purpose. Bill’s career has since blossomed.

John Yimin of Outsider Art has written that his work "lies in a world, somewhere between what you see and what you think” and describes it as “staggeringly forceful.” You can find out more about Bill and his art at http://www.outsiderart.info/ (Follow the link to U*Space Gallery in Atlanta, GA).

Bill notes that although he still has these disorders – but thanks to his art, the disorders don’t have him.

Monday, June 1, 2009

Dorene Fick

After 10 years in suburban NYC as a clinical social worker in a Psychiatric Hospital, Dorene has relocated to the Roanoke Valley and joined Psychological Health Roanoke. Her practice focuses on adult, adolescents, women's and family issues. As part of her work, she serves as an on-site counselor at William Fleming High School, through a program developed by the Roanoke Adolescent Health Partnership. This position brings Dorene full circle to the beginnings of her interest in Social Work. As she notes: I had been an inner city teacher for 3 years (1 in Pittsburgh and 2 in Manhattan). I realized that I needed more skills to help these kids with the many struggles that went above and beyond classroom learning. This prompted me to enroll in Social Work School.
After a whirlwind indoctrination into contemporary urban youth culture and some adjustments in her treatment style, Dorene feels at home and fully a part of things at Fleming HS.

At the encouragement of her students this spring she attended the school production, Urinetown. Dorene describes this as a satirical musical comedy in which the minority poor attempt to overthrow the rich overlords. Urinetown challenges the authority of bureaucracy, corporations and small town politics. The poignancy of a not so happy ending is an unfortunate reflection of the reality of everyday life for many of these students, however, many of them rise to accept real life challenges with maturity and perseverance beyond their years.

For more about the Roanoke Adolescent Health Partnership check out their website at http://www.rahpteens.org/

Friday, May 15, 2009

Alison Allsbrook

In a 10th grade geometry class, Alison’s thinking went off on a tangent to the idea of developing an “Adopt a Grand Parent Program.” She had been regularly visiting a long time grand-parently family friend who lived in a nursing home – and had noticed that there were some residents who were lonely and received few visitors. So she passed a note along to a friend and an idea took hold. Later that year the Roanoke Rapids High School Key Club developed this program, matching its 30 club members with a nursing home resident whom they visited on a weekly basis. Remarkably and thankfully, the program continues to this day.

Alison eventually went off to college to Wake Forest University with plans to be a lawyer, and hopes to follow in the footsteps of her father and grandfather. She admired the work they had done often providing services for people who were poor, uneducated or unable to stand up for themselves, and those in need – even remembering the bartering of legal services for fruits and vegetables from family farms.

It was a surprising twist that refocused Alison on her concern for the elderly and her eventual career in social work. While participating in a study abroad program in England in her senior year in college she completed a research project on “Health Care for the Elderly in Great Britain,” rekindling her interest.

Alison received her Master’s in Social Work at UNC Chapel Hill. She has been practicing since 1984 with special interests in the elderly, adult children with aging parents, people dealing with life transition issues, and GLBT individuals and couples. She joined Psychological Health Roanoke about 1 year ago.

Alison offers this quote from Winston Churchill: “You make a living by what you get, you make a life by what you give.”

Monday, May 4, 2009

Sport Parent

With Mothers Day on the way, thoughts turn to all things parent related. Many remember the time when t-ball and all the rest was dad’s thing. But times have changed with dads coaching daughters, who in turn grew up as moms with the skill and the will to coach their own daughters – and now sometimes their sons, too.
Sport Parenting is still a great challenge made all the more difficult by the increasing expectations and pressures for success that now fall far too soon on children. Some points to ponder on being a champion sport parent.

1. Support your youth athlete by providing a safe, sensible opportunity to train and compete, and grow from the experience of sport.
2. Establish an ongoing dialogue with the coach so that you understand his or her philosophy and remain aware of your youth athlete’s strengths and weaknesses - athletically and psychologically.
3. Provide unconditional emotional support as your youth athlete rides the ups and downs of the competitive experience, and help him or her learn the lessons of winning and losing.
4. Avoid coaching (unless you are the coach), that is, avoid giving specific instructions or critique of the technical or tactical aspects of sport.
5. Accept - even as you are bewildered by - your youth athlete’s varying demonstration of composure and distress, maturity and neediness in the competitive environment.
6. Talk candidly with your youth athlete about the role you should play as a parent at competitions. Be prepared to keep your distance.
7. Work actively to manage your own anxieties and frustrations as you watch your youth athlete compete. Be sure to set these aside before you interact afterwards.
8. Show composure in the face of stress, and let this serve as a model to your youth athlete. He or she is watching.
9. Identify mutual expectations for your youth athlete’s commitment to training and competition as you make successive commitments to support his or her sport activities financially and logistically.
10. Guide your youth athlete in balancing sport, school, family and other responsibilities.

Check out our website for more on sport parenting
*John Heil

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Virginia Tech Psychology Practicum

PHR has been providing a practicum for VT undergraduate psychology majors. We asked Kristin to offer some comments on her experience

For the last 4 months, I have had the pleasure of interning for Psychological Health Roanoke. This rewarding experience has given me the chance to observe the inner-workings of a private practice and actually contribute to its daily operations. Being a senior psychology student at Virginia Tech, days away from graduation, I will be taking much of what I have learned at the practice with me. Not only was I able to get a grasp on the ever-confusing insurance and billing issues, but I was also able to observe a wide variety of therapy sessions. But I can say that what I will miss most are the people, everyone from the experienced psychologists I worked closely with to the staff who were always so kind and helpful. Overall, I think this rare opportunity has ultimately confirmed exactly what I want to be one day: a licensed psychologist working for a private practice like Psych Health Roanoke!

*Kristin Knihnicki

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Officer Bryan Lawrence, Roanoke City PD

Getting Roanoke City recertified as a Crime Prevention Community, introducing Project Lifesaver to the Roanoke Valley (for Alzheimers and other “wanderers”), Officer Bryan Lawrence makes it clear how closely the well being of a community is tied to the quality law enforcement.

Like so many in law enforcement embracing the job 24-7, Officer Bryan Lawrence, responding to an assault call off duty, blindsided by a perp, disabled with a spinal cord injury.

Well respected by his fellow officers, he is a finalist for America’s Most Wanted All Star Officer.

You can vote at www.amw.com/allstar/2009/

*John Heil

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

We Remember the Virginia Tech Shootings April 16, 2007

We remember the shock & horror, the trauma to the Virginia Tech community, our personal losses & professional lessons learned.

We also remember the many acts of courage, the rapid response by police and rescue, the exceptional quality of medical care, the outpouring of support, the solidarity of the community and its psychological resilience.

Our professional perspective is detailed in the technical report: Psychological Intervention with the Virginia Tech Shootings: Lessons Learned and Recommendations for the Hospital Setting, which can be found at our website.
*John Heil

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Who We Are


We are Psychological Health Roanoke, a group practice of 22 counselors, psychologists and social workers serving the western triangle of Virginia. Our clinical catchment reaches north and south along the Blue Ridge Mountains, with consulting services extending eastward into the Piedmont and Tidewater areas of Virginia. On any given day, you may find us at work in any of our 3 office locations in Roanoke, Blacksburg and Alleghany County.

You may also find us lecturing in a University classroom, a medical school, a police academy or a community organization… counseling in a high school, a nursing home, or a hospital medical unit…conducting evaluations in a jail or public safety agency…consulting to regional businesses and sports organizations …ministering in a church, testifying in court, conducting research or sitting in Board room. We are also Advantage EAP, PHR Police and Public Safety Assistance Program, and a training site for the Veterans Affairs Medical Center Doctoral Psychology Intern Program and Virginia Tech Undergraduate Psychology Practicum. In the words of our Clinicians we are “committed, compassionate and resourceful.”

We are our administrative staff, our point of contact with the public, who cheerfully multi-task their way through the day answering the phones, sending out the mail and tending to the millions of details that come between. They are, in their own words “compassionate, courteous and detail oriented.” –for which the rest of us are grateful.

At work we make our own coffee and recycle our cans and plastic. In our free time, we play music and write poetry, sail the lake and hike the mountains, read books and sell cookies, fret about the economy and the state of health care, follow the bouncing ball of our childrens’ lives, mow our lawns and tend to our gardens, and debate the merits of UVA and VT sports.

*John Heil


You can visit us at http://psychhealthroanoke.com/