A Revision of Gestalt Therapy: Bringing Gestalt Therapy Into The 21st Century

The therapeutic concepts I present here are not new; they are a snapshot of Fritz Perl's' Gestalt Therapy. However, the revisions I propose here are original, and are the revisions I make as I apply Perl's' Gestalt theories to modern psychotherapeutic practice. Dr. Frederick S. Perl's' Gestalt Therapy is an Expressional Therapy to treat mental illness, as opposed to the popular Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy taught in universities today. Though Gestalt has fallen out of favor in counseling education, I find it still has great merit, for it can be amended to suit the individual client's temperament, as well as to the temperament of the therapist who presents it. This is my attempt at that revision process.

Working with Resistances

Perls advised when there are resistances (avoidances or phobias) in the patient, to go further into them by amplifying them; by dramatizing them, giving voice to the "hidden desires," and allowing their expression. Expression is only a hunger to be heard; we are all hungry in different ways. If the client suffers from anger, magnify the expression of anger in the safety of the therapeutic setting. This can be accomplished utilizing Perl's' Chair Exercise, or through psychodrama, wherein the feared object is given permission to have "its say," such as, "playing rage," or "playing the obsessive" (smoker, eater, drug user, etc.).

Perls taught that to deny expression of such powerful emotions and compulsions causes not their cessation, but it's opposite, exacerbation; anything we resist persists. For example, during psychodrama the compulsive over-eater could be encouraged to finish the sentence, "I eat because... " until she has exhausted her verbal arsenal. This serves the purpose of giving the compulsion an audience. To answer questions "in character" and automatically, without censoring, is to stop suppression and encourage expression. Expression is art, and Gestalt was originally a European art movement which later Perls transformed into a psychotherapeutic movement.

I believe Gestalt done right is art. Today, however, Gestalt Therapy has been reduced to techniques, a therapy which has been downsized, reduced to its simplest form, a development which Perls would have likely found distasteful. What remains of Gestalt Therapy are the dismantled pieces of his originally holistic theory. Gestalt Therapy is an incomplete Gestalt now, which is an oxymoron; it's what Perls preached against. Perls conceived of the world in systems, as he was first trained as a medical physician. His methodology was to work to restore the equilibrium of the organism, not in part, but in the whole. He didn't advise "piece-mealing" his theory, nor "soft-peddling" it. I believe Perls would be disappointed but not surprised that his contributions to psychology have been confined to what he might have described as, "a dog and pony show."

Expressional Therapy

Perl's' vision was an Expressional Therapy, a highly interactive process which is an exchange between clinician and client, at times evoking emotional upheaval in the patient. His methods were not a cup of tea, or a walk in the park with the therapist; instead, his methods were a stiff shot of whiskey and a confrontation with suppressed inner pain. For some, giving expression to the forbidden self, the subjugated, guilt-ridden, better-left-hidden self, is disquieting, distasteful and embarrassing. Shame is encountered, pain is unearthed, and old beliefs which are nasty, negative and shocking to the client come bubbling to the surface.

However, in the aftermath of exploration and catharsis of suppressed feelings and repressed memories, a restoration of the true, unhindered self occurred in Perl's' patients. The truth was bubbling to the surface at last, both in his patients, and as proof that his techniques worked. Gestalt at its finest is an excavation of the soul; unearthing emotions and memories buried in the forgotten field of the unconscious; perhaps filed away in Jung's Collective Unconscious. It is a retrieval method of touching upon what has been carefully buried, to see it afresh, for what it really is, and then to reset the broken bone. It is a reflective, benevolent act, in hopes that the suppressed traumata can be used to heal. This is the Gestalt Therapy that Perls envisioned and applied; the integration of the disowned parts of the personality, so the neurotic is freed of his rigid, relentless compulsions and fear of loving too much.

Non-Verbal Communication

I offer here a simple revision of some core Gestalt techniques, a therapeutic approach which I would rather call Expression Therapy, as Gestalt has left a bitter taste in some psychological historian's mouths. The first revision I would propose is Perl's' emphasis on the physiological resistances presented during therapy. Interpreting and analyzing non-verbal communication has some merit in the patient who squirms or smiles to cover up, or scratches nervously, for it gives the therapist non-verbal clues with which to draw out unspoken feelings. The client is physiologically compensating for the mental discomfort she naturally experiences while in the "hot seat" of the therapist's chair. To allow this natural discharge of pent-up anxiety is beneficial to the client.

Interpreting the body's movement as therapeutically significant is important collateral information for the therapist, but I believe not crucial. To make it a focal point and draw attention to the client's body language has slight therapeutic merit, but to dwell on it is to cause the patient to feel scrutinized and self-conscious, even more defensive than she already is. I believe non-verbal communication is a secret language for the therapist to read, as an indication of the patient's comfort level, or discomfort. To ask one body part (such as a hand) to "talk" to another body part (the other hand) about its nervous movements may be interesting for the therapist, but you run the risk of the patient feeling intruded-upon or scrutinized. I believe non-verbal communication should not be a focal point in therapy. Rather, it should be used as an adjunct to therapeutic interpretation.

Bear Trappers

Perls addressed how to manage difficult clients in therapy; these he referred to as "Bear Trappers." He refused to work with these patients unless they readily followed directions by cooperating. As Perls described, they "play along" cooperatively until you touch upon a resistance point, at which time they become triggered and then "lower the boom," or try and trap you, blaming and reproachful towards the therapist. All they can seem to do is to argue, to prove themselves right one more time. Perls would describe these clients as having "no ears," as they are not open to hearing the truth. I find these argumentative personalities to be the paranoiac characters, or those with Paranoid Personality Disorder.

Initially they present as charming, but easily revert to the "Dr. Jekyll-Mr. Hyde" which they really are, when they don't wish to cooperate. The paranoid personality also is, as Freud said about the Narcissist, "His Majesty the Baby." Like the Narcissist, the paranoiac refuses to mature. He throws fits, demanding it be his way, or he will regress to manipulations and "out-smarting" the therapist in a show of egos to prove his superiority. The well-intending therapist then gets caught in a frustrating game of cat and mouse, and the therapist begins to feel "trapped." This game shifts the focus from the problems of the paranoiac to the supposed "ineptness" or "wrong conclusions" of the therapist, which is a diversionary tactic on the part of the paranoiac client, leading to high frustration for both client and clinician. This is why Perls refused to engage with unyielding defenses, and "threw them out" of the "hot seat" during group workshops.

Although I can sympathize with Perl's' frustration in treating Personality Disordered clients who are unrelentingly resistive or argumentative, to refuse to accept them into treatment is to offer these types little hope for recovery. I agree there are clients who present in counseling with the intent of proving the therapist wrong or inept so they can be vindicated in their own minds that nothing is wrong with them in the first place (as they have insisted all along). These difficult cases require firm but gentle approaches which provide direct feedback from the therapist, for to "stroke their ego" is what they are greedy for, but will help them. There should be a balance between dismissing them from the practice, and being a "whipping boy" for them.

The personality disordered person has no eyes. They have dysmorphia, a distorted self-image, or a scotoma; a blind spot, in which they cannot see themselves as others do. Either way, their self-image is distorted. They can neither see themselves as they are, nor do they see the environment as it is. Their sense of reality is warped. Rather than "prove" once again to the paranoiac that they are indeed an "outsider" by throwing them out of the practice and thus confirm their projections, our mission should be to help them develop eyes. It does not matter what I see before me; what matters is what they see in themselves. Personality problems are self-image problems. This laborious process of revealing the truth to the patient requires extraordinary amounts of patience. Like a blind person, you are asking them to see what they have not yet developed the eyes to see. They are at first "groping in the dark," which causes them frustration resulting in anger, which is displaced upon the world (and directed at the therapist).

Working with seriously personality disordered patients is a labor of love; it has to be. If you cannot feel any empathy for their lost-ness, their feelings of betrayal or being the object of persecution (all the while persecuting you), it is better that you do not work with them, for it will require empathy, strong boundaries and patience. To dismiss all "Bear Trappers" from therapy is, I believe, an inability of the therapist, and not conducive to progress for the client. However, to set expectations (boundaries) for the client (in the case of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, creator Dr. Marsha Linnehan explains to Borderline Personality Disordered patients that they will be dismissed if they miss a certain number of appointments), is healthy and equitable for all.

Boundaries are difficult to understand for personality disordered patients, so by making your clinical expectations clear at the outset is important for a productive working relationship. Paranoiacs want to blame, displace their anger and play the victim role. Clear boundaries allow you to remind them when they have stepped outside of the agreed-upon boundaries (remember, they don't have eyes for themselves). Ignoring their misbehavior or attacks on you will not help them; it will condone and perpetuate those inflammatory behaviors. The "middle-ground" with difficult clients is to make boundary agreements with them at the first acting-out behaviors, and to reinforce those agreements when they reoccur. In this way, through repetition, they learn to self-monitor, or to have eyes, and become increasingly self-aware of their "trapping" tendencies.

Bringing Gestalt Therapy into the 21st Century

The last point I will elaborate on regards the use of Gestalt Therapy into the 21st Century, and revising it so that it is more user-friendly for the modern practitioner. We must see Gestalt Therapy in the historical context in which it was developed. Dr. Perls was a German-born psychiatrist who fled Nazi Germany for South Africa, where another cultural upheaval was occurring. He came to prominence in America in the 1960's when there was an anti-establishment, civil war raging: students were revolting, the sexual revolution was happening, drugs were rampant, and young adults were demanding change. The slogan of the day was, "Turn on and tune out." Perls was listening to this outcry from America's youth for genuineness, creativity and most importantly, self-expression. Gestalt Therapy, an expressional therapy, was Perl's answer. His oft repeated phrase, "Loose your mind and come to your senses" was his way of saying, stop justifying, explaining and intellectualizing, and instead, experience yourself. In other words, let's get real. Fritz was about as direct and honest about his opinions as Dr. Laura Schlesinger!

While American culture has changed from a volitile revolution state to the information age, certain human needs remain remarkably stable. Gestalt Therapy can still answer those fundamental psychological human needs. An adept Gestalt Therapist will use the therapeutic tools Perls left behind, to excavate the human psyche, but must adapt them to their own personality, presentation and delivery style. Perls was an irascible character; a strong, determined, stubborn and sometimes inflexible product of three wars. He could not suffer "crybabies" who demanded patience, restraint or large dishes of empathy. He voiced his enthusiasm to work with students who were "open systems" only. To the "closed systems" he asked that they only return if they would work cooperatively with him.

For today's therapist, an update of the heavy-handed Gestalt approach is in order. A healthy dose of humanistic, Rogerian "unconditional positive regard" can temper the Gestalt approach, making it palpable for today's clients, making it the "spice" in the therapeutic "mix." Cognitive-behavioral therapy is the mainstay of universities because it appeals to a wide swatch of clients, is generally non-offensive, and has been empirically effective over time. My fervent hope is that the field of psychotherapeutics will not completely "bury" Gestalt Therapy because its creator was considered difficult to work with. Freud was a highly inflexible and neurotic character; however, we are indebted to him as the father of modern psychology, as he contributed more good than not to the field. We mustn't "throw the baby out with the bathwater" with Gestalt Therapy. I believe Perls contributed a theory and approach to psychotherapeutics that not only has merit, but can and should be re-evaluated for today's clients.

We live in a world where intellect and information is prized, and awareness of our feelings, sensibilities and sensitivities have been dulled. In Anti-Social Personalities, responsibility has been extinguished all together. There is a need, a great need, to again, "Loose our minds and come to our senses." Perls preached of sensory integration, which means being in such organismic balance that we are able to fully experience instead of intellectualizing our environment. To intellectualize is not to feel. To not feel is to deny our senses (both inner and outer). His philosophy of using our raw experience of the "now" moment is a popular New-Age theme; in this, Perls was ahead of his time in promoting that phenomenological, present-oriented approach. Perls knew something about today because his yesterdays were a nightmare. He found solace in discovering the present moment. He found a generation who were demanding change and new approaches, so he decried retrospective theories (Freud's psychoanalysis), while also denouncing future-oriented theories (Adler). He made a gift of what was left: taking full responsibility for our behavior in the present, resulting in a phenomenological and existential theory. Thus, he interpreted flight into the past or future as resistance.

For multiple reasons, Expressional Psychotherapy is a valid means of reacquainting our technologically-focused world with their actual experience of living. If we are freed to express our true thoughts and feelings instead of searching endlessly for the causes of traumata (as is the case in psychoanalysis), and if we can develop ears and eyes (self-awareness) enough to see our patterns of dysfunction, then we stand a chance of transformational change. Perls never said the process of therapy would be easy. He began his seminal work, "Gestalt Therapy Verbatim," with these ominous words:

"To suffer one's death and to be reborn is not easy."

I hope to see a resurgence of Gestalt's expressional therapy. For it to be "reborn again" may take some reconstruction work, but I believe it's worth it.

Art Therapy With Children

Art Therapy In Schools

Art Therapy Definition:

Art therapy uses the creative process involved in making art to increase self-awareness, cope with symptoms, relieve stress and traumatic experiences, and enhance cognitive abilities. Art Therapy is used to treat depression, anxiety, anger, and aggression, substance abuse, oppositional tendencies, post-traumatic stress, attention deficit and hyperactivity, self-injurious behaviors, and physical and cognitive delays.

Registered Art Therapists (ATR) are professionals trained in both art and therapy and hold a Masters degree in art therapy. Skilled in the application of a variety of art modalities (drawing, painting, clay, and other mediums), Art Therapists use art to treat, assess, and conduct research, as well as provide consultation to allied professionals. Art Therapists the creative process to help the client identify issues, create goals to address their concerns, and develop objectives with the clients to meet their goals. The use of art materials allows the client to explore issues in a safe and productive manner and allows for the client to sublimate unhealthy emotions into the creative process.

Benefits of Art Therapy Within an Alternative School Setting:

Most students in an alternative setting have not been successful in more traditional school settings. Many have had difficulty with relationships with peers and adults and have not learned healthy social skills. As a result they may see adults as a threat and use oppositional behaviors when engaging with adults. Many alternative students are kinetic learners and integrate information more readily while participating in an activity that reinforces the information presented. With this population, the use of art therapy reduces the initial resistance encountered in traditional verbal therapy.

Issues of anger and aggression can be diffused through the use of appropriate art materials. Students prone to self-injurious behaviors can use the art materials as a means of exploring control issues. The act of discharging feelings in a safe manner can help students find alternative means of expressing their emotions, rather than acting out by hurting themselves, or others.

Depressed students often communicate their feeling more effectively through the use of art. Often this leads to the student verbally identifying feelings they were unable express in the past, and identify healthier coping skills.

Students with poor impulse control benefit from the use of art materials. Many of these students are kinetic learners. Talking about their choices and consequences may not connect with these students. They may hear the outcome of their behaviors, however, some are unable to fully process and integrate this information. Using the art materials they are able to identify choices and the outcomes of their choices; this information is often relatable to experience they are having in the classroom or at home.

Students abusing substances to mask their feelings can use art to effectively explore their unhealthy means of coping and how their choices impact their lives (academically and socially). These students are often in denial of the influences substances have on their lives and have not learned other means of coping with their feelings. In the artwork they may express their attachment to substances, with the development of a trusting relationship they are able to identify other means of meeting their needs. The art images change from being centered on substances to a healthy identification of self and relationships with others.

Students with cognitive disabilities benefit from the use of art to help enhance decision-making skills and mastery of the materials. During the progression of the art sessions it becomes evident through the artwork that the student is developing cognitively. This is often reflected in the art as the work becomes more developmentally advanced through the use of form and schematic development. Individuals with physical disabilities also benefit from the use of fine and gross motor skills during the art making process.

Long-Term Use of Ozone Steam Sauna Therapy Has Potential to Slow Or Stop Cancer Cell Growth

The use of ozone steam sauna therapy as a holistic cancer treatment modality is based on the premise that cancer cells, and indeed most microbes, are anaerobic and therefore cannot thrive in an oxygen-rich environment. Enriching the blood stream with oxygen decreases the chance that cancer cells will survive. In addition to creating an inhospitable environment for cancer cells, enriching the blood with activated oxygen (or ozone) has the added benefit of oxidizing free radicals in the body, thereby serving as a natural cleansing agent.

Although ozone steam sauna therapy is relatively new and its potential effects remain unknown, long-term use of this alternative cancer treatment modality could potentially slow or stop cancer cell growth, but only when combined with other alternative and/or traditional cancer treatments and only when administered in a strictly controlled setting. At the EuroMed Foundation, a Phoenix, Arizona, alternative cancer treatment center, patients receive a careful evaluation and customized treatment protocol to meet their unique health needs.

Background

Ozone therapy is based on the concept that nature produces ozone to purify the air and to destroy the organic decay upon which disease pathogens and bacteria thrive. In the environment, ozone occurs naturally and is made up of the ordinary oxygen (O2) we breathe. During photosynthesis, plants release oxygen (O2) into the atmosphere. When those molecules come into contact with solar rays, ultraviolet radiation converts the oxygen into a heavier molecule, ozone (O3), also known as "activated oxygen" because of its additional oxygen atom. Ozone is unstable, and its extra oxygen atom combines readily with other atoms, oxidizing and purifying them. Once the extra oxygen atom has been used, ozone reverts back to its original form, oxygen. Ozone is oxygen in its most active state, containing a generous supply of oxygen.

Potential Benefits of Ozone Therapy

Ozone is one of nature's most powerful oxidants, purifying and cleansing. Because healthy cells thrive in an oxygen-rich environment, and ozone provides a rich source of oxygen, clinicians have been administering ozone therapeutically for many years, beginning in the mid-1800s, although they have reached no consensus about its efficacy. Since the 1990s, many articles have been published in international peer-reviewed journals, reporting positive outcomes of medical ozone research and its application for a wide range of pathologies. Studies include animal experiments, patient case histories, placebo-controlled blinded human trials, and reviews. Traditional ozone therapies include intravenous autohaemotransfusion; intramuscular, intra-articular, and intradiscal injections; ozonated water consumption; and transdermal ozone gas sauna.

Some of the more commonly cited benefits of ozone therapy include the following:

1. Inactivates bacteria, viruses, fungi, yeast, and protozoa

2. Stimulates the immune system

3. Purifies the blood and lymph systems

4. Enhances circulation and removes arterial plaque

5. Simulates oxygen metabolism

6. Forms peroxides

7. Dissolves malignant tumors

Ozone Steam Sauna Therapy: An Overview

Ozone steam sauna chambers can be used in conjunction with other alternative and/or traditional therapies to fight cancer. The chambers are constructed of ozone-resistant materials, and they deliver an optimal ozone concentration ranging from 3% to 5%. The ozone is created by an ozone generator and then dispersed into the sauna chamber, which is designed to envelop the body while leaving the patient's head open and exposed to ambient, well-ventilated air. This prevents a patient from breathing ozone at a high concentration, which can be dangerous and should be avoided.

Ozone degrades rapidly, usually beginning within 30 minutes, so an enclosed sauna unit enables the technician to quickly saturate the small chamber with therapeutic levels of ozone and to prevent it from accumulating in the ambient breathing air.

While the ozone is pumped into the sauna chamber, hot steam is introduced into the sauna chamber as well. Utilizing both heat and moisture with ozone therapy has several potential advantages:

• The steam and heat cause pores to open, initiating the detoxification process and increasing the body's ability to absorb ozone and excrete toxic substances.

• The ozone reacts with toxic substances, neutralizing and breaking them down, creating organic peroxides in the oils excreted from the pores. A small amount of ozone becomes trapped within these natural oils and newly created peroxides, which prolongs the effect of activated oxygen.

• Evidence suggests that the body is quite capable of utilizing these organic peroxides, as researchers have demonstrated that a byproduct of ozone steam sauna therapy is increased "fixed" free oxygen in the blood stream. The benefits of a single ozone sauna session have been documented to last as long as three weeks. Therefore, the highly reactive O3 molecule is eventually formed into stabilized oxygen molecules by the natural processes of the body.

• The entire lymphatic system is stimulated during therapy.

• The skin is deeply cleansed.

• If enough heat is used for a long enough time, a hyperthermic response occurs in the body, and the body's internal temperature begins to rise.

Ozone Steam Sauna Therapy Protocol

The effect of ozone steam sauna therapy is cumulative, so although occasional use will provide some residual "maintenance" benefit, it will not address chronic illness. Long-term, regular use of this alternative cancer treatment modality could potentially slow or stop cancer cell growth, but only when combined with other alternative and/or traditional cancer treatments and only when administered in a strictly controlled setting.

Ozone steam sauna therapy immediately prompts the body to begin eliminating toxic waste accumulated in the body, but does not assist the body in its actual elimination process. Regular therapy can place considerable stress on the body's lymphatic and elimination systems, including the liver, colon, and skin. Therefore, successful therapy depends upon the body's ability to continuously eliminate the toxic burden, while at the same time preventing "oxidative stress" in the body.

Oxidative stress can be extremely dangerous to the body. It occurs when the body's delicate oxygen cycle of oxidation and anti-oxidation is thrown out of balance. In a healthy individual, this metabolic process occurs naturally and effortlessly, but in a person with a chronic or degenerative condition, it does not. For this reason, when we re-introduce activated oxygen into the body, we must be able to "clean up" its effects. Antioxidants, therefore, should be a mandatory component to all ozone therapy to aid the body in preventing oxidative stress. Because of the potentially damaging effect of ozone saturation in the body, interested individuals should seek treatment only from a reputable center.

Zero Therapy

Zero therapy is a therapy where the name itself suggests no start no end. Zero therapy refers to a mode of lifestyle that focuses on vegetarianism for the improvement of health. Under this therapy food is used as a catalyst so as to cure the diseases. This therapy owes its existence to Mr. Vipin Chand Bomb of Chennai who is an entrepreneur by profession and founded this therapy in 2002. He has also written a book titled 'Spiritual Food'. He states that the food we eat has immense power and everyone should be aware of these powers.

It has been stated that zero therapy is not any kind of treatment but a lifestyle which people acquire and thus get cured. It is not considered as an alternative therapy but an ultimate therapy since no external element goes into the body. It works on the principle of balancing individual hormone, which varies from person to person. The combination and balance of the normal food energizes the body cells and takes care of the disturbances. Here food is prescribed for the whole body and not individual organ.

This therapy is working wonders for people who opting for prescribed lifestyle. A man had lost his voice and doctors had given up in his case. But after undergoing zero therapy he is able to speak again. This therapy has touched and changed lives of many more others. The best part about this therapy is that being totally natural in ways it has no side effects. The present day world is looking for healthy body and healthy mind and in turn for healthy soul and that's what Zero therapy does it harmonizes all three mind, body and soul. Zero therapy is the treatment of the body, for the body and by the body.

ADHD Diet Therapy - Managing ADHD Natural Through Diet

There are lots of medications available that will be helpful for ADHD. But even if they'll work effectively for the users, a lot of parents still don't like the idea of using these medications to their children at this point in time. The problem with these medications is a lot of them are manufactured in the market has amphetamines that may not only give negative side effects but also in giving the right small effects. One of the known side effects of these medications is depression. Studies by Feingold has promoted that ADHD Diet Therapy can help people control ADHD. Most of the time, ADHD is triggered by foods with additives in them. So for parents who are very concerned about their children taking in medications, this is the best option to help their kids be more focused.

So what are the foods to avoid on this type of diet? The most common foods to be included on this type of diet are those processed foods together with the colored foods. Most of the time, even medications used for ADHD also utilize these dyes in making them so it adds up to the lessened effect of the medication. Sweet foods that contain simple sugars should also be avoided in order to avoid this occurrence. Even processed drinks like fruit juices should also be avoided to help in managing ADHD. Snacks that have this high sugar levels and carbonated drinks should not be placed in an ADHD Diet Therapy plan. The main things that should compose this diet plan are only healthy foods rich in vitamins and minerals to aid the diet plan. Although they claim to be healthy processed foods and ingredients must not be used but use more raw ingredients like fruits and vegetables.

As much as possible, complete your diet plan with foods organically made at home ad with healthy ingredients. In addition, exercising is also helpful in the ADHD Diet Therapy that you want to plan. In planning for this diet program, it's important for you to take note of the right foods together with a physician to ensure you'll get only the best foods for your ADHD Diet Therapy and control it naturally.

The Best Dry Skin Therapy in Under 600 Words

Some of us are genetically blessed with skin that never develops moisture problems but most of us end up with dry skin issues if we don't take care of ourselves. As we age, the years of exposure to weather and sun start catching up. But with an effective dry skin therapy, this damage can be reversed and skin health can be restored.

The best dry skin therapy has three parts: good food, plenty of water and natural moisturizers.

Most of us don't drink as much water as we're supposed to. But this is the single most important part of any skin therapy designed to avoid dryness issues. Two quarts a day if you can manage it!

Diet is also important. You need to deliver vitamins A, B and C as well antioxidants to fight free radicals (which is a primary cause of skin damage). Plenty of raw fruits and vegetables with lots of carrots and berries will improve the health of your skin. Also try camomile tea - or if you're more adventurous dandelion tea. A flax seed oil supplement will also help.

But these are just healthy life style choices - they aren't remedies. You also need to understand what you can apply topically in order to heal and regain a natural and healthy moisture level.

First, a word about chemically produced skin moisturizers. Stay away from them! Most of them are based on mineral oil.

The way it works is two-fold; it acts as a barrier between your skin and the atmosphere therefore prohibiting any moisture loss and it also draws the moisture up to the top layers. Your skin feels moist and smooth to the touch but over time it is actually drying out the deeper dermis. And mineral oil doesn't add anything in terms of nutrients. Over the long term, it actually works to take moisture away from the deper levels. Not an effective dry skin therapy.

Look for a dry skin remedy that contains natural ingredients that not only hydrate but also deliver the nutrients you need to rejuvenate.

I've done a great deal of research in my quest to find the very best natural ingredients and there are a couple I would expect to see in any of the dry skin remedies I would consider.

Manuka Honey is derived from the manuka bush and has amazing qualities. It's not just that it brings moisture - it also penetrates into all seven skin layers bringing lasting, healthy moisture along.

Cynergy TK is an exciting recent development in skin care that is actually a form of naturally derived functional keratin (one of the building block proteins of the skin). It can improve moisture content of skin by almost 20%!

Avocado oil also has a moisturizing effect in the skin and penetrates into the deeper layers. It is rich in essential skin proteins, minerals and vitamins and keeps your skin healthy and nourished.

There are a variety of other natural ingredients that would be an excellent addition to a dry skin therapy and you can read about them at my website if you're interested. I've also written about the dry skin remedies that I've found that contain these wonder ingredients. You don't have to suffer from dry skin. Educate yourself and take the necessary steps to regain that youthful healthy look!

Relapse Prevention and Recovery Therapy Strategies for Getting Through the Holidays Sober

Relapse prevention may be on the top of your mind this holiday season. The holidays are generally considered a joyful, festive time, but they can be especially challenging for people in recovery from addiction, no matter how long they are in recovery. The stress of added obligations, family dynamics, a long to-do list and the fact that many holiday parties feature alcohol can make holiday time uncomfortable-and could even jeopardize your recovery. Fortunately, with some advance planning and extra thought for how to best get through this time of year, it's possible to maintain your sobriety and enjoy the holidays. So what relapse prevention and recovery therapy strategies can someone in recovery use during the holidays?

Relapse Prevention and Recovery Therapy Tips

Relapse Prevention Tip 1: Manage Stress As Part Of Your Recovery Therapy

To prevent relapse, you must focus on managing stress. Stress is a key trigger for many people in recovery. Not only does good stress management protect your sobriety, but it keeps your body and mind healthy in many ways-such as controlling blood pressure and heart rate-and helps your body better handle the aging process.

Relapse Prevention Tip 2: Gather Social Support

The most important recovery therapy strategy is to gather social support. Be sure to surround yourself with people who understand what you're going through and want you to succeed. These are the individuals you can turn to if you feel your stress level rising.

Relapse Prevention Top 3: Find Alternatives

Another key recovery therapy strategy is to identify several behaviors you can engage in instead of drinking or using drugs, if you become tempted to relapse. It's best to have this list ready before a situation like this arises; you can even write the list down so you won't forget your ideas. Examples of alternate, healthy coping strategies-as opposed to unhealthy, addictive coping strategies-include exercising, walking the dog, calling a friend, meeting a sponsor, volunteering to help others, do some yoga or meditation, try a deep-breathing relaxation exercise, or get involved in a distracting holiday activity that will take your mind off things, such as trimming the tree with your kids or nieces and nephews. Anything that occupies your mind and body while providing a temptation-free environment is good!

Remember Recovery Therapy 101: Consistency

Finally, be consistent with your recovery process. In other words, don't let the busy holiday time keep you from the treatment options that have helped you remain sober so far. Attend your regular therapy and other health-care appointments, continue to go to support-group meetings, take your medication consistently if appropriate and maintain a healthy diet and sleep schedule. All these strategies will help you maintain your relapse prevention plan and sobriety even during the sometimes stressful holiday time.