FASD World Tour in Atlantic Canada - Acceptance & Commitment Therapy for Caregivers

02/15/23 • 49 min

Welcome to Season 4, episode 19 of the FASD Family Life Podcast. This is the only show about FASD hosted by an FASD Specialist and parent with 30 years lived experience. I am Robbie Seale, your host and mom to five incredible people; including three teens diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. As an FASD Specialist it is my passion to help families thrive. To learn more about me and my work check out my website, https://fasdfamilylife.ca/
I started this podcast to be the friend I wished I had when my kids were young and to bring hope to weary parents. I wanted to share what I have learned working in residential treatment and raising my own children impacted by trauma and prenatal alcohol exposure. I pour my heart and soul into the production of the FASD Family Life podcast. All that hard work is paying off! Since 2021 the podcast has grown to OVER 47,000 downloads worldwide.My FASD world tour continues. This week I am back in Canada where I am speaking with Melissa Arseneau, Licensed Psychologist, and Monette Saulnier, Wellness Mentor, R.M.T., YTT 300.
Melissa is the owner and lead psychologist at Balance Psychology Clinic in Fredericton NB. Since opening the clinic in 2015, it has evolved into a multi-disciplinary practice offering comprehensive mental health services including FASD assessments and support.
Throughout her career, Monette has worked with youth in many capacities. As a wellness mentor in the public school system, Monette is dedicated to providing learning opportunities in a safe environment. In recent years, she has applied her extensive experience working with youth to be able to work with parents, caregivers, and other adults through ACTing Mindfully training and yoga.
Somatic approaches have played a key part in creating balance in Monette’s life, especially after experiencing injuries in the spinal column.
Monette aspires to keep learning and share self care strategies with others.
Throughout the year, Melissa and Monnet offer Acceptance & Commitment Therapy, they call ACTing Mindfully, in different formats to meet various needs and schedules.
I was so excited to learn about their ACTing Mindfully sessions that are starting this Saturday that I dropped this episode early to let you know about it too. This 3-week online version of ACTing Mindfully starts Feb 18th from 9:00 am to 11:00 am EST and it is available to you no matter where in the world you are. To register email [email protected]
To learn more go to their webpage https://www.facebook.com/BalancePsychologyClinic
Questions or comments about this or other episodes of the FASD Family Life Podcast, email: [email protected]

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FASD WORLD TOUR: New Zealand Care Action Network (FAS-CAN)

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Kia Ora and welcome to Season 4, episode 18 of the FASD Family Life Podcast. This is the only show about FASD hosted by an FASD Specialist and parent with 30 years lived experience. I am Robbie Seale, your host and mom to five incredible people; including three teens diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. As an FASD Specialist it is my passion to help families thrive. To learn more about me and my work check out my website, https://fasdfamilylife.ca/
I started this podcast to be the friend I wished I had when my kids were young and to bring hope to weary parents. I wanted to share what I have learned working in residential treatment and raising my own children impacted by trauma and prenatal alcohol exposure. I pour my heart and soul into the production of the FASD Family Life podcast. All that hard work is paying off! Since 2021 the podcast has grown to OVER 45,000 downloads worldwide.I need your help to keep going and growing. Consider becoming a monthly sponsor. Your gift of $20 per month (or $5 per week) would enable me to keep sharing HOPE and teach the SKILLS needed to reduce stress and improve lives for people with FASD and the families who love them. Click here to Support the showThis week I am speaking with Leigh Henderson of FASD-CAN (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder - Caregiver Action Network) which was founded in 2013 by a group of parents with children with FASD, and professionals who were FASD experts. The founding chair, Claire Gyde, together with a group of other parents, saw the need for an organisation that would unite caregivers and advocate for improved awareness, services, and greater support for caregivers and whānau of individuals coping with FASD. https://www.fasd-can.org.nz/

FAS-CAN is a New Zealand-based, non-profit incorporated society made up of parents, caregivers, extended whānau and health professionals, including our clinical advisor, Dr Valerie McGinn (Clinical Neuropsychologist and Clinical Director of the FASD Centre, Aotearoa), and our Patron, Judge Tony Fitzgerald. Our purpose is to unite caregivers, support whānau and individuals, strengthen communities and educate about FASD across Aotearoa.

We aim to pool our knowledge, strength and collective wisdom so that those living with FASD can grow and achieve. Our goal is to educate and provide strategies for those living with FASD. We want better access to Disability Support Services for those whose lives are impacted by FASD.

Become a FAS-CAN member and you'll be sent a free printed copy of our Handbook. https://www.fasd-can.org.nz/the_handbook_caregiver_toolkit

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FASD World Tour: New Zealand Research on Caregiver Stress and Resilience

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FASD is a significant global health issue that needs attention which is why I decided to go on a WORLD TOUR to highlight the issue of FASD around the world as well as the tremendous work being done to re-educate society of the risks of consuming alcohol during pregnancy, to advocate for systemic changes that would recognize FASD as a permanent disability, and provide support for individuals, and their families, impacted by prenatal alcohol exposure.
Kia Ora and welcome to the FASD Family Life Podcast. This is the only show about FASD hosted by an FASD Specialist and parent with 30 years lived experience. I am Robbie Seale, your host and mom to five incredible people; including three teens diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. As an FASD Specialist it is my passion to help families thrive. To learn more about me and my work check out my website, https://fasdfamilylife.ca/
I started this podcast to be the friend I wished I had when my kids were young and to bring hope to weary parents. I wanted to share what I have learned working in residential treatment and raising my own children impacted by trauma and prenatal alcohol exposure. I pour my heart and soul into the production of the FASD Family Life podcast. All that hard work is paying off! Since 2021 the podcast has grown to OVER 45,000 downloads worldwide.I need your help to keep going and growing. Consider becoming a monthly sponsor. Your gift of $20 per month (or $5 per week) would enable me to keep sharing HOPE and teach the SKILLS needed to reduce stress and improve lives for people with FASD and the families who love them. Click here to Support the show
This week the FASD World Tour continues in New Zealand as I stop by to have a conversation with Dr. Anita Gibbs about her research that examines the FASD Caregiver experience and the impact on the social, emotional, physical, and spiritual health of the caregiver. Anita is a professor, social worker, and a parent of two boys with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, so she knows first-hand that the struggle is real and so is success.

Do you have a topic suggestion or a question? Write to me at [email protected]

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