I saw a story on WPXI in Pittsburgh about an innovative mental health counselor who is taking the care to the patient. She drives a van to see her child patients, and it is not just any van. This van is fully equipped to help kids who are struggling - she has art therapy, play therapy, and other techniques to help kids, including toys, clay, crafts, dry erase boards, sand, and water therapies available in the van.
Doreen Upshaw is the CEO of Comfort Counseling and Support Services, which serves children ages 4-12 on the Northside of Pittsburgh, PA. Ms. Upshaw saw the need for counseling grow when the pandemic hit. Plus, children have anxiety for many other reasons - gun violence, family issues, school, fights in school, and they just don't know where they fit in or how to understand what is going on in the world around them.
Doreen Upshaw is doing her best to normalize mental health care. She takes her bus to schools, after school programs, and even individual homes. Before the bus, she saw a real problem with cancellations of appointments, some weather related, some life related. Since she now drives to the patient, cancellations have diminished. She is working hard to break the stigma of mental health issues. I think her program could be a prototype to help children across the United States. Imagine overall impact of bringing mental health care to the patients!
Glenn Close said, "What mental health needs is more sunlight, more candor, more unashamed conversation." Doreen Upshaw is bringing all these things to mental health!
To see the news story about Doreen Upshaw and her "CCC-Mobile" (patent pending), please click on the link below.
Visit Dede's web page for complete details on her award-winning book, STUDENT TEACHING: THE INSIDE SCOOP FROM A MASTER TEACHER. Many colleges have made the book required reading. Signed copies are available www.dederittman.com Dede is also a national speaker on The Three C's for Classroom success: Confidence, communication, and Creativity; Avoiding Teacher burnout; and many other inspirational topics.
I LOVE writing. And I love writing children's books- my newest passion. Although it will be a ton of work, I am looking forward to selling my books. Since I was a secondary teacher, I know that I have much to learn about elementary students, and I will have to follow my own advice and be my genuine self. However, I also know that I am passionate about helping kids who have to wear glasses, and that GRADY GETS GLASSES sends a positive message. I am willing to work hard and do all the things that also made me a successful teacher for 37
Teacher friends- let me know if you want me to read GRADY GETS GLASSES at your school. I am willing to come in to discuss the creative writing process, why writing is important, and personal fulfillment through writing, along with reading my book. I would appreciate the exposure, and I would make signed copies available for purchase in your classrooms following the reading. Please email me at dederittman@gmail.com The website www.gradygetsglasses.com now has plush Grady bunnies for sale!
Connect with Dede!
Twitter @dederittman
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