Posts by Jenny Bell Martin, M.S.
Bipolar Disorder: How it can impact the ability to maintain a steady job and how we help
There are several typical concerns that many job seekers have, such as conflict with co-workers or a supervisor and being overworked and underpaid. But for those dealing with a bipolar diagnosis, being able to cope effectively with these concerns, among others, can make the difference as to whether the young adult is able to maintain…
Read MoreCareer Planning for Young Adults with Asperger’s Disorder
Because of the age range of the young adults that we work with, we generally see participants in the exploration phase of their career process. According to Donald Super’s “Stages of Occupational Development,” people in their late teens and early twenties are beginning to try out new experiences and different roles in relation to career…
Read MoreFailure to Launch: Discovering Your Personal Path
Once there was a little girl who had dreams of becoming a doctor, a ballet dancer, and the president all at the same time. What she didn’t know at that age was that she would need skills, successes, and support to help her achieve those goals. Fast-forward eighteen years, and this little girl is now…
Read MoreGap Year: Reframing Time Spent In Treatment & the Opportunity for Exploration
One of the biggest challenges that our participants face while in treatment is what to say when someone asks where they have been and what have they been doing. While some are comfortable sharing their personal stories, most are not ready to disclose this information to prospective employers, college review boards, and even close friends…
Read MoreLaughing All the Way to Well-being
Many of us had heard about laugh clubs for years, including laughter yoga and laugh walks, but we didn’t know exactly what they were. At OPI, we had the opportunity to hear Marsha Linehan’s description during a recent training, and the idea seemed simple enough: Just laugh – forced laugh if necessary – until it…
Read MoreStill the Body, Still the Mind: A Mindfulness Group Activity
Still the body, still the mind…. Sometimes when we become wrapped up in our emotions, we need a quick and effective way to still the mind and get to a more regulated state. In Mindfulness Club, we try to incorporate fun and different ways to do this that are realistic for everyday life. Recently, we…
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