–by Christina Forde, RP(Q)
“Within DOSE you find the keys to resilience, purpose, and authentic well-being” stated Dr. Krissy Doyle-Thomas during the November 26 PS: Protect Seminar, “Stay Safe and Effective: Neurobiology, Self-Regulation and DOSE (Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin, Endorphins).”
I was intrigued to learn more about the mind-body connection and how DOSE impacts our mental health. Dr. Doyle-Thomas, a Medical Neuroscientist, used her expertise in brain health to teach attendees so much about how to improve mental resilience and avoid burnout. She highlighted the importance of Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin, and Endorphins (DOSE) for all people, including Psychotherapists.
The speaker provided an overview of these neuro-chemicals’ role in the brain and also gave us opportunities to try out activities that can increase production of DOSE.
Dr. Doyle-Thomas introduced Dopamine and how it is “intricately tied to our experiences of motivation, pleasure, and the pursuit of rewards.” She explained that Dopamine can be increased through anticipation and achievement of goals. She then asked us to think of a win we have experienced. I did find it encouraging to reflect on the dopamine boosts I have received from past successes and to also celebrate with other attendees as they shared their own wins.
Next, the love and connection hormone, Oxytocin, was spotlighted. Dr. Doyle-Thomas explained that gratitude is a great way to boost our moods. She said that it is “so very powerful in shaping your brain, activating oxytocin as well as other happy brain chemicals and really being protective to our wellbeing [and] your brian.” She then gave us a few minutes to do some gratitude reflection. During this time, I could feel my mood lift a bit as I focused on my blessings instead of what I came into the seminar worried about.
Next up was the mood regulating neurotransmitter, Serotonin. Dr. Doyle-Thomas explained that serotonin boosting activities “really enhance our sense of inner peace and contentment.” A Singing Bowl Sound Meditation video was played during the seminar. I was not sure what to expect, as I have not done this type of activity before. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how I pretty much immediately felt calmer as it started playing.
Finally, Dr. Doyle-Thomas focused on our body’s natural pain killers, Endorphins. Exercise is of course a great option for producing endorphins. She shared that research shows how exercise has an impact “not only in promoting resilience, but on protecting our brain.” I definitely agree with her explanation of the benefits of endorphins. Exercise, laughter and creativity have been some of my favourite stress relievers throughout my life.
I found it really helpful to gain more understanding of how brain chemistry impacts mental health. It was also empowering to learn practical tips I can incorporate into my daily life to improve my well-being. I plan on taking what I have learned and applying it as a Safe and Effective Use of Self strategy because, as Dr. Doyle-Thoman reminded the group: “Deliberately activating DOSE is a valuable self-regulation strategy, helping you navigate your emotional work with resilience and authenticity.”
OSRP’s office will be closed from 5 p.m. ET on Friday, December 22, 2023, until 9 a.m. on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, which means we won’t be returning phone calls or emails until January 3 or 4, 2024.
We wish you all the best for a healthy and prosperous new year!
The month of December is filled with various festivals, religious events, national days and a multitude of celebrations that bring people together for food, fun, and frolicking. This may include Festivus, Winter Solstice, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, Independence Days for Kenya, Qatar, Bahrain, Libya, Mongolia, Finland, Tanzania, Portugal, and many more.
Though these are just a few significant dates people may celebrate or take time off to take care of themselves, friends or family, there are many different traditions associated with each holiday or significant day. Learning about the significance, stories and histories of various holidays can help broaden our perspective beyond the holidays we celebrate year after year.
As active, retired and student psychotherapists, we know that there are many for whom this time of year is uncomfortable, lonely, isolating or riddled with thoughts of traumatic experiences, grief and loss. We are aware of the tumultuous emotional rollercoaster of this season for many. As we continue through this month of December, we may wish to use inclusive language in how we greet each other and not make assumptions about how people are getting through this time. In addition, we might consider providing our clients and loved ones with a crisis line number/website and other culturally responsive community resources to help get through this time safely.
We might practise asking open-ended questions of each other first, so we are not making assumptions. For example, “What are you doing over these next few weeks?” This question does not assume someone will be on holidays because they may choose to or must work; it doesn’t assume they will be with family members; and it doesn’t assume they celebrate a specific holiday.
Another open-ended question might be, “How do you spend your time in these winter months?” This example invites discussion without imposing a specific belief, expectation, mood, or pattern of behaviour. Once we’ve learned more about the person we’re talking to, we can then decide how to wish them well.
May all OSRP Members find showers of positivity, pockets of joy and prosperity in HEALTH, WEALTH, and WISDOM in 2024!!!
Let’s be real, filling out intake forms isn’t anyone's favourite task. But with Jane’s user-friendly and automated Online Intake Forms, it’s a process that can be made more convenient (and hopefully, quicker!) for your patients or clients.
Book a 1-on-1 demo for a personalized walkthrough of Jane’s Online Intake Forms. Or if you’re ready to get started, log in to the OSRP website to get the code for a 1-month grace period on your new account.
Book A Demo
We’re kicking off a new feature in this newsletter to cheer and clap for OSRP members who are doing great things for the profession and in the community. Please submit suggestions about yourself or other OSRPers to mail@psychotherapyontario.org. Don’t be shy!
We’re starting with a note from our surprised Board Chair, Kimberly Cato, who was nominated without her knowledge for the Charity Village (Canada’s top not-for-profit clearinghouse/resource site) Best Individual Contribution to DEI in the workplace award. This is for the Race-Based Data Collection Initiative. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of Kimberly and the EDI Committee, and to everyone who participated by providing their data, OSRP is on the finalist list.
As our final seminar of an inaugural year to which we have attracted 170 individuals to join us and learn together, we are thrilled to share with you the wisdom of the delightful Dr. Krissy Thomas-Doyle for a special, Zoom-only, interactive event on November 26 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. To find out more, or to register, please click here.
Dr. Thomas-Doyle, a Medical Neuroscientist, is not only an expert in brain-related medical conditions and mental health, she is also a sparkling communicator who has a way of explaining the nuts and bolts of self-care from a brain health perspective, and making it fun and relaxing to learn more.
The Protect Subcommittee, chaired by Alethia Cadore, with members Kusum Dole, Rachel Fulford and Maria Wallis, has been working with Dr. Thomas-Doyle to create a unique, experiential and unforgettable trip through your own brain. We know you will find it invigorating.
Participants on Sunday, November 26 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Zoom will learn how to generate a daily D.O.S.E. – Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin and Endorphins – from our own experiences and worlds, and how to help our clients do this as well.
The focus is on you, the therapist, retiring therapist or therapist-in-training, and how to enhance your own brain health, vitality, and longevity in this demanding profession.
Three previous PS Videos are also available to members till the end of 2023. All videos are $20 each for members; those who purchased a “Flex Pass” prior to June 1 already have access to all materials and live/online seminars.
We look forward to sharing this experience with you at a comfortable, insightful and bonding event for all members.
The OSRP is proud to re-launch a streamlined, accessible and updated website which includes a translation option, our social media feeds, a moving image wall spotlighting important new initiatives on the home page, and cleaner menus to help you get the most out of your membership.
We are also thrilled with improvements to our “Find a Therapist” directory (Click here for more information.)
Thank you to OSRP office staff for their hard work on this new website, designed to welcome our members with calming images of the natural world and community building that embody the spirit of the OSRP.
Please visit your website and let us know your thoughts! Email us at mail@psychotherapyontario.org
Thank you to every member who has already registered to attend the AGM or chosen a proxy for:
Friday November 24 1-3 p.m. ET on Zoom
Click here to register.
Click here to choose a proxy.
Let’s keep up the momentum so that we can achieve quorum, meet as peers, and vote on important changes to OSRP’s Constitution and By-Laws, which you can read all about in the ANNUAL REPORT - both in your inbox, and available here.
Click here to view the Annual Report.
Your 2023 Board of Directors, in conjunction with our Ethics Committee, has developed proposed By-Law changes which, should they be approved, will usher the OSRP into a frontrunner position of Advocates for Advancement in Psychotherapy. Come out and let your voice be heard!
Q: How do I register to attend, or assign a proxy?
A: Click HERE to register/assign a proxy today.
Q: What if I registered, but then something happens and I can’t attend?
A: For those who have registered, we are counting on you to attend. But, we understand that emergencies happen. If something does, please click here to assign a proxy as soon as you can, and before November 22.
Q: Will I get a chance to review and vote on the By-Law changes?
A: Yes. The only way we can evolve as an organization is with your support and participation. All proposed changes are in the Annual Report, so please take a moment to read, review and consider.
At the AGM, these proposed changes will be reviewed, along with an explanation of why they are necessary.
Q: Why do I need to attend or send a proxy?
A: OSRP Quorum currently requires 10% of members – so we will need 100+ members to attend or select proxies.
Q: What are the results from the Race-Based Data Collection Initiative?
A: At the AGM, we will present the results of this initiative that puts OSRP at the forefront of Race-Based Data Collection in Psychotherapy in Ontario with 1000+ members completing the survey upon renewal. OSRP has established a benchmark we can now use to measure improvement and target membership recruitment to fill the identified gap of representation in the survey.
We are also really excited about the Door Prizes available for those who attend this AGM, including gift certificates generously donated by Caversham Booksellers.
with Paul Gilbert, Ph.D., FBPsS, OBE
Date: December 8 & 9, 2023 Time: 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. (ET) Where: Online via Zoom
We hope you will join The Centre for MindBody Health (CMBH) and immerse yourself in this extraordinary opportunity to learn from the esteemed Dr. Paul Gilbert as he guides us through the transformative realm of Compassion Focused Therapy for clients dealing with trauma.
About the Workshop
This training will be in two parts.
In the first part of session one, we will explore the evolution and biopsychosocial model of compassion that was developed to be used as a psychotherapeutic orientation. Participants will explore how the four basic functions of mind (motives, emotions competencies and behaviours) can all be textured by compassion and can also support compassion. We will explore how compassion can affect our physiological and psychological processes, such as capacities for empathy, mindfulness, and a sense of identity and how compassion can impact our social behaviour. Because of its important physiological effects, compassion can create experiences of safeness and connectedness. Participants will be introduced to some body-based and imagery-based practices for compassion activation and cultivation.
The second session will look at how to apply compassion-focused therapy that can help people with trauma while also exploring the challenges different types of trauma create.
For more information and to register, visit our website HERE.
Please contact us with any inquires at cmbhworkshops@gmail.com.
The PS: Protect Seminar group is so proud to announce that 165 individuals have joined us already for at least one seminar since April; many of you have participated in more than one. We’re even prouder to be working with Dr. Krissy Thomas-Doyle on a very special last seminar of the year.
Dr. Thomas-Doyle, a Medical Neuroscientist, is not only an expert in brain-related medical conditions and mental health, she is also a delightful communicator who has a way of explaining the nuts and bolts of self-care from a brain health perspective, and making it fun to learn more.
The Protect Subcommittee, chaired by Alethia Cadore, with members Kusum Dole, Rachel Fulford and Maria Wallis, has been working with Dr. Thomas-Doyle to create a unique, experiential and unforgettable trip through your own brain.
Participants on Sunday, November 26 from 4-5:30 p.m. on Zoom will learn how to generate a daily D.O.S.E. – Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin and Endorphins – from our own experiences and worlds, and how to help our clients do this as well. But the focus for this last seminar of 2023 is on you, the therapist or therapist-in-training, and how to enhance your own brain health, vitality, and longevity in this demanding profession.
To register (you won’t want to miss this), please visit the OSRP website under Events.
Three previous PS Videos are also available to members till the end of 2023. All videos are $20 each; those who purchased a “Flex Pass” prior to June 1 already have access to all materials and live/online seminars.
We look forward to sharing this experience with you at a comfortable, relaxed and bonding event for all members.
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