"The Doctor's Opinion"
Dr. Ashley Peak, MD, ABPN, ABAM
Medical Director
Telemedicine
I hope this newsletter finds you all safe and well. At The Morton Center, we recently transitioned from utilizing telemedicine rarely to utilizing it entirely, due to the current pandemic.
Telemedicine has been around since 1959 when the University of Nebraska first completed neurological examinations via video and audio. After 1990, the internet unleashed an information explosion. Now, there are dozens of platforms to choose from and utilize this technology in healthcare.
This pandemic will likely change the way healthcare is distributed to clients and patients in the future. Things will never be the same, on so many levels. Many regulations and restrictions have been lifted due to this emergency situation. It seems all the red-tape has simply dissolved overnight. Insurance companies, hospitals, clinics, law-makers, and patients are all working together to ensure the continued safety and health of those in need of treatment.
We are currently offering continuing care groups, intensive outpatient groups, and individual sessions via telemedicine. We are so grateful for this opportunity to provide continuing care in new ways. Thank you for all of your continued support.
Dr. Peak
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The Clinician's Point of View
Toya Liggons CSW, LCADC
Clinical Manager
As telehealth services grew in popularity and acceptance as a legitimate therapeutic method of delivery, I began utilizing it sparingly in my practice to meet the needs of clients who needed the technology to supplement their treatment. As we face a global pandemic, mental health and substance treatment providers find themselves on the front line of the crisis more than ever. With standard modes of oppositions stalled, counselors and clients have found that the only way to provide services is through telehealth services.
With dedication and an ability to quickly adapt to the changing needs of our clients, The Morton Center has been fortunate to be able to quickly reframe in-person sessions to telehealth within one week, and with minimal disruption to our usual services. We have found that our clients have adapted to the service quickly. Additionally, staff has adapted services to not only include talk therapy but also skill building in sessions. For clients, telehealth is an opportunity to connect with a skilled therapist to help them work through the crisis of being quarantined, while continuing their treatment for substance use disorders. As both Clinical Manager and Counselor, I am honored to have the ability to continue treatment for clients through telehealth services.
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The Research
Alcoholics Anonymous vs. Other Approaches: The Evidence Is Now In
by Austin Frakt and Aaron E. Carroll
published by nytimes.com on March 11, 2020
An updated review shows it performs better than some other common treatments and is less expensive.
For a long time, medical researchers were unsure whether Alcoholics Anonymous worked better than other approaches to treating people with alcohol use disorder.
In 2006
, a review of the evidence concluded we didn’t have enough evidence to judge.
That has changed.
An
updated systematic review published
Wednesday by the Cochrane Collaboration found that A.A. leads to increased rates and lengths of abstinence compared with other common treatments. On other measures, like drinks per day, it performs as well as approaches provided by individual therapists or doctors who don’t rely on A.A.’s peer connections.
What changed? In short, the latest review incorporates more and better evidence. The research is based on an analysis of 27 studies involving 10,565 participants.
The 2006 Cochrane Collaboration
review was based on just eight studies, and ended with a call for more research to assess the program’s efficacy. In the intervening years, researchers answered the call. The newer review also applied standards that weeded out some weaker studies that drove earlier findings ...
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Staff Spotlight
Daryn Martinez-Seda
Lean Insurance & Client Services Specialist
Daryn received an AS in Medical Assisting from Keiser College in 2001. She grew up in Florida before relocating to Kentucky in 2011 with her husband Pedro. She has worked over 20 years in the medical field, and joined The Morton Center in January 2012. As Lead Insurance Specialist, Daryn works with clients and their insurance companies. She works all aspects of billing from checking eligibility, prior authorizations, billing claims and insurance follow-up. As Client Services Specialist, Daryn also works closely with Dr Peak, Psychiatrist and Medical Director at The Morton Center.
Daryn loves working with clients and the team at The Morton Center. She also serves as “Safety Officer” on site, keeping clients and staff safe. In addition, she uses her creativity to plan and implement all the staff birthdays, making sure everyone feels special on their day of celebration. When Daryn is not working, she enjoys time with family and friends, going to church, movies, traveling, and arts and crafts. Daryn lives each day by words from her Momma, “Be a Blessing and You know how to Act!”
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Reading List
Practicing Mindfulness: 75 Essential Meditations to Reduce Stress, Improve Mental Health, and Find Peace in the Everyday
by Matthew Sockolov
Find everyday calmness and clarity with simple mindfulness meditations and exercises.
Mindfulness meditations are a great way to cultivate awareness and acceptance of the here and now―
Practicing Mindfulness
makes it easy and accessible with 75 evidence-based exercises designed to bring calmness and compassion into your day-to-day.
From finding focus with a 5-minute The Power of the Mind exercise to embracing the experience with a 25-minute Open-Awareness Meditation,
Practicing Mindfulness
provides the tools you need to relieve stress, improve wellness, and practice peace of mind moment to moment and throughout the daily grind.
Practicing Mindfulness
includes:
- The daily mind―Discover exactly what mindfulness is, how it helps, and how these proven exercises can bring relief, relaxation, and resilience to your day-to-day.
- Practical advice―You’ll find plenty of help in dealing with distorted or wandering thoughts, how to handle mental blocks, and steps for staying cool and collected in all situations.
- Mind over matter―Ranging from short traditional meditations to longer creative exercises, you’ll find 75 easy-to-follow practices to ground yourself, like breathwork and body scans.
Begin a journey of peace and patience today on the path to a better, more balanced life with
Practicing Mindfulness
.
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Spring Programming News:
Spotlight on Telehealth
Telehealth is defined as the delivery and facilitation of health and health-related services including medical care, provider and patient education, health information services, and self-care via telecommunications and digital communication technologies. The Morton Center provides telehealth services for current and new clients unable to attend in-office individual counseling sessions. Telehealth allows for live distance counseling services anywhere in the state.
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Support The Morton Center
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Did you know you shopping at Kroger and Amazon helps support our Mission?
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Please don’t forget to enroll to make sure The Morton Center receives the benefits of your shopping at Kroger.
It’s really easy and only takes two minutes, please also find the information on Facebook and share with friends and family. Every dollar raised helps provide treatment to our scholarship program. Click below for instructions.
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You can also shop on Amazon and help provide support to the scholarship program by clicking and following the steps below.
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About The Morton Center
The Morton Center is a full-service addiction recovery facility offering professional counseling and therapy, as well as prevention and educational services, for individuals and families struggling with substance abuse issues. Since 1984, our customized, holistic approach has helped to reengage individuals and their families with lives of meaning and purpose often lost in addiction.
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Contact us:
The Morton Center - 1028 Barret Avenue, Louisville, KY 40204
ph. 502-451-1221
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