Tag Archives: anxiety monster

Join us at Indigo Milton with local author Darlene Wierski-Devoe

I am so grateful to Indigo for opening their doors to authors such as myself. I am truly grateful for having a chance to connect with the very readers that inspired me to write this book. I welcome you to join us this Saturday!

When: Sunday March 24th, 2013
What time: 11:00 a.m.
Where: Indigo Milton – 1180 Steeles Ave. E., Milton, Ontario L9T 6C8
A little bit about the book:

“Just Like You” raises awareness around the daily struggles that some children face. Simple things like answering a question, playing in the school yard and going to the library are such struggles for kids who have anxious feelings. This book is written to help others understand what anxious behaviour both looks and feels like. “Just Like You” is a valuable tool for creating awareness and support for families dealing with anxiety.

The book introduces the concept of the “anxiety monster”. It allows children to see anxiety as an “it” or a “thing” that is completely separate from them. The story teaches that worry, fear and panic are feelings that can be managed while reinforcing the fact that despite the main characters’ differences, she really is “Just Like You”.

Young readers are also introduced to the concept of a toolbox which holds numerous ideas and choices for helping to reduce the effects of the “anxiety monster”, allowing them to be successful in everyday tasks.

This is a great story for children with anxiety as well as their peers. It provides great opportunities to help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues as well as raise awareness that these amazing children just need to be heard and helped.

No need to RSVP just come by and join us!

The reviews are in and here’s a very special one

The feedback from “Just Like You” has been overwhelming. I have touched people of all ages and walks of life and I strive to reach even more. There’s one review that I received over the weekend that I just had to share with you that warmed my heart and brought tears to my eyes. Take a look:

Hi, my name is Sydney and I am Darlene Devoe’s daughter. I am going to tell you what I like about Just Like You.
I like how Brooke’s friends really take care and look out for her and tell her things that are good and nice things to help her feel better about what she’s upset about. I know how she feels about struggling with anxiety because I struggle with it too. It’s not fun struggling with it – I don’t like how the anxiety monster tells the girl really mean things.
I really like how in the background you can see all the kids playing, smiling, having fun and you can see the soccer net, a swing set and things like that. I also like how if she needs to cry because she’s having one of those days (I sometimes do that to if I’m upset or I just need to cry) Brookes friends understand and they just want to help her feel better.

The reviews are in and here’s a very special one

The feedback from “Just Like You” has been overwhelming. I have touched people of all ages and walks of life and I strive to reach even more. There’s one review that I received over the weekend that I just had to share with you that warmed my heart and brought tears to my eyes. Take a look:

Hi, my name is Sydney and I am Darlene Devoe’s daughter. I am going to tell you what I like about Just Like You.
I like how Brooke’s friends really take care and look out for her and tell her things that are good and nice things to help her feel better about what she’s upset about. I know how she feels about struggling with anxiety because I struggle with it too. It’s not fun struggling with it – I don’t like how the anxiety monster tells the girl really mean things.
I really like how in the background you can see all the kids playing, smiling, having fun and you can see the soccer net, a swing set and things like that. I also like how if she needs to cry because she’s having one of those days (I sometimes do that to if I’m upset or I just need to cry) Brookes friends understand and they just want to help her feel better.

There are always choices

“If you limit your choices only to what seems possible or reasonable, you disconnect yourself from what you truly want, and all that is left is compromise.”
Robert Fritz quotes

You know I have always said that dealing with anxiety is all about creativity because you need to be creative to fight that “anxiety monster”. Have you ever thought about play therapy? It’s an idea worth looking into and who knows “what if” it DOES work? Take a look at this great article that enlightens us on the whole concept of play therapy.

Published on May 29, 2012
Diane Crocker

Blomidon Place offers counselling to children, youth and families up to the age of 19 as part of Western Health’s Mental Health and Addiction Services.
Serving the area of Corner Brook, the Bay of Islands and Pasadena, Blomidon Place accepts referrals on a variety of mental health concerns, everything from behavioural issues and parenting support to the more serious anxiety, depression, attachment, grief and loss, sexual abuse and family violence.
Since that initial training session, Barrett has gone on to complete level one of play therapy certification in London, Ont.
She said deciding to incorporate play therapy in counselling is just the same as deciding to use talk therapy. She said you would meet with the person to get a sense of the issues and what you can do to support them and then sort of feel it out.
She said if they take to it, it’s awesome, and if not, you try another mode.
“It’s really just another tool in the tool box,” said Tammy Breen, intake co-ordinator at Blomidon Place.
“Kids are playful by nature and that’s how they learn,” said Breen. “That’s how they experience the world and that’s how you best engage them.”
She said oftentimes children can’t verbalize always what’s on their mind, and you will see it come out through their play.
“It’s a really creative way of really working with them, making them feel comfortable, while also dealing with some difficult issues,” said Breen.

Read the full article

CBC News: Toronto – Official release of “Just Like You”

Helping Words – Official release of “Just Like You”
CBC News: Toronto – May 7, 2012

Please skip ahead to 17:39

Childhood anxiety: Just Like You storybook sheds light on what it’s like to be a child with anxiety

Childhood anxiety: Just Like You storybook sheds light on what it’s like to be a child with anxiety
The Toronto Star – May 15, 2012

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