All About Equine:

If you've ever stood next to a 1,000 pound horse, you can understand the magic of this sensitive, massive, and emotionally intelligent creature. Horses are incredible animals, as they have a nak for sensing human emotion and responding to it in their own unique way. They are the perfect companion for therapy because they give immediate feedback to their handler's actions, and often mirror displayed feelings. That means, in order to be able to handle a horse, a human must learn to manage their own emotional responses, and gain the trust of the horse.. all in real time!

Just like humans, horses have their own personalities, need connection with others, and are communicative and expressive (through their actions and sounds). Working alongside them can help humans to improve their social skills, emotional regulation abilities, increase self confidence and strengthen problem solving skills. Click below to learn more about our Equine-Assisted Therapy Program at MFS!

A Patient Talks About The Equine Experience:

I was encouraged to participate in the Adult Equine Therapy program (led by Dr. Nicole) in conjunction with my regular, in office, therapy. I had no idea what to expect or how it could help me.

It was a life changing experience. The program pushed me to bring together all I was working on in regular therapy and incorporate it into my day to day life. It challenged my thought processes, it challenged me to let go of anxiety, and it pushed me even farther to really mourn and forgive some scars from my past, and finally live a more authentic day to day life. It gave me mindfulness skills I had no idea I was capable of. Truly, over the course of the program all the pieces came together. Moreover, the coordination between my work in weekly therapy and the equine therapy was seamless. My regular therapist/doctor and Dr. Nicole were always on the same page, which really help too.

Dr. Nicole’s lessons, challenges and compassion translated into amazing weekly growth. I was often stunned at how much my horse was in tune with me, and how the exercises and lessons enhanced and helped me heal. I adore my horse and am grateful for all she taught me. It was hard work, but I put in the effort and honesty and the rewards were huge.

Sometimes there are things that are life changing for the good. This program is one of them.

Thank you for this opportunity



Gratefully,

(name withheld for confidentiality)

Teen Anxiety & Self-Esteem

For teenagers needing support with :

• Learning healthy coping skills
• Increasing self-esteem
• Practicing emotional regulation
• Anxiety reduction
• Boosts confidence
• Challenging negative beliefs

Open to all genders, Ages 13-17

October 1st -November 19th, 2024.

Tuesdays, Weekly from 7:00-8:30pm

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

RED-S: What Is It and Why Should I Care?

Athletes (especially teenage athletes!) have a lot of pressure placed on them: performing well in their sport, managing their (usually very busy) schedules, meeting the expectations of coaches/trainers/teammates/parents, finding time for practices and conditioning, protecting themselves from injury- the list can go on and on. But one thing that can often fall by the wayside for an athlete is making sure they are eating enough of what they need to fuel their bodies. Skipping or forgetting a pre- or post-workout snack on occasion isn’t inherently a bad thing, but doing so too often (or purposefully) can lead to something not-so-great: low energy levels.

Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) can occur when an athlete isn’t getting enough fuel (i.e., food) to support the energy they expend during their daily lives, including practices and games. Low energy availability in athletes is normal, especially after a game, but RED-S occurs when an athlete continuously pushes themselves without proper nourishment, causing this energy deficit to increase and eventually impact their endurance, performance, health, and overall well-being. RED-S used to be referred to as the female athlete triad, but we now know that it can occur in anyone regardless of age, gender, or the sport they play. 

Symptoms of RED-S can include:

• Fatigue
• Rapid weight loss
• Missed periods (in female athletes)
• Delayed puberty
• Low libido
• Frequent illness
• Hair loss
• Trouble focusing
• Trouble staying warm
• Irritability and depression
• Decreased muscle strength
• Decreased endurance
• Increased risk of injury
• Decreased training response
• Impaired judgment
• Decreased coordination
• Decreased concentration

If left untreated, RED-S can have significant lasting effects on an athlete’s reproductive health, bone health, immune system, metabolism, cardiovascular system, and mental health. Fortunately, RED-S can be treated (and even prevented!) by replenishing energy levels through adequate nutrition/rest and prioritizing an athlete’s health/well-being to help them feel and perform their best.

Our multidisciplinary Eating Disorder Treatment Team is well-versed in working with all different types of athletes and addressing a variety of symptoms, including RED-S. If you’re interested, you can contact our office to book an appointment with one of our therapists or dietitian. We have immediate availability in person and virtually and we work with individuals of all ages and genders.

I hope everyone is soaking up the summer! I'm Jaclyn, a clinician at McCaskill Family Services who specializes in the treatment of OCD, anxiety, phobias, 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!