Hello!
At our family thanksgiving, we each go around the table to say what we are thankful for. My response was simple, yet so powerful that I have continued this mantra daily and it is really working to create a sense of balance, peace and empowerment in my life.
Try it with me. At this exact moment, I am grateful for....(you fill in the blank).
Read on for practical, effective tips for growing your relationships, increasing your energy and motivation, and becoming more resilient.
At this moment, I am grateful to be able to write this message to connect with you.
All my best,
Dr. Pam McCaskill
734-416-9098
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McCaskill Family Services Newsletter
Term: Fall| Issue | November 29th, 2022
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grat·i·tude
/ˈɡradəˌt(y)o͞od/
noun
a positive state of being: a feeling of thankfulness and appreciation for someone or something; a social emotion that signals our recognition for that around us.
You may consider gratitude as simply being a state of mind or a social nicety, but psychological research has proven it to be so much more than that. Did you know that the daily practice of gratitude can positively impact us psychologically, socially, and physically? Not only does it improve how we feel about ourselves, but it also deepens our interpersonal relationships, strengthens our immune system, and increases the amount of dopamine (the happy hormone) in our brain. There is a strong correlation between gratitude and happiness, given that the expression of gratitude to ourselves and to others helps create positive emotions. Who doesn't enjoy hearing that they are valued and appreciated by someone they love? A perfect place to start practicing gratitude is in our relationships. By expressing gratitude towards those we love, we strengthen the foundation of our relationships and increase positive emotions and overall relationship satisfaction.
With the season of gratitude coming to an end, continue to try and make the practice of gratitude a priority for months to come. Click below to read an article by Dr. Jessica Peatee, discussing the importance of gratitude in relationships and the best way to go about showing someone you are thankful for them! Talk about a happiness booster!
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At McCaskill Family Services, we specialize in working with children and adults who are struggling with all kinds of presenting mental health issues. If your family or someone you know could benefit from our services, please contact us. Our clinicians are trained and experienced in empirically-based techniques, and would be happy to promptly schedule an appointment in person or via tele-health. We can be reached by phone at 734-416-9098 or by email at office@mccaskillfamilyservices.com.
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Group Therapy at McCaskill |
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We are grateful for our continued growth as a practice!
We are offering several new and ongoing groups for children, teens, and adults.
Reserve your spot today!
Visit our website for more info and a full list of our groups and therapy services.
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Healthy Teen Relationships |
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Teen Dialectical Behavioral Therapy |
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Intensive Outpatient Eating Disorder Program |
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Dr. Jessica Peatee (she/they) is a postdoctoral fellow who is passionate about assisting those who struggling with experiences of trauma, relationship violence, gender and sexual identity exploration, and romantic relationship concerns. She specializes in working with couples, adolescents, and adults.
Dr. Peatee draws from a variety of treatments supported by research and tailors her approach based on each client's differing experiences and needs. She has received specialized training in trauma-informed treatments such as trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), and Exposure, Relaxation, & Rescripting Therapy (ERRT) for trauma-related nightmares. She has also received training in a variety of couples therapy approaches, including behavioral couples therapy (BCT) and integrative behavioral couples therapy (IBCT)
Dr. Jessica earned her master’s and doctoral degrees in clinical psychology from the University of Montana. During her training, she worked with survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence, and conducted research focused on psychological abuse occurring in romantic relationships.
When she's out of the office, Jessica loves going on bike rides with her partner, attempting new recipes, watching murder-mystery documentary series/podcasts and spending time with her two yorkies.
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15 Gratitude Affirmations |
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Gratitude is magic. It transforms everything we have into enough. |
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- I am grateful for the life I’m living.
- I am grateful for the people that surround and support me.
- I am grateful to be a part of this amazing, exciting, and ever changing universe.
- I am grateful for time, and the opportunity to start over or move forward.
- I am grateful for my freedom.
- I am grateful for nature's beauty that is all around me.
- I am grateful for the acts of forgiveness and acceptance.
- I am grateful that I’m able to give and receive love.
- I am grateful that I’m able to make a difference in this world.
- I am grateful for the little things in life that bring me joy.
- I am grateful to be able to feel a variety of unique emotions.
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I am grateful for all the experiences I've had in my life.
- I am grateful for the ability to explore, see new things, and expand my mind.
- I am grateful to be myself.
- I am grateful for both modern-day conveniences and natural resources.
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Check out some of the behind the scenes photos from McCaskill's upcoming videos!
We can't wait to share the final product with you!
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Newsletter Editor's Notes |
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Tis the Season for Gratitude
What is the first thing you think about when you wake up in the morning? I know that my first thought is usually not about something I am grateful for (much less, even a positive one). It can be difficult with our busy and stressful lives to turn our mind towards being grateful. As humans, we are wired to see the negative, and negativity has a sneaky tendency to become habitual or automatic. Having a grateful mindset takes effort; it is the purposeful act of paying attention to the things in your life that bring you joy on a daily, small scale basis. It's easy to practice gratitude during times of celebration, but becomes more difficult during the same old Wednesday work meeting, or weekly mandatory dinner with the in-laws. If you don't spend time looking for the positive, I assure you, you won't find it. This month, I encourage you to experiment with this practice, and take a few short moments every day to practice one of the tips below. The more you practice, the easier it will become, as your mind will naturally start to turn toward gratitude. Trust me, you (and your brain) will like it better than the alternative.
Here are some ways to practice gratitude throughout the season or everyday:
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Keep a daily gratitude journal: Make a habit out of identifying 3 things that you are grateful for and writing them down each morning or before bed. This practice encourages us to seek gratitude throughout the day in the smallest of things (the smell of our coffee, the hug of a loved one, an inside joke with a coworker). Every so often, flip back to earlier pages to remind yourself of all you have to be grateful for.
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Compare yourself: Remember a time of struggle that you navigated or just think about your past self. Reflect on how far you've come, grown, and what you have learned through the tough times. Recognizing this contrast helps us to focus on and feel gratitude more intensely.
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Share it with others: When we talk about gratitude with others or tell someone we are thankful for them, it increases our own sense of gratitude, improves both people's moods, and strengthens our relationship.
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Pick one interaction a day: When your instinct to say "Thank you" arises, pause to notice the moment. What has just transpired? Can you name what you are thankful for beyond the gesture that's being extended? Be specific. "My friend just did a favor for me, and I am so grateful that she is always there when I need her most."
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2 questions: Take a mindful moment to reflect on your relationships with your coworkers, friends, children, partner, etc. and ask yourself the following questions, "What have I received from ___? and "What have I given to ____?
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Fake it till you make it: Sometimes we struggle with receiving compliments, letting go of grudges, or feeling like we have anything to be thankful for. In these difficult moments, say "Thank you" anyways, even if you don't feel it whole heartedly. The more you practice being grateful, the easier gratitude will be triggered in the future. The more you tell yourself something, the more you will seek out ways to believe in it.
In the spirit of the season, I am thankful for you and your ongoing efforts to practice being grateful for yourself and those around you. -Jaclyn
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Hello Everyone! I'm a masters level clinician at McCaskill Family Services who specializes in the treatment of OCD, anxiety, 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!
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409 Plymouth Road, Suite 250, Plymouth, MI 48170 • 734.416.9098
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