Orlando Counseling : Harmony Counseling Group

A new three-part series on PBS will be covering Borderline Personality Disorder in addition to other related issues surrounding attachment, relationships, depression, anxiety, anger, and resilience.

This Emotional Life will premiere on January 4 and the second episode with address BPD. The series is hosted by Dan Gilbert, PhD.

And, this message from the Florida Borderline Personality Disorder Association (FBPDA):
The traditional definition of philanthropy has been the use of private funding for the public good. Once again, FBPDA operated on a budget of less than $10,000 during 2009 and has received no support from any government contracts or agencies. 100% of this funding has come from people just like you: family members, those diagnosed with or in recovery from BPD, family members, friends, advocates, and mental health professionals. Our average gift is less than $40.

It is because of you that we have been able to educate thousands of additional Floridians about Borderline Personality Disorder, provide referrals, and advocate for those with BPD and their families over the past year.

None of this would have been possible without your support in the past nor will it be possible without your support in the future. Don’t think for a moment that a one-time gift of $100 or a reoccurring donation of $10 a month wouldn’t make a world of difference in some one’s life. It has in the past and will continue to do so this next year.

To make a contribution today, simply click on this link. Our partner, Network for Good, is also able to process gifts anonymously so your privacy will be guarded. If you prefer to mail FBDA, you may write to:

            Florida Borderline Personality Disorder Association
            233 3rd Street North #103
            St. Petersburg, FL  33701

or you can telephone Amanda Smith, President of FBDA at (941) 704-4328 if you have any questions about making a gift or would like to arrange a time to meet.

Thank you for making a difference in the lives of persons with BPD!

Happy New Year!
P.S. Please remember that FBPDA is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. That means that your contribution to us is tax-deductible.

For mental health counseling and therapy in the Orlando, Winter Park areas

call 407.835.3673 for appointment.

The casting producer of the show “Obsessed” contacted me looking for individuals who would like to be casted in this TV show. In case you are unfamiliar, it is a documentary-style program that follows the treatment of patients battling Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

This show is looking for participants who really need help and are seeking Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to assist them in regaining control of their lives. If a person is cast they receive 12 weeks of treatment in the form of group and individual therapy, at no expense, from experts in the field.

The most important thing to note is that the show is not exploitative or sensationalized. Rather, the show follows individuals’ treatment and hopefully their ultimate success. Season 1 saw 18 of 22 participants successful with their treatment while all 22 agreed that going on the show was a great experience.

The show also casts for other debilitating orders such as Panic Disorder, Agoraphobia, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. If you or someone you know could benefit, pass the word on! The casting producer’s information is below, and you can e-mail her directly.

E-mail: MHallidencasting@gmail.com                      http://www.aetv.com/obsessed/

For counseling and therapy in the Winter Park and Orlando areas, please call 407.835.3673 for appointments and questions.

Holidays are stressful for everyone but if you or someone you love has a serious mental illness even getting together for dinner can prove to be an emotionally-charged event.

The New England Personality Disorder Association has a wonderful publication written by John Gunderson, MD and Cynthia Berkowitz, MD titled Family Guidelines that is a must read.

Some of the recommendations they give include:

Feelings of being lonely, different, and inadequate need to be heard. By hearing them and demonstrating that you’ve heard them using the methods described above, you help the individual to feel a little less lonely and isolated. Such feelings are a common, everyday experience for people with Borderline Personality Disorder. Parents usually do not know and often do not want to believe that their daughter feels these ways. The feelings become a little less painful once they are shared.

If you’ve been diagnosed with BPD, today may be the perfect time to come of up with your list of DBT Distress Tolerance tools that you can use to get through what might be a difficult day.

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

For mental health therapy or counseling in the Orlando and Winter Park areas, contact Harmony Counseling Group, LLC for an appointment, at 407.835.3673. 

P.S. Florida Personality Disorder Association (FBDA)  continues to need your financial support in order to provide outstanding opportunities for public education, outreach, and support. Will you please make a tax deductible contribution today?