Category: Specialties
specialties
Groups Are A Very Supportive Option to Gaining Peer Support with Professional Guidance at a Lower Cost*
Many Groups if local to E.Amherst, NY can be held outside or at indoor on-site org/ facility by request, if appropriate as per health dept.
All Groups fine for Virtual work NYS residents
Free small workshops, and Discounted Large virtual workshops for up to 45/50 people !
Group Discounts For Bringing in Your 5+ Paid clients for specific group.
Times to fit your life, Day/ Eve options prior to sign up!
Most every topic below can be a workshop~
Individual~Family~Group~Workshops
Individual *
Feelings & Life Issues Anxiety, Coping Skills, Overwhelm, Grief & Loss, Acute & Chronic Illness & Covid Support, Motivation, Career or Living Change,
Stepping It Up A Level
Interested in Moving up a level in certain aspects of your career? Learn the critical questions to ask first.
Individual * Group
Aging, Caregiver Issues
Everything listed above & more
Coping with feelings of loss or isolation, topics- inc. Alzheimer’s / memory caregiving, loss, covid impact, and more.
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Individual ( as a family unit)
* (Multi Family Groups)
Parent /Guardian Groups or Teen Group
Groups Everything listed above and more!
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Student Groups ( DISCOUNTED)
PTA / Parent Advocacy Groups organizations or even 1 time Q&A or Workshops, and more
NYS ONLY
TOPICS
School Anxiety, Disabilities, Anger Management, Conduct, Bullying, School Violence, Academic Preparedness & Self Esteem, Transition… And More!
Groups: 5-6 Week Sessions
Moving Up Groups (prep for next level) Grades 4-6, 7-12, – Grad &Tech
Stressors & That Impact You
Anxiety & transition, related to a Nationwide Issues Talking Topics( School & Comm. Violence, Racial Unrest & Inequality, Covid Pandemic) and more.
The New Year: Reflections on Growth, Gratitude, and Renewal
Each New Year, I like to pause and reflect—especially on the interview I did back in 2023 about New Year’s resolutions. Revisiting the chapters of my life has shown me that most things, even the difficult ones, carried purpose.
I’ve gained self-esteem that had far less to do with appearance than I once believed. My greatest achievements aren’t defined by accomplishments or accolades—they’re the people in my life: my husband, my children, my dad, and the closeness I share with my husband’s family. Over time, I’ve learned who my true friends are, even when that truth means relying more on them than on extended family.
Lessons from a Lifetime (So Far)
More than half a lifetime of learning has taught me the value of my career identity , forgiveness, impulse control, curiosity, and the courage to keep learning and asking new questions. And from my mom, I learned spirituality. Long before mindfulness became a trend, she lived it—believing in a higher power, a higher standard, and a higher level of thinking. She just didn’t always apply it to her own stress.
I see so much of her in me: her work ethic, her selflessness, her love for her career, and her advocacy.
From my father, I learned something unexpected. He always cared deeply about his patients, but I didn’t truly see the “social worker” in him until I worked alongside him during Covid. I watched him listen—really listen—to people having tough days. I saw the man who quietly supported struggling employees, who found joy in making others smile (which is poetic, given that he’s a dentist).
Those experiences helped shape my understanding of compassion, patience, and what it means to show up for others.
The Truth About Resolutions
I’ve come to believe that healthy, successful living isn’t about setting one big resolution for January 1st. Instead, it’s about creating fluid goals throughout the year. That’s how we grow happier, more fulfilled, more grounded.
If we wait for one single date, we end up fizzling out—just like those gym memberships that start strong in January and fade by February.
Of course, there is something powerful about January 1st. Maybe it’s the promise of renewal. Maybe it’s the hope of a fresh start. Or maybe it’s simply tradition—a day when we pause long enough to reassess where we’re headed. Whatever it is, it draws us in.
Embracing the Cycle of Life
Whether this past year brought grief or joy, illness or improved health, change or stability, it’s all part of the cycle of life. As we grow older, we inevitably gain wisdom and learn to take each day as it comes.
Be grateful for what you have… because it could always be less.
So as we move into a new year, celebrate what you’ve accomplished. Honor the people you love and the people you’ve lost. And remember that seeking support—whenever you choose—is an act of strength.
Wishing you a happy, healthy New Year! 🥂
Here’s to renewal, growth, and hope.
InspireAmind.net
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Many people and their families begin to notice signs of Alzheimer’s long before the disease fully progresses. Neurologists can now detect indicators of brain deterioration that may begin 10-20 years prior to it becoming a major issue in someone’s life.
The problem with current diagnostic criteria —even if legislation eventually passes
— is that a person may live for several years after diagnosis with little visible change, only to then experience a rapid decline in mood, cognition, and functioning. Common symptoms include “sundowning,” anger toward family members who “just don’t get it,” depression, and anxiety. While many say, “Tomorrow is a new day,” those living through these realities know those “good” days can be few and far between.
Time feels heavier on our shoulders as we juggle work, caregiving, and personal responsibilities. This is especially true in colder climates or during long academic years, when many of us look forward to summer for renewal. Warmer weather often brings improved moods, more outdoor activity, and family time-reminding us how environment and balance affect mental health.
For those of us in the Northeast, “spring fever” is real. When the sun finally shines, it’s harder to stay focused indoors —we’d rather be outside. Students also reflect this seasonal shift: energy levels rise, attention wanes, and the end of the school year brings excitement and distraction. The longer days invite us all to slow down, reconnect socially, and find joy in simple experiences.
DEATH WITH DIGNITY AND THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE
As we continue to wait for legislation allowing the right to choose at the end of life, our emotions fluctuate between sadness and pain as we watch loved ones endure the agony of terminal illnesses. Many doctors, therapists, and families in states like New York-where no Death with Dignity Act currently exists-struggle with the lack of options for patients who wish to maintain autonomy over their lives and deaths.
Legislators often misunderstand how profoundly such laws could improve the quality of life for those facing irreversible decline.
Many individuals have long expressed their wishes to family members—whether or not their spouses are present—to ensure their preferences are honored if a serious illness occurs. I have always believed that no one should be forced to live in a state of severe cognitive, physical, or communicative impairment that strips away the independence and dignity they once had.
While documents such as a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order express one’s medical wishes, families or executors can sometimes override these decisions, especially when misinformation or guilt is involved. The result can be prolonged suffering, isolation in care facilities, and the loss of personal choice when it matters most.
In contrast, residents of several U.S. jurisdictions currently have access to medical aid in dying, which allows a terminally ill, mentally competent adult to receive a prescribed, lethal dose of medication from their physician. These include:
- California – End of Life Option Act (2015/2016)
- Colorado – End of Life Options Act (2016)
- District of Columbia – Death with Dignity Act (2016/2017)
- Hawaii – Our Care, Our Choice Act (2018/2019)
- Maine – Maine Death with Dignity Act (2019)
- New Jersey – Medical Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill Act (2019)
- New Mexico – Elizabeth Whitefield End of Life Options Act (2021)
- Oregon – Death with Dignity Act (1994/1997)
- Vermont – Patient Choice and Control at the End of Life Act (2013)
- Washington – Death with Dignity Act (2008)
Montana has no formal statute but, since a 2009 state Supreme Court ruling, does not prohibit a physician from honoring a terminally ill, mentally competent patient’s request for aid in dying..DeathwithDignity.org, TriageCancer.org
The Right to Self-Actualization
I am of the opinion that the right to self-actualization-the ability to live and die according to one’s values, beliefs, and definition of dignity —is a fundamental human right. When a person faces terminal illness or irreversible decline, allowing them to make informed, autonomous decisions about their care is not an act of despair but of profound self-respect.
True compassion lies in honoring choice. It is about empowering individuals to define what quality of life means to them, to express their final wishes clearly, and to have those wishes respected without shame or legal barriers. As medical science advances, so too should our understanding of dignity-not only in how we live, but in how we choose to leave this world.
Marcy Abramsky, LCSW•2025
Look for products that help us stay calm within… https://ctrk.klclick.com/l/01K9QVQDW57MTDR93JFF375XZZ_0
Click link above
Mental Health Isn’t a Bonus – It’s a Basic Need
For 18+years, I’ve worked as a Clinical Social Worker in schools, nonprofits, crisis response, and private practice.
One truth has never changed: mental health is not optional.
Yet even in 2026, too many schools and companies treat mental health as an “extra” — nice to have if there’s a little budget left over, like a yoga class or free snacks. You can tell by reading or watching the news that …
That mindset isn’t just outdated — it’s dangerous.
We seem to invest in physical wellness everywhere: gyms, virtual reality, standing desks, wellness rooms. Why? Because healthy bodies = higher productivity, less absenteeism, more profit. Mental health works the same way.
In the same way, people that have access to consistent, quality mental health care, they’re more focused, more productive, and more motivated. Absent this essential wellness piece, the same or more burnout, absenteeism, conflict, and even violence — in schools, workplaces, and high–stakes industries like sports and entertainment have become common in the last 20 years.
Think about it: elite athletes and C-suite executives rely on their mental readiness to perform. They get therapy.
QUIETLY… Shhhhhh.
However, in many cases the professionals supporting them often earn a fraction of other critical roles, despite carrying heavy emotional responsibility.
Becoming a MSW Master Social Worker (MSW) costs over $160,000 in state education ( for an undergraduate degree) then a further two year graduate degree for MSW licensing – and yet at the start … salaries barely touch student loans.
For a License in Social Work $275.00 for LMSW
Example : graduate …
- 60 credits
- 900 total practicum hours (420-hour foundation practicum + 480-hour advanced year practicum)
- Offered full time (2 years) or part time (3 years)
Graduate costs fluctuate-
This is not sustainable in the future!
If we don’t advocate for change – the next generation of talented, passionate mental health professionals will look elsewhere.
The new generation
•inspired by us
•High-risk of burnout
•Risk of higher turnover rates
• In search of for less demanding
•looking for higher-paying work .
RESULT – The system suffers. People Suffer!
Here’s the bottom line:
- Mental health isn’t a luxury – it’s foundational.
- It belongs in every system, just like physical health.
- Professional’s doing this work deserve pay that reflects their impact — including help with student loans.
We must invest in care, not crisis.
People going to therapy shouldn’t be visible — it means it’s working. It means they’re safe and learning skills to thrive.
Mental health care is the bedrock of our society. Let’s value the professionals who provide it – because they matter.
YOU ARE WORTH IT!
#MentalHealthlsHealth #BuildUSUp #SupportTheSupporters
Try these…
STRENGTH
Especially in our society today .. know the way to SELF CARE…don’t be afraid to take HELP and locate RESOURCES…face CHALLENGES down by using…STRATEGIES…find YOUR EMOTIONAL STRENGTH !
©2021 Not for reproduction or use without consent.
COMMUNICATION
What are the strengths we have that support the way we communicate?
They are unique to all of us.
©2021Not for reproduction or use without consent.
DAILY MINDSET
Engage in activities that remind us daily of things that inspire us, keep us grateful, and our mindset, positive ..
Schedule an Appointment Today 🔵
©2021Not for reproduction or use without consent.
Back to school calming tips for transition talks :
Quick Tips
InspireAmind.net
Fall is in the air… and the kids are headed back! Even if you think there is nothing there… ✔️ in. It could mean the difference between a ball of nerves and a relaxed clear mind and body.
First day’s, first weeks, are never easy and add masking to the mix… give you child or any family member going to school a little extra support and your ear. You will be making a difference in someone’s life!
🔘parents groups are available to support K-college ( 3 or more people)
🔘groups are available to support parents (3 or more families) I also see parents ( 1 set of parents or single parent / guardian)
( includes list of apps & websites to 👀 for)
It seems like just yesterday when I traded in my Brother word processor (YIKES) for a computer with a CPU… I think it was in graduate school but, enough about me. It was cool!
Flash forward to somewhere in the early 2000’s when the online social media wars began! Cell phones made it possible to snap more pictures of anyone, anywhere, at anytime and without their consent! Apps like Facebook, offered easy uploading, tagging and commenting, internationally. It was no longer impossible for everyday people to become the talk of the town. Anyone could become as infamous as a celebrity ( even internationally) for positive, embarrassing or criminal behavior that was posted about them. Further into this new era of social exploration through media it was evident that pictures, and stories could be edited, cropped and altered to fit whatever the goal of the publisher.
Places online like MySpace, ASKfm were born.. areas in light of the internet that became dark. Notepads for anyone to write about people (usually terribly negative things) and even remain anonymous ! The worst thing you can ever do is read the garbage written about you or anyone you care about.
The internet when used in THAT way IS the world of the SCARED, the ABUSED, and the ABUSERS. It is for the people that are afraid to deal with things in their life so they take out their frustrations on others and hide behind the “shield” of today’s fiber optic cable, and spoofing. If there is something that you came across that is a threat or repeated harassment in multiple places, report it to the police or your school immediately.
As a parent, pre-teen, teen or young adult….. it is important to know that their are places that are more dangerous than others to be scammed.
my little handy list
Always remember…
(Even if you’ve seen a picture- you can’t be sure)
Don’t
•never rely on anyone’s identity that you don’t know
•never give out your city, state, or any specifics •never agree to meet ANYONE ever
•never engage in any game / responses to questions that makes you uncomfortable or
DO
•talk to someone about it anything uncomfortable
•report things you feel are unsafe to parents, school or police.
•any threats should go directly to police.
Here is an updated list of websites and their concerns:
Welcome to the InspireAmind®️ Presents Summer of 2021 The Real Friend Reboot!
It’s over a year since our kids and teens have been 100 percent carefree! Here we are approaching quite the odd summer of 2021. As vaccines approved this emergency use become available to younger age groups many things will happen.
There are some that will not be able to get the vaccine for various issues, and others that will still contract Covid after vaccination, and still even additional, that may choose not to participate. As I am not a physician, I can only do I what I feel best doing. I encourage others to make an informed decision and do what is best for their health, and their family. I also know that that ideally we should respect the rights and health and safety of others, while doing so.
Socialization: I can say one thing for sure, there is value in children, and teens socializing this summer, even if it’s in a cautious manner.
I have been thinking about the issue of isolation and socialization since March of 2020, when I first focused my energy on isolated seniors. This population, similar to children can be very vulnerable in that they rely on others for socialization, care and for many to keep a positive mindset, and not regress in cognitive functioning. After successfully creating a program serving seniors in a facility and in turn, assisting isolated graduate social work students during Covid.. my mind has shifted back to pre-teens, and teens.
I have been speaking with my children about it, and some of their friends and other parents for months. Since last summer, we had created ways of getting together with friends that felt safe. However, everyone shared similar experiences when all schools were remote. All friends ended the 2020 school year remotely, as most businesses n NYS remained closed, and it wasn’t until closer to fall into spring that everything opened. Larger amounts of parents, kids, families were going through things together at the time.
After a recent discussion came up to share those same thoughts – I realized that not only are we in the most “Covid awkward” time regarding ever changing mandates for safety and access to the vaccine, but at the same time normalcy is almost 90 percent expected.. yet we are still using an FDA emergency approved vaccine for a pandemic. I mean we are still in a NEW normal . That’s okay, we need to cope and move forward but, there is still a lot we don’t know Re: boosters, strains, safety and preparedness for all to function and remain open through yet another issue.
I pushed those thoughts out of my head.. I thought more about what actives we as a family came up with for kids, and teens to do safely. Then I thought about my girls, and even the seniors I started to support- you can’t always start with the activity! I thought so much comes before.. kind of the horse.. and bringing it to water but, not getting it to drink.
Prepping for Summer, Next School Year, Travel or Any New Change to Schedule!
Everything is NEW AGAIN
The Real Friend Reboot- it’s like Starting Again!
This idea of friendships, and reuniting with people that you haven’t seen regularly or even seen on Zoom, let alone passed by in the halls can be a tougher concept then you’d expect.
Did it impact kids/teens? Most definitely.
In many ways, as I’ve spoken with parents, students, young adults through seniors… it impacted EVERYONE! It impacted friendships, emotional ( self-esteem ) due to loss of regular sports, walking, shopping and daily movement! For many people, that led to health issues, emotional concerns and weight gain. This had a chain reaction…less time out of home and less time with peers. This pandemic was time when we needed the very MOST support from others, yet couldn’t be around anyone.
Yes, kids have, and will continue to bounce back and rekindle old, and make new friends. Adults may have been forced into different choices in their lives that they would not have chosen otherwise : a particular college, no college, loss of employment, early retirement, loss of a business, and even loss of loved ones due to serious medical issues, or death during this challenging time. What people don’t know (especially kids) is that there is a way out, a way to make changes, and it doesn’t have to feel hopeless…..
CHANGE is not a comfortable space for most. When YOU are in charge of it.. (rearranging the furniture, new clothes – sure). None of us have been in charge the changes we have been rolling through during the Pandemic. We are only in charge of our mindset, and responses to everything around us.
The most basic human emotion after learning of a tremendous CHANGE – a reduction in their ability to move freely in society, school etc., isolation is discomfort. This also can come out later, or BEFORE returning to their environment. The mind, and body are funny that way. If we do not address certain topics they will come out in some way, at some point.
TIPS for Addressing CHANGE and CHALLENGE with Your Children in Friendships
The Beginning – it all depends on the personality of your tween, teen or young adult child.
Challenge #1 Friend? What do I say? Does that mean it’s okay for more friends if they ask? What can we do?
Result #1 This feels overwhelming… just forget it.
Challenge #2 Thinking of the challenges ahead, becoming nervous or used to not getting together outside school or being remote… staying NONVERBAL about the reasons.
Result #2 Worry that the child or teen is depressed or continue to self isolate due to mental health issues.
Instead of the worry that your child has mental health issues, it may be that your child became used to the current norm.
Simply put, some of you have an age group where it doesn’t even get as far as the first example.
You simply may have a bit of an introvert, or a child who became more of one. They began to THINK some of these things and is avoiding articulating them. They are in their comfort zone!
Remember its been over a year since the Pandemic began, everyone is older and more used to the new norm.
In what way might your child show that they need a bit more support?
Thinking about our children and their reactions … how do we know when they need skill building?
Depending Upon Your Family Circumstance (Health) and Comfort Level .
Some options of summer activities include:
sports that you can make group competition in an individual way.
solo basketball ( everyone in the group has a ball), and games of shooting, or competitive skill go on)
soccer ( use your feet ), walking , bike riding can be done at safe distances, Canvas art
Drawing , Graffiti my driveway or a piece of paper about all the cool stuff in our Friendship
Listen to music, Make or write music Watch or create independent positive message film
WANT TO SEE YOUR IDEAS on the Website ? Create your own cool ideas and send them to InspireAmind.net@ protonmail.com
and they will be featured here. You will be given credit by choosing an emoji of a star, lightbulb, sport, theater or professional nature to represent your idea.
I am not able to post names for confidentiality. Sharing Ideas is helpful to everyone- thank you!
Helping you find your peace with social skills and transition groups –check out the homepage and specialties Page!💡
If you liked this then check out #3
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3 Keys to Happiness Blog!