The McCaskill Archives:

Every month, we bring a new topic of interest to your inbox! This month, we want to direct you to our website which contains our McCaskill Newsletter Archives. We encourage you to browse our past issues and find a subject that is interesting and relevant for you this month! We have 53 different topics to choose from, ranging from identifying depression in your teen, to understanding the warning signs of dyslexia. We hope you find our archives a continuous source of mental health info and support. Oh, did you know we have a blog for that, too?

Previous topics:

Limiting Technology Time: March 2021

Sensory Processing Support: April 2022

OCD: Are you a germaphobe?: July 2022

ACT for Anxiety Support: September 2022

What is ARFID?: May 2023

Ingredients

• 1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1 c. powdered sugar
• 1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
• 3 c. heavy cream, divided
• 50 chocolate sandwich cookies, such as Oreos, plus more for topping (from a 25.5-oz. package)
• 3 (6-oz.) containers raspberries, divided

Directions

• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese on medium speed until smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla, and beat on low speed until combined, about 30 seconds. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Increase the speed to medium, and beat until smooth, 1 minute more.

• Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl. Add 1 cup of the heavy cream, and beat on low speed until smooth. Add the remaining 2 cups of heavy cream, increase the speed to medium high, and beat until soft peaks form, 1 to 2 minutes.

• Spoon ¼ cup of the cream mixture into the bottom of a 9-inch square baking dish, smoothing into a thin, even layer.

• Top the cream mixture with a single layer of cookies, breaking some as needed to fit. Spread about 1 ½ cups of the cream mixture over the cookies, smoothing into an even layer with a spoon or offset spatula. Top with an even layer of raspberries from 2 (6-ounce) containers. Add another 1 ½ cups of the cream mixture, smoothing into an even layer. Top with a final layer of cookies, then add the remaining cream mixture on top, smoothing into an even layer.

• Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to 12 hours.

• Decorate the cake as desired with crumbled cookies and the remaining raspberries.

Recipe courtesy of "The Pioneer Woman."

A new monthly newsletter addition from our Dietitian and Eating Disorder Recovery Team.

What's the Deal with Dietary Fats?

Fat is often a component of food that is either feared and avoided or overemphasized. Fad diets like Keto and other low-carbohydrate diets encourage you to include fat as a primary component of the diet while low-fat diets tell you to avoid them at all costs. It can be hard to know what is true and whether or not to include fat in your diet. 

Fat is one of the three macronutrients- along with carbohydrates and protein- that serve as a source of fuel for the body. While the body can derive energy from the dietary fat we eat and store additional energy for later, fat serves many other important functions in the body as well. Fat is important for temperature regulation because it acts like insulation to keep your body warm. It also serves as padding and protection around many internal organs and bones, plays a structural role in the membranes of every cell in your body, and assists in regulating hormone production. Additionally, fat is necessary for the absorption of other nutrients in the body, especially vitamins A, D, E and K, and aids in helping us feel satisfied when we eat meals. 

Without fat, vital body functions would not be possible. Just like each of the other macronutrients, fat is a necessary component of our nutrition, and we should be skeptical of diet advice that asks us to limit or overemphasize it. Some health concerns require a little extra consideration for the kinds of fats we eat, but overall fat should be considered a vital part of our daily meals and snacks. 

If including these foods ever causes stress for you or you have questions about incorporating dietary fat into a healthful diet, consider booking a session with our Registered Dietitian, Daylan!

12 Things Everyone

Can Gain From Therapy:

A lot of times when we think about therapy, we think about it as being a place where we go to vent, get support, have a big "A-HA!" moment, or a good cry. Although all those things can happen, therapy is SO much more than a place we go to just "talk." Here are 12 inspiring reasons to be an active therapy participant.

1. Further understanding the “root cause” of why you act, feel, and think in certain ways (and help to adjust these reactions if necessary).
2. 45 minutes to focus on yourself as an act of self-care. A place where you can just be and show up exactly as you are.
3.   An enhanced realization of your own personal values: determining what’s most important to you, what should take up most of your time/energy, and how to consistently live in accordance with those values.
4. A place to celebrate your accomplishments, achievements and personal growth (with someone who is just as excited to see your gains as you are!)
5. A reset. A guaranteed time to pause.
6. An opportunity to externally process messy or complicated life events, and lay out everything out on the table without judgment from the person listening.
7. Accountability. Are you spending time in between sessions working on the goals you set for yourself? This leads to an increase in self-esteem.
8. Learning proactive skills for handling the negative events and emotions that life throws at you.
9.   Support and guidance for total health (not just mental): improving eating habits, sleep hygiene, managing pain, adapting to chronic illnesses.
10. A place where you can reminisce and share stories that are special to you.
11. An opportunity to practice relationship dynamics that feel scary outside of the therapy room, such as communicating your needs, being vulnerable, or setting boundaries.
12. A safe environment in which you can brainstorm, problem-solve, make informed decisions, plan for the future, or dream. 

Who is ready to unwind with some sunshine? Happy Summer!

I'm Jaclyn, a clinician at McCaskill Family Services who specializes in the treatment of OCD, anxiety, phobias, self-harm, and eating disorders for all ages. I co-run the McCaskill Family Services DBT groups for teens and adults, and specialize in psychological assessment. I am also our monthly newsletter editor and social media manager!

I'd like to personally thank you for staying in touch with our practice, and hope you find this newsletter inspirational and informative. If you or someone you know would like to schedule an appointment with me, please contact our office at 734-416-9098 or email us at office@mccaskillfamilyservices.com. I look forward to working with you!