May 2012 Letter from the Editor

May 1, 2012 by

Wow!  The school year is already winding down, summer is around the corner, and we’re honoring several important causes this month!  May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, Mental Health Month, and Arthritis Month.  Do one of these focuses
resonate more with you?

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Registered Play Therapist, I encourage you to keep a comprehensive wide-lens view of health.  If we sit on the couch all day watching TV, eating fast food, scarcely exercising, having little family involvement/ communication, our mental health will no doubt be affected.  Feeling happy and healthy does occur more naturally for some, but most have to work at it.

Set realistic health related goals for yourself and your family rather than far-fetched dreams of perfect health.  Schedule one day to walk a week….Check out that new gym by your house…Choose a positive affirmation to wake up to each day!  For example, a good friend
encourages all her facebook connections with an inspirational comment: “This is the BEST DAY EVER!!!” each and every day! :)  My my, now THAT’s a positive attitude that will certainly affect the food you choose to eat, physical activity your body requires, and how you FEEL overall!

We also honor arthritis awareness this month.  Healthy nutrition and exercise can help prevent the disease, and there are steps you can take to cope with associated symptoms.  Read on and THANK YOU for joining in our healthy journey…one day at a time, one step at a time, one realistic goal at a time….

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Filed Under: Mental Wellness, Motivation, Physical Illness
About Kimberly Rodgers, LCSW, RPT-S

Kimberly is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Florida and Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor through the Association for Play Therapy. She also supervises clinical social work interns pursuing licensure. She has worked as a psychotherapist for twelve years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Georgia and Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of Central Florida.

Her experience includes foster care, adoption, youth shelter, youth related research, school-based counseling, and sexual assault crisis center settings prior to private practice. She specializes in counseling children, families, and adults struggling with stress, anxiety, trauma, and adjustment to life transitions. Kimberly is a current Board member of the Mental Health Association of Southwest Florida and former Vice-President of the Southwest Florida chapter of the Association for Play Therapy. She is also a member of the National Association of Social Workers and EMDR International Association.

Kimberly is founder of Monarch Wellness (originally Monarch Therapy), an integrative center focused on empowering individuals and families through emotional and behavioral metamorphosis. In addition to counseling and play therapy, the center offers other supportive modalities to further enhance emotional healing and stress management including support groups, yoga, laughter yoga, breathwork, integrative relaxation, and sound therapy. Monarch Wellness' sister site eFitFamily.com offers health related information and inspiration for everyday families to live healthier every day. The center is also involved with House of Gaia community center and other community and service focused organizations. More information about Kimberly and her practice can be found online: www.MonarchWellness.net.

More about Kimberly