Inkblot Fun

There are many kinds of psychological tests that are used to understand the human psyche.

Some are very formal and standardized, while others are not.

Tests like the Rorschach Inkblot analyze perception and the inner life experience of a person. There are no wrong answers in these kinds of tests.

So, if you are so inclined, find out what you see in the inkblot above.

By the way, it is NOT an authentic Rorschach Inkblot, but rather a made up one. It's important to keep tests secure.

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Mental Health Coverage in US is Law!

It took a long time, well over a decade, but those of us who live in the US will now have mandatory mental health coverage.

The Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity & Addiction Equity Act of 2008, also known as Mental Health Parity, states that no insurance company can discriminate against mental health coverage or susbstance abuse treatment.

This means:

* No person can be "cut off" from mental health care with an arbitrary number of visits.

* No person can be forced to pay out-of-pocket for mental health care.

* Any person who has been "locked out" from mental health insurance will now have the opportunity to access such care.

The Mental Health Parity Act will be in full effect by January 1, 2010, but many states are already rolling this law into their books. So, as the new year approaches, find out if you live in a state that has its parity laws up and operating.

Now all we need is universal care for every person. No one should be without medical or mental healthcare.

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Parental Alienation Syndrome

Actor Alec Baldwin has written an interesting book on a controversial subject called Parental Alienation Syndrome. I thought it was a very balanced take on what can happen when issues of child custody go very wrong.

The reason PAS is so controversial stems from the fact that it is recognized in our legal system as a form of child abuse, but not, as yet, listed as a formal diagnosis in the clinical world. PAS is a psychological dynamic brought about by one parent in a divorced family whose aim is to alienate the other parent from his or her child.

I have seen Parental Alienation Syndrome in my work. Sometimes the alienation is not an intentional set of behaviors. While other times, it is conscious and intentional. And, don't get me wrong, there are many divorced families where this alienation does not come into play at all!

The most important thing with PAS is to help everyone see that divorce of a marriage does not mean that the child must divorce one's parents. Psychotherapy with a specialist can help the parent who is unconsciously or consciously alienating. Divorce is hard on everyone, especially children. Trying to help your child have a healthy connection with his or her "other" parent can be a lifelong gift.

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Writing Backward or Upside Down: It Doesn't Really Matter To Your Mind

Can you read the phrase above?

It is presented backwards as well as upside down.

A few years back there was a meme about an university research study showing how misspelled words and scrambled word order don't impinge reading comprehension. Well, the example above falls along those lines. Sadly, the research regarding the university study seems to be an urban myth .

BUT the mind DOES have a fantastic way of taking indistinct stimuli and morphing them into something that makes sense to us. Whatever the reason this word-order-thingy occurs, research based or not, it's totally cool.

Here's an upside down/backward writing generator for you to enjoy.

¡unɟ ǝɯos ǝʌɐɥ oƃ puɐ ǝɹǝɥʇ ɹǝʌo uo pɐǝɥ ʍou

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Aromatic Therapy Bear

I found this Therapy Bear and thought it was a wonderful item. It can be heated in the microwave to activate the healing aromatherapy ingredients within: Lavender, Thyme, Peppermint, Rose Bud, Hyssop, Eucalyptus, Lemon Balm, Rosemary and Flaxseed.

This could be helpful for anyone, any age, who's in need of some TLC, who's lost a loved one or may be ill. The relaxing warmth lasts for up to four hours, by the way.

Now that's one awesome teddy bear.

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Are You A Happy Face or Angry Face Car Buyer?

Over at Livescience is an article about a small study that was done to see what kind of cars people favorite. Seems that those who took part preferred cars that appeared dominant and angry as opposed to happy and friendly.

I don't really care what four-wheeled-vehicle gets me around as long as it's in good working condition. Maybe that's because my first car was an AMC orange Hornet. It looked just like this one. I thought it was great because I never had trouble finding it in a parking lot!

What about you?

Do you find this marketing trend has a psychological pull on your buying styles?

Are you more likely to fancy the silver BMW on the right or the silver Prius of the left?

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Helping Your Moods With Color Therapy

I'm a big fan of color. Bathing yourself in colors can offer many healing effects . In fact, Color Therapy has been an alternative approach to helping with physical and emotional issues for centuries.

The above picture is a mood light created by UK Industrial Artist Shiu Yuk Yuen . It is a soft cube that allows you to create a colorful atmosphere by your own choice - or by letting the cube move through the full spectrum of colors on its own.

I totally want one, but it seems that my exhaustive search has led only to the artist's email. Maybe I will get a response to find out where, when, and of course, what price this will cost.

Do you use colors in your life?


Update: 10/6/2008: Artist Shiu Yuk Yen answered my email and said that production and marketing of Mood Lights are ongoing - and will let us know when they are available. Hooray!

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Oh You Bring

This is one of the songs I have learned to play on the piano this year, and the words have really ministered to me, how the Lord gives hope the hopeless, light to those in darkness, how He finds us in our weakness and brings healing to our wounded hearts.



Oh You Bring

Oh you bring hope to the hopeless
And light to those in the darkness
And death to life
Now I’m alive

Oh You gives peace to the restless
And joy to homes that are broken
I see You now
In You I’m found

And You opened the door for me
And you laid down
Your life to set me free
All that I am will serve You Lord

And You opened my eyes to see
All the wonder and awe of Christ in me
Jesus You’re everything I need

Oh you fill those who are empty
And rescue those in the valley
And through it all You calm my soul

Oh you find me in my weakness
And heal the wounds of my heartache
I worship You in spirit and truth

All honour
All glory
All praise to You

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