Archive for December, 2009

Who Can Diagnose ADHD?



A lot of parents have questions about who to consult when they suspect their child might have ADHD. Who can diagnose? Who can treat? What’s the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?

Let’s start with the last one first. A psychologist is a non-medical therapist or counselor. This person may have a Ph.D. and be called “Dr.” but is not a physician.

A psychiatrist, on the other hand, is a physician and can prescribe medications.

Let’s talk about who can diagnose and what they can do.

Basically, five groups of people can diagnose ADHD.

To begin with, you might take your child to the pediatrician or family doctor. As a physician, he or she can diagnose ADHD and prescribe medication if needed, but would not provide counseling or training for dealing with ADHD.

You might be referred to a psychiatrist. As mentioned, a psychiatrist is a medical doctor specializing in psychiatric issues. A psychiatrist can diagnose ADHD, prescribe ADHD medications if needed, and might provide ADHD counseling or training.

A psychologist can also diagnose ADHD, and often does. Psychologists cannot prescribe medication, but do provide counseling or training for ADHD clients.

Clinical social workers, like psychologists, can diagnose ADHD and provide counseling, but cannot prescribe medication.

Neurologists may be the least common doctors seen for ADHD. They can diagnose and prescribe, but do not provide counseling or training.

In the end, it comes down to who you’re most comfortable with. Certainly it makes sense to begin with your child’s pediatrician and ask for a referral to a specialist who deals with ADHD if necessary.

Careers in Holistic Health



When you’re ready to apply your education and skills in the natural healing industry, there is a broad spectrum of careers in holistic health in which you can employ your talents. There are holistic occupations from which you can choose like alternative health practitioner, aromatherapist, behavioral therapist, holistic health practitioner, hypnotherapist, life coach, or massage therapist, among others.

Those who have earned their masters in holistic medicine can entertain careers in holistic health as directors of holistic and wellness centers, educate others in meditation and stress relief methods, or become a wellness coach.

Some careers in holistic health like certified aromatherapists and herbalists allow practitioners to offer a wide field of natural healing medicines and remedies. A number of valuable services that are provided by these natural health care providers include research in aromatherapy and herbal medicine, developing lifestyle plans to support and maintain wellness, create formulas and aromatherapy blends for therapy and dietary purposes, and customize cosmetics, perfumes, and more.

Massage therapists are a growing component of the vast field of careers in holistic health. Today, over 60 percent of professional massage therapists are self-employed; but many work in day spas, resorts, massage therapy clinics, chiropractic offices, and in other medical facilities, among others. These holistic health practitioners provide pain and stress relieving therapeutics including deep tissue massage, Swedish massage, sports massage, Tuina, acupressure, and several more somatic modalities.

Careers in holistic health like certified hypnotherapists can prove to be quite the entrepreneurial adventure. Once you’ve attained all necessary education and training and have established yourself as a reputable and experienced hypnotherapist, you can use a number of hypnotherapy techniques (including power of suggestion, regression therapy, emotional clearing, hypnotic healing, self hypnosis, and more) to help clients achieve meaningful, personal transformation.

If you (or someone you know) are interested in learning more about these or other healing arts occupations, let professional training within fast-growing industries like massage therapy, naturopathy, acupuncture, Chinese medicine, Reiki, and others get you started! Explore careers in holistic health near you.

*Source: BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Careers in Holistic Health

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How To Select The Right Personal Life Coach



In life, most things come down to the choices you make and whether or not you learn and/or benefit from them. That’s right, it is all about how you think about what is handed to you. Everyone will experience hard times in life, but those who make it through and come out on top are always positive thinkers.

But not everyone can do this alone. You might need a mentor to help you achieve whatever goals you are pursuing in life. A personal life coach could be the answer to a lot of your seeming to be misfortunes. A personal life coach can keep you on track with your goals while monitoring your progress.

The Demand For Life Coaches is Booming

The history of the personal life coach is quite short, but is booming already. Both the demand for, and supply of, qualified life coaches has expanded quickly. This phenomenon is due to an increasing number of people who find working with a personal life coach to be extremely beneficial.

Find an Instructor Not an Impostor

Nonetheless, some drawbacks to this situation are beginning to emerge. For instance, various people refer to themselves as life coaches, without having any significant experience, education, or skills in the field. Thus, to ensure that you are entirely satisfied with the coaching you receive from a personal life coach, consider the following suggestions:

* Select a personal life coach with ample experience

* Learn how long they have been coaching, and whether in a part-time or full-time position

* If you are looking for a specialized Life Coach, such as a Career Coach, Sales Coach, or Executive Coach, verify that the candidate Life Coach has sufficient experience in that niche subject

* Verify that the personal life coach has finished advanced training and has earned certification at least one institution that the International Coach Federation (ICF) recognizes. This federation allows you to distinguish which Life Coaching schools are beneficial, and which are useless

* Talk to several life coaches and use one that you seem to connect with

* Find out if the person listens well and fully comprehends your objectives

* Remember this is about you, and a good life coach will make this about you and what you want, not what they want for you

You should also request that your life coach explains precisely the services they can offer, and the cost for those services. Furthermore, learn about what type of commitment that personal life coach requests. It is wise to avoid life coaches who require advance payment for long-term programs.

Select someone who is a member of the International Coach Federation (ICF). ICF governs professional life coaches, so professional ethics and practice rules preside over members of that particular group.

Choosing an unskilled or inexperienced personal life coach will not result in the end of the world, you just might experience more hard times and be out a few more bucks. However, the amount of quality life coaches is growing. Therefore, with a little research and effort on your part you should be able to find a personal life coach that can help you achieve your dreams.