tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9280772662648231222024-02-08T09:02:14.726-05:00"Redefining Help" for Adolescents and Adults with ADHDProfessional research and personal thoughts about ADHD.<br> <br> <br> <br>
- Abigail Levrini, Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology and School Psychology/CEO of Psych Ed Coaches, PLLC (571)289-9729.
http://www.psychedcoaches.comDr. Abigail Levrinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01007726047773004427noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928077266264823122.post-52763496038596668942013-04-08T11:14:00.000-04:002013-04-08T11:14:18.461-04:00Try This Fun Test to See How Well You Multitask!<div id="open-site-infographic" style="width:450px;"><iframe id="multitask-info" name="multitask-info" src="http://open-site.org/blog/the-multitask-test/game.php" frameborder="0" height="450" width="450" style="height: 450px;"></iframe><div class="created-by" style="text-align:right; font-size:12px;">Created by <a href="http://open-site.org/blog/the-multitask-test">http://Open-Site.org</a></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Don't forget to check out PsychEd Coaches website: http://www.psychedcoaches.com</div>Dr. Abigail Levrinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01007726047773004427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928077266264823122.post-52629654526757013092012-08-09T13:22:00.001-04:002012-08-09T13:24:07.404-04:00CHADD Mini-Conference this fall!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-41_L0BPfpMg/UCPx4wKOPfI/AAAAAAAAAGo/_L0cldzT_Uo/s1600/CHADD_Flyer%2Bjpeg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="269" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-41_L0BPfpMg/UCPx4wKOPfI/AAAAAAAAAGo/_L0cldzT_Uo/s400/CHADD_Flyer%2Bjpeg.jpg" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Don't forget to check out PsychEd Coaches website: http://www.psychedcoaches.com</div>Dr. Abigail Levrinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01007726047773004427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928077266264823122.post-1197253217462946042011-11-08T13:39:00.006-05:002011-11-08T14:19:10.356-05:00Pre-Order "Succeeding wtih Adult ADHD" NOW!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5fj1Ep-smIw/Trl51uy9EoI/AAAAAAAAAFI/k8xG9-Jm2mI/s1600/COVER_Succeeding%2Bwith%2BAdult%2BADHD.tif"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 130px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5fj1Ep-smIw/Trl51uy9EoI/AAAAAAAAAFI/k8xG9-Jm2mI/s200/COVER_Succeeding%2Bwith%2BAdult%2BADHD.tif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672699169651626626" /></a><br />"Succeeding With Adult ADHD: Daily Strategies to Help You Achieve Your Goals and Manage Your Life" is now available for Pre-Order!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.apa.org/pubs/books">www.apa.org/pubs/books</a> ISBN 978-1-4338-1125-8 Item # 4441017<br /><br />In easy-to-master lessons, ADHD specialists Abigail Levrini and Frances Prevatt offer realistic, proven, and unique daily strategies to help you succeed with adult ADHD. Each chapter contains checklists, worksheets, and Start Reading/Stop Reading reminders to help you break down large jobs, such as organizing your space, studying effectively, or listening to your partner, into manageable tasks. You'll learn how to identify the right treatments and support for your lifestyle and find strategies for handling emotional roadblocks such as stress, anxiety, depression, and fear of failure. This dynamic and interactive text will become an indispensable aid in helping you translate your goals into realities to succeed with adult ADHD.<br /><br />If you've been diagnosed with adult ADHD, you are well-acquainted with the pitfalls that can thwart your best efforts to achieve your goals. You may find yourself constantly distracted, or fear you're about to forget something important. Or you may firmly set a goal for yourself, only to abandon it later in frustration. This book will help you overcome the challenges of adult ADHD and find fulfillment in taking the practical steps needed to achieve your goals. 2012. 272 pages. Paperback<div class="blogger-post-footer">Don't forget to check out PsychEd Coaches website: http://www.psychedcoaches.com</div>Dr. Abigail Levrinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01007726047773004427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928077266264823122.post-50841017465681060602011-10-05T13:23:00.001-04:002011-10-05T13:26:06.298-04:00Having ADHD Doesn't Mean you Aren't SMART!Often, students with ADHD are often seen as a problem to be fixed, rather than the problem lying within the learning environment. However, despite problems in academia for some students with ADHD, it does not appear that individuals with ADHD lack the intellectual ability to learn. Studies show that students with ADHD to be of average to above average intelligence. These students are smart, but in ways not typically demonstrated in schools. They often demonstrate cognitive abilities that are noticeably different from the academic profile generally valued in schools. <br /><br />For example, as an adult with ADHD, you may possess what’s called “naturalist intelligence” or sensitivity to the natural world and living things, an ability that was of great value in our evolutionary past as hunters, gatherers and farmers and in today’s society as scientists, chefs, or artists. Or, you might display “spatial intelligence”, which relates to the ability to visualize or imagine, a trait that comes in handy in professions like architecture, design or art. Some other types of intelligence common to those with ADHD but not as valued in our schools includes musical, bodily kinesthetic (or the capacity to handle and manipulate objects), intrapersonal (self-reflection), and interpersonal (interaction with others). Unfortunately, without ongoing positive reinforcement for these skills, students with ADHD may gradually disengage from traditional classroom learning. Individuals with ADHD learn well when they are highly interested in the material being taught and have shown improved behavior or performance when tasks are made salient, novel, or interesting. <br /><br />While coaching Amanda, a 35-year-old working mother with ADHD, we decided to address the monotony of her home and work life using this idea. Amanda was a talented artist who had ended up with a career in public relations where she rarely got to use her spatial intelligence. As part of her job she was responsible for the design and management of several big projects per month. For several months she had diligently used a planner to structure her assignments but was beginning to lose focus as the excitement wore off and the job became repetitive. After an in-depth discussion about what activities Amanda had found appealing throughout her life, we discovered that visual art had always provided her with motivation and enjoyment. As a result we decided to create a sort of storybook or comic book timeline with spaces for her to sketch drawings for each step in a project. Amanda embraced the new method and discovered a renewed energy for her work environment. She also used the same method in meetings where she was then able to retain much more information and enjoyed learning more than ever. At home Amanda began to use her art with her children, where she found that they too seemed to learn well this way.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Don't forget to check out PsychEd Coaches website: http://www.psychedcoaches.com</div>Dr. Abigail Levrinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01007726047773004427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928077266264823122.post-60364384199884865992011-09-30T14:14:00.002-04:002011-09-30T14:17:05.175-04:00First look at my new book!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UHEZ8cK5JJo/ToYHd73ZM3I/AAAAAAAAAE8/3FmDEXRutUc/s1600/Cover.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 130px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UHEZ8cK5JJo/ToYHd73ZM3I/AAAAAAAAAE8/3FmDEXRutUc/s200/Cover.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658218192705237874" /></a><br />Here is a first look at the cover art for the new book! It will hit the shelves February 15, 2012. Copyright APA 2012.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Don't forget to check out PsychEd Coaches website: http://www.psychedcoaches.com</div>Dr. Abigail Levrinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01007726047773004427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928077266264823122.post-82288733676382659332011-01-28T11:46:00.004-05:002011-06-13T18:46:07.203-04:00Introducing my new book on managing Adult ADHD - Coming soon!Growing up, I decided that I wanted to be a counseling psychologist at an early age. What I didn’t know, even after I accepted an offer with FSU’s doctoral program in psychology, was that I would become impassioned about counseling (and coaching) individuals with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in particular, and even more specifically, adults with ADHD. Through my early experiences as a budding professional I, like many people, thought of ADHD as a childhood issue. This idea was initially reinforced when even my esteemed professors quoted examples such as Dennis ‘the Menace’ and Tom Sawyer as classic, trademark sufferers – children, usually male, unable to stay in their seats, causing trouble wherever they went. Becoming a glorified babysitter with an office full of toys was not the career I had envisioned for myself. I dreamed of being a modern day (female) Aaron Beck, the father of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). CBT is a nuts and bolts approach to the way people deal with their thoughts, actions, and emotions, and an idea that certainly clashed with my view of the proper way to treat a rambunctious child with ADHD.<br /><br />Fortunately, the professor who handpicked me as her doctoral protégé in 2003 was Dr. Frances Prevatt. Dr. Prevatt was already knee deep in the world of ADHD by this time. She had also recently helped to launch the Adult Learning Evaluation Center (ALEC) on FSU’s campus in Tallahassee, Florida, where master’s and doctoral students conducted low cost psycho-educational evaluations for adults looking to be assessed for Learning Disabilities or ADHD. Another more unique part of ALEC was the creation of a practicum in ADHD coaching, a treatment I had never even heard of let alone looked forward to conducting. However, during my first year of doctoral work, as a research assistant for Dr. Prevatt, I had slowly come to understand that most everything I thought I knew about ADHD was wrong: ADHD is not just a childhood (or male) disorder. Hyperactivity sometimes can but often does not play a role. Individuals with ADHD are not lazy or undisciplined and are frequently highly intelligent. ADHD does not exist in a bubble – disorders like depression and anxiety often play a role. And most of all, ADHD coaching shares a lot in common with CBT (more on ADHD coaching in Chapter 9: Non-medication based treatment options). Needless to say, my interest had been piqued. <br /><br />My first client in my ADHD coaching practicum was Joey, an eighteen year-old freshmen at Florida State. Joey was quiet, with a sweet disposition, very unlike the typical college freshmen frat boy stereotype. He had graduated high school with a 3.0 but reported to me that he felt he always had to work “twice as hard” as his peers to keep up. Joey’s parents had been very supportive, spending hours after school helping him to keep track of and plan out his assignments. While this certainly made high school easier, Joey was shocked at his inability to manage his different courses once he entered college and in figuring out why, was eventually tested and diagnosed with ADHD. My sessions with Joey flew by. He always came ready to work and often impressed me with his insightfulness and creative approach to problem solving. He also challenged me as a new therapist and now “coach”, forcing me to think about things in a way my mood or personality disordered clients did not. <br /><br />Joey caused me to fall in love with adult ADHD clients and ADHD coaching, but it was my continued work in academia with Dr. Prevatt, that kept that love growing. Together we published several studies on ADHD and the learning and study strategies of college students with the disorder, including articles for The ADHD Report and Psychology in the Schools. In my final years as a doctoral student I launched one of the first empirical studies on ADHD coaching in the field of psychology. Findings from that study can be seen throughout this text. By the time I became Dr. Levrini in 2008 my affection for ADHD coaching had become a full grown love affair. After years away I moved back to my home state of Virginia and immediately launched Psych Ed Coaches, PLLC (www.psychedcoaches.com), my one-of-a-kind therapy practice, specializing in ADHD coaching for individuals of all ages, but also addressing the issues that so often accompany ADHD such as anxiety and depression. Today Psych Ed Coaches has four offices in the northern Virginia/DC area and employs six licensed mental health practitioners/coaches. I also began speaking nationwide at conferences, city events, and schools, joined the Board of Directors for the DC/Northern VA Chapter of CHADD (Children and Adults with ADHD), and started a local support group for parents of children with ADHD. <br /><br />In my now eight years as a therapist and ADHD coach and Dr. Prevatt’s over thirty years of experience in the field of psychology, we have built a wealth of what we believe to be helpful and unique approaches to treating adults with ADHD. We also know that there are many sufferers out there who either don’t want or cannot afford professional help, however, that shouldn’t stop them from being able to utilize many of the same tools and strategies we use with our clients. <br /><br />Our goal in writing this book was to create a “user-friendly” self-help manuscript for adults struggling with the symptoms associated with ADHD. Many individuals with ADHD complain that they cannot handle the intensity of most self-help books. Since lack of attention is a cornerstone of the disorder, the majority of these lengthy books are too overwhelming to even begin. Whether you are new to the diagnosis, or have been struggling for years, this book offers new and unique strategies for overcoming ADHD related difficulties, in a simple, straightforward manner. “Tools for Managing Adult ADHD” enables you to easily peruse its pages in short 5-15 minute segments, so as not to overwhelm you. Visual aids have been inserted showing where to “Start” and “Stop” reading. Also, each chapter is broken down into short, distinctive sections that offer many perspectives on utilizing each tool. Specifically, chapters may contain one or more of the following categories:<br /><br /> Quiz Yourself – Does this sound like you?: Five ‘yes’ or ‘no’ questions at the beginning of each chapter that will allow you to gage if that chapter is for you<br /><br /> What the Experts Say: A short, non-technical interpretation of the latest research in support of each strategy<br /><br /> Can You Relate to This?: Case examples of adults with ADHD<br /> <br /> Help Yourself!: Fill-in exercises to help you apply what you have read<br /><br /> Chapter Summaries: Bulleted lists of the most important ideas, found at the end of each chapter<br /><br />For those of you interested in learning more about the research used in the development of this book, we provide an end-of-the book section full of suggested reading materials.<br /><br />We hope that you will find the strategies in this book both useful and easy to apply. While any time you attempt to integrate new techniques into your schedule it takes some effort, before long you will find that these ideas will become routine, leading to a simpler, more streamlined lifestyle. So go ahead and turn on some background music, find a comfortable spot, and begin to simplify your life – 10 minutes at a time.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Don't forget to check out PsychEd Coaches website: http://www.psychedcoaches.com</div>Dr. Abigail Levrinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01007726047773004427noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928077266264823122.post-42596540385101193212010-10-05T15:54:00.003-04:002010-10-05T15:57:20.824-04:00Tools for Managing Adult ADHD: 10 Strategies for Simple LivingPresentation at Commonwealth Academy - <br /><br />Tools for Managing Adult AD/HD:<br />10 Strategies for Simple Living<br />Sponsored by CHADD, Northern Virginia Chapter<br />Abigail Levrini, PhD, Psych Ed Coaches<br />Wednesday, March 16, 7:30–9:00 p.m.<br /><br />For more information visit: http://www.commonwealthacademy.org/speakers/<br /><br />Overview: Dr. Abigail Levrini, founder of the washington area's leading ADHD coaching practice Psych Ed Coaches, PLLC, will outline 10 proven strategies for adults with ADHD. These tools, including techniques for time management, organization, relationships, employment and more, will help adults to increase self-confidence and decrease stress in their busy lives. Dr. Levrini's presentation comes directly from her upcoming book with the same name, published by the American Psychological Association, and co-authored by Frances Prevatt, Ph.D., professor at Florida State University and co-founder of the Adult Learning and Evaluation Center (ALEC). More information about Dr. Levrini and Psych Ed Coaches, PLLC, can be found on their website www.psychedcoaches.com.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Don't forget to check out PsychEd Coaches website: http://www.psychedcoaches.com</div>Dr. Abigail Levrinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01007726047773004427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928077266264823122.post-73320817114961143062009-10-22T11:36:00.006-04:002009-10-22T14:57:44.280-04:00What is AD/HD Coaching and How is it different from therapy?With "coaching" still being a relatively new phenomenon, many of you may be confused about what exactly AD/HD Coaching is, and how it is different from therapy. This answer can vary widely, depending on who your coach is and what credentials he or she has. <br /><br />In the DC area alone I know coaches who range from Ph.D.'s to professional MOM's. Furthermore, their approaches range from one like my own, which has a lot in common with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and one's that rank closer to that of a personal organizer. Coaching is held in the office, in the client's home, or even over the phone with hundreds of miles between the coach and client. Like the word "therapist", the word "coach" has very little meaning in and of itself. Anyone can call themselves a coach and hang their shingle for business--a little scary. <br /><br />In fact, I've had clients decide NOT to pursue services because they had previously been to a "coach" and came out worse for it. This saddens and angers me. On the other hand, I can say the same for some people who have been to bad therapists...which can sometimes even be those with a prestigious Ph.D. after their name. In no way do I believe that having a particular set of credentials necessarily makes you good at what you do, but it does mean you have gone through the training necessary to know what you <em>should</em> do. More importantly, the word "licensed" as in "Licensed Clinical Psychologist" means there is an entity monitoring that person, making sure he or she is behaving in an ethical way toward their clients and keeping their skills current by requiring continuing education.<br />Coaching is not there yet, although there are people and organizations working hard to create standards and requirements for the coaching community.<br /><br />Another important issue is that, to date, there is very little research on AD/HD coaching and its effectiveness. As a psychologist, I believe strongly in the idea of empirically validated interventions, meaning that any activity I engage my client in has been backed up by research, not just anecdotal evidence. This is why the particular coaching intervention used by myself and my coaches at Psych Ed Coaches has been researched in multiple independent studies. One of these was my own, which I presented at the 2009 International CHADD Convention. I am now in the midst of turning this study into a book with Dr. Frances Prevatt of Florida State University, one of the leading AD/HD Coaching research sites. There are a few other helpful studies; however, while they all investigate "AD/HD Coaching", as I said before, this does not mean they are investigating the same intervention across studies. For example, one recent study looks at AD/HD Coaching from a workshop perspective, and another lumps it in with many other types of coaching.<br /><br />My personal approach to AD/HD Coaching is, as I said, a lot like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy...with an emphasis on the behavioral. The client and I meet once a week for 50 minutes in my office. There, using the Psych Ed Coaches "Coaching Handbook" we record the clients' goals in a measurable, objective way. Weekly sessions are used to explore and create small steps the client can take toward meeting their goals, which can be anything from effectively using a planner, to managing finances, to eating more healthfully. The cognitive and emotive part comes into play when a client becomes stuck or has trouble progressing and the reasons why need to be explored. We then link these feelings and thoughts to the client's behavior so that they become congruent and the client can move forward. Is it coaching, therapy, or does it even matter what you call it? I've seen it work and I have the research to back it up.<br /><br />Some things to be aware of...coaches who do not have a mental health background should NOT be exploring this "why". They do not have the training to do so, and this is probably the number one reason people can have a negative experience with coaching. Likewise, a therapist should not be calling a session coaching and then spend 45 minutes exploring a client's deep seeded pathology. It is a delicate balance and a good coach, regardless of which side of the coin they lie on, should know their boundaries.<br /><br />Overall, coaching can be a great choice for those looking to improve their executive functioning behavior deficits. Like shopping for a dentist or a dress, just remember...buyer beware.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Don't forget to check out PsychEd Coaches website: http://www.psychedcoaches.com</div>Dr. Abigail Levrinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01007726047773004427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928077266264823122.post-82293978783080897632009-10-15T08:04:00.000-04:002009-10-15T08:05:04.848-04:00VIDEO: "Ad/hd Coaching Tips and Strategies" - PART II"In this two part video, Dr. Abigail Levrini, a licensed clinical psychologist and owner of Psych Ed Coaches (www.psychedcoaches.com) offers a peak at two actual AD/HD Coaching sessions. Created as a training tool for the 2009 International CHADD (Children and Adults with ADHD) Convention, this video is a valuable resource for current and future coaches, as well as potential clients interested in coaching. Operated by Ph.D. and Master's level clinician's, Psych Ed Coaches, is the Washington DC area's premier coaching practice, helping clients of all ages deal with issues in organization, procrastination, time management, motivation, or other problems in executive functioning."<br /><br />Click on the TITLE above to view Part II.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Don't forget to check out PsychEd Coaches website: http://www.psychedcoaches.com</div>Dr. Abigail Levrinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01007726047773004427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928077266264823122.post-17903040738946708162009-10-15T07:55:00.004-04:002009-10-15T08:01:30.619-04:00VIDEO: "Ad/hd Coaching Tips and Strategies" - PART I"In this two part video, Dr. Abigail Levrini, a licensed clinical psychologist and owner of Psych Ed Coaches (www.psychedcoaches.com) offers a peak at two actual AD/HD Coaching sessions. Created as a training tool for the 2009 International CHADD (Children and Adults with ADHD) Convention, this video is a valuable resource for current and future coaches, as well as potential clients interested in coaching. Operated by Ph.D. and Master's level clinician's, Psych Ed Coaches, is the Washington DC area's premier coaching practice, helping clients of all ages deal with issues in organization, procrastination, time management, motivation, or other problems in executive functioning."<br /><br />Click on the TITLE above to view Part I.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Don't forget to check out PsychEd Coaches website: http://www.psychedcoaches.com</div>Dr. Abigail Levrinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01007726047773004427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928077266264823122.post-61542045696723555232009-10-07T07:52:00.002-04:002009-10-07T08:03:57.634-04:00AD/HD meeting in Cleveland offers advice to law enforcement on dealing with the disorderThe following is an article from the "Cleveland Plan Dealer" about the upcoming CHADD Convention...three days until my presentation, "AD/HD Coaching and College Students"!<br /><br />http://www.cleveland.com/healthfit/index.ssf/2009/10/adhd_conference_comes_to_cleve.html<div class="blogger-post-footer">Don't forget to check out PsychEd Coaches website: http://www.psychedcoaches.com</div>Dr. Abigail Levrinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01007726047773004427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928077266264823122.post-21328710508494758402009-05-01T08:53:00.004-04:002009-05-01T09:32:12.247-04:00It Has Nothing to Do with Willpower<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__nmV04CUA8s/Sfr5ve11SdI/AAAAAAAAACo/KjyGXEeZRCQ/s1600-h/depression+hurts.bmp"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 153px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__nmV04CUA8s/Sfr5ve11SdI/AAAAAAAAACo/KjyGXEeZRCQ/s200/depression+hurts.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330847703074425298" /></a><br />The idea that makes my heart sink the most when it comes to individuals with AD/HD, or mental health disorders in general, is that these people could overcome problems with motivation if they just mustered up enough "willpower". Ugh. Even with all of our knowledge, I continuously hear reports from parents, teachers, spouses...even my clients themselves...saying, "I have seen them do it before so I know they can if they really <em>want</em> to."<br /><br />If only it were that simple. Remember the commercial for the depression meds where the little rock is being followed around by the gloomy rain cloud? Well, picture that rock as a brain, and that cloud as the disorder. That is what it is like for people suffering. Just like a cloud, some areas are denser then others, and there are even parts where you can almost see the sun shining through. These are the moments when the affected person can motivate him or her self enough to attend to their responsibilities. There are good days and bad days. And the bad days have nothing to do with laziness or lack of willpower.<br /><br />One thing that I think makes it hard for people to really get this...I mean truly get it...is that individuals with mental health disorders don't have the benefit of others seeing their cloud. As difficult as I am sure life is for someone with a more visible handicap, one thing they have in their favor is the fact that it is visible. When we see someone approaching an entrance on crutches, we hold the door for them (at least we <em>should</em>). On the other hand, if we smile politely at someone who is depressed and they frown and avert their eyes, we assume they are rude and maybe mumble something under our breath. If an AD/HD child who turned their homework in the day before doesn't the following day, we assume he is being defiant.<br /><br />I admit I am guilty of this too. I automatically have sympathy and respect for any client that walks into my office, but in my daily life I make assumptions about people's character flaws when I really have no idea what is going on under the surface. It's human nature.<br /><br />So please, try and take a step back now and then when you feel yourself getting impatient with a loved one or stranger who appears to be rude, defiant, or angry. They may be suffering more than you will ever know, and most likely feel ten times the negative feelings toward themselves that you feel. Take solace and celebrate the fact that you are mentally healthy and spread those positive feelings around.<br /><br /><strong>Image from kotaku.com</strong><div class="blogger-post-footer">Don't forget to check out PsychEd Coaches website: http://www.psychedcoaches.com</div>Dr. Abigail Levrinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01007726047773004427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928077266264823122.post-35003879457929186352009-04-21T17:30:00.002-04:002009-04-21T17:41:58.624-04:00Upcoming Events for PsychEd CoachesI am happy to announce two very exciting upcoming events for PsychEd Coaches!<br /><br />On <em>MAY 9th </em>at the CHADD (Children and Adults with ADHD) Regional Conference in Baltimore, MD, we will be hosting an exhibition booth. The Conference is open to educators, parents, adults, pychologists, and healthcare providers wanting to learn more about ADHD and available ADHD services in the area. For more information go to www.chadd.org.<br /><br />Mark your calendars! On <em>OCTOBER 9th </em>in Cleveland, Ohio, I (Dr. Levrini) will be conducting a seminar on "ADHD Coaching and College Students" at the National CHADD Conference. For those of you who won't be in Ohio, I'll be sure to post a video of the presentation.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Don't forget to check out PsychEd Coaches website: http://www.psychedcoaches.com</div>Dr. Abigail Levrinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01007726047773004427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928077266264823122.post-42051638562251167672009-01-21T09:52:00.007-05:002009-01-22T08:37:41.823-05:00Obama Swearing InI wanted to share a video I took yesterday at the Inaguration of Barack Obama. It was an honor and a pleasure to be a part of this historical event.<br /><OBJECT class=BLOG_video_class id=BLOG_video-8779cca60bd93bcc height=266 width=320 contentId="8779cca60bd93bcc"></OBJECT><div class="blogger-post-footer">Don't forget to check out PsychEd Coaches website: http://www.psychedcoaches.com</div>Dr. Abigail Levrinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01007726047773004427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928077266264823122.post-26440448821601230562009-01-06T18:06:00.004-05:002009-01-06T18:16:48.445-05:00The iPhone Goal-Tracker<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__nmV04CUA8s/SWPmPVoEybI/AAAAAAAAACY/oxjGqVSpzSQ/s1600-h/iphone_apple.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__nmV04CUA8s/SWPmPVoEybI/AAAAAAAAACY/oxjGqVSpzSQ/s200/iphone_apple.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288323538640751026" /></a><br />Apparently, in its attempts to take over the world, the iPhone is now trying to put coaches out of business. This thing really can do it all. Haha. <br /><br />And, you really <em><strong>do</strong></em> learn something new every day!<br /><br />The iPhone "Goal-Tracker" helps users keep on track towards reaching goals. Using your iPhone, you decide what you want to achieve, and by when you want to achieve it. <br /><br />Then as you do the work to make it real, you introduce your progress updates. Every day the Goal-Tracker will give you a short motivational quote to keep you focused and in movement. With Goal-Tracker, you can track professional, financial, health or sports goals. <br /><br />This thing could actually be a great supplement to coaching, however, unlike the iPhone, you can't throw your coach out your car window if it tells you to work harder.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Don't forget to check out PsychEd Coaches website: http://www.psychedcoaches.com</div>Dr. Abigail Levrinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01007726047773004427noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928077266264823122.post-83931426143083125872009-01-05T16:00:00.004-05:002009-01-05T16:38:31.468-05:00Welcome to 2009! Choose Happiness this Year.Despite the number of dark winter days still ahead, I feel a sense of revival this new year. Yes, we are all struggling to keep our homes, jobs, and heads above water, but 2008 also offered us some wonderful highlights that I will carry with me into 2009.<br /><br />We watched the world come together in one of the most spectacular Olympics I have ever seen. We all came together as a nation, saying 'we've had enough!" and elected an amazing man as president. We ALMOST made a woman president. We went "green" and started paying attention to how much we are wasting every day. We celebrated the 50th anniversary of NASA, and a baby gorilla was born at the Israel zoo.<br /><br />And the best news of all? We all have the power to be happy this year, whether we were in 2008 or not. <br /><br />A close friend of mine recently had a huge blow-up with a family member and afterwards declared to me that the argument may have helped their relationship because the family member now knew what "really pushed [his] buttons." Well, yes...but does that mean the family member was responsible for my friend's explosive reaction? Of course not. What my friend was missing (or denying) was that ultimately, HE is responsible for CHOOSING how to react. Every day we wake up with this choice. I'm not saying some days aren't easier than others, and I can be just as guilty as the next person for blaming the "stupid slippery coffee cup" for me dropping the cup on the floor. And in fact, this is healthy to a degree. If we were to blame ourselves so easily we would all surely start to get down on ourselves. We need to blame others to simply protect our own egos. However, do this too much and while you may have some momentary relief, in the long run your denial will catch up to you and cause you even greater pain. Not to mention you will alienate a lot of people in the process.<br /><br />I say all this to instill hope for the future, and to encourage you to CHOOSE to be HAPPY this year. When you start to get down about the fact that you can't go out to dinner as often, think about how you are actually helping your waistline. When you start to get down about the fact that your husband yelled at you, pat yourself on the back for not reacting harshly but still express how you feel. When you get upset that the schools had to cut your child's after school program, grab a soccer ball and go kick it around with him. <br /><br />In fact, the latest psychological studies have found that the feeling of happiness is not related to outside circumstances or turning points of one's life. This means that prosperity, marriage or health do not determine our subjective well being. This is great news for everyone. No matter what life throws at you, you can always choose to be happy.<br /><br />We always have a choice. I choose to be happy. I choose to be healthy. I choose to help others. I choose to love myself. I choose to be excited and invigorated about 2009. <br /><br />Happy New Year Everyone!<div class="blogger-post-footer">Don't forget to check out PsychEd Coaches website: http://www.psychedcoaches.com</div>Dr. Abigail Levrinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01007726047773004427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928077266264823122.post-60443191876269567182008-12-23T09:38:00.002-05:002008-12-23T09:44:13.922-05:00Happy Holidays!Since the purpose of having a blog is to write pretty much whatever I want and post it worldwide for all to see, I wanted to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Happy Holiday season.<br /><br /><em><strong>Christmas and New Year wishes<br />by Ringu Tulku Rinpoche</strong></em><br /><br />Let us celebrate Christmas.<br /><br />Let us celebrate New Year.<br /><br />Let us celebrate every day, every hour <br /><br />And every minute of our life.<br /><br />Let us rekindle love, friendship, gratitude, <br /><br />joy and enthusiasm in us today.<br /><br />Let us live today a purposeful and harmonious day, <br /><br />And tomorrow will be another day of celebration.<br /><br />Let us live each day as a New Celebration.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Don't forget to check out PsychEd Coaches website: http://www.psychedcoaches.com</div>Dr. Abigail Levrinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01007726047773004427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928077266264823122.post-43253177217594708372008-12-12T10:58:00.002-05:002008-12-12T11:01:49.379-05:00Advice for Frustrated Parents<em>I recently had a parent ask me the following, and I thought it would be helpful to post my response so that others could see:</em><br /><br /><strong>Parent:</strong> You wouldn't have any parenting advice for a frustrated parent of a 10 year old boy with ADHD(combined type), Mood Disorder, and Disorder of written expression. If you could give any advice I would be forever grateful! He gets so frustrated! <br /><br /><strong>Me:</strong> Sounds like everyone is frustrated...and reasonably so! Parenting is never easy, and comes with a lot of extra challenges when your child suffers from any, let alone multiple mental health issues. <br /> <br />To a parent who gets frustrated, I would recommend a few things. First, get support. There are several communitities online that offer advice from specialists and other parents. One of my favorites is called ADDitude. They have a whole section on parenting issues as well as a forum section where you can post questions (http://www.additudemag.com/channel/parenting-adhd-children/index.html). Another great ADHD organization to follow, which sends out a terrific magazine, is CHADD (www.chadd.org). I would also consider finding a local support group in your area.<br /> <br />Another thing I would recommend is some relaxation exercises. There are some you can teach yourself, but the best way is to go to a professional. They can help you to learn guided imagery, progressive muscle relaxation, and several other useful techniques that you can use not only in the heat of the moment, but also as you are trying to, say, unwind from a hectic day.<br /> <br />Also, don't forget the importance of exercise--a great stress reducer!<br /> <br />And finally, (and a professional can also help with this) don't forget to constantly remind yourself of 1. the wonderful things about your child and your life. Perhaps keep a journal by the side of your bed and every night take 5 minutes to write all the great things your child did that day and the things you are grateful for. Or, for you and the child, put up post-it notes around the house with positive statements about the child so that he can see them and boost his self-esteem and you can see them and feel good about him; 2. Don't sweat the small stuff. No matter how bad things are for you, there are countless people out there with even greater problems. As hard as it is sometimes, always try to remind yourself of this.<br /> <br />I hope this begins to help. Best of luck to you and congrats for having such a dynamic, energetic child!<div class="blogger-post-footer">Don't forget to check out PsychEd Coaches website: http://www.psychedcoaches.com</div>Dr. Abigail Levrinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01007726047773004427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928077266264823122.post-24187570124452351072008-12-08T12:36:00.003-05:002008-12-10T14:20:21.674-05:00The Study Zone!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__nmV04CUA8s/SUAWZIH6-FI/AAAAAAAAAB4/eKCbAkV9f7Q/s1600-h/Study+Zone+Pic.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__nmV04CUA8s/SUAWZIH6-FI/AAAAAAAAAB4/eKCbAkV9f7Q/s320/Study+Zone+Pic.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278243384211470418" /></a><br />I recently met with Ilene Shwartz, M.Ed., an educational consultant and founder of "Strategiec Educational Solutions". She has created a wonderful product designed to assist individuals in organizing their workspace, called the "Study Zone".<br /><br />The Study Zone is a portable work station with accessible organizers for supplies and important papers. Simple organizational strategies are embedded into this product to help manage homework, studying and paperwork. It creates a cozy, private work space in any environment. <br /><br />The Study Zone is not only useful at home and school but also for:<br />• Children in two household families<br />• Students who participate in after school homework clubs <br />• Organizing children’s medical, therapy and school records<br />• Creating a keepsake organizer or resource file for future grades<br /><br />Please contact me if you would be interested in purchasing one of these great items. The child Study Zone is $49 and the adult Study/Work Zone is $35.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Don't forget to check out PsychEd Coaches website: http://www.psychedcoaches.com</div>Dr. Abigail Levrinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01007726047773004427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928077266264823122.post-26120361749211283662008-11-26T09:17:00.005-05:002008-11-26T09:44:21.699-05:00ADHD's Newest Superstar<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__nmV04CUA8s/SS1fo0xHpxI/AAAAAAAAABQ/KYKae25QiR4/s1600-h/Michael+Phelps.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__nmV04CUA8s/SS1fo0xHpxI/AAAAAAAAABQ/KYKae25QiR4/s400/Michael+Phelps.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272975893684791058" /></a><br />The New York Times published an article today about the "New Face" of ADHD --- Olympic superstar, Michael Phelps. As a result of his family making his struggles with ADHD public, doctors are reportedly seeing more and more kids take pride in their "disorder".<br /><br />The debate centers around whether certain disorders, like ADHD, are a disability, a trait, or even possibly a strength. In the article professionals argue from all sides. Dr. Edward M. Hallowell, a psychiatrist and author whose books include “Driven to Distraction: Recognizing and Coping With Attention Deficit Disorder From Childhood Through Adulthood” (Touchstone, 1995), says the current “deficit-based medical model” of the disorder results in low-self esteem.<br /><br />On the other hand, Natalie Knochenhauer, founder of A.D.H.D. Aware, an advocacy group in Doylestown, Pa, says “You can’t have a disability that needs to be accommodated in the classroom, and also have this special gift."<br /><br />I say, why not? why can't it be both? When it comes to traits that are appreciated in a school setting: organization, time management, self-regulation...ADHD will cause an individual to struggle. When it comes to traits that are appreciated in an athlete...energy, incredible focus when it is something a person is interested in...ADHD will help an individual to succeed.<br /><br />I liken this discrepancy to pretty much any "disorder" or personality trait. Think of narcissism. Narcissistic Personality Disorder is characterized by the tendency to be excessively preoccupied by issues of personal adequacy, power, and prestige. Generally, this is thought of as a negative thing. But think about pretty much every Hollywood actor, CEO, or politician. Without a little narcissism, they wouldn't be who or where they are today.<br /><br />Like most things in life, the argument whether ADHD is a "good" or "bad" thing is not black and white. And people like myself, Natalie Knochenhauer, and Dr. Edward M. Hallowell should be helping to bridge the gap rather than perpetuate it.<br /><br />See the entire NY Times article at: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/25/health/25well.html?no_interstitial<div class="blogger-post-footer">Don't forget to check out PsychEd Coaches website: http://www.psychedcoaches.com</div>Dr. Abigail Levrinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01007726047773004427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928077266264823122.post-89805116323682170512008-11-24T14:42:00.008-05:002008-11-24T15:44:39.887-05:00Why Being Diagnosed with a Learning Disability as an Adult is NORMAL<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__nmV04CUA8s/SSsKNyGVxgI/AAAAAAAAABI/cl2k6smN3PU/s1600-h/collegegraduate.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__nmV04CUA8s/SSsKNyGVxgI/AAAAAAAAABI/cl2k6smN3PU/s400/collegegraduate.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272319020670240258" /></a><br />Last week, I went to dinner with a group of old high school friends I hadn't seen in awhile. There I learned that my friend--we'll call her Lulu--had just come from being assessed for ADHD and learning disabilities. Lulu is 27, and has always been an excellent student. About a month ago, after completing an intense medical program at Columbia University, she had taken the MCATs in hopes of getting in to medical school and had, in her words, "bombed" the test.<br /><br />Most of our friends who have known Lulu were shocked and surprised when they heard about the possibility of her being diagnosed with a learning disability or ADHD. They were even more shocked when Lulu explained that the psychologist had already determined that at the very least she definitely has ADHD. How could someone who has always done so well in school and come across as incredibly intelligent, have a learning disability?<br /><br />Being a specialist in this area, I wasn't quite as surprised. Like a lot of older students and working adults I have come across throughout my career, even with very caring and observational parents, learning disabilities and ADHD often get overlooked throughout childhood and even throughout adulthood. Just last year I worked with a woman I diagnosed as ADHD at the age of 58, and she had never before been told that it was even a possibility.<br /><br />Here's the thing. People with learning disabilities and/or ADHD aren't <em>stupid</em>! In fact, the reason the diagnosis can get overlooked for so long is a testament to how smart a lot of them are. They find ways of coping with their weaknesses, often working harder than the rest of us to keep up, but fooling everyone in the process---parents, teachers, and friends.<br /><br />In Lulu's case, she had coped so well and is so intelligent that she made almost perfect grades throughout high school, SAT's, college, AND her med program, and only discovered that she might have an attention problem or other learning disability when her standard coping skills stopped working when she attempted the MCAT.<br /><br />It is wonderful how much people focus on childhood interventions. My 5-year-old nephew has been going to PT and OT and every other T since he was two, and it has been tremendous for him. Still, the need for older adolescent and adult interventions is never going to change. And to parents who may be feeling guilty for not "seeing" the problem earlier, I hope this helps to explain that it's no ones' fault. The reason you didn't see your child's disability is because your child is so adaptable. Learning disabilities and ADHD don't <em>form</em> later in life or come out of thin air, it's simply that a person's environment changes to the point that they are no longer able to creatively adapt and cope on their own.<br /><br />People like my friend Lulu are one of the main reasons I feel so passionately about coaching. Coaching allows individuals to work with professionals and come up with creative ways of reinventing coping skills so that they will work as challenges become more and more difficult. It is fitting the system to the person and not the other way around. People like Lulu CAN reach their dreams, they may just need a little help along the way.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Don't forget to check out PsychEd Coaches website: http://www.psychedcoaches.com</div>Dr. Abigail Levrinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01007726047773004427noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928077266264823122.post-75973701714920294342008-11-18T13:49:00.004-05:002008-11-18T14:17:45.330-05:00The Learning and Study Strategies of College Students with ADHD<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__nmV04CUA8s/SSMU1HngtYI/AAAAAAAAAA4/K5ltWwqKYgg/s1600-h/abi_poster.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 262px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__nmV04CUA8s/SSMU1HngtYI/AAAAAAAAAA4/K5ltWwqKYgg/s400/abi_poster.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270078891764004226" /></a><br /><br />I presented this poster at the 2005 APA convention in Washington, DC. It discusses a study I conducted on the Learning and Study Strategies of College Students with ADHD, which compared them to their peers with and without Learning Disabilities. The study was also published in <em>Psychology in the Schools</em>.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Don't forget to check out PsychEd Coaches website: http://www.psychedcoaches.com</div>Dr. Abigail Levrinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01007726047773004427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928077266264823122.post-37218626892068860602008-11-17T17:24:00.001-05:002008-11-17T17:28:30.817-05:00ADHD and Neurofeedback<div id="zimbio_player"> </div><div class="zimbio_outline"> <a href="http://www.zimbio.com/ADHD+in+Adults+and+Adolescents/videos/4/Video+Playlist"> <img class="z_logo" src="http://www.zimbio.com/images/zLogoPilot.gif" /> </a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.zimbio.com/ADHD+in+Adults+and+Adolescents/videos/4/Video+Playlist/json"> </script></div><br /><br />Here are two good Videos about ADHD. The first is about Diagnosing ADHD in Children. The second is about treatment - specifically Neurofeedback.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Don't forget to check out PsychEd Coaches website: http://www.psychedcoaches.com</div>Dr. Abigail Levrinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01007726047773004427noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928077266264823122.post-47030843575093471462008-11-14T09:09:00.002-05:002008-11-14T09:13:32.283-05:00FREE Copy of Master Your Money: Paying Bills On Time with Adult ADDClick the link to get a free copy of Master Your Money: Paying Bills On Time with Adult ADD. In these times of economic hardship, we could probably all take a few lessons!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.additudemag.com/RCLP/sub/2750.html">http://www.additudemag.com/RCLP/sub/2750.html</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">Don't forget to check out PsychEd Coaches website: http://www.psychedcoaches.com</div>Dr. Abigail Levrinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01007726047773004427noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-928077266264823122.post-86610680157972072892008-11-13T11:06:00.001-05:002008-11-13T11:09:07.608-05:00Do You Have Adult ADHD? Why Diagnosis Is Critical<span style="font-size:85%;"><em>The following is a brief article from attitudemag.com</em></span><br /><br />Attention deficit disorder (ADD ADHD) is being diagnosed in adults in their 20s, 30s, or, in some cases, in grandparents who are in their mid-60s.<br /><br />Many adults with ADHD say that they weren't even aware of the disorder until they had a child who was diagnosed. After seeing ADHD in their children, these undiagnosed adults gradually realized that they had the same <a href="http://www.additudemag.com/adhd-web/article/1636.html">signs and symptoms</a>. Why would it be important to diagnose someone has made it through school, has a job, and has somehow managed to hang around the planet for more than a quarter of a century?<br /><br />ADHD is not some monolithic diagnosis that affects all people the same way. Some people with ADHD have <a href="http://www.additudemag.com/topic/adhd-information/learning-disabilities.html">learning disorders</a>, some do not. Some ADHD people are extremely intelligent, others have average or even below average IQ. Some come from supportive homes, others come from dysfunctional families and had to raise themselves. All of these factors affect the impact of ADHD on the life of the individual. The child genius who has supportive parents will be better able to compensate for his or her ADHD.<br /><br />Many ADHD adults have learned to hide their <a href="http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/1570.html">cluttered desks</a> behind closed office doors; they learn to look attentive even when they have no idea what has just been said. These and other survival skills help to cloak their ADHD.<br /><br />But, eventually, even the child genius finds that coping skills only go so far. Frustration becomes more apparent as the gap between ability and actual performance grows. After years of being able to get by on innate intelligence and other abilities, these undiagnosed ADHD adults realize that there is nothing left in their bag of tricks.<br /><br />Research on ADHD adults illustrates the scope of the problem. Twenty-five percent of ADHD participants in the study did not graduate from high school versus 1% of the participants who did not have ADHD.<br /><br />On a positive note, half of the ADHD students who did not graduate were able to obtain a General Education Diploma by taking the GED test. Only 15% of ADHD participants had completed a bachelor's degree compared to more than half of the Non-ADHD group having completed a bachelor's degree or higher. Other studies report finding that as few as 5% of AD/HD people who attend college actually obtain a degree (American Journal of Psychiatry, April, 1998)<br /><br />Three percent of the adults in the ADHD group were enrolled in graduate school or had completed a graduate degree, compared to sixteen percent of those in the Non-ADHD group were either enrolled or had completed a graduate degree program when the follow up survey was conducted.<br /><br />Education and career goals are not the only reasons why these patients seek treatment. The ADHD adult begins to feel unable to cope, as the responsibilities of marriage, parenting, mortgage payments and more begin to pile on. This frustration may lead to self-medication with illicit drugs or alcohol, both of which present even more problems of their own. Jobs suffer and relationships perish. An overall sense of failure begins to take over.<br /><br />Breaking this cycle of failure and frustration is the primary goal of treatment for the ADHD adult.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Don't forget to check out PsychEd Coaches website: http://www.psychedcoaches.com</div>Dr. Abigail Levrinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01007726047773004427noreply@blogger.com0