08 Monday Jul 2013
Posted in Christian Counseling, Meditation
I have used guided meditations along with power poses including topics such as ‘The Beauty of Nature’ and ‘Perseverance.’ Sometimes I use poetry and imagery along with guided relaxation.
http://www.lovingtherapy.com/MindBodyFitness.en.html
Selah: Rest. Silence. To lift up. To exalt.
Be still, and know that I [am] God. Psalm 46
Rachel Hofer
05 Wednesday Jun 2013
Posted in Events, Forgiveness
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20130622/ARTICLES/130629892
What is National Forgiveness Day and How Can I Celebrate it?
Who: Loga Springs Academy and The River Phoenix Center for Peacebuilding
What: An Open House “LoGala” with Art Show, live music with Jazzology, art projects with The Repurpose Project,Aerial Performances with S-Connection Aerial & Equestrian Arts. Instructor Corey Souza, belly dance performance by Karen Amaya, Zumba class, Psychodrama with Winning Harmony expert Dr. Jim Porter, Yoga and Relaxation with Rachel Hofer of Loving Therapy, food with the Brew Spot, and festivities with The Rainbow Tiger Circus.
Instructor Corey Souza and students of S-Connection will be demonstrating death defying feats on aerial silks and trapeze. Visitors can play too with $1 trapeze rides!
Where: Loga Springs Academy 931 NE 16th Ave. Gainesville, FL 32601. Right next to NE Park, The Brew Spot, DCF and Catholic Charities, down the road from St. Patrick’s school!
When: Saturday June 29th from 3:30-8:30
Why: To Celebrate National Forgiveness Day and open the Loga Springs Studio as a space open for classes and events where community learning and peace-building happens.
Contact Rachel Hofer at 352-577-8431 rachel@lovingtherapy.com if you are interested in displaying/selling artwork at the event. Suggested 5-10$ donation to the River Phoenix Center for Peacebuilding.
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20130622/ARTICLES/130629892
Rachel Hofer
02 Thursday May 2013
Men and women make jokes about our sensitivity regarding body image. Do I look fat in this? However, body image is a serious issue. On the far end of this continuum this issue may lead to eating disorders and depression. Eating Disorders affect millions of people, are the most common of mental disorders among women and girls, are often chronic, associated with limited functioning in everyday life, suicidal thoughts, may result in severe medical problems, and even death (Seligman, 333).
Unfortunately, less than one third of people who live with an eating disorder ever enter into treatment (Seligman, 341).
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy is better than no treatment, medication alone, and other forms of therapy for Eating Disorders (Seligman, 341). Changes in thinking, identifying triggers, and working with a therapist who cares and can listen works not just to manage symptoms but to get to the root of the problems underlying the cycle. Body image is often a huge component. Often a nutritionist can be a helpful member of the team and consulting with a doctor for medical examination and treatment is a must. Although, some people do not ever live completely free of the symptoms, many do. They learn to function and enjoy their lives more fully. A therapist can help to deal with the stress of living with the disorder as well as to tackle the underlying issues and changes in thinking and behavior that need to occur to live free of the disorder.
The first step is to come out of the denial. A friend or family member can have a huge impact on a person taking that first step. A healthy community encourages one another and the relationships among our friends, family, and neighbors are essential to the healing that takes place (Crabb, xii). Be a friend. Be a listener. Be understanding. Show respect. Hold up and bear the weight of others weaknesses where you can and you will experience so much joy in being a part of the process of connecting and healing!
Someone also made a spoof of how men all think they are good looking. Now though it is funny, men also struggle with body image and it is no joke. The female to male difference in prevalence is about three to one. Body image concerns have increased dramatically over the last three decades for men also.
Crabb, Larry. (1997). Connecting. Nashville, TN: Word Publishing.
Seligman, Linda & Reichenberg, Lourie W. (2007). Selecting Effective Treatments, Third Edition. San Francisco, CA: John Wiley and Sons, Inc.
Rachel Hofer
15 Friday Feb 2013
Posted in Anxiety, Drama and Counseling, Narrative, Play Therapy
Last week Dr. Jim Porter and I had our first “Psychodrama Laboratory” at the Loga Springs Human Enrichment Center. These will be held on the first monday of every month (Mondays Meditations on the other three). The Psychodrama Laboratory will use human volunteers to explore acting and drama exercises applied to our deepest fears, worries, and anxieties. Last week I discovered that though acting can sometimes be intimidating this is a different kind of acting and requires much more vulnerability. The scenes can be enjoyable to watch, but the purpose is more therapeutic.
If a comedian or actor acts out a scene I am sure they could make it extremely funny or entertaining. We definitely had some laughs and tender moments. However, at times the real honesty we are looking for in psychodrama requires some acting that is not performance and more exploratory work for the benefit of the participants. The audience and other actors are there to support another human in working out the conflict and learning from each other more than to be entertained. Some of the exercises can be much more entertaining also such as the rational-emotive anxiety scene with props. This reminded me of a Who’s Line Is It Anyway game.
I explored some of the concepts of narrative therapy, play therapy, and cinematherapy last week and we will continue with watching and discussing some scenes of movies for cinematherapy in the weeks to come. We will also have some exercises and activities that draw from narrative and play therapy. Brainstorming for the Loga Springs Human Enrichment Center Psychodrama Lab with Dr. Porter we ran through every Disney movie, Woody Allen, and Mel Brooks thinking of characters with anxiety!
Every time I am a little late I just think of that rabbit from Alice in Wonderland.
Rachel Hofer
23 Wednesday Jan 2013
Posted in Bullying
Tags
Like Dr. Porter, developer of the ‘Hands on Hero’ program, on FACEBOOK.
Rachel Hofer
15 Tuesday Jan 2013
Posted in Body Language, Hormones, Self Esteem
I am also certified in group exercise instruction and Yoga. Somatic therapies that use the mind-body connection are powerful.
I keep bringing up this TED talk with students and clients. The research she did shows that power poses increase Testosterone and reduce Cortisol levels (high Cortisol correlates with stress). Warrior pose from yoga in the bathroom stall before your next interview! NOT IN THE INTERVIEW! I wonder how poses that are more serene affect our hormones such as the mountain pose, the tree, or some stretches. . .
After using power poses on a regular basis (along with deep breathing, butterfly hugs, positive affirmation, mindfulness, guided meditation, exercise, and poses) 2-3 times a week for a few months you can feel so different. Anxiety, stress, and that feeling of going going going can be GONE. It can work like a drug.
Rachel Hofer
*The form of yoga I teach does not include religious practices or Hindu theology. There are different forms of meditation which I do not practice in these classes because of my spiritual convictions and yoga may not be appropriate for everyone. Yoga is a term that has different definitions so please be mindful. Phil. 4:8, 2 Cor. 10:5
14 Monday Jan 2013
Posted in Christian Counseling, Forgiveness, Personality Type
Take the test: http://www.5lovelanguages.com/profile/apology/
I first heard about these 5 languages of apology when I attended the American Association of Christian Counselor’s 2008 East National
Conference in Orlando. It makes so much sense that people hear ‘sincerity’ of an apology based on different underlying concepts, phrases, and cues that fit their personality, culture, and/or upbringing. An awareness of this can greatly help in communication.
Rachel Hofer
02 Wednesday Jan 2013
Posted in Recovery, Schizophrenia
Rachel Hofer
25 Tuesday Dec 2012
Posted in Brain Imaging and Counseling
Rachel Hofer
21 Wednesday Nov 2012
Posted in Depression, Drama and Counseling, Recovery
Tags
Monologue written by Holly Hofer. Performed by Katie Delvaux at the Hippodrome State Theatre.
Rachel Hofer
Loving Therapy™ 