Denver Therapist

Hi from Bill Strong of Denver,

Thanks for those of you who informed me that my email link on my new website was broken.  It’s fixed and up an running!

I want to thank Michael at 51 blocks for his assistance.   I can’t recommend his services enough.  Thanks Michael!

Feel free to email me:  bill@strongsolutionsonline.com

I welcome any feedback or suggestions.  I’ll still be blogging here my ideas on therapy for adults and relationships.

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.” - Aristotle

William Strong, LCSW

To visit my web-page, to schedule an appointment, or to email me a question, please click here:  Bill Strong, LCSW Denver Therapist.

Please go here for: Therapy Ideas Children and Families

Hi Everyone,

I have a new website and would love to hear your feedback.  So I’m having an Open House here!  Please stop by and look it over.  It’s still a bit “under-construction” so please excuse the dust and typos.   Feel free to email me any feedback or thought!

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.” - Aristotle

William Strong, LCSW

To visit my web-page, to schedule an appointment, or to email me a question, please click here:  Bill Strong, LCSW Denver Therapist.

Please go here for: Counseling ideas for Children and Families

Dear Readers, 

There was a good article in today’s Denver Post about the do’s and don’t of having a family Easter gathering.  I wanted to make a quick post about family events in general.  In the upcoming months, I’ll be posting several suggestions about our family events can become more fun and bring us closer.

I hope everyone is planning a nice Easter and/spring weekend.  It’s always nice to begin the summer with friends and family.  As parents let’s take some time to recall our fondest childhood memories of family interactions and events and do our best to now provide them for our children.

As far as getting a large group of family members together, my father always said, “Never discuss Politics or Religion”.  Even though my family that liked to debate, we did our best to keep things civil.

My father’s rule applied to social events and I think it’s a good thing to remember during our family events.  Discussing controversial topics among close family/friends is one thing (assuming each individual can do so respectfully)…doing so in a bigger social situation is another.  I was at an event on Monday were a few individual seems to insist on bringing up controversial topics whenever they had a chance.  The group was big enough that I started to wonder if this was an appropriate place for such discussions.  I noticed several individual walk away from the group as these two started another topic, and came to believe that they were making the group as a whole uncomfortable.   I found the behavior that these two were engaged in to be highly provocative and disrespectful to the group, and to the hosts.

I’d like to remind my clients and readers about my father’s advice.   Let’s respect differences by being careful and caring.  Let’s have boundaries that are healthy and respectful.  To read more about boundaries, please go here:  William Strong LCSW Denver Therapist on Boundaries.

I think with some planning and effort, our group events can be fun for us all.  That’s what it’s all about anyway, right?

William Strong

To visit my web-page, to schedule an appointment, or to email me a question, please click here:  William Strong, LCSW Denver Therapist.

Please go here for: Counseling ideas for Children and Families

Hi All,

Bill Strong Denver Therapist here!

I just wanted to write a quick reminder to my readers to get your complete physical for the year.   Work stress continues to be a big topic for the clients in my office and I’ve seen a great deal of benefit from those who are keeping an eye on their physiology.

So, check your BMI, get with your doctor do discuss how you are doing, get your blood checked/Colonoscopy (if you’re over 50 or have a family history of cancer), get a stress treadmill test/electrocardiogram or whatever your doctor thinks is best.  Quit screwing around and loose any weight that you need to.

Treat yourself like you matter!  Or as I say in this blog, treat yourself like a “loved-one”.

Bill Strong Denver

Here is my webpage:  Bill Strong Denver Strong Solutions

William Strong, LCSW

Hi All,

Bill Strong Denver Therapist here!

I wanted to write a bit more about work stress on this blog.  Please go here to read my earlier posts on this topic.

I’ve written about the use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to create shifts in our thinking and patters.  Such shifts can assist in our workplace stress  and coping strategies.  Go here to read more about Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

I’ve recently become interested in how Binaural Beats and Isocronic Tones can provide relief from stressful stimuli.  Research has show very positive results from the use of Binaural Beats.  Go here to read more about this topic.

Combining the above techniques can really assist in handling work related stress.  Be proactive in your approach to work stress or you’ll find yourself nearing “burn-out”.  A change in your workplace can sometimes be the answer to work-stress, though your ability to cope is something you can change and control!

More later….

Bill Strong Denver

Here is my webpage:  Bill Strong Denver Strong Solutions

William Strong, LCSW

Please go here for: Counseling ideas for Children and Families

Hi Parents,

Bill Strong Denver Therapist here!

Two weeks ago I wrote a blog about using background checks in the parenting of our children.  Go here to read that blog.

I received many emails about this topic.  One common question asked my opinion on the “who and when” of background checks.  As stated in my previous blog, background checks in the State of Colorado through the CBI site (Colorado Bureau of Investigation) can be done for $6.95.  So the expense is minimal.  Go here for the CBI site.  I posted an example of a clean CBI background check so readers can see what one looks like.

I also mentioned that you can use a private company to do a more detailed search as the CBI site only provides information re arrests and convictions.   One company I suggested allows  you to do multiple searches should you have more than one person you want to check out.   Checkmate charges more, but provides a more comprehensive check for your money.  Go here to look at Checkmate’s prices.

Back to the question, the who and when of a search?  Because Google is so limited in the area of accuracy, there are times we need to know the truth about a person.  As a parent, it’s my perspective that a background check is a reasonable thing to do on any person who may have the opportunity to be alone with my child (or who may have the opportunity to develop a “trusting” relationship with a child).  Again, you can be confident that employees of schools, daycare etc have run checks.  But do they do so on an ongoing basis, or just upon the time of employment.  Call and ask! Coaches, tutors, music teachers and the like?  Ask the organization who employs them about their background check policy.  If they work for themselves…do one yourself! It’s simple, easy and gives you peace of mind.

Bill Strong Denver

Here is my webpage:  Bill Strong Denver Strong Solutions

William Strong, LCSW

Please go here for: Counseling ideas for Children and Families

Hi All,

Bill Strong Denver Therapist here.

I’ve recently been involved as a therapist in helping child who was hurt by an adult.  It’s possible that this situation could have been prevented through the use of a background check.  I’m asking my clients and readers to become aware of when a background check is a good idea, and how to run one.  It’s easy and inexpensive.

Many of us use Google to find out information about a person, company or event.  Some of the information is helpful, and some of it is very questionable.  It’s true that you don’t want to believe everything you read on the Internet.  Whether it’s a restaurant using a customer review format to “stack” positive results about their food, or a person with an axe to grind about their former doctor (relator, lawyer, ex), people and companies can use consumer reviews, micro-sites and anonymous blogs to post anything they want without truthfulness or accuracy being a factor.  In fact, Google is open that their policy is that “truth and accuracy” isn’t a consideration in their listings.  It’s prudent to search for information about individuals and companies, but be skeptical about what you read online as it’s easy to make an anonymous post or review without being honest.  What kind of person uses an anonymous blog to write negative comments about a company or person?  If it sounds overly fantastic, outrageously awful, or flat out crazy, it’s likely a lie.

Background checks on the other hand are another thing entirely as their accuracy can be considered solid.  They are factual.   If you have children that you’re leaving in the care of someone else, it makes sense to insure that a background check has been completed.  Most schools and day-care facilities do this as a condition of employment.  You’ll want to ask at enrollment if complete background checks are done at the time of employment and periodically for all the personnel in contact with the population.

If you’re using an unlicensed day-care or some other adult to watch your children, doing your own background check is a fairly simple and inexpensive process.  Again a Google search might provide helpful information, or you might read some positive review that was written by the daycare’s owner, or an attack by an angry parent who’s child was expelled for behavior problems.  One option is to go to your state’s site for a records check.  Here in Colorado we go here for background checks.   For $6.95 you can do a records check on any individual.  It’s quick and reliable.  You’ll quickly find out about any convictions, arrests, or DUI’s etc.

In order to post a sample of a clean record check, I ran my own name.  Below is what a clean record looks like.

A result with arrests or convictions would site each incident with a case number.  A clean record is what you’re looking for if you’re going to trust your child in the care of another adult.

More detailed information can be done by using private companies for your search.  As you might guess, doing so is more expensive.  There are various companies, but they all use the same general data bases, so shop around for the best deal.   Checkmate is a good company that provides a lot of information in it’s search.  Go here to look at Checkmate.   When you do a search for “Joe Smith”, Checkmate will provide a long list of individuals with that name in you search area.   You then click on your match and go from there.  You learn about any past criminal history or arrests, as well as other general information.  Below is the criminal history page of a search I did on myself, and this is what a clean record looks like.

As you can see, there is a section where any legal problems will be listed.  This site costs more, but it is very detailed.

Whether it’s someone you’re trusting with your child, house sitting, a potential employee for your small business, or a date/new friendship…why not look into who they are and what their history is?  Again, most companies use some type of service, so I’m not suggesting that you do this for everyone who’s in contact with you or your child.  On the other hand, there are times when this type of information can prevent future problems.

Bill Strong Denver Therapist

Here is my webpage:  Bill Strong Denver Strong Solutions

William Strong, LCSW

Please go here for: Counseling ideas for Children and Families

Hi All,

Bill Strong Denver Therapist here!  Now that we are in full swing for our New Year’s Resolutions…let’s talk self help books.

I was looking at Amazon’s “Top Ten Self Help Books” and it sure seems like a good list.

1. Man’s Search For Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl
2. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
3. Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy by David D. Burns
4. Awaken the Giant Within : How to Take Immediate Control of Your Mental, Emotional, Physical and Financial Destiny! by Anthony Robbins
5. The One Minute Manager by Ken Blanchard
6. Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time by Brian Tracy
7. How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie
8. Organizing from the Inside Out, Second Edition: The Foolproof System For Organizing Your Home, Your Office and Your Life by Julie Morgenstern
9. Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
10. 50 Self-Help Classics: 50 Inspirational Books to Transform Your Life by Tom Butler-Bowdon

I’ve only read about half of them…so it looks like I have some work to do.  Email me your thoughts if you’d like.  Here is my webpage:  Bill Strong Denver Strong Solutions

Bill Strong

William Strong, LCSW

Please go here for: Counseling ideas for Children and Families

Hi All!

Bill Strong Denver Therapist here!

Now that 2012 is here, I’m wondering what we are all going to do about our professional life.  What goals do you have?  Less stress?  More productivity?  A different position or even working in different field altogether?

Go here to read more about dealing with work stress.  Please email me any ideas or questions that you may have.

I’m asking my clients and readers to make a list of what potential changes they’d like to make in their profession during this year.  Let’s shoot for the moon and plan for success and prosperity!  I’ll be collecting ideas from lists provided to me and posting them soon.

Let’s get to work on making 2012 a year of positive professional change!

William Strong, LCSW

To visit my web-page, to schedule an appointment, or to email me a question, please click here:  Bill Strong, LCSW Denver Therapist.

Please go here for: Counseling ideas for Children and Families

Hello Parents!

If you’re interested in finding out  about family rafting, please go here: Bill Strong Denver on Family Rafting.

I really believe that families who are active and know how to have “fun” together, are healthier and happier.   It’s not just having “fun” though…it’s sharing experiences, creating a “group identity” and interactions where each family member establishes a “role” where they feel good and “competent”.

Growing up in Denver, my family was always very active in the outdoors.  My father was a huge fisherman (not much of a camper though), so we would head up for day and weekend trips all the time.  We were skiers too.  I feel lucky to come from an active family.  That said, we didn’t so as many “group activities” as I think we could have, or near as many as I do with my wife and kiddos.

We do a lot of river rafting.  Before you freak out and wonder how safe we are being with our kids, please know that there are all kinds of rivers to take your family on.  Now, we do indeed do some fairly technical stuff, but nothing that is out of line or beyond our skills or an extreme safety risk.  We love it so much that I’ve started a Blog about it to encourage other families to give it a try.

As you will read, there are all kinds of options for taking your family rafting.  Starting on a “Commercial Trip” is probably the best way to get introduced into what float trips are like.  There are suggestions on how to do this on my Blog.

I was lucky to start rafting as a teen on Outward Bound.  I now have my own raft and we do our own day and multi-day trips with other families.  We just did a 5 day trip on the Green River last September, and it was truly a family experience that brought us closer, and made memories that will last after we as parents are long gone.

I believe having something as a family as stated above is really important for the following reasons;  I went to a conference on acting out teens a few year ago and the speaker talked about how kids end up being pulled together socially in ways that often involve some type of “acting-out”.  The presenter identified 3 elements that attract teens (or all people for that matter) to being in a group that may be a bit edgy in their activities.

We as humans like:

• Being in a group that has an identity (or identifying ourselves as a member of an interesting group)
• Being in a group that shares
• Being and group that is involved in some type of risk-taking

Please review the above closely.  Can you think of a group that you were involved in that shared all 3 of the above?  Could be a sports team, a group of friends who would cycle together, or a group that was involved in some type of illegal risk or acting out.

So, how about if we beat this to the punch and include those 3 elements in our “family culture”?  I grew up next to a family that was into auto racing.  They were very close, healthy and high-achieving.  On weekends they were at the racetrack, or working on their car getting ready for the next “big race”.  The son and daughter weren’t particularly interested in the pull of high risk behaviors with her peers because they already had that within their life and family.

I’ve probably made my point.  You don’t have to have be too intense.  Mountain Biking in Moab perhaps?  How about going to a rock gym, then branching out to a real mountain.  Hiking, racing, Taekwondo, skiiing…you name it.

What is going to be your family’s “thing”?

Bill Strong

William Strong, LCSW

To visit my web-page, to schedule an appointment, or to email me a question, please click here:  William Strong, LCSW Denver Therapist.

Please go here for: Counseling ideas for Children and Families