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RETHINKING PSYCHIATRY is where we will start (other topics further down on page) so that you can understand what pushed me off the status quo of mental health assumptions and onto seeking and sharing with you real healing options.  If you are suffering, then you will be encouraged to get wellness diagnosis and support from a holistic health practitioner like a naturopath or Chinese medicine doctor.  Relationship Gardening clientele are never referred for psychiatric medications and are cautioned to be very careful with medication tapering (see Safe Withdrawl links below)
A must read article in New York Review of Books by Marcia Angell http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2011/jun/23/epidemic-mental-illness-why/?page=1

Marcia, in the above article, reviews the following books which are linked here to Powell's Books at each title below:

The Emporer's New Drugs: Exploding the Antidepressant Myth (Irving Kirsch)

Anatomy of an Epidemic: Magic Bullets, Psychiatric Drugs and the Astonishing Rise of Mental Illness in America (Robert Whitaker)

Unhinged: the Trouble With Psychiatry-A Doctor's Revelations About a Profession in Crisis (Daniel Carlat)


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 DR PETER BREGGIN
Dr Peter Breggin, retired psychiatrist and expert witness about criminal malpractice with psychiatric meds has a short video series. 
  •  Click this sentence for Peter Breggin's YouTube channel.
    Click this sentence for Dr. Breggin's website (if you think this might be bogus, then go look at the "Important Legal Cases list of mulitple million dollar+ in psych medication harm jury awards). 

WHAT NEXT FOR RECOVERING?
Once you realize the big pharma deception and want to know next steps, you can explore our Portland, OR think-tank here or explore this entire page you are on now to see more amazing gems for healing :
http://www.rethinkingpsychiatry.org/

Check out this very thorough mental health recovery blog and list of blogs  http://beyondmeds.com

"I Got Better" testimonial videos.  Mine is there too about how I got my brain back from severe brain fog and memory loss. http://igotbetter.org/videos


SAFE WITHDRAWAL or MEDICATION TAPERING

The UK has this nailed with more than a decade of mobilizing on harm by psychiatric meds.  See my page for the links to f
ind support and info on safe withdrawal : http://relationshipgardening.weebly.com/coming-off-psych-drugs.html

Antidepressant Withdrawal Blogs
 Here is a tapering method that takes longer but without horrid withdrawl effects:
http://prozacwithdrawal.blogspot.com/p/psychiatric-drug-withdrawal-why-taper.html?spref=fb

 Peer support for antidepressant withdrawal, Dr. Peter Breggin's chapter on tapering meds, & more:
  • http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?        
  • Psychiatric Drug Withdrawal, A Guide For Prescribers, Therapists, Patients and Their Families.

 
ANXIETY and DEPRESSION RESOURCES FOR GROWING WELLNESS and INNER PEACEFULNESS

First, have you tried Medicinal Mushrooms? I can't tell you what to take but I can tell you to find an Integrative MD or naturopath who can explore many options for healing. The research is available about how some have overcome a variety of serious symptoms in mind/body using organic medicinal mushrooms.
  • Start here http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-stamets/mushroom-memory_b_1725583.html
  •  Read about Paul Stamets' Host Defense line of mushroom capsules at http://www.fungi.com/about-paul-stamets.html, or http://hostdefense.com/
  • TED Talks with Paul Stamets on healing the planet, healing yourself.  http://www.ted.com/speakers/paul_stamets My favorite is the one with his mother at the end who had an Alzheimer's reversal on Lion's Mane mushroom)

RELAXATION TRAINING  Your body has grown a survival strategy that doesn't work for you when it turns into a panic or anxiety attack.  Get out of this jail further by starting relaxation training with a daily practice of listening to these free mp3s.  You can listen or download tracks at the first link.  The second link is a major gold mine of healing options, everything A to Z about recovering from anxiety states.

  • Health Journeys Audio Library Free Podcasts
  • Here is the store of hundreds for purchase.
for AUDIO FILES TO TRAIN YOUR MIND/BODY for relaxation and healing.  Affirmations and guided imagery are quite powerful tools of change. We are surrounded by and give ourselves a constant stream of negative messages.  You have to strengthen your overcoming parts of your mind/body to have easier access to healing.
Ok, these are FREE, people, compliments of Kaiser Permanente!   This is an unbelievable gift you just discovered!  Visit that Health Journeys link for mp3s to get help with ALLERGIES, ANGER & FORGIVENESS, CANCER: COPING, CHEMO, RADIATION, FIBROMYALGIA & FATIGUE, FITNESS, GRIEF, HEADACHES, HEALTHY HEART, HOLIDAY DEPRESSION, IMMUNE SYSTEM HEALTH, MENOPAUSE, PAIN, PANIC ATTACKS & ANXIETY, PREGNANCY & CHILDBIRTH, RELAXATION & WELLNESS, SELF-CONFIDENCE, SLEEP, STOP SMOKING, STRESS, STRESS MANAGEMENT FOR HEALTH CONDITIONS, SURGERY,  and WEIGHT LOSS. 
The second link to the store has all that Health Journeys has for purchase.

More on how to deal with anxiety, or your stress and pressure: visit the online Calm Clinic at calmclinic.com
                                                                                                                TAPPING  Everything you need (articles, audio, video) for using tapping, you will find at the site of the bro-sis team, Nick and Jessica Ortner.  They have an annual world summit of free online events, a Youtube channel, and a seemingly endless video, audio and live event library in their Tapping Insider's Club: http://www.tappingworldsummit.com/event/                                                                                                
ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, CRAVINGS including alcohol, HORMONAL WONKINESS? Before going down the psych med path, first have a free 15 min phone call with this naturopath to see what is possible as causes of your mood states, and what are the  holistic health options.  I know dozens of people who have unlocked their own healing with Dr Jennifer Reid with no side effects. 503 492-9427, or jen@favoritedr.com,  Carriage House Medicine website.

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               A few more truly awesome resources more or less alphabetized ...    
                                                                   
ADDICTIONS 
RATIONAL RECOVERY
for overcoming addictions in Portland, Oregon.  Learn an alternative to 12 step meetings, using the Addictive Voice Recognition Technique for permanent abstinence.  WARNING: RR is harshly rejecting of 12 step recovery, & quite over the top snarky about it.  I have not seen the latest materials in the AVRT course since they stopped having in person meetings, so as with all these options on this page, decide for yourself. If you'd like a zero tolerance approach, take what you can use...
Free how-to and teleconference options  http://www.rational.org/index.php?id=51
RR message to families of addicts http://rational.org/index.php?id=91 
                                                                  
AFFAIRS  
Peggy Vaughan's (RIP) Extramarital Affairs Resource Center with over 100 free articles on recovering from cheating, infidelity, betrayals, affairs:  http://dearpeggy.com/affairsmenu.html

FOOD ALLERGY SUFFERERS/GLUTEN FREE & MORE
Joy and Kelsy will even visit you at home to help create new habits and routines that support your lifestyle, find and prepare delicious, safe foods, and make your home and garden a place of healing.  They know their stuff having been down the road of some nightmarish medical and mood situations and back through the food choices they speak about.
http://kitchenlib.com/  

 FEMINIST BLOG
Learn about mansplaining by this hilarious feminist writer of the blog "Tiger Beatdown."
http://tigerbeatdown.com/2011/08/29/chronicles-of-mansplaining-professor-feminism-and-the-deleted-comments-of-doom/                                                         
                                                               
HEALTHCARE (low cost)
Patient Physician Cooperatives (you won't believe how awesome this is, so go read it yourself.  For example, transgender healthcare access in Portland, Oregon for hormones and more are at very low cost for lower incomes at Mercy and Wisdom clinic, and so much more.   I know it is true because I am a specialist for the Portland PPC!) http://www.patientphysiciancoop.com/
Portland, OR PPC: http://pdx.patientphysiciancoop.com/
  • Health Coalition Clinics in or near Portland, OR (sliding scale)
    National College of Natural Medicine Community Clinics http://ncnm-clinic.com/community-clinics/
    Coalition of Community Health Clinics including Equi Institute for trans, queer, intersex and gender diverse communities!
    http://www.coalitionclinics.org/
    Dental http://www.coalitionclinics.org/other-health-care-resources/dental-services


    LESBIAN, GAY
    , TRANSGENDER

    Hopeful videos of how it gets better for gay and lesbian kids:
    http://www.itgetsbetter.org/

    Gay Mormons speak out at BYU (now if that aint courage, I don't know what is)  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ym0jXg-hKCI   
        
Queer Voices blogging from the Portland Q Center where you will find dozens of Portland, Oregon LGBTQi support groups, events and more: 
http://www.pdxqcenter.org/queer-voices/
                                                     
Transgender expertise and services for youth, adult, family:
http:www.transactiveonline.org/services/  

Transgender specialized counseling and groups in Portland at Brave Space www.bravespacellc.com/

SPOUSES Support Group for cisgender spouses of transgender or non binary mates in Portland,  Oregon!  Call me, Shannon to register 503 348-0405. Read more by clicking here. 

COME VISIT SHANNON BATTS to grow your LGBQT relationships-you have enough stress in your life-let's get it out of your special relationship. Flexible rates.  You can book right now on the live schedule-go look here Shannon's Schedule m.supersaas.com/schedule/Relationship_Gardening/Couple's_or_Individual's_Appts

                                                                                       

LOVING RELATIONSHIPS
Inspiring video animations of real life love from Story Corps:
http://storycorps.org/animation/danny-and-annie/                                                                                                                                        MARRIAGE HELP Email Shannon Batts,
advanced trained in assessing and coaching couples to healthy habits based on real couples in the long term Gottman ongoing studies. The best kind of marriage counseling out there.  Shannon through fantastic word of mouth referrals has developed a niche for couples in the rainbow including ones dealing with gender transition. SO much goodness, right here in Portland, Oregon. Video sessions for California couples (Shannon is dual licensed) 
mailto:couplescoach@gmail.com

PARENTING
A no medication Nurtured Heart Approach to inspiring greatness and well being in your kids, in class and at home, by Howard Glasser who has transformed entire school populations of ADHD medicated children into well,...look here and let him tell you about it.   Glasser has how to positively shift behavior positively NAILED!  FREE video-based E-Course, 10 Ways to Propel Your Challenging Child To Greatness.  http://difficultchild.com/

NEWBORN IN THE FAMILY SUPPORT
Please read this and use it when someone you know has a baby!  For those of us who have been there-it means THE WORLD to us to get this kind of practical support. From Gloria Lemay's Birth Blog, read this post "After the Birth, What a Family Needs"
http://www.glorialemay.com/blog/?p=34
                                                                  
RACE & ETHNICITY MATTERS

"Race Talks: Opportunities For Dialogue" are free monthly discussions and networking at McMenamins Kennedy School, Portland, Oregon, to get inspired to make friends outside of your own race, create solidarity and actions with racial justice allies, break out of personal racism, and learn from expert panels and films, by donation: 

https://racetalkspdx.com/
 
SOCIAL SUCCESS for the shy or awkward find skills and workarounds here: http://www.succeedsocially.com/

VETERANS
  • All FREE professional services to returning vets, active duty, and family who need counseling, chiropractic, naturopathic medicine, drug and alcohol counselors, chinese medicine, massage, acupuncture, etc.  Close the door to suicide and make health your mission.  There are other returning vets that need you!!  This is not the VA, it is a project of volunteer professionals.  AMAZING!  http://www.returningveterans.org/providers/find
    •  Warriors-just wait till you see all these offers at Wounded Warrior.  Be sure to scroll the whole page as you will see Mind, Body, Economic and Civic Engagement.  WOW!  http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/programs.aspx
    • Video interviews of VETS OVERCOMING with Energy Medicine, war trauma, anger, suicidality, and more:  http://stressproject.org/video/
    • At the eftforvets website, podcasts and a free ebook and recording of the ebook on releasing war trauma, including nightmares, insomnia, & flashbacks through EFT/Tapping tools:  http://www.eftforvets.com/1144/anger-management-for-ptsd-three-steps-to-transforming-rage-with-eft-coaching-eft-podcast/
    • Everything for using tapping with the bro-sis team, the Ortners.  They have an annual world summit of free online events, a Youtube channel, and seemingly endless video, audio and live event library in their Tapping Insider's Club: https://www.thetappingsolution.com/
    • Sleep help free, 24 hours online, CBT-i training to set a sleep schedule, modify sleep behavior and reduce unhelpful thoughts, Path To Better Sleep  https://www.veterantraining.va.gov/insomnia/

WEIGHT LOSS & HEALTHY FOOD MATTERS

Free download on 21 research, or science based facts that will assist you in healthy weight goals.  Did you know more than 6 or 7 hours of sleep is needed to produce leptin which affects your hunger signals?  Read the rest at:  http://www.hypnosisnetwork.com/downloads/index.php?WL96M=

Dr. Judith Beck (Cognitive Therapy founder Aaron Beck's amazing daughter) has a good handle on healthy weight training, starting with her book The Beck Diet Solution: Train Your Brain To Think Like A Thin Person.  Find daily motiivation, and strategies here as well as workbooks, DVDs, CDs and great support for reaching your goals.

http://diet.beckinstitute.org/category/daily-diet-tips/


Thumbtack listing of relationship and marriage help in Portland, OR, plus Q and A with important considerations in choosing a counselor for your relationship.  But don't ask me for a quote there.  My rates are on the tab at top of this page, see "About," at dropdown "Rates" above.  Here is Thumbtack for that interesting Q & A about marriage counseling:
http://www.thumbtack.com/or/portland/dating-coach/relationship-coaching-services

Facebook (See top right corner of site you are on for my Twitter, etc):
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Relationship-Gardening/115469365152680











PORN
AND YOUR BRAIN
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Today's porn is nothing like that of prior generation in that the super fast internet seriously messes with the reward circuitry in disabling ways, especially for youngsters who are still building and pruning brain pathways in a big way.  Get tools for change at Your Brain On Porn http://yourbrainonporn.com/tools-for-change












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Love Habits you can do today, sent immediately (a gift from Shannon):

    You will be asked to confirm your request.

     

    email Shannon
    New Enhanced Relationship Check-Up now available with streamlined 30% less questions, an easy way to reassess progress if we'd like, and plenty of information about strengths and what to repair. Available for $39 (to Gottman) for clients of Approved Member therapist Shannon Batts.
    DONATE by clicking here to go to the checkout Square site where you can enter your donation of any amount and support resource redirection of free services to
    ​marginalized clients. 
    Or, Paypal.me/shannonbatts
    ​Thank you!
     
    Gottman Approved Member
    Proud Member of TherapyDen
    verified by Psychology Today
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    How to find a good marriage counselor?  Ask Shannon Batts in Portland, Oregon.  Note from Shannon: Make sure they have advanced training (not just degrees and licenses) with couples, can describe what they learned and how they deliver it to you, and are also HAPPILY married! Can they speak to their privilege or marginalizations and how they impact counseling with you?
    Shannon Batts, Licensed Professional Counselor of Portland, Oregon, lic# C2379, and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist for Californians, lic# MFT 34477, is Marriage Friendly, with better than neutrality toward the outcome of your life long love commitment. Shannon Batts is a Portland, Oregon counselor, with advanced skills, education and training in assisting couples (extremely rare among counselors). Lesbian, gay, trans, mixed gender identity, questioning gender, nonbinary, and straight couples of all ages seek out tools and support for their relationships from Shannon Batts. Shannon trains ongoingly to be antiracist and is a facilitator and consultant at Race Talks PDX. Transgender, Black Americans, or unhoused clients will find amazing flexibility in counseling rates if you need it because you've been through enough!


    ​

    www.couplesintransition.com and www.spousesgroup.com also arrive here at https://relationshipgardening.com/
    so as to direct couples facing gender transition to excellence in support for making it through transition together.

    Electronic/internet based communication is not a guarantee of privacy as it is always subject to security breach or hacking. You do maintain the right to email, text or video chat regardless of the risk.
     Shannon is the counselor's counselor where couples go to grow a happy marriage, with Gottman research based relationship and marriage help and telehealth video sessions.  Marriage Counseling, couples' coaching, premarital counseling, help for transgender or non binary coming out in marriage, support for spouses of transgender or non binary partners, couples group for transgender partners and cisgender spouses, questioning gender in your marriage, gender affirming referral letters, marriage retreats, marriage workshops, antiracist coaching for engaged couples, antiracism groups for white people, antiracism couples groups, antiracism groups for professionals, custom antiracism groups, marriage affairs or adultery, porn or sex addiction or compulsion in your marriage, couples communication training-whatever you call it-make sure your best marriage counseling choice in CA, or in Portland, Oregon has Advanced Gottman Institute aka Relationship Research Institute training.  A Gottman trained therapist like Shannon Batts knows how to move couples from sticky negativity to a garden of new possibilities from the very first couples' session.  Services available by Zoom for all of CA and OR. relationshipgardening.com

    Photos used under Creative Commons from Justin Snow, Life Mental Health, Boston Public Library, torbakhopper, HotlantaVoyeur