Contents
Requirements
Paralegal Class for Young People – In Junior High School –
Proactive
Witness other peoples’ trials for breaking the law
Adaptive & Protective Behaviors
Critical Control Points in Youth
Community Issues
(Transitional-aged Youth (Ages 16-25))
Mental Health Awareness – CloZAPine Scenario
CloZAPine Blood Monitoring Update
Defeating the Effort to Manage more people in need of
CloZAPine
Periodic Schizophreniform Disorder
1988-1989 – Around 6 months then
full recovery
Circa 1990
Disorder Timeline – Behavioral Health Issue List
Childhood Risks versus Protections Break Even
What makes one susceptible for abuse?
Features of a bad or rough childhood
Full Service Partnership Promotions – Intensive Solutions
Recognizing patterns of childhood
trauma in adult life?
Too much dependency on role models
What does it mean Young People in Recovery?
What score is a low EIQ?
What risk factors do people with low EIQs face?
Domains of Recovery
Prodromal Risk Factors
Most of my cohort came out normal with some highly
successful
Satisfaction Screener – 9 Items
Substance Use Disorder (SUD)
Promotion
– Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Workbook
Content of Bourne Workbook
What does CBT do for you?
Promotion - The Adolescent Relapse Prevention Planner
What was going on in 2012?
Delinquency Models (Age 2 to 10)
Was I destined to face hardship
my whole life?
Neurologic Processes
Appendix – Transcripts
Incorrect Starting Assumptions
- Abuse is normal
- Drugs are good for you
- I am going to die young
- I am right, implies others are wrong
- I can manage a night life
- I can trust everybody
- If other people have done it don’t do it
- If it can be done do it
- If someone asks you to do it do it
- Siblings instructions to not tell mom and dad were sound
- Mom will protect my sister and me
- My older brothers were not taking risks
- The older people will lead me right
- Things will not get better
- We are going to be attacked via nuclear weapons
Aside - Incorrect Premises
Incorrect asocial
premises refer to foundational logical errors, philosophical myths, or
psychological misconceptions
built on the flawed assumption
that human beings are naturally isolated, solitary, or non-social creatures by
default. When an argument or sociological theory assumes that individuals exist
entirely independent of social frameworks, the resulting conclusions are fundamentally warped.
These misconceptions surface
across logic, evolutionary biology, and everyday psychology.
1. The Logical "False
Premise" Fallacy
In formal logic, an argument
built on an incorrect starting assumption is known as a false premise.
Even if the steps of the argument are perfectly valid, the final conclusion
remains unreliable.
2. The Evolutionary Myth of a
Prior Asocial State
A major flaw in historical
political theory—such as early concepts of the "State of Nature"—is
the assumption that early
humans lived completely isolated lives before choosing to form societies.
3. The Psychology Blunder:
Asocial vs. Antisocial
In everyday conversation, people
frequently base judgments on the false premise that asocial behavior
and antisocial behavior are the same thing.
The Error:
Assuming a
quiet person who skips a party is actively hostile or dangerous.
The Reality:
As outlined by
Verywell Mind, asociality is simply a passive
preference for solitude. Conversely, antisocial behavior involves active,
antagonistic hostility, rule-breaking, or a total disregard for the rights of
others.
Early Intervention - Paralegal Class for Young People – In Junior High School -
Proactive
Paralegal Studies
https://cte.fullcoll.edu/programs/paralegal-studies/
Build Your Future as a Paralegal
Paralegal Studies – Associate in
Science Degree
Program prepares students for
employment in a paraprofessional capacity as an assistant to an attorney in
private practice, in a governmental agency, or in private industry. Paralegals
may perform many tasks under the supervision of a licensed attorney including preparation
of forms and pleadings, interviewing of clients, researching and writing legal documents, managing a law
office, and preparing word processing forms and documents. This program is not
intended to prepare students for the practice of law. The Paralegal studies
program is approved by the American Bar Association (ABA).
Paralegal Studies – Certificate
Program prepares students for entry-level employment in
assisting lawyers by investigating facts, preparing legal documents, or
researching legal precedent. Paralegals
conduct research to support a legal proceeding, to formulate a defense, or to
initiate legal action. For additional information, visit the Fullerton College
Business/CIS website:
https://buscis.fullcoll.edu/paralegal/.
Witness other
peoples’ trials for breaking the law
Prevention & Early Intervention
In the United States, anyone can walk into a
courthouse and watch a criminal trial for free. The Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees the
right to a public trial, meaning courtrooms are open to the general public by
law.
How to Watch an In-Person Trial
Find a court:
Locate your nearest municipal, county,
state, or federal district courthouse.
Check the docket:
Visit the court's official website or ask
the clerk's office for the daily calendar to find criminal trials.
Go through security:
Arrive early to pass through
airport-style security. Weapons, cameras, and recording devices are strictly
prohibited.
Pick a courtroom:
Look for signs reading "Jury Trial
in Progress" and enter quietly.
Take a seat: Sit in the
gallery benches behind the wooden bar separation.
How to Watch Online (Virtual Courts)
If you prefer to watch from home, you can view real trials
through various streaming networks:
Court TV:
Provides live, continuous broadcast
coverage of high-profile legal trials across the country.
Law & Crime Network:
Offers live trial streams, legal
analysis, and celebrity justice news.
YouTube channels:
Many local county courts stream their
daily public proceedings directly on YouTube.
Promotion - Helping Kids and
Families Build Better Futures
https://casayouthshelter.org/
Family Reunification
Work to unify families after
instilling the skills necessary to be effective communicators.
Parenting Programs
Weekly classes with sessions
designed to cover the same topics as the coordinating parenting class to
provoke meaningful and relevant discussions.
Youth in Crisis - Sample of some
crises
With an increased personal
strength and a sense of renewal. While in a supportive environment. With family reunification as a
primary goal.
Safety at home
At home I lacked physical and emotional safety. [SEE ACES Report]
https://healthman2059.blogspot.com/2026/08/adverse-childhood-experiences-aces.html
Life skills
Literacy is for everyone. Skills increase a use quality of
life and can help to achieve goals. Life skills teach you important
practicalities such as goal setting, effective communication, budgeting, job
readiness, interviewing. Prepare for independence and self sufficiency.
Pets
Animal Assisted Therapy: This
involves animal as a form of treatment, helping client socially and emotionally
to significantly to significantly reduce
stress, anxiety and depression.
Art
Nonverbal expression the only
outlet for their intense feelings. An art
therapy program helps youth build resilience, promote self awareness,
improve self esteem and confidence, and develops coping and controlling skills.
Critical Control Points in Youth
- Childhood and Adversities
- Neighborhood
- The Delinquents old and young
- Scouts & Leadership
- After class high in Geometry –
Peaked in Math
- Dad’s Boarding School notion
- Election of Senior Class Officers
- Lost
- Campus Service
- No drive cars at night
- Presidential Classroom - Failed
- Relationship with WJS – Subsided
for the best
- No pregnancies or babies (Primary
mission)
- Counseling (Group, Individual and
Family) – Unmet Need
- Getting my aunt to take me (Began
as early as aged 3)
- Neglected (ACE)
- Abandoned to deal with KGT’s
Abuse
- Eating
- Sleeping Priority – Had problems
finding routine peace and quiet
- Asking for help – Asked my aunt
and mom for help grade 9
- Art Therapy
- Basic Needs (ACES)
- Assessment for medication –
Missed the Boat
- Medication in hindsight –
CloZAPine would have been helpful
- Value of Diversity
- Smoking Cigarettes – First
dependency
- Street Games – For the most part
good
- Weekly debriefing without anger –
Improving communicating with parents
- Older Siblings – Lanaii the shot
caller destabilized house when she went away to college
- Pets – Lady Dog the safest thing
in the house
- Transitional Aged Youth – Serious
scars
- Full time school – Completed
bachelor’s and master’s
- Full time work – Some really good
work and memories
Community Issues (Children/Youth
(Ages 3-15))
- Inability to succeed in
mainstream school environment
- Involvement in the child welfare
and/or juvenile justice systems
- Peer and family problems
- Substance Use
- Homelessness
Community Issues (Transitional-aged Youth (Ages 16-25))
Scored August 26, 2026 retro for
term
For and by Keith Torkelson, MS,
BS
Weighting
The first 3 are high impact. The
next 7 are moderate impact. The last 2
are low impact.
Sleep Problems
Due to anxiety and alcohol use, proper regenerative sleep was not
routinely occurring.
After Hours Problems
Many of our problems developed after hours when it was dark out. We recommend that TAYs not drive after hours without
a sane and responsible adult in the vehicle.
Building Mental Health Awareness
Concurrent with CloZAPine The Fix
Clozapine was first synthesized
in 1958, launched in Europe in 1971, and officially approved by the U.S. Food
and Drug Administration (FDA) in December 1989 for
treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Later, in 2002, the FDA also approved it to
reduce recurrent suicidal behavior in patients with schizophrenia or
schizoaffective disorder.
Timeline of Key Approvals
1958:
Synthesized by
a Swiss pharmaceutical company.
1971:
First launched
and used in parts of Europe.
1975:
Voluntarily withdrawn
from many markets due to severe white blood cell loss (agranulocytosis).
1989:
Re-approved by
the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treatment-resistant schizophrenia
under strict blood monitoring.
2002:
Approved for
reducing the risk of recurring suicidal behavior.
FYI – AI - Would you like to know
more about the blood monitoring requirements or the side
effects associated with CloZAPine?
CloZAPine Blood Monitoring Update
The FDA eliminated the mandatory CloZAPine Risk Evaluation and
Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program, ending the requirement to report absolute
neutrophil count (ANC) blood test results before pharmacies can dispense the
medication.
Key Updates & Monitoring
Changes
End of REMS:
Prescribers,
pharmacies, and patients are no longer
required to participate in the centralized REMS registry or mandatory
data reporting.
Prescribing Information:
The FDA still
recommends that clinicians monitor patient ANC levels according to traditional
package insert guidelines, creating a
shift toward clinician-managed and shared decision-making.
Evolving Guidelines:
Newer
consensus guidelines (such as global Delphi recommendations) suggest weekly ANC
monitoring for the first 18 weeks, transitioning to monthly until 2 years, and
potentially discontinuing routine monitoring for stable patients without prior
abnormalities.
Official details and safety
communications are tracked directly through the FDA Clozapine REMS Update.
FYI – AI - Would you like
information on how these changes affect current clinical monitoring
protocols or shared decision-making documentation for
patients?
Aside - Defeating
the Effort to Manage more people in need of CloZAPine
Defeating the barriers
preventing people from managing and accessing Clozapine requires a
multi-pronged approach that targets administrative, clinical, and logistical
hurdles. While Clozapine is widely recognized as the gold standard for
treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS), severe underutilization
persists because the treatment system is bottlenecked by rigid monitoring
protocols, fear of legal liability, and fragmented care.
1. Removing Administrative and
Policy Barriers
Legislate Right-to-Access
Protections:
Advocate for
policy models like The Great American Clozapine Initiative, which highlights
efforts like Arizona Senate Bill 1716 to ban insurers, Medicaid programs, and
correctional facilities from delaying or rationing Clozapine.
Streamline REMS
Requirements:
Modernize the
FDA Clozapine Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) system to reduce
reporting burdens on pharmacies and providers.
Broaden Alternative
Monitoring:
Use clinical
judgment to allow modified hematologic tracking under informed consent when
rigid guidelines threaten to cause dangerous treatment gaps.
2. Upgrading Care Logistics
and Technology
Deploy Point-of-Care
Testing:
Transition to
finger-stick, point-of-care capillary blood monitoring to eliminate
coordinated, time-consuming laboratory visits.
Build Specialized
Infrastructure:
Establish
dedicated interdisciplinary Clozapine clinics that bundle patient education,
laboratory services, and prescription tracking under one roof.
Expand Community Case
Management:
Utilize
intensive community treatment teams to oversee blood draw adherence and lower
the rate of missed appointments.
3. Combating
"Clozaphobia" and Clinician Reluctance
Provide Liability
Safeguards:
Implement
clear state-level clinician liability protections when clinicians act on
informed consent and reasonable shared decision-making.
Reframe the Risk-Benefit
Equation:
Educate
psychiatrists to balance rare risks like neutropenia (under 1% occurrence)
against massive, documented benefits—including a dramatic reduction in suicide
and all-cause mortality.
Standardize Side Effect
Management:
Train community
providers on aggressive, protocols for side effects, such as using local agents
for sialorrhea (excessive salivation) and proactive regimens for constipation.
4. Supporting Patients and
Families
Fund Peer Support
Networks:
Empower
families with information from groups like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) to counteract
medical stigma.
Prevent Re-Titration
Gaps:
Maintain
precise protocols to ensure medication is not missed for more than 48 hours,
which legally mandates
restarting titration from the baseline dose.
Are you looking at this from a clinical
perspective trying to establish a workflow, or an advocacy
angle seeking legislative tools?
Periodic Schizophreniform Disorder
A mental health condition with
symptoms identical to schizophrenia, but it lasts for more than one month and less than six months. The
term "periodic" is not a formal diagnostic subtype, but episodes
involve temporary losses of touch with reality before full recovery or potential transition to a
longer-term condition.
1988-1989 – Around 6 months then full recovery
Full recovery is measured as full time work or school. The onset of my illness was associated with a
Rabies Vaccine. After about four months
of fighting my condition I
ended up in the hospital. I withdrew
from Veterinary School on a medical leave.
In the hospital I was treated with Haldol. Haldol did not work out well of me. I returned home to my parents’ house and
retained doctor DeSilva. I detected that
it was not a great match so I
“fired him” and retained doctor Deutsch (APD).
Doctor APD determined that I was overmedicated so he started reducing
the dosages of my medications. I found work as a fun time lab associate for
Hospital Pathologist Central Laboratory.
At home I had good nutrition and regenerative sleep.
APD reclassified me as Schizophreniform.
After 6 months I bounced back demonstrating a high degree of Resilience. I
returned to Veterinary School in Davis.
Dean Hansen said you look good. I made grades for 2
quarters. Then lack of sleep caught up to me (again). This included drinking a lot of coffee.
[ALSO SEE APPENDIX TRANSCRIPTS]
Circa 1990
The episode of 1990 saw me develop intense anxiety and aggravation of my
sleep disorder. I didn’t know the impact sleep deprivation
was having and would have on my life and health. One evening I was playing with my
Lithium. I was taking it out of the
capsules and at the same time had a panic attack. I called my parents who
contacted 911 for the Davis area and the emergency crew came. They assumed I was toxic on lithium and took
me to the ER where they pumped my stomach. Having your stomach pumped in
very uncomfortable. After a stay at
Woodland Memorial Hospital my father picked me up and brought me home to Orange
County. I was losing most everything that I worked so hard to achieve
and secure.
Disorder Timeline – Behavioral Health Issue List
Childhood Risks versus Protections Break Even
The "break-even" point
between childhood risks and protections is the precise balance where a child's
protective factors successfully counteract their risk factors, neutralizing the
potential for negative developmental outcomes.
Core Mechanics
Risk Factors:
Conditions
increasing the likelihood of behavioral, emotional, or health problems (e.g.,
poverty, neglect, systemic trauma).
Protective Factors:
Variables that
mitigate risk and promote resilience (e.g., strong caregiver bonds, safe
schools, emotional regulation).
The Break-Even Threshold:
The point
where cumulative protective assets equal or exceed cumulative risk exposures,
preventing a trajectory toward developmental harm.
Key Risk vs. Protection
Variables
Individual:
Chronic
illness or impulsivity vs. high intelligence or easy temperament.
Family: Substance abuse or harsh discipline vs. stable routines or
supportive parenting.
Community:
Neighborhood
violence or underfunded schools vs. safe recreational spaces or strong
community networks.
Intervention Strategies to
Shift the Balance
Reduce Exposure:
Lowering the
total number of active risk factors directly alters the equation.
Chain-Reaction
Disruption:
Interrupting
how one risk leads to another (e.g., providing tutoring to prevent academic
failure from leading to school dropout).
Enhance Resource Access:
Introducing
robust protective resources early in life to heavily tip the scale toward
resilience.
FYI – AI - To help explore how
this balance applies to your specific focus area, could you tell me: What specific age group
or developmental stage are you analyzing? Are you looking at a particular
type of risk (e.g., mental health, socioeconomic,
academic)? Would you like to review evidence-based intervention
frameworks that target this balance? I can
provide tailored data or framework models based on your needs.
What makes one susceptible for abuse?
Child Abuse
Age, family income, and ethnicity are all risk factors for both
sexual abuse and physical abuse. Gender is a risk factor for sexual abuse but
not for physical abuse.
An individual may be more vulnerable to abuse due
to power imbalances, dependency, or cognitive impairments. Key risk
factors include:
Age: Young children and older adults are highly
dependent on others, limiting their ability to protect themselves.
Disability or Illness:
Physical, sensory, and cognitive
impairments—such as dementia—make individuals highly reliant on caregivers,
creating opportunities for coercion or neglect.
Social Isolation:
Living without a supportive community
or having limited access to social networks allows abusers to isolate victims
and conceal their actions.
Financial Dependency:
Relying on a partner or carer for
money or basic needs can trap individuals in abusive situations
Substance Abuse:
Drug or alcohol dependency can impair
a person's judgment, expose them to risky environments, and increase their
vulnerability to exploitation.
For more information on recognizing signs and protecting
at-risk groups, the East Riding Safeguarding Adults
Board provides a detailed breakdown of at-risk demographics,
and NSPCC Learning outlines
specific risk factors for children and families.
Features of a bad or rough childhood
A difficult or damaging childhood
is typically characterized by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
like abuse, neglect, or household instability. It involves growing up in an
environment lacking emotional safety and consistent support, forcing children
to develop coping mechanisms that often manifest as anxiety, trust issues, or
relationship difficulties in adulthood.
Key features and warning signs
often include:
Emotional & Physical
Neglect:
Caregivers who
are emotionally unavailable or fail to provide basic needs like food, medical
care, or a safe environment.
Abuse:
Experiencing
physical, emotional, or sexual maltreatment that causes physical injury or
psychological harm.
Household Dysfunction:
Growing up
with caregivers who suffer from substance abuse, untreated mental health
conditions, or have been incarcerated.
Witnessing Violence:
Exposure to
domestic violence or experiencing community violence, which induces chronic
fear and hypervigilance.
Chaotic Environments:
Homes lacking
structure, routine, or consistent boundaries, creating an unpredictable and
unstable daily life.
The lasting impact of these
features can be addressed through therapy and support. Exploring professional
resources or educational materials can help understand and navigate these
experiences. Learn more about the specific definition and prevention of these
events via the CDC Adverse Childhood Experiences guide.
FYI – AI - Would you like to
explore resources for: Recognizing patterns
of childhood trauma in adult life? Locating mental health
professionals or therapy resources in the Buena
Park, CA area? Understanding how to break the cycle with your own family?
Associated with >
Assess_Adverse_Childhood_Experiences_ACEs_18053101_Notes
V2026
Full Service Partnership Promotions – Intensive Solutions
FYI - Full Service Partnerships
(FSP)
https://www.ochealthinfo.com/about-hca/behavioral-health-services/more-bhs/full-service-partnerships-fsp
Promotion - RENEW
Project RENEW is an Orange County
Health Care Agency (OCHCA) Full Service Partnership (FSP) program providing
intensive wraparound mental health services for children and youth.
Program Overview
Name: Project RENEW (Reaching Everyone Needing Effective Wrap)
Provider: Pathways of California / Clarvida
Target Audience:
Children and
youth from birth to age 18 with serious emotional disturbances (SED) or severe
mental illness (SMI).
Focus Populations:
Families who
are unserved/underserved, homeless or at risk of homelessness, or facing high
risk of psychiatric hospitalization.
Services: In-home mental health support, 24/7 crisis response for enrolled
clients, intensive case management, and family wraparound tools.
Contact and Location
Address: 1360 South Anaheim Boulevard, Suite 101, Anaheim, CA 92805
Phone: (714) 948-7641
General OCHCA Behavioral
Health Referrals: Call OC Links at (855) 625-4657 available 24/7.
If you need help with a specific
referral, or information on adult or older adult FSP programs
instead, let me know.
Promotion - STAY
The Orange
County Health Care Agency (OCHCA) Full Service Partnerships (FSP) program named STAY
(Supporting Transitional Age Youth) provides intensive, community-based mental
health and support services for vulnerable young people.
Overview of STAY FSP
Target Age: Transitional Age Youth (TAY) aged 16 to 25 (or 18–25 depending on
specific program tracks) who have severe and persistent mental illnesses and
are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Core Approach: Uses a "whatever it takes" multidisciplinary team model
combining field-based and clinic-based care.
Hours: Regular operating hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, with 24/7 crisis support available for enrolled clients.
Services Provided
- Intensive case
management and wrap-around support
- Mental health
therapy and psychiatric medication support
- Substance abuse
treatment services
- Skill-development
groups and community-based activities
- Housing
support and connection to vital community resources.
If you need help connecting to
this program, would you like the contact phone numbers or
information on the referral process for Orange County
behavioral health services?
Promotion - FOCUS
OCHCA Project FOCUS is a Full Service Partnership (FSP) and
wraparound program run via the Orange County Health Care
Agency that provides intensive, community-based mental health care and
supportive resources for children, transition-aged youth, and families.
Core Services
Intensive Case Management: Tailored, "whatever-it-takes" support to help clients
navigate daily life and personal recovery goals.
Crisis Services:
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for enrolled clients.
Counseling and Therapy:
Individual and family mental health counseling.
Supportive Resources:
Assistance with basic needs, health insurance, low-income family benefits,
housing support, and parent education.
If you need contact details, referral steps, or program
eligibility for Project FOCUS, let me know!
Promotion - Stop the Cycle Orange
County
https://www.ochealthinfo.com/sites/hca/files/import/data/files/14707.pdf
The Stop the Cycle (STC)
program is an initiative operated by the Orange County Health Care
Agency (OCHCA) under its Behavioral Health Services division. It is
designed as a prevention and early intervention program to halt the
progression of juvenile justice involvement within families.
Program Overview
The program specifically targets
parents and caregivers who already have at least one child involved in the
juvenile justice system, but also have other children at home (ages 6
to 17) who are not yet system-involved.
The Goal:
To reduce
delinquent behaviors and break the generational or familial cycle of
incarceration by building resilience in the younger siblings.
Core Structure:
It typically
features a 12-week curriculum
composed of parenting skills education alongside separate life-skills and
resiliency groups for the children.
Support Offered:
Individual
family breakout sessions, behavioral support, and direct assistance with
barriers like childcare, food, and transportation to ensure vulnerable families
can successfully complete the program.
How to Connect & Location
The program operates countywide
through specialized county facilities:
Primary Facility: Youth Reporting Center, North (YRC)
Address: 1200 N. Main Street, Suite 300, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Program Phone: (714) 480-4678 [1]
Recognizing patterns of childhood trauma in
adult life?
Childhood trauma often persists
into adulthood as a highly sensitive
nervous system. You might unconsciously recreate early dynamics (e.g., in relationships), struggle
to regulate emotions, or suffer from chronic
health issues. Recognizing these patterns is the critical first step
toward healing. Recognizing unresolved
childhood trauma involves observing how your mind and body consistently react
in specific situations. The most common patterns to look for include:
Relationship and
Attachment Issues:
You may find
yourself drawn to emotionally unavailable or volatile partners to unconsciously
"fix" the past, or you may struggle with a push-pull dynamic—fearing
abandonment while simultaneously fearing intimacy or engulfment.
The
"People-Pleasing" Habit:
Habitually
prioritizing everyone else's needs over your own is a common trauma response.
It often stems from learning to keep caregivers calm or happy to ensure your own safety.
Chronic Hypervigilance:
Your nervous
system may be stuck in "fight or flight". This manifests as always anticipating a crisis,
being easily startled, having an intense fear of criticism, or feeling the need
to constantly control your
environment.
Unexplained Physical
Symptoms:
Because trauma
is stored in the body, it often leads to physical manifestations (somatic
symptoms) like frequent headaches, digestive issues, fibromyalgia, or general chronic fatigue without
clear medical causes.
Internalized Shame and
Negativity:
Feeling a
persistent, vague sense that you are inherently
"bad," broken, or never quite good enough, even when you
achieve success in your personal or professional life. Identifying how these
adaptations—which once kept you safe as a child—might be causing harm in your
adult life allows you to reclaim your emotional
agency.
Too much dependency on role models
Relying too much on role models
can stifle personal growth and cause you to subconsciously lower your own self-worth by placing others
on an unattainable pedestal. Instead of blindly emulating someone else's life,
the healthiest approach is to extract specific wisdom or traits from multiple
people to forge your own authentic
path. The trap of over-dependency on role models manifests in a few key
ways:
The Perfection Illusion:
People often
only see the public successes of their role models, leading to unrealistic
expectations and low self-esteem when they cannot achieve flawless results themselves.
Stagnation:
Trying to copy
someone else’s exact journey ignores your unique circumstances, strengths, and
values. It can even limit your exposure to diverse perspectives and personal
feedback.
Diminished Autonomy:
Subconsciously
placing someone above yourself creates a power dynamic that lowers your
self-worth and makes you hesitant to make independent
decisions.
To shift from blind dependency to
empowered individuality, consider these steps:
Pick and Choose:
Instead of
idealizing one person, admire specific traits in multiple people (e.g., your friend's work ethic, a
colleague's communication style).
Define Your Own Success:
Focus on
aligning your daily habits with your own personal
values and goals rather than external expectations.
Embrace Your Humanity:
Acknowledge
that everyone—including your heroes—is flawed and still figuring things out.
FYI – AI - If you'd like, let me
know: What specific areas you feel you are
too dependent on others (e.g., career choices, personal style, relationships). What
traits you find yourself admiring the most in
others. We can brainstorm strategies to help you build your own
independent decision-making skills.
What does it mean Young People in
Recovery?
Young People in Recovery (YPR) is
a national non-profit organization dedicated to supporting youth and young
adults in, or seeking recovery
from, substance use disorders. They provide essential life skills training,
peer-led support networks, and community advocacy for resources like housing,
education, and employment. The organization specifically focuses on the unique
developmental needs of individuals
under 30 who are navigating addiction and sobriety. Core aspects of
their work include:
Life Skills Curriculum:
YPR offers
targeted, peer-developed programs (such as the My Recovery is EPIC curriculum)
that focus on career building, healthy relationships, and holistic wellness.
Peer-to-Peer Support:
They create
welcoming, substance-free social
spaces where young people can have fun and build friendships with
others who share similar experiences.
Advocacy:
YPR advocates
at local, state, and federal levels to reduce the stigma around addiction and
improve access to treatment and long-term recovery resources.
Associated > Metadata >
EIQ = Emotional Intelligence
Quotient
10_Assess_EIQ_Intelligence_17102904_Tool
V2026
SCR_Relate_Supportive_14022803_Refs_EIQ
V2026
What score is a low EIQ?
A low Emotional
Intelligence (EIQ or EQ) score generally falls at or below the 5th
percentile, depending on the specific test. On assessments using a
standard 1 to 5 raw scoring method, this translates to an average score of 1.0
to 2.5. Because EIQ tests typically use percentile rankings or
standardized ranges to compare individuals to a general population, low EIQ
indicators and metrics vary slightly
by the evaluation tool:
NovoPsych (Brief Emotional Intelligence
Scale):
Scores in the 5th
percentile or below are classified as
"Low" emotional intelligence.
Center for Internal
Change (EIQ Assessment):
Raw scores
average from 1 to 5. Scores falling under the 50-100 point
bracket are broadly considered moderate, while
lower raw numbers denote deficient emotional skill.
Psychological Testing
Baselines:
Scores that
reflect a low ability to identify, understand, and regulate emotions are often
mathematically clustered into the bottom 15% to 20% of the population's normal
distribution.
Common Traits of Low EIQ
Individuals scoring in the low
EIQ range frequently struggle with the following:
Impulse control and managing emotions under high stress.
Taking
feedback constructively, often interpreting mild criticism as a personal
attack.
Offering
sincere, responsibility-taking apologies.
Recognizing
others' emotional states, frequently leading to poor conflict resolution.
What risk factors do people with low EIQs face?
People with low emotional
intelligence (EQ) face significant
risks across their personal, professional, and mental well-being. Key
vulnerabilities include heightened anxiety and depression, chronic
stress, strained relationships, and career
setbacks due to a lack of adaptability and poor communication.
The specific risk factors
associated with low EQ manifest across three main areas:
1. Mental and Emotional Health
Risks
Psychological Distress:
Research
indicates that low emotional intelligence acts as a major risk factor for
developing symptoms of depression and
anxiety, as individuals lack the self-awareness and regulation skills
needed to process negative emotions.
Impaired Stress
Management:
Without healthy coping skills,
individuals are more likely to experience emotional
burnout, physical tension, and maladaptive coping mechanisms (e.g.,
avoidance, impulsive behaviors).
High Reactivity: Rather than pausing to evaluate situations, those with low EQ
often act on impulse, which can lead to unpredictable emotional outbursts.
2. Interpersonal and Relationship
Risks
Communication Barriers:
A lack of
self-awareness and empathy makes it difficult to understand the impact of one's
actions on others. This often leads to defensive
or aggressive communication habits and blame-shifting.
Relationship Struggles:
Failing to
read social cues, honor boundaries, or take accountability for mistakes creates
ongoing conflict with
friends, family, and romantic partners.
3. Professional and Academic
Risks
Resistance to Feedback:
Constructive
criticism is often perceived as a personal attack, making it difficult to accept feedback and grow
professionally.
Teamwork and Leadership
Failures:
The inability
to collaborate, manage conflict, and empathize with coworkers often stunts
career progression and decreases overall team morale.
FYI – AI - Could you clarify if
you are asking this about someone in your personal life, a workplace
dynamic, or are you looking for self-improvement strategies?
I can provide tailored resources and advice based on your specific situation.
Domains of Recovery
Domains of recovery represent the
holistic areas of an
individual's life that require attention to heal and thrive. Organizations like
SAMHSA outline these core dimensions as: Health (managing
emotional and physical wellness), Home (secure living), Purpose
(meaningful daily activities), and Community (social support).
In clinical and addiction recovery, these are typically expanded into broader
"recovery capital" or comprehensive
life spheres to ensure sustainable, long-term well-being. The primary
life domains addressed in a personalized recovery journey typically include:
Physical and Mental
Health:
Managing
symptoms, maintaining abstinence
from substances, sleep
hygiene, nutrition, and clinical treatment.
Housing and Safety:
Securing a
stable, safe, and supportive environment to allow healing to take root.
Purpose and Productivity:
Participating
in meaningful daily activities such as employment,
education, volunteer work, or creative hobbies.
Relationships and Social
Support:
Building positive networks of family,
friends, peer groups, and community members.
Financial and Legal:
Gaining
economic stability and independence from legal responsibilities or
institutional constraints.
Coping and Life
Functioning:
Developing
emotional regulation, stress
management techniques, and practical life skills.
Community Involvement:
Participating
in civic, cultural, and spiritual groups
that provide a sense of belonging and meaning.
FYI – AI - If you are looking to
build a personalized recovery plan for yourself or someone else, tell me:
Prodromal Risk Factors
Prodromal risk factors are early,
subtle changes or vulnerabilities
that precede the onset of a major illness, most commonly observed in psychotic
disorders (like schizophrenia) and neurodegenerative diseases (like
Parkinson's). In mental health, these indicators—such as social
withdrawal, unusual thought content, and sleep
disturbances—help identify individuals at a "clinical high
risk" for early intervention.
In psychiatric contexts,
prodromal risk factors span genetics, environment, and early clinical symptoms:
Genetic Predisposition:
Having a
first-degree relative with a psychotic or bipolar disorder, or specific genetic
conditions like a 22q11.2 deletion, significantly increases risk.
Environmental Stressors:
Experiencing severe early-life trauma (abuse,
neglect) or growing up in a chronically
stressful environment elevates vulnerability.
Neurological/Obstetric
Factors:
Complications
during pregnancy or birth (e.g., hypoxia or low birth weight) and early
developmental challenges are well-documented risk markers.
Clinical Red Flags:
Subtle
behavioral changes, including declining school or work
performance, odd speech patterns, suspiciousness, and
mild perceptual disturbances,
are strong predictors of conversion to full-blown psychosis.
In neurological conditions like
Parkinson's disease, prodromal markers can precede motor symptoms by decades
and include indicators such as Rapid Eye Movement (REM) Sleep Behavior
Disorder (RBD), constipation, anosmia (loss
of smell), and depression.
Most of my cohort came out normal with some highly successful
It is very common for a peer
group to follow a normal distribution, with the majority leading stable, typical lives while a
handful achieve exceptional success or prominence. This "bell curve"
is expected in most industries, academic cohorts, and graduating classes.
Individual achievements within a
cohort are heavily driven by variables like:
Networking &
Connections:
Building
valuable relationships often opens more doors than academic performance alone.
Grit & Resilience:
The ability to
push through setbacks and adapt
to challenges is a massive predictor of long-term success.
Emotional Intelligence:
High EQ is
frequently cited as a stronger driver of leadership and professional growth
than raw talent or test scores.
Specialization:
Focus, timing, and niche expertise
frequently allow certain individuals to accelerate faster than others.
FYI – AI - Would you like to
explore how you can boost your own trajectory, or are you
interested in strategies to expand your professional network?
Satisfaction Screener – 9 Items
| 1.00 = Yes | 0.50 = SoSo | 0.00 = No
(*) After Ted was released from the hospital
Why have someone self-assess?
Self-assessment is a vital tool
for personal and professional
development that boosts self-awareness, fosters accountability, and
encourages critical reflection on performance. By identifying strengths and
weaknesses, individuals can set targeted goals, improve, and align their career
paths with their capabilities.
Substance Use
Disorder (SUD)
20231203-SU-Alternate Format
Date on document - 03/30/2012
Promotion –
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Workbook
The Anxiety
and Phobia Workbook by Edmund J. Bourne, PhD, is a classic, best-selling
self-help guide based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques.
Key Features of the Workbook
Practical Exercises:
Includes
step-by-step guidelines, self-assessments, and worksheets to manage symptoms.
Addressed Conditions: Focuses on panic disorders, agoraphobia, generalized anxiety
disorder (GAD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD), and specific phobias.
Core Techniques:
Teaches
relaxation and breathing methods, exposure therapy, mindfulness, and ways to
stop negative self-talk.
Latest Updates:
The 8th
edition includes modern guidance on health anxiety, climate anxiety, and coping
with future uncertainty.
If you'd like, let me know:
What specific type of
anxiety you are hoping to manage
Whether you
prefer a physical book, digital ebook, or audiobook format
I can help you find more details
or specific coping strategies.
Content of Bourne
Workbook
The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook by
Edmund J. Bourne, PhD, is organized into comprehensive chapters covering the
nature of anxiety, physical and mental tools for recovery, lifestyle changes,
and specific disorders.
Core Contents and Structure
Understanding Anxiety & Causes:
Covers basic descriptions of panic
disorders, agoraphobia, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety,
obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),
alongside neurobiological and biological causes.
Calming Mind and Body:
Teaches relaxation, abdominal breathing,
and strategies for coping with and stopping panic attacks.
Cognitive Behavioral Techniques (CBT):
Focuses on replacing fearful self-talk
with constructive statements and challenging mistaken core beliefs using
affirmations and cognitive restructuring.
Exposure & Mindfulness:
Explains modern exposure therapy
approaches for phobias and incorporates mindfulness meditation to manage worry.
Lifestyle, Nutrition, and Medication:
Offers guidelines on exercise, nutrition,
over-the-counter supplements, and an overview of psychiatric medications.
Advanced Topics & Future Outlook:
Recent editions include chapters
addressing personality traits, self-esteem, assertiveness, health anxiety,
climate anxiety, and facing a future of increasing societal stress.
What does CBT do
for you?
Cognitive behavioral therapy
(CBT) helps you identify and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors to
manage emotional and physical challenges.
Mental Health Conditions
CBT is a primary treatment for
many psychological concerns, including:
- Anxiety and phobias, including panic attacks, social anxiety, and generalized anxiety
- Depression, including postnatal depression
- Obsessive-compulsive
disorder (OCD)
- Post-traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD)
- Eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia
- Substance use disorders and addictions
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity
disorder (ADHD) for coping and executive
functioning
- Personality disorders and bipolar disorder (often alongside medication)
- Physical Health and Daily
Challenges
- CBT also provides practical
coping tools for physical symptoms and life stressors, such as:
- Chronic pain,
fibromyalgia, and fatigue
- Insomnia and sleep
difficulties
- Irritable bowel syndrome
(IBS)
- Everyday stress, anger,
and low self-esteem
- Life transitions, such as grief, divorce, or relationship conflicts
Learn more about the process from
the Cleveland Clinic CBT Guide or check clinical overviews at Mayo Clinic.
FYI – AI - If you are looking for
support, would you like to know how to find a qualified CBT therapist
or learn more about what a typical session looks like?
Promotion - The Adolescent
Relapse Prevention Planner
by Jennifer
Bruha (Author) Format: Paperback
4.7 out of 5
stars (16 ratings)
2013
International Book Awards Winner in
Psychology/Mental Health (http://www.prweb.com/)
Substance
abuse continues to be a problem in
society, particularly among adolescents, who are exposed at younger
ages to new and stronger drugs with higher addictive potential and greater
availability. In response, award-winning teen addictions clinician and research
expert Dr. Jennifer Bruha has created an insightful and innovative new workbook that helps
counselors, parents and adolescents themselves deal with the challenges of teen
addiction and craft a realistic plan for change.
The Adolescent Relapse Prevention Planner contains a variety of educational information,
discussion topics and exercises around substance abuse that can be used both
for individuals and groups.
The writing tone, as well as the structure of the exercises, are geared to the
teen level; the entire process is designed to be intriguing, thought-provoking,
psycho-educational and even fun - making treatment and the recovery process
more personally empowering,
manageable and more achievable.
Bruha
addresses recovery from addiction through the stages of change, from overcoming denial and acknowledging
that they have a problem with substance abuse; learning more about drugs and
exploring the short- and long-term consequences;
examining ways to quit, and how to set up structures to prevent relapse; and
maintaining a healthy lifestyle every day, then every week and every month.
The Adolescent Relapse Prevention Planner offers several
unique components not available in other recovery literature,
including:
Exercises and
discussion topics at the end of each section that can be adapted for
individuals or groups
Drug education,
including the short- and long-term health effects of stimulants, depressants
and hallucinogens The Adolescent Relapse Prevention
Examples and stories
using real-life teen situations
such as peer pressure, relationships, emotions, impulsiveness and honest
communication
Family and genetics
issues in substance abuse and addiction, including a section on making a family
tree to identify family system
patterns in substance abuse, mental health problems and trauma
Graphic of the cycle
of addiction which clearly illustrates the need to step out of self-defeating behaviors and relationships
Self-care, they key
to creating real change; including discussions and exercises on mindfulness (a burgeoning topic
in psychology and addiction research)
"In this high-stress world, where temptations are
everywhere. . . adolescents search for that quick fix to escape from
reality," Bruha writes in the book's introduction. "Unfortunately for
many, that desire for a quick fix
leads to substance abuse and even addiction, which impacts puberty and
adolescent development physically, psychologically and emotionally. This
presents unique challenges in treatment and recovery. This workbook addresses
the challenges adolescents face in their own recovery, regardless of where they
fit in the stages of change process."
What was going on in
2012?
Recovery Value & A year of Catastrophic Loss
Started living in a shared room & ended in a different
RASR
Was I destined to face hardship my whole life?
No. You were not destined to face hardship your whole life.
While life can bring intense
periods of struggle, destiny is not a fixed script condemning you to permanent
suffering. Hardship is a season, not your final
destination.
Why Hardship Isn't Permanent
Circumstances shift.
Life moves in
cycles, and difficult phases eventually lose
their momentum.
You adapt.
Human beings
possess immense psychological resilience
to navigate and overcome adversity.
Agency exists.
You retain the
power to make choices that alter your current trajectory.
Growth happens.
Past pain
often builds the exact boundary-setting and problem-solving skills needed for future peace.
Moving Forward
Audit your energy.
Identify what
you can control today and release what you cannot.
Change variables.
Small, daily shifts in routine
or environment can break stagnation.
Seek support.
Shared burdens
lose their weight when you connect with trusted people or professionals.
FYI – AI - To help explore this
further, tell me: Are you dealing with a specific
area of life right now (like relationships, career,
or health)? Are you looking for emotional validation or practical strategies to change your situation? Let me know how you would like
to proceed.
Neurologic Processes
Appendix – Transcripts for Keith E Torkelson, BS
