Physically Focused New Year's Resolutions

January is a time of New Year’s Resolutions and other expressions of good intentions about our hopes, wishes and well-being.  Many of those promises are related to physical health.  I’m amongst the crowd that has pledged to shed a few pounds, improve my diet and lower cholesterol during 2015 upon reviewing my annual physical results from December. 

Collaborating with my doctor and his chief nurse to ensure that the recommended changes are implemented, a follow-up appointment has been scheduled for February to hit the scale and check the cholesterol patterns.  Can I be amongst the 8% of the population that actually achieves their New Year’s Resolutions?  Working with an expert certainly improves those odds.

 Who has not listened to stories from friends who often experienced feeling lost in the shuffle of managed care, paperwork, and lengthy stays in a waiting room?   Obtaining a referral to a medical professional that truly places an emphasis on patient CARE as well as achieving healthy outcomes is critical.   I can heartily recommend the following medical professionals as resources for friends and clients because each of the persons listed below truly emphasizes delivering quality care.

Primary Care Physician:   Karl Brot

Internal Medicine:  Patrick Kenny

Dentist:  Al Bove

Dermatologist:  Matthew Zarraga

Chiropractor:   Grant Lassiter

Optometrist:  Charles Rosenthal

Weight Loss:  Sarah Strock

So as the Calendar has started changed to a new year, please take some time to ensure your physical well-being is properly addressed.   Contact me at dnelson@ftlcfit.com or 954 789 9061 should you need additional information about these outstanding professionals.  

Cal Steinmetz, You Will Be Missed

On Friday morning, December 5, one of my heroes passed away from complications associated with cancer.   Cal Steinmetz had built a great reputation as an attorney, but Cal was also a wonderful partner to Brian Boyle, a mentor, an athlete, a fundraiser, an activist, and a loyal friend.

Cal and I met during the early 2000’s in Northern Virginia.  He and I collaborated on a few cases in which the mutual client needed both legal guidance and therapy.  Many of our cases resulted in clients taking ownership of their behavior, serving any terms of sentence, and getting additional resources (such as 12 step recovery, family therapy, or couples therapy) as needed.  The success was measured by NOT having clients return for services post discharge!

We shared a love of sports, as both a fan and a participant.  Cal was famous for his leadership on the softball field.   He ensured that players of all levels were welcome into the leagues.   He literally played with his heart on his sleeve with a similar passion to how he worked.   If you were blessed to be a friend of Cal, you knew you had someone who had your back!

Cal and Brian had made the transition from DC to South Florida though Cal managed for a period of a couple of years to have law practices in both locations.   He candidly advised me to only have one counseling office here in South Florida so clients could be re-assured of my active presence.  He had my back.  I will never forget that… or forget him.   RIP Cal.

Tribute to Robin Williams (Click Title to leave a Comment)

Tonight America learned that Robin Williams has died likely from suicide.   He was an incredibly gifted actor and comic.   I fondly remember being introduced to his zaniness with Mork & Mindy on television, laughed at his adult humor comedy routines while in college and grad school, and watched screen portrayals of various characters earning three Best Actor Oscar nominations and an Academy Award as Best Supporting Actor for Good Will Hunting.

His portrayal of Dr. Sean Maguire, the psychologist who helps Will Hunting, portrayed by Matt Damon, break through his defenses in the therapy office by establishing therapeutic alliance, trusting the clinician to challenge those inner most negative thoughts and feelings that drive depression, anxiety or addiction.   The therapy leads Hunting’s character to confront painful memories of abuse and work past many of the character’s self-doubts, in spite of his genius. 

The movies have not always been very kind with portrayal of therapists or psychiatrists.   However, Good Will Hunting, and Williams broke the mold showing how compassion, realistic conversation, and even, self-disclosure can be beneficial to the client – therapist relationship.  And thus, what a sad irony that Robin Williams has allegedly died due to complications from depression while having portrayed physicians and therapists whose clients often experienced “Hollywood endings” of happily ever after. 

Addiction and depression are life threatening illnesses that require intervention.   At times, someone may need a residential or inpatient setting when the complications become overwhelming.   Many people continue successful outcomes in an outpatient setting with a trusted therapist and at times, in conjunction with a competent psychiatrist for medication management.   Williams’ passing is a reminder that seeking help remains critical.   As a therapy professional, I remain committed to assisting those who entrust me with their care.   And my hope is that I can bring a slice of Sean Maguire to each person I work with.   Rest in peace Robin Williams.