I don’t have the TEDx yet but I needed to do a demo reel so this is mine. This was not easy for me to put out there. I hope, going forward, it is easier.
Tag: mental health speaker
Nobody wants me
I am in a rejection business on two sides. On the one hand I have been trying to secure some paid speaking engagements. And the other is trying to get a book published.
From the speaking angle, I’m often “not right for their event,” “time isn’t good,” “not a good fit,” and “I think it’s fine to talk about all this. Just not around my audience,” and my favorite, “can you make your story more positive?” If I played some of these scenes back on video, they’d see it in themselves. They would cringe and say, “What was I thinking?” … Read more... “Nobody wants me”
Booking speaking engagements now
Creating a demo reel and should have my TEDx video in February. I sorely need video and that will be a focus in 2019.
Negotiating contracts now for spring and fall and if you know of an event looking for a speaker, do keep me in mind. See the speakers page for more info.
Karla Helbert, MS, LPC and I will be doing a Coping Strategies for Grief workshop at Ellwood Thompson locally in Richmond, VA in late February. Date to be announced soon. Checking on room availability and we will announce here and on our facebook pages.
YMCA Presentation Follow up
So honored so many showed up in the rain to learn more about youth mental health. A really great turn out and even better questions.
If you feel your child’s behavior is not the normal teen struggles, it might be time to ask his teachers and get their opinion. They see lots of adolescents in a day and often have good perspective. That’s actually how I found out that Charles might be suffering from depression. Your gut also will tell you things are not normal. Start with the school then move next to doing an evaluation.
… Read more... “YMCA Presentation Follow up”Familiar and new faces in Huntsville, AL at Wellstone Fundraiser!
I have known Denise since the days I did digital marketing for Diamonds by Lauren of NY. Denise handled customer service. I posted I would be in Huntsville, AL and Denise lives near there and came to meet me and hear me speak. It was so exciting meeting her in person. And I had noticed an uptick of Alabama visitors and I’m sure it has to do with Denise!
So she called the marketing director, Kallie, about tickets and the fact that Denise has an English accent threw her off as it does a … Read more... “Familiar and new faces in Huntsville, AL at Wellstone Fundraiser!”
Event at Partners in Parenting
Check out her shirt and my skirt! It’s like we shared a memo but we didn’t. I so enjoyed presenting to Partners in Parenting. This group is one of the referring partners for Beacon Tree and i love what they are doing, focusing on the whole family.
It was after talking to a group of parents that I brainstormed the basis of my next presentation which will be mostly parents at Shady Grove YMCA. Parents are always asking me and I give the same answer and finally I decided to present it and reference the blog post so they … Read more... “Event at Partners in Parenting”
Why is a psychological evaluation important?
Richmond has a trauma informed care network (TICN) for which I am a member. I presented to this group on suicide and mental illness and how my family was treated in Virginia. I did talk a lot about the fact that we never got a diagnosis in this state, even when I begged for one.
Maybe this isn’t surprising when you consider Virginia ranks forty nine for services related to major depression. Lack of a diagnosis didn’t seem to stop anyone from prescribing medication. The methodology is “throw it at the wall and see if it sticks.” If you are … Read more... “Why is a psychological evaluation important?”
What a week
Speaking, videos, contracts, grant deadlines, parents needing help, children needing help and more. Charles is making an impact even in death.
So much death on this Valentine’s day. Yet another school shooting, this time in Florida. Some of the kids had to step over multiple dead bodies to escape the school. So many parents and spouses grieving. It’s like going to school is a game of Russian Roulette.
I am calling on the NRA to volunteer measures to keep semi automatic weapons out of the hands of citizens. I don’t think we need to fight it out in the halls … Read more... “What a week”
Dear Cosby High School Health Science Students,
I visited Cosby High School Health Science Students in Chesterfield County and presented on a topic no one wants to talk about: mental illness, addiction and suicide.
I told them my personal story about Charles. Actually, I taught two health science classes. Then we did a skit, “How heroin talked to Charles” and one dr Seuss-like poems on drugs and one on resilience. Voice was still awful but had a grand time.
After, these kids decided they wanted to send me letters to say thank you. Their idea. The most heartfelt, touching letters I have ever gotten. This is … Read more... “Dear Cosby High School Health Science Students,”
Can you offer feedback for my speaker profile?
I created a profile at espeakers and would love some feedback. If you find typos, let me know. I know I need better videos. Audio is compromised on some of them or my voice sounds like it’s been put through a dispose-all in one of them.
Mental health speaker profile is here.
You can search by topic here. If you choose mental health, you can see how I compare with other profiles.
I’m also listed in these topics:
- Mental health
- Alcoholism/Drug Abuse
- Marketing (might change this to content marketing)
- Social media
- Bereavement
- Women in Business
The goal is to … Read more... “Can you offer feedback for my speaker profile?”