Concerns around social media

It is a fairly safe bet that most folks nowadays use social media. I have a Facebook account (clearly, since many of you are probably reading this on it). There are a number of others; Facebook is the one I am most familiar with. Social media comes up frequently enough in sessions that I have seen, over and over again, some of the negative impacts it can have on our lives. Here are a few of the most common.

It perpetuates drama.

I doubt anyone is shocked by this one. Drama in all its glory can and does happen there, and in some ways, it is worse than things that happen in person. Because we feel protected by our computer screen, we may type things online that we wouldn’t actually say to a person. We may see things that wasn’t intended for us. Actual dialogue rarely happens, and it isn’t difficult to find ourselves the bottom of a dog-pile if we share an opinion that on this particular post is in the minority.

Quick, easy access to news that isn’t always accurate or current

I try really hard not to ever post or share news without double or triple-checking to make sure it is accurate and current. I know I’ve slipped up, and it can be really easy to click share before confirming something. At the very least, even if the news we see is accurate, it probably reflects the beliefs of its source; at the worst, it can be absolutely false. For a while I used Facebook as a news source, but I’ve given that up. I’m going to have to go elsewhere to check it anyway, so might as well start with a more trust-worthy source.

It creates and exacerbates depression and anxiety

Depending on the day and time, we may be flooded with negative images, bad news, and scary prospects. The folks I work with say on a regular basis that they feel worse after looking social media. It doesn’t take a Ph.D. in psychology to realize social media may be significantly impacting us in some pretty negative ways.

These days I don’t pay much attention to the news on Facebook, at least that of the political variety. If you post pictures of your furry critters, I guarantee at least a like. I post plenty of my own. I pay much more attention to the “lighter” posts, or the posts made by individuals I actually know that has actual content in it. I also limit myself to how much time I spend on it. I urge you to consider how and how much you use social media, and the potential negative effects it may be having on you. Connection with others online is fine, but connection with another individual (or furry critter!!!) in the same space in time with you is better. Way better. So quit chatting (or arguing) on social media and talk to the real person who is sitting across the table from you. Seriously, if you are in a restaurant with someone stay off your phone. Close up the cyberworld and live in the real world. It matters.

Meet my Therapy Animals

I work from home, and I have four cats and a dog. This means that various animals are typically present during sessions. Before the introductions, let me clarify one thing. Recently we have been hearing about service animals, therapy animals, and emotional support pets. I use the term "therapy animal" to describe my critters, because they do participate in therapy sessions. It is also true that they are providing emotional support, but none have been trained or specially designated as emotional support pets or service pets. They simply hang out during sessions and often interact with the clients. Because I am doing this in my home, there isn't any specific training or certification required. That having been said, let's meet the critters!

Nimbus was the original therapy cat. Starting the very first session I did at the house, he was there and providing support. He seems to have instincts around it that make him the perfect therapy cat. He generally positions himself close to the client so they can interact with him if they want, but if they don't he just naps. Often if a client becomes emotional he will move closer to them and reach out his paw to touch them, letting them know he is there if they want him. He is 10 years old now, and has been doing this work for the last three years.

Dobby was the second therapy cat. We got him as a kitten in April 2017, and he took to it immediately. He doesn't seem to have quite the instinct that Nimbus has, but is still quite good at interacting with clients in positive ways. He is now two years old and has been a therapy cat his whole life.

Darth Cola was the third therapy cat to join the group, but he didn't do so immediately. I worked from home for at least a year before he started hanging out in sessions and interacting with clients. Even now he often sits on his chair a little separate from the client, but he sometimes will move so he can give a little love. Cola is six years old now and has been working about a year and a half.

StormTrooper is the surprise addition to the therapy cat group. He has always been a pretty skittish guy, and up until this past April wouldn't spend any time in the room if a session was in progress. Then quite suddenly and without any explanation he started spending time in the therapy room, and will sometimes interact with clients (more often with me I guess). I don't know what happened that he suddenly decided to be a part of it, but I am glad that he did. He is currently eight years old.

Hiestand's Sir Gandalf the Wise and Fluffy is the newest member of the therapy animal corp. He got him this past April and he has been in every single session since. His goal in life is to be a companion animal so he is perfect for the part. Currently he still does spend more time with me than with the clients (maybe I need some therapy pet love too), but he seems to be spending more and more life with the clients as he becomes more adjusted to the whole process. He is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and is seven months old.

In Memoriam: Norah was the original therapy dog, and worked hard from summer 2016 to August 2018. She was a wonderfully friendly companion and very good therapy dog, and will forever be missed.