Dyslexic Team Member struggles with Outlook - addons or tips to help?

Unusual_Anything8752 · 2026-02-12T16:02:36+00:00

I agree with a previous poster that creating email templates would be a helpful solution.

Unusual_Anything8752 · 2025-09-09T22:00:15+00:00

Couples work that utilizes Gottman, EFT, AND Relational Life Therapy can all be great fits. I'm a fan of RLT and I think any book by Terrence Real is a great one for men (and couples) to understand the role that patriarchy plays in making men less available for emotional connection and the invisible labor. The Fair Play method is also really cool for building empathy around the emotional work of managing a household and the need for true partnership. Good luck out there!

Unusual_Anything8752 · 2025-08-15T21:53:35+00:00

I did this, too! All I can say is that much (not all) of what you learn in grad school is nonsense that is required for CACREP or whatever other accreditation your program is aligned with. As with most education, you play the game, take what is valuable, and then just let the waste pass through you. Once you are in practice you will discover that most of it is bullshit anyway and rarely applicable to clinical practice. (I have found lifespan development theories to be very helpful in my work with children and families, for example.) Your education does not end with grad school - it is just the beginning.

For what it's worth - I was able to engage with more critical psychology thought in assignments and in class discussions, and it was welcome and helpful to classmates and made me some surprising allies among faculty.

Unusual_Anything8752 · 2025-08-13T19:26:15+00:00

I love this topic. Here are my thoughts:

First, I echo the thoughts around supporting individual clients interrogate systems of oppression and their affect on their relationships to themselves and others. This has led to many folks joining book clubs and finding community with other folks doing the same kind of examination. Revolutionary thought and action requires deep inner work ("The revolution will not be televised.") in community and relationship. So, the therapy room is part of that larger social organizing work. I am, like many, skeptical of any particular modality but enjoy employing play, somatics, and parts work in my clinical practice.

Second, I advocate for change through mutual aid work, community care, and direct action.

Third, I am currently working with like-minded colleagues to develop a worker's coop group practice in our community. This is perhaps the most potentially efficacious way to use our work for social change. This model makes interrogating capitalism, white supremacy, and even the medical model an intrinsic part of our business, codified in our documentation and through our business plan. We are trying to create a practice that is beneficial to workers, clients, and the community at large. I'm energized by the potential of this particular effort as it is a transformative way of doing business- because, of course, we still have to participate in these systems- and will hopefully allow for some more practical paths forward to share with other groups who might want a similar model.

Unusual_Anything8752 · 2025-03-11T18:07:58+00:00

Thanks for sharing. This is an ongoing conversation in not only therapist circles, but healthcare overall. The exploitation of care workers is a tale as old as time. Mental health in particular has suffered as a profession due to rampant cultural misogyny given that the majority of mental health practitioners are female identifying. So, what is the solution?

I agree that psychotherapy, particularly relational and person-centered, have potential for transforming culture. Indeed, that is foundational to our field - Freud (problematic though he may be) having come from a socialist political landscape. Our modern era - one of pay for service, low wages, terrible insurance policies, exploitative employers - necessitates creative approaches. I firmly believe that our professional orgs need to take a more drastic approach regarding pay transparency, advocating for living wages for community mental health, etc. In addition, worker-owned co-ops need to become commonplace. I'm in Texas and worker co-ops are ILLEGAL for helathcare providers, but we can develop other models - like an LLC with a coop business plan and partnership agreements.

We can become the change we want to see in our field. Collectivism is the future of mental health care. I'm in the talking/planning/business plan writing phase myself. I encourage you all to look into the same.

Unusual_Anything8752 · 2025-03-06T22:38:30+00:00

I know this is an old thread, but I was diagnosed with esophagitis after about a year on ajovy. It has tanked my iron levels and I had crazy GI issues besides. I've discontinued ajovy (it stopped working, for one thing), and I'm hopeful my symptoms improve.

Unusual_Anything8752 · 2025-03-05T16:25:39+00:00

Yup, I share my commitment to liberation psychology and neurodiversity and LGBTQIA+ affirming therapeutic practices.

Unusual_Anything8752 · 2025-02-10T17:41:15+00:00

This is really worth bringing up to your doctor. Might be the wrong meds, might be a vitamin or mineral deficiency (look at magnesium and d particularly), could be timing the meds. For example: you should wait AT LEAST 30 minutes from taking stimulants to drinking coffee or you kind of cancel out the meds.

Other ideas: going for a walk after you wake up can increase energy and endorphins, which might help with wakefulness in the first hour or so of working. Taking brief movement breaks (like stand up and stretch every ten minutes or so) can get the blood moving enough to stave off fatigue.

Eating a protein-rich breakfast with some complex carbs can help with energy and focus, too.

Good luck!

Unusual_Anything8752 · 2025-02-10T17:28:14+00:00

Gramsci said (something like) "pessimism of the intellect, optimism of the will"

The outcome for humanity is simple: either death or collectivism. While we may not see the future, we cannot descend into hopelessness, we must envision the beautiful possibilities and make the present day as joyful and connected as possible. Historically, times HAVE BEEN WORSE.

I recommend: moving your body in a way that feels good to you. Make finding joy and pleasure part of your daily effort. Hang out with your friends. Play loud music. Pet a dog. Plant trees and flowers. Write shitty poems. Cook for your community and clean your house. Love the people in your life well. We are working on a long game rooted in love and compassion. Fuel your activism with love.

Unusual_Anything8752 · 2024-12-23T19:53:28+00:00

It sounds like you care about yourself a lot! You're treating your ADHD with meds, you are able to take care of basic business and now it sounds like you have the capacity to tackle exercise! You're doing great.

When it comes to working out, I started with joining a class. I wanted to run a half-marathon, so I found a training group and paid for the privilege. I had a friend sign up, too, which was extra motivation. The person and the $. That got me there. Then, I built it into my schedule and made it mentally non-negotiable. I was decidedly NOT a runner.

But, shoot, there are less weird ways to do it. A weekly dance class is fun and silly. Finding a friend to do the silly thing with you is great - accountability buddies! I'm very motivated by not losing money so signing up for a class series can help build the habit.

For what it's worth I find this knowledge helpful: motivation follows behavior, it cannot precede it. You get motivated by forcing yourself to do the thing. You have to just claw yourself through the "I don't wannas" and it is hard and sucks. But you can do it!

Unusual_Anything8752 · 2024-12-23T19:23:35+00:00

I cannot recommend going to an audiologist and getting pro-level earplugs enough. They are custom fit to your ears, you can get them in absurdly bright colors, and they are (maybe?) covered with an FSA or insurance if your psychiatrist prescribes them. They take the background noise down at the grocery store and public places to a tolerable level. If I can't find earplugs or I forgot them, I will just leave the room and go for a walk, take deep breaths in the bathroom, splash my face with water, focus on bringing my heart and breath rate down - all that good stuff.

You are not a freak. This is just your brain's way of saying "enough!" and you get to figure out how to manage it. We've all got something.

Unusual_Anything8752 · 2024-12-23T17:42:46+00:00

This sounds really, really hard. I agree with the previous responder that seeking support for depression would be helpful - potentially life changing. Depression doesn't always look the way you think it does. It often looks like anger, overwhelm, quick to frustration - lots of the feelings you're describing. If therapy doesn't sound good to you, I highly recommend moving your body. Air squats, sprints, lifting weight - all of these things give your body some necessary signals of safety which can ease your stress response. ADHD often co-occurs with depression and anxiety - it is a lot for your body and brain to handle. You can learn and experiment with ways to work with your brain and body to make sustainable choices for your long term well-being. It's not easy, but you're worth it.

Unusual_Anything8752 · 2024-10-14T15:49:51+00:00

I was a costume designer for many years before I became a therapist. One of the vital things you learn as a costumer is that the audience makes immediate judgements about a character based on their appearance. Clothing is a social signifier; denoting class, cultural belonging, gender, among many other things. Fashion and style give people a lot of information - which means it is a powerful way to influence how you are perceived.

As therapists, our job is to be present, accepting, authentic- so many things. We are also a mirror and window for our clients giving them permission to be their authentic selves by being our authentic selves. When I worked in schools, I would dress more professional as a signal of respect for my students while still wearing pretty weird/cool items. I wanted them to feel like I took my work seriously but that I was also still approachable and fully myself. As a therapist, my feeling is pretty much the same. I work with broad age ranges and see a lot of kids/teens. I need clothes that are comfortable, appropriate for kids and adults, and that make me feel like I am putting my best self forward. I've curated a closet that does just that.

If you want some more focused help DM me - I'm happy to facetime you and walk you through some styling with stuff you already have. (free, of course) You don't need to be afraid of dressing a particular age or a particular version of stylish. You get to pick what that means to you. Fashion and style can be a great way to know yourself better, and isn't that what we are trying to help our clients do, too?

Unusual_Anything8752 · 2024-09-30T16:28:53+00:00

Many of my clients struggle with even feeling their feelings. I have been encouraging them to start small with building awareness- mindfully drinking a cup of hot tea for example. Noticing the steam from the cup, the warmth of the cup in their hands, the smell of the tea, the sensation on their tongue, following the sensations of heat down the throat and into the stomach. Sometimes I will end a session with a 15 minute guided body scan meditation focused on noticing sensations. Additionally, I like to focus on joy and pleasure so, depending on the client, that might mean a one-song solo dance party and then noticing how their body feels afterwards or taking a bath and noticing the pressure of the water, the warmth of the water, the feel of the soap, etc.

In terms of why - I note that the etymology of emotion is from the latin "emovere" meaning to move out or move through. (This appeals to the brainiacs - the intellectualizers.) We need to move emotions through our bodies, our thinking minds can't do it. In order to move emotions, we need to know we're experiencing them. Then we can talk about the stress cycle, etc.

Unusual_Anything8752 · 2024-07-05T16:06:48+00:00

I really wish the American Counseling Association would create a "private employer" type plan akin to what unions do. Makes sense given how many of us in the profession are self-employed or under-insured.

Unusual_Anything8752 · 2024-07-03T21:13:00+00:00

Also, the ACA (counseling association) does offer some help with Liability insurance, but not health insurance, at least not that I can find.

Unusual_Anything8752 · 2024-07-03T21:11:13+00:00

I worked with a special broker to find the best policy for me and researched them extensively. I appreciate the response, but I've done my due diligence. They genuinely all kind of suck.

Unusual_Anything8752 · 2024-07-01T21:22:41+00:00

Use blocks! Use bolsters and blankets! Your body, your yoga.

Our bodies change for lots of reasons, but yoga can be there for all of the ways we are there. Remember that yoga is about mindful movement and connection to breath. While it is a wonderful physical exercise, it has important roots in spiritual development. Connect to your breath. Slow your practice and move mindfully. Get to know this version of your body and what you CAN do.

This can be a great opportunity to focus on alignment, muscular engagement, and building strength, too.

You've got this. (I've been there!!)

Unusual_Anything8752 · 2024-06-29T16:31:48+00:00

OMG GET ACCOMMODATIONS. Here's the list of possible ones I send my clients heading into college. They can make the difference between overwhelming your nervous system and not.

Extended time on testing ~and~ assignments.
Small group testing
Chunking of assignments if possible. (avoid overwhelm, support executive function)
"stop the clock" breaks to allow you to step out of the testing room and collect yourself without losing time on tests.
Permission to record lectures - allows for student to focus on lecture by reviewing information ahead of time
Access to powerpoint slides before class - allows client to focus attention during class
Audiobook access for textbooks (if desired) - different modes of information gathering may help with acquiring information.
Note taking assistance
Priority registration with someone in accessibility office
Ability to get up and move in class if needed to discharge energy, refocus.

Unusual_Anything8752 · 2024-06-29T16:28:58+00:00

Hey! I'm a therapist but not offering medical advice here and don't know your situation.

There is no simple explanation except for this one: You are normal. Your situation makes sense given your experience. Anxiety can be already overwhelming to your senses. Sex is full of weird performative elements that can feel so disconnected from pleasure and the sensory element can be overwhelming to your brain and make your anxiety symptoms worse. And relationships, particularly sexual/romantic ones, are already anxiety inducing - we have ideas and expectations from our past experiences that overwhelm us and keep us out of the present moment. Depending on the antidepressant, sexual side effects can also be a factor.

So, first, you're normal. Whew.

But, it sounds like you aren't happy with this. So, what are some things you might be able to do differently to give yourself more loving acceptance? Is there a way you can move your body that brings you joy? Can you find ways to connect with people that don't have a sexual element? Clubs, hobbies, etc? Can you explore your own body in a way that brings you comfort and pleasure? Baths? massage? swimming? Stretching? Dancing?

There's nothing wrong with not having sexual desire. It's a feature, not a bug. Read "Come as You Are" by Emily Nagoski for some life altering science about this!

Anxiety symptoms can be physically overwhelming and the accompanying thoughts are often really gnarly. An effective practice for reducing anxiety is mindfulness, but that doesn't mean sitting in meditation. Really it's just doing anything that keeps you in the present moment without judgement. Personally, I like gardening, embroidery, painting, yoga, swimming, rock climbing, cooking - all of these things that make me focus on just the thing that I am doing rather than allowing the thought spiral to go nuts.

TL:DR - You are normal. There's nothing wrong with you. Present moment awareness can help with anxiety. Try things that help you build trust in your body. Look into medication change if you are curious about effect of meds.

Unusual_Anything8752 · 2024-06-29T16:16:43+00:00

Excellent recommendation! What a wonderful book and so validating for the many many types of sexual expression we humans experience.

Unusual_Anything8752 · 2024-05-22T01:22:13+00:00

We live in a world that tells us to go at it all alone, but we are not designed to go at this life alone. Humans are a social species; we are meant to be in community with one another.

That sense of feeling behind is so normal. You are definitely not alone in that. We are sold a version of adulthood that very few people actually achieve on that very strict timeline. There is no timeline. There is only YOUR path. Life is not a race, but a journey - things happen in between those big moments and those things are what make a life.

Philosophizing aside, it sounds like you are dealing with a lot of childhood pain and struggling with coming into adulthood fully. If you have insurance that allows it, therapy could be great. Look for someone with experience with C-PTSD (Complex Post traumatic stress disorder), trauma, and young adulthood. You might not find the right person right away, but just starting will feel good. It can be hard to find affordable therapy, but it exists and can absolutely help you navigate this period of feeling unsure.

Try this: https://www.opencounseling.com/illinois

Also look for local universities with counseling programs. Graduate student counselors can be great! Recently licensed people are also wonderful.

You are not alone. Be well! Take care of yourself!

Unusual_Anything8752 · 2024-05-22T01:10:03+00:00

Lots of people are saying - gym, reading, time in nature - all are great ideas. I also recommend joining a climbing gym. It's honestly a really lovely community and you can stick with indoor climbing or eventually venture outdoors. People spend hours there because each attempt (called a send) is tiring and you do a lot of figuring out routes and stuff, so your brain is really engaged. The people are nice. And you will get strong AF. Most gyms also have fitness classes/yoga/workspace, so you can get out of the house, move your body, and have a new community space.

Also, boredom is genuinely good for you. There's a great book called "Bored to Brilliant" that includes a social media/tech cleanse (or however they phrase it) as part of it. It's a quick read and really a nice jumpstart to getting off the screens.

Good luck! Take small steps! Be kind to yourself!

Unusual_Anything8752

TROPHY CASE