How much do you know about animal-assisted therapy? On this Mastering Counseling episode we’re exploring this fun topic with the help of Megan’s guest, Dr. Elizabeth Carr. Dr. Carr is the founder of Kentlands Psychotherapy, a thriving practice. Lately, Dr. Carr has been working with Riley, their Facility/Therapy dog-in-training. Riley accompanies her in individual and couples counseling sessions, and regularly visits with other practice clients in the Kentlands Psychotherapy waiting room.
Dr. Carr completed her undergraduate education at Evergreen State College in Washington and her graduate training at both Avila College and the Illinois School of Professional Psychology. Her current area of expertise is working with couples and individuals on a wide range of relationship-based issues, but she has also spent time working in both naval and civilian hospitals conducting psychiatric interviews and evaluations and psychotherapy sessions. Over the years, she has also served as both teacher and supervisor to training therapists at many different stages of development as well as other working professionals who interact with the field of mental health.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- The benefits of incorporating a therapy animal into your clinical practice.
- How to go about training and certifying an animal to work in a clinical setting, including how to seek approval from your liability insurance provider.
- How to balance a therapy animal’s physical and emotional needs with the demands of a private practice setting.
- Tips for informing clients about the presence of a therapy animal before their first appointment and handling situations in which a client does not want a therapy animal involved in their treatment..
- And a great deal more!
Featured on the Show:
Counseling Spotlight: Kentlands Psychotherapy and Riley
Founded by Dr. Elizabeth Carr, Kentlands Psychotherapy helps individuals and couples improve their relationships and general well being. They accomplish this with their team of passionate and educated therapists, including a therapy dog in-training named Riley. In addition to Riley and Dr. Carr, their current staff includes Dr. Terri Pargot; Cherie Morris, JD, CDC; Dr. Krista Beyer; Nicole Beane, LCSW-C; Gail Groboski, LCSW-C; Johanna Koenig, LCSW-C; and Angela Voegele, LCSW-C.
Quick Facts
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- Address: 301 Inspiration Lane, Second Floor, Gaithersburg, MD 20878
- Phone: 240-252-3349
- Email: info@KentlandsPsychotherapy.com
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Meet Riley
In Riley’s own words: “Hello, I’m Riley and I work with Dr. Elizabeth Carr here at the office. I absolutely love coming to work everyday. I enjoy meeting and sniffing new people and welcoming visitors to the practice. I’m still learning so if I make a mistake please be patient with me.
If I seem nervous when you walk-in give me a chance to get to know you. If you are nervous around dogs, please tell your therapist before your first appointment.
If I’m feeling confident I could to be available for petting and to do tricks for treats with adults and kids who I might cross paths with in the waiting area between appointments. Just ask for some treats – the staff always have them on hand just out of my reach.”
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- Learn More About Animal-Assisted Therapy by visiting their blog
- Get fantastic bandanas for a therapy dog by visiting the JAPRALCrafts ETSY store
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Best of the Counseling and Mental Health Web: Opiate Addiction & Treatment Resource
Our award this week goes to the Opiate Addiction & Treatment Resource.
What they offer is simple and straightforward… they provide a free resource of information about opioids, addiction and dependence, and available treatment options, as well as a directory of methadone clinics in the U.S. and Canada.
On their web site you can learn about opiates… including what they are, what types of opioids are out there, and what the effects of opioids are. They also offer information on addiction, including abuse, depdence, withdrawal, and the signs of addiction. Lastly, they offer informatioon on treatment, with articles and resources on Opioid Detoxification, Methadone Maintenance, Anesthesia-Assisted Opioid Detoxification AND MORE
They also offer a wide variety of links to other resources on opiate addiction and treatment, such as a Suboxone Treatment Directory and a Methadone Clinic Directory. When it comes to opiate addiction and treatment, their whole site is a fantastic resource for both therapists who are treating those with opioid addiction, and patients who are battling opioid addiction themselves. Many congrats to them on their selection!
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