The Basics of Law Every Counselor Should Know

by Terrence D. Shulman, JD LMSW ACSW CAADC CPC

How many of you have ever had a legal issue? Most of us have. Maybe a simple speeding ticket or something more complicated like a divorce, bankruptcy, a contract dispute, or putting together a will? Most of us will have several legal issues throughout our lives and it should be no secret that persons who find themselves addicted often attract legal issues like a magnet. I ought to know. I have been in recovery from shoplifting addiction since 1990 and had been arrested and convicted twice of that crime. In addition, just three years ago, I was sued for alleged trademark and copyright infringement--that case dragged on for a year, cost a tremendous amount of time and money, before we finally settled before trial.

In almost all legal matters, we may feel a combination of stress, confusion, fear, anger, and shame. I certainly did. So, imagine how our clients feel when-- in addition to just learning the ropes of recovery--they have the added burden of dealing with (or, more often, not dealing with) legal issues. It is vital that we, as therapists, help identify clients’ legal issues which may be either the result of their addictions or part of their cause. Having a working knowledge of the law gives us a leg up on helping us understand and guide a client toward the possibility of faster and more favorable resolution of legal matters. This helps diminish client stress while in treatment and beyond and paves a smoother path to recovery and a better overall future.

Working with Horses: A Therapeutic and Spiritual Tool for Growth

By Mary Lynn Szymandera, LCDC, CEFIP

Several weeks ago, I worked with a young man, a horse trainer of significant skill and reputation, who was curious about “equine therapy” and wanted to experience it for himself. While he was standing next to Maggie, an eight year old, high-strung, thoroughbred mare, I asked the young cowboy what he was feeling. The mare had not “connected” to him yet and this informed me the young man was suppressing something, even though I didn’t have a clue as to what it might be. Tom said he didn’t think he was feeling anything and I began fishing for what might be below the surface. Tom denied he was feeling any anger and stated when he does get angry, he tries to resolve the issues that caused it and as soon as he can, he lets it go, frequently with prayer. Tom had been struggling for several moments, searching for what he was feeling when he happened to mention Thanksgiving “being a wreck” again this year. He stated “That’s just the way my family is and I have gotten used to it”. He said he didn’t think he harbored any resentment or anger about the family dysfunction. His statement prompted me to ask him if he had ever grieved the loss of the family he would have liked to have had, and as tears welled up in his eyes, Tom said, “You know, I’ve never thought of that before, but it feels like I have some grieving to do.” As the tears came, the mare’s head came down, she nuzzled his face and placed her head behind his shoulder as if to give him a hug or “have his back”. Tom was amazed at the horse’s capacity for empathy and caring. He had told me he had gotten a lot from working with horses in his life but never realized they had the capacity to give to him emotionally or truly care about a human enough to nurture or provide security.

Yoga: A physical path to reshaping your mind and moving your spirit

by Tammy Lee

Tammy Lee

The early founders of AA recognized that Alcoholism is a 3-fold disease affecting us physically, mentally and spiritually. The 12 step program has proved to be highly effective in addressing both the mental and spiritual aspects of the disease, while relatively little emphasis has been placed on the physical aspects. The ancient yogis knew that in order to sit and meditate for long periods of time, our bodies need to be in good physical condition, thus yoga is a natural complement to the 12 step program.

Yoga means “union with a higher power,” and it is comprised of much more than physical movement and postures (asanas). It may also include hand positions (mudras), conscious breathing (pranayam), sound (chanting) and meditation. As a lifestyle it includes things like being truthful, disciplined, non-violent and serving others. It involves bringing conscious awareness to all that we do, and the end result is to move the infinite supply of energy within us, so we can live in balance and harmony with the energies around us. When we live in harmony, we can be happy, which is our birthright. Thus, the physical components of yoga are necessary and integral in helping us to maintain balance mentally and spiritually. As with any movement (even breathing) both the nervous and glandular systems are affected, and these two systems have a significant impact our state of mind and health.

My Resolution Revolution

by Heather Klem

Heather Klem

With each passing year, we can count on the unfailing presence of New Year’s Resolutions calling out to us from television ads, compelling us from magazine covers and even as conversation content among friends and family once the previously month‘s holidays have rolled into our rearview mirror. For many the New Year brings hope and opportunity for a fresh slate, a clean page on which to continue life’s story. Closing the chapter on the previous year as it draws to a conclusion offers the possibility of positive change as it relates to the fresh twelve months ahead, not yet blemished by mistakes. Many, myself included, feel invigorated by the knowledge that I have another 365 days ahead to “get it right” and penning out some resolutions on how I can remodel life for the new year is extremely attractive and tempting.

I have been known to tirelessly document these declarations, only to have the list lost under the pile of clutter I had vowed to expel from my life earlier that January. Inevitably I would find my list, or look back on it at some point in the New Year and feel awash in regret, a potent dose of shame, defeat and failure. My inner bully would begin rummaging through the archives in my memory, pulling factual evidence and statistics from multiple New Years past where I had used the same approach and again, fallen short. I had made little to no progress on the items I had hoped to change and was now left feeling a little more stuck and discouraged about my lack of personal willpower.