Month: April 2021

[vc_row padding_setting=”1″ desktop_padding=”padding-one”][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]By Anne Peters, LMFT

We have officially made it to spring! We made it through another winter and can see the blooms of new beginnings all around us. The weather is warming up and with that, we can enjoy some outside time with our loved ones. I don’t know who will enjoy it more, us as adults or our kiddos we are caring for! Have you heard of sensory bins for children? It’s a wonderful way to put together different textures for a fun and interactive activity for the whole family. Many of the items listed for these sensory bins you may already have around the house; otherwise, they can be found at your local dollar store. You don’t need to spend a lot of money to create a lot of fun and adventure. Here are some fun springtime sensory bin activities you can try today!

1. Spring Garden Sensory Tub (from www.notimeforflashcards.com)

In this sensory bin, combine dried split peas, large dried Lima beans, dried white beans, dried orange lentils, mini bow tie pasta, and some small flower pots into a tub. You can find big sensory tubs for around a dollar! Mix all together and add some small flower pots and some sand shovels. Explore and play. What a great time to teach all about growth and gardening.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row padding_setting=”1″ desktop_padding=”padding-one”][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]2. Baby Bird Sensory Tub (from www.modernpreschool.com)

The different ways to play in this bin are virtually endless! Here’s what you need: shredded brown paper, colored pipe cleaners, plastic bird toys, clothespins, and bowls for sorting. That’s it! One idea is to combine all into a bin and encourage your children to sort the worms by color using the clothespins as grabbers and separate into different bowls.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row padding_setting=”1″ desktop_padding=”padding-one”][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]3. My Garden Sensory Bin (from www.frogsandsnailsandpuppydogtail.com)

Here’s a super fun idea! Here’s all you need – bird seed, a birdhouse, stones/rocks, insect/reptile/bird toys, shovels/scoops, trucks, flowers, or gnomes. This activity is great because you can use what you have if you don’t want to go out and buy new objects. Let your kiddo go wild creating their own garden scene.

“Children need the freedom and time to play. Play is not a luxury. Play is a necessity.” – Kay Redfield Jamison[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row padding_setting=”1″ desktop_padding=”padding-one”][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]By Anne Peters, LMFT

If you’ve never been in therapy (or it’s been a while), the thought of going may produce some anxiety with not knowing what to expect. I’m here to give you some general ins and outs of what it’s like, so you know what to expect when you walk in the door (whether it’s in person or virtually). The movies portray therapy as lying on the couch while your therapist takes notes. This is not reality. Generally speaking, therapists aim to create a space where you feel at ease and safe. All therapists do things differently, so your experience might slightly vary. Just know one thing: A therapist’s job is to meet you where you are at and provide a safe and comfortable environment.

Making an Appointment
Here at LSI, the first step is to call our Central Intake department. They will gather information from you including your name, date of birth, insurance information, location, and what you’re hoping to address in therapy. They will then either offer you an appointment, or coordinate with a therapist and return a call to you with an appointment time. Remember, right now appointments are available both in person AND through telehealth.

Initial Appointment
Then, it’s time for your first appointment with your new therapist! This appointment is generally full of paperwork and lots of information gathering. Information such as family history, medical history, current stressors, and strengths will be addressed. This a great time for you to ask questions, too! If you have questions about the therapy process, please ask. Your therapist will provide you with some recommendations and set up your next appointment.

Ongoing Sessions
This is where the real work and discovery happens. You and your therapist will come up with some treatment goals in order to stay on track with the target area of need. Then, your therapist will utilize an evidence-based treatment modality – like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), just to name a few – to guide you in reaching your goals. Feel free to ask if your therapist has not shared which modality they plan to use. Get ready for some self-discovery and for some progress to be made!

Termination
Once you’ve found yourself at a point where you’re ready to successfully end your time in therapy, termination will occur. This is a great moment – congratulations! You and your therapist will discuss skills you can continue to use, and ways you can contact your therapist if you need to come back for a “booster” session. You did the hard work![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]