WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH - PASSING OF THE TORCH!
Elizabeth Blackwell, the first woman to graduate and earn a medical degree in the United States in 1849, once said, "It is not easy to be a pioneer, but it is fascinating! I would not trade one moment, even the worst moment, for all the riches in the world." Dr. Lynne Lyons, my mother, followed in her footsteps, graduating from medical school one hundred forty-six years later. Born in Southfield, Michigan, she was the youngest of four children, with three older brothers. She was a vibrant student in high school, participating in sports, clubs, and extracurricular activities and even serving as the school's yearbook editor. Her journey in the medical field was unique and inspiring, and I am excited to share more about it.
Middle Years
Dr. Lyons' journey into medicine was not just a career choice but a path influenced by personal experiences. Like Dr. Blackwell, she lost her father during her teenage years, a time when she felt powerless. Despite the circumstances, her father's upbeat and fun attitude left a lasting impression on her. This, coupled with her natural inclination to help people during crises, led her to change her major to medicine at the University of Michigan. Her grandfather, James P. McConkie, M.D., a physician in Oakland County, also played a significant role in inspiring her. Dr. Lyons would graduate from U of M in three and a half years and get accepted into Wayne State School of Medicine. After medical school, she attended the University of Michigan psychiatry residency program. In her fourth and final year there, she had my older sister Jamie. The program allowed her to do a reduced schedule and still made her chief resident, which was all very progressive for the time.
After graduation, Dr. Lyons embarked on a fulfilling career as a Board-Certified Psychiatrist, working for Rose Hill Center and another outpatient practice. She managed to balance her professional life with her greatest joy: motherhood. Unlike Dr. Blackwell, who found the early years of her practice in New York to be lonely and challenging, Dr. Lyons navigated the demands of both roles. This is a testament to the progress made in women's professional lives, as working mothers like Dr. Lyons no longer have to choose between their careers and motherhood. They can find a way to excel in both.
Dr. Lyons established the Lakes Center Mental Health Network ten years ago. She pioneered the first standalone SPRAVATO® treatment center in the United States during that time. It is now the number one clinic and the gold standard SPRAVATO clinic. While Dr. Lyons was growing her private practice, she had the support of her mother, Marilyn, who helped with me and my three sisters, Jamie, Rebecca, and Max.
Passing the Torch
Many of you know Dr. Lyons in her official capacity as a psychiatrist, medical director, coworker, mentor, business owner, and philanthropist. My sisters and I would like to share her impact on us as our mother.
My first job was working with my mother at Lakes Depression Center. I have never met a more determined, yet kind and generous person than my mom. I have watched her help her clients and support the local community with the same care and passion she has for her immediate family. She inspires many people, especially young women, to pursue their dreams of becoming psychiatrists. My mother has inspired me to start my own business, K Craftverse and I am active in the outreach and awareness campaigns that Lakes Center Mental Health Network supports.
My older sister Jamie stated, “I cannot say how much I love and appreciate my mom. My mom has been my inspiration, superhero, best friend, and guide throughout my life. Her love for her family and community is contagious, and she goes above and beyond to ensure everyone is cared for. It makes me realize how fortunate I am to have been raised by such an exceptional woman. She has shaped me into the person I am today, and I am extremely grateful for her unconditional love and support.”
My sister Rebecca said, “My mom is an incredible woman with the kindest and most accepting heart of anyone I’ve ever met. She’s understood every struggle and hardship I’ve gone through and always gave me optimism for my future. She’s amazing!”
Our youngest sister, Max, told me, “My mom is one of the most inspirational people in my life. She always jokes she is my #1 fan, but throughout my life, she has proven that she really is, every single day. She gives the opportunities to friends, family, and random strangers she happens to meet and change their lives completely in the best ways possible. If I forget something at home I needed at school, she will be right there to drop it off. She wakes up every day with me and makes me breakfast before school, even if she went to bed at 2 am. As a high schooler in my senior year, I have to overcome many new obstacles and problems. And no matter what, she is there rooting me on the whole time. I have never been more grateful for anything in my entire life than having her as my mother. I hope I can one day follow in her shadow and be as amazing as her.”
We should celebrate Women's History Month by highlighting the trailblazers who have come before and inspiring the next generation of women to challenge the status quo. My mother became the first female Medical Doctor in her family. She overcame setbacks, obstacles, losses, and tragedies. While giving so much time to public service, she instilled so much in me and my sisters, who will continue her legacy and pass on the torch. Women worldwide are the foundations of families, essential to expanding and improving communities. A physician’s historical responsibilities have included patient data collection, disease treatment, healing and care, and integrating humanism and science for the patient's good. Nonetheless, women have been marginalized and discriminated against for generations, kept in the background. Let's take this moment to acknowledge women such as Dr. Blackwell and my mother, Dr. Lyons, this month for being pioneers, leaders, role models, and inspirations for generations to come.
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9 Things to Say When Someone is Gaslighting You
Few things in life make us feel worse than when we speak our truth and someone responds that we're lying or misremembering. If you've ever been in a conflict where this occurred, you may have been gaslighted.
It's an unfortunate tactic that some people use to manipulate others, and you don't have to accept it. We'll break down why this practice is so harmful and how you can respond to it, from specific sentences you can use to strategies for being a more firm and effective communicator.
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Welcome to William Byers!
A United States Navy Retiree with 30 years of dedicated military service, and experience in private practice following his military career, he has an extensive background in the evaluation and treatment of many psychiatric disorders including combat related disorders like Post Traumatic Stress (PTSD).
Bill is currently taking new adult patients for medication management. Call our office at (248) 859-2457 to set up an appointment.
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If you are interested, contact Ashli directly at [email protected] or (312) 967-6619.
Important Note: Lakes Center does not accept insurance for testing services. It is strictly self-pay.
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Support the Lakes Center Team in the Walk for Suicide Prevention!
We are joining thousands of teams across the country in the Out of Darkness Community Walks to help save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide, by bringing awareness to and raising money for the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention.
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The Lakes Center Squad from 2023! |
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Mental Health Tip:
Actionable Health Goals
Everyone’s health and personal situations are different, so it’s essential to make room for your own individualized goals too.
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Mental Health Tip:
Relax in a Warm Bath
Try adding Epsom salts to soothe aches and pains and help boost magnesium levels, which can be depleted by stress.
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We provide comprehensive psychiatric and psychotherapy services for a vast array of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, psychotic illness, borderline personality disorder, substance abuse/addiction, trauma related issues, relationship difficulties, life transitions, and behavior problems. Call (248) 859-2457 to set up an appointment.
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Did you know? SPRAVATO® can have a rapid antidepressant response and is added on to an antidepressant and the rest of your regimen. It is the first new mechanism of action to treat depression that has come out in over 30 years.
There is hope for treatment-resistant depression. Call (248) 859-2457 to set up an appointment.
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We provide comprehensive DBT services to provide effective treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and other disorders involving emotion dysregulation, including co-occurring substance use disorders, major depressive disorder, and individuals with history of trauma. At Lakes DBT Center, we believe that with effective evidence-based treatment and a caring and coordinated treatment team, clients can create a life they love.
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Groups Starting Every 8 Weeks
Choose between:
Mondays 11:00 am - 12:30 pm, or
Wednesdays 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Lakes Center, 2300 Haggerty Road, Suite 1170, West Bloomfield, MI 48323
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Catherine DuFresne, LMSW
Clinical Social Worker
Cathy is a clinical social worker with 20 years of experience working with adults, teens, and families. She is committed to helping people build happiness and joy in their lives, while also helping them learn to manage feelings of anxiety and depression. Her life experiences has taught her the importance of compassion and empathy; she strives to incorporate these qualities into her practice techniques. She believes change is possible. Using mindfulness skills along with learning to manage thoughts and emotions can be powerful tools to help cope with challenges in life. She is a person-centered therapist, focusing on your goals and strengths. She is DBT informed and often use ACT, CBT, and somatic techniques in her practice style.
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Terrie Browning, LPC, CFC, DCC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Terrie is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Forensic Consultant, Credentialed Telehealth, with specialization in Counseling Psychology. She is trained in ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) therapy, which is the gold standard of treatment for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder with a strong research base to prove its efficacy.
She offer goal-oriented therapies for adults and adolescents, individuals, couples, and families. She is passionate about the mind/body connection and uses CBT, ACT, DBT, ERP along with a mindfulness skill set to increase awareness, create necessary habit changes, improve relationships both personal and professional, and maintain a healthy balance in your life.
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