While mental health concerns are universal, those of us with marginalized identities (such as BIPOC, LGBTQ, disabled, veteran, Spanish-speaking, or other demographic characteristics) bear the weight of additional mental health barriers.
From Uncertainty to Empowerment: A Therapist's Journey through Addiction & Substance Misuse Treatment Training
Kacy, our Addiction Therapist Program Lead at Khesed, reflects her experience of our Addiction Program with us below. Her passion for serving those struggling with substance misuse, working at Khesed, and forging a bridge between the two serves as an inspirational narrative for aspiring therapists.
The Importance of Access to Addiction Therapy
Recruitment Manager Amanda Zetah shares her personal story of a loved one struggling with addiction and how Khesed is addressing access to addiction therapy and promoting diversity among addiction therapists.
The Lingering Mental Health Impact of 2020—and What to Do About It
Our Founder & CEO, Heather Lundy, LPC, was recently interviewed by the Restaurant Worker’s Community Foundation to discuss workers’ mental health challenges, how therapy benefits work culture, and ways employers can support their teams as restaurants reopen, particularly in light of the events of the last year.
Seasons of Change: Supporting Seniors in a Global Pandemic
The senior population has been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 due to the unique vulnerabilities they face with the virus, leading to isolation and a lack of connection and purpose. We must create ample space to honor the pain, loneliness, and grief caused by this past year for the seniors in our community.
Managing the Chaos: Communicating with Loved Ones who Have Personality Disorders
First Session Free Program, January 2021
We have created the First Session Free Program, launching January 2021. Our goal is to raise $30,000 by December 8th, providing the first session free to our next 500 new clients. Together we can make mental health affordable for everyone.
We Are Heard: How the Mental Health Crisis System Works in Denver
When we are unfamiliar with something, we make up in our heads what it will be like, and we are not always the kindest when painting these pictures. Calling a crisis line sounds scary, and walking into a center to talk to someone about suicide sounds scary. Lisa shares a realistic picture of what the process is like for accessing mental health crisis services to lessen those fears.
Navigating Your Relationship With Food
There are so many components that help us to regulate our minds, bodies, and emotions. Attachment theory says that from cradle to grave the primary need of every human being is human connection. Beginning in early childhood, our attachment styles begin to develop based oftentimes off of our family’s attachment style.In the clinical world, counselors refer to there being four primary styles of attachment, which are anxious or ambivalent, avoidant, disorganized, and secure. When our need for human connection is not met in a way to provide a safe haven to come to when we feel emotionally vulnerable or a safe base to venture out into the world, we grasp for substitutes that will fill the void of that painful feeling of disconnection and fear.
Food can become this safe haven for many people since it is comforting, predictable, and oftentimes it will always there when you need it. These are the same qualities that we long for with the closest people in our lives. After time, however, it becomes evident to most people that food is not meeting their need for connection. This is one of the central themes that will be uncovered in the group that I will be running called Navigating Your Relationship with Food.
This October, I will be running a group for women from the ages of 20 to 40 years old who desire to find more freedom in their relationship with their food. There are many components that influence one’s relationship and patterns of eating such as self-esteem, body image, relationships, family history, and life circumstances. My hope is that this group provides a safe place for women to come and sort through what factors are complicating their relationship with food, themselves, and their relationships with others.
If you have had a diagnosable eating disorder in the past you are welcome; if you have never been diagnosed with an eating disorder you are welcome. The focus of this group is not how to heal from a diagnosable eating disorder, per se. It is rather to help you untangle the web of emotions and cognitions behind food and addressing those aspects rather than the eating itself. My hope is that women are able to find sustainable methods of connecting with themselves, with others, and with food and break out of the maladaptive patterns that have been formed. The tone of this group is welcoming, understanding, compassionate, and empathetic because has unhealthy habits and beliefs that they develop to help them cope and survive. By the end of this group, I hope that you are no longer surviving in your relationship with food, but rather thriving!
About the Author:
Amy McCann, RP, Apprentice, is earning her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Denver Seminary. She is open to seeing many types of clients of all age ranges. She is trained in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy and desires to help couples strengthen their relationship. Amy earned her Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Movement Science from the University of Vermont, and desires to help her clients in a holistic way. She is passionate about people finding true freedom and healing in every area of life. Amy also has rich cultural experiences with living overseas and enjoys cross-cultural work with clients. Amy is originally from Boston, but loves living in Colorado with her husband. They enjoy hiking, fly fishing, playing games with friends, and eating ice cream.
