nourished minds: counseling + wellness newsletter

from Karen Chinca, LICSW, CEDS-S

Hello! I hope you are as excited for Fall’s arrival as I am! Cozy vibes, cooler weather, crunching leaves – what’s not to like? Personally, I’m ready to break out my favorite matzo ball soup recipe for the Jewish holidays, which I provide below.

I have much to share with you this month – read on for more:

  • Fall group forming now for those seeking support for OCD and eating disorders

  • Upcoming industry conferences

  • Karen’s mental health bite

  • Matzo Ball Soup recipe

A reminder that we're conducting in-person sessions once more. If you prefer that your sessions be in person, do let us know when you are scheduling. We still host virtual appointments as well. Our team is licensed in Massachusetts, Florida and Vermont (thus we can conduct virtual visits with you if you reside in FL or VT).

Read on for updates. As always, if you have questions, reach out to me: karen@nourishedmindscounseling.com.

Be well,

Karen

A text-based graphic about group therapy for OCD and eating disorders

I am excited to announce the next virtual therapy group for individuals suffering from co-occurring eating disorders and OCD, kicking off October 26th! The group will meet weekly on Wednesday evenings for 90 minutes. It will be a closed and structured group in which members commit to attending weekly sessions.

Each week, members will start with a check-in and review of their exposure activity over the past week. Next, members will break into subgroups during which they will do hands-on exposures. Last, members will process the exposures and commit to doing a new exposure over the next week.

The group facilitators are Julia Hale, LICSW, and me; we have extensive experience in treating eating disorders and OCD. Sign up today: email karen@nourishedmindscounseling.com

Where We’ll Be: Upcoming Industry Conferences

The Nourished Minds: Counseling + Wellness team (myself, Stephanie and Julia) will be attending two noteworthy, upcoming virtual conferences:

An ad for a mental health conference
An ad for the 2022 Renfrew Conference

·       International OCD Foundation annual online conference, November 4th -6th

·       Renfrew annual conference – November 11th through December 30th  

At the OCD conference, there will be many amazing speakers and workshops to choose from. I am particularly looking forward to hearing from:

·       Jonathan Abramowitz, PhD, speaking on the topics of perinatal and postpartum OCD, plus co-occurring OCD and PTSD

·       Jon Grayson, PhD, covering an introduction to OCD and also maintaining recovery gains

·       Patricia Zurita Ona, PsyD, sharing insights regarding hosting OCD therapy groups

·       Kimberly Quinlan, LMFT, addressing the importance of self-compassion in one’s OCD recovery journey

·       Jon Hershfield, MFT, Josh Spitalnick, PhD, Patrick McGrath, PhD, and Nicholas Farrell, PhD, discussing customizing treatments for OCD clients: case formulation, creativity, and protocol flexibility

·       Carl Robbins, LCPC, discusses metacognitive approaches to OCD treatment

For the Renfrew conference, featured speakers include:

·       Bruce D. Perry, MD, PhD, examines treatment of trauma in adolescents and adults

·       Whitney Trotter, MS, RDN/LDN, RN, RYT, discusses why eating disorders need a social justice framework

·       Evelyn Tribole, MS, RDN, CEDRD-S, presents on the topic of intuitive eating

·       Virgie Tovar, MA, Activist, speaks about “Radical, Unapologetic, Joyful, Epic Fat Embodiment”

We can’t wait! Part of our mission as a team is to stay on top of current industry trends and new learnings, improving upon our patient care sessions with you.

Karen’s Mental Health Bite

A photograph of a gratitude journal on a white table

Image: Gabrielle Henderson

Have you considered keeping a gratitude journal?

Try it out – keep track, every day, of something (or many things) that you are grateful for. Write it down. I find that doing so helps put me in a positive mindset each day, and helps me focus on what I appreciate and love about my life!

I started doing this exercise just recently – and I text my list to a dear friend. She then shares her daily list with me, too. This not only holds me accountable for the exercise, but I get to share my positive thoughts with someone who is important to me.

Let me know if you keep a gratitude journal – or if you start. How does it make you feel? What are you noticing?

MATZO BALL SOUP RECIPE

Matzo ball soup in a blue bowl

image courtesy of Manischewitz

I love making this savory soup for myself and my family during the Jewish holidays. And sometimes I make it just because it warms my body and soul during the cool fall months in New England. Give it a try and let me know what you think.

Recipe courtesy of Manischewitz

INGREDIENTS

  • 6 medium carrots, sliced into 1-inch pieces

  • 2 medium turnips, peeled, cut into 1-inch cubes

  • 1 large onion, diced

  • 4 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided

  • 1 packet Manischewitz® Matzo Ball mix

  • 2 eggs

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin,+ pinch

  • 14 ounces canned diced tomatoes

  • 6 cups Manischewitz® Vegetable Broth

  • Salt

  • Pepper

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Place cut carrots, turnips, and onion on a metal sheet pan, toss with 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, a pinch of cumin, and kosher salt and freshly-ground black pepper to taste.

Roast in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until brown, mixing halfway to ensure even browning.

While vegetables are roasting, prepare matzo balls according to package directions, but with a few "secret" changes.

Crack 2 eggs into a medium glass bowl.

With a fork, beat egg whites first, and then incorporate yolks: tilt the bowl to one side and "pull" whites up and beat until frothy.

Then break yolks and beat together until light yellow and bubbly.

Add remaining 2 tablespoons vegetable oil and whip again until fully incorporated and bubbly.

Add packet of mix and stir just until combined.

Refrigerate for 10 minutes.

Combine 4 cups Manischewitz® Vegetable Broth, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin in a 4-quart pot, bring to boil over medium-high heat.

Remove matzo ball mix from fridge, form into balls with hands, just under the size of ping-pong balls, about 8.

Drop into broth, cover, and lower heat and simmer for 12-15 minutes.

When vegetables are finished roasting, remove from oven.

Remove cover from pot and add remaining 2 cups Manischewitz® Vegetable Broth and diced tomatoes.

Add vegetables and bring soup to boil over medium-high heat.

Cover and reduce heat to low, and simmer for 10 minutes.

Uncover and add salt, pepper, or cumin to taste. Serve, and enjoy!