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Hello Pamela,



I would like to take a moment to thank you for being a part of our MFS family. We recognize that our success in being able to provide comprehensive mental health care to our communities is because of each and every one of you.


Scroll down to learn about Relationship Check-Ups, Pumpkin Icebox Cake, the winner of our fall decorating contest, and tips for supporting your loved one who may be struggling with an eating disorder.


Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours,


Dr. Pam McCaskill



office@mccaskillfamilyservices.com

734-416-9098

McCaskill Family Services Newsletter

Term: Fall| Issue 59| November 26th, 2024

Whether it is a romantic relationship, a parental relationship, friendship, your children, co-worker, or even your fur babies; how we relate and connect to others is at the core of being human. Our relationships can be the most meaningful aspect of our lives, but that doesn't mean they come without complication or hardship. Despite knowing the importance of our relationships, it can sometimes be challenging to find the time and develop the necessary skill sets to help them function at their best.


At MFS, our practice has grown to include a larger focus on couples counseling, offering relationship workshops for teens and adults, individualized couples therapy, support for those experiencing interpersonal violence, and relationship "check-ups" for ongoing maintenance. This month, our relationship expert Dr. Jessica Peatee gives us 5 important reasons why the health of our relationships matters most. Click below!

5 Reasons Why Your Relationship Health Matters
At McCaskill Family Services, we specialize in working with children and adults who are struggling with ADHD, Learning disabilities, and co-occurring mood symptoms. If your family or someone you know could benefit from our services, please contact us. Our clinicians are trained in empirically-based techniques, and would be happy to promptly schedule an appointment in person or via tele-health. We can be reached by phone at 734-416-9098 or by email at office@mccaskillfamilyservices.com.

Pumpkin Ice Box Cake


Ingredients:

  • 2 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese softened
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 can (15 oz) pure pumpkin
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon allspice
  • 1 container (16 oz) Cool Whip thawed
  • 1 box (14.4 oz) graham crackers


Instructions:

  • In a large mixing bowl, using an electric hand mixer, beat together the cream cheese, brown sugar, and sugar on medium speed until combined well and smooth.

*Make sure the cream cheese is softened well to avoid having lumps in the batter

  • Add the pure pumpkin, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and all spice and continue beating at medium speed until combined.
  • Stir in half of the Cool Whip (8 ounces) until it's mixed together well. Set aside.
  • Line the bottom of a 9x13 square baking dish with graham crackers. You will probably have to break some in half, or into smaller pieces, in order to cover the entire base of the pan.

*I used about 9 graham crackers per layer

  • Spoon 1/3 of the pumpkin filling over the graham crackers and gently smooth it out into an even layer. Completely cover the graham cracker layers.

* The pumpkin layer is much easier to spread when you dollop spoonfuls of the pumpkin filling all over, rather than dump it in one pile in the middle of the pan

  • Repeat the layering process two more times.
  • Evenly spread the remaining Cool Whip (8 ounces) on top.
  • Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap or tin foil and refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving.

* Fridge time is important because the flavors will deepen and develop, and the graham crackers will soften. You can refrigerate it overnight as well. Minimum of 4 hours before serving.

  • If wanted, sprinkle some powdered sugar or ground cinnamon on top.

Relationship Check-Up

A Relationship Checkup is a way to care for your relationship health. Just like you get regular tune ups for your car, a regular tune up for your relationship can keep it running smoothly. It is a two-session counseling intervention designed to prevent relationship health deterioration, intervene early before you become severely distressed, and lower barriers to treatment for couples who are severely distressed.


What does a relationship check-up consist of?

  1. Help to identify your relationship strengths, patterns, and areas of concern.
  2. Learn useful, specific suggestions and practical solutions for potential issues.
  3. Grow towards deeper understanding, connection, and long-lasting relationship health.


But why would I do this if I am happy with my partner?

Would you only go to the dentist when you have an infected cavity? No! Most people go to the dentist on an annual basis for preventative cleanings and regular maintenance of our dental hygiene. The good news is that you do not need to wait until you are unhappy in your relationship to check in on the health of your relationship! A relationship checkup is designed to benefit all couples, regardless of background or level of relationship satisfaction. In fact, regular maintenance of your relationship can go a long way in preventing future problems.


So do for relationship health what regular dental or health checkups do for the health of our teeth and bodies---Get your relationship "checked out" with a relationship professional on an annual basis!

More Info on Relationship Check-Up's
Learn About Couples Counseling
Get to Know Our Staff
Clinician Spotlight

Dr. Jessica Peatee is most passionate about assisting those who may be struggling with experiences of trauma, relationship violence, gender and sexual identity exploration, and romantic relationship concerns.


Dr. Jess has received specialized training in trauma-informed treatments such as prolonged exposure (PE), cognitive processing therapy (CPT), trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), and Exposure, Relaxation, & Rescripting Therapy (ERRT) for trauma-related nightmares.


Dr. Jess has also received training in a variety of couples therapy approaches, including behavioral couples therapy (BCT) and integrative behavioral couples therapy (IBCT). She has experience delivering interventions that target both experiences of trauma and relationship issues.


She also has experience conducting comprehensive psychological assessments which focus on providing diagnostic information and helpful recommendations for children and adults who have experienced trauma and other presenting concerns.

Learn More About Dr. Jessica

The Winner Is...

Dr. Amanda!

Hocus Pocus Theme.


Thank you so much to everyone who voted in our staff fall door decorating contest.

2nd Place: Jaclyn: Creepin It Real

3rd Place: Sierra: Be-Leaf in Yourself Door Affirmations

Food For Thought

A monthly newsletter addition from our Dietitian and Eating Disorder Recovery Team.


4 Tips for Supporting Your Loved One

 

1. Help monitor and navigate comments related to portion sizes

 

Helpful: Work with family and holiday guests to limit comments regarding how much or how little anyone is eating and give your loved one a supportive space to process any unintentionally hurtful comments made at gatherings. Individuals working through eating disorders may be especially sensitive to perceived judgment on the choices they are making and how much or how little they are eating. Hear an unhelpful comment? No need to publicly confront anyone, but help redirect the conversation, “Yes, everything looks delicious. Jane, I can’t wait to hear about your new job!” and later privately ask your loved one if they want time to talk about it. 


Not as helpful: Guests and family members talking about how much food is on your plate, their plate, others’ plates or comments like “Wow! That’s a lot of mashed potatoes!” or “How can you eat all that and look how you do!?” or “Are you sure you shouldn’t be eating more?”

 

*Exception – If your loved one is in the phase of treatment where they need help plating portions, it may be necessary and part of their recovery for a designated person to help guide them on what an appropriate portion looks like for them at this phase.

 

2. Skip the labels

 

Helpful: Remembering all food can serve a purpose and it is okay to intuitively eat what your body is craving. Nutrition, fuel, vitamins, and balance are important, but so are mental well-being, peace, trusting your body’s signals, enjoyment of food, challenging outdated food rules and reducing stigma. Eating to nourish, to celebrate and to soothe are all healthy when done mindfully and without judgment.

 

Not as helpful: Adding “healthy” and “unhealthy” or “bad” and “good” labels for food. Labeling and judgment can lead to guilt and shame and can work to cement unhelpful food rules that may lead to disordered eating patterns including restriction, purging, over-exercise and bingeing.

 

3. Focus less on looks, more on time spent together

 

Helpful: Reminding loved ones and guests how happy you are to see them, how much you enjoy their company, how their energy lights up a room, how they are a wonderful human being and how much joy they add to your life.

 

Not as helpful: Comments on your or your loved ones’ bodies, weight gain, weight loss, size or labeling people as looking “healthy.”

 

4. Limit talk of “making up” for eating

 

Helpful: Watching for and helping redirect talk of having to make up for eating or limiting or saving up for desserts, carbs, or any specific food group. Enjoying time together over meals is one of the biggest joys of the holidays. Everyone deserves to eat and enjoy without guilt or shame or feeling like they must “make up” for it.

 

Not as helpful: Comments like “I saved up all day so I can eat this” or “I have to make sure I head to the gym tomorrow to burn all this off.”


Have a tip for other ways to help your loved one through the holiday season, or want to share what was helpful for you? We would love to hear from you!


Learn More About Our Eating Disorder Program

Adult NeuroPsych Evaluations

Are you or a loved experiencing memory problems and wondering if it's a sign of normal aging? MFS can help you answer these questions with our expanded comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation services.


Our Adult Evaluations Assess for the Following:

  • Dementia
  • Memory Problems
  • TBI (traumatic brain injury)
  • ADHD
  • Alzheimer's
  • Learning Disabilities
  • Stroke impairment (after 6 months)
  • Dyslexia
  • Determining what is part of the normal aging process vs. a symptom of a neurological condition.
  • Identifying early onset of Alzheimer's or Dementia


Schedule Your Evaluation

Newsletter Editor Notes

Cue the holiday season! I'm a masters level clinician at McCaskill Family Services who specializes in the treatment of OCD, anxiety, self-harm and eating disorders for all ages. I co-run the McCaskill Family Services DBT groups for teens and adults, and specialize in psychological assessment. I am also our monthly newsletter editor and social media manager!

I'd like to personally thank you for staying in touch with our practice, and hope you find this newsletter inspirational and informative. If you or someone you know would like to schedule an appointment with me, please contact our office at 734-416-9098 or email us at office@mccaskillfamilyservices.com. I look forward to working with you!
409 Plymouth Road, Suite 250, Plymouth, MI 48170 • 734.416.9098
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