Greta Pankratz, LCSW with Santa Maria Counseling

Serotonin Series #5 Your meaning-making system will affect you’re Serotonin levels. What is your meaning-making system? It’s how you make sense of the world, yourself and others. For example...... If, when talking with a friend, you notice they appear grumpy and your first thought is I wonder if they are mad at me? and you feel anxious, you’ll like set-off a stress response which includes the release of 30 stress hormones. Serotonin is drowned by adrenaline, cortisol and 28 others. If, when talking with a friend, you notice they appear grumpy and your first through is I wonder if they are doing alright? and you feel compassion and concern, you’ll like feeling a serge of the bonding neurotransmitters and your serotonin will likely be unaffected or bolstered. The meaning you make of a situation affects your biochemistry. Notice how you are making sense of things today. Is it true? Is it helpful? Is it accurate? Is there another way to think? Be careful where you park your mind. If your meaning making system tends towards negativity, practice self compassion and see if there is another possible meaning to be made. See more

Thanks to my friend @samstollberg.pt.prpc, I am exploring a new resource for my patients with chronic pain, autoimmune disorders and other mysterious illnesses. So far, her work reminds me of the IFS and EMDR work I offer in my office. Loving it! If you are desperate and ready to try another way to deal with physical illnesses (especially the illnesses that the medical community fails to find and treat the root cause of) please give her stuff a read or a listen. ... I’m sampling her work myself as we speak. Has anyone has success using her techniques or the curable app? I’d love to hear feedback from others who are further along than I. I wanted to get this resource out ASAP however; I am sure someone out there needs this! See more

AND that old saying sticks and stones may hurt my bones, but words will never hurt me is most often not true. Words ALONE can cause a broken brain (PTSD). PTSD resulting from emotional, psychological and spiritual abuse is real. ... If you elevate a broken bone over a broken brain, why? Please, before another person is hurt or shamed by your beliefs, do some research. If you think you are a victim of this type of abuse and might be suffering from PTSD, please seek therapy from an EMDR Certified therapist, you can find one here www.emdria.org. See more

FREE book to inspire BRAVERY in your 9-12 year old. Only free until the end of the month!! This book is smart, clean, for boys and girls and will inspire children to face their fears and grow! The book is safe if you have a younger, advanced reader at home. No worries that they’ll be exposed to content they’re not ready for yet... Please share with the parents and teachers in your life. Sign up here for your free copy: www.bravesamantha.com.* #samanthagetsbrave #freebooks #booksforkids *written by new author and my beloved sister Melanie McClay

Group starts next week!! I have space for 1 (maybe 2) more!! EMDRIA certification eligible and the therapists in the group already are top notch. We’d love to add you to our group. ... @emdr_center_of_socal