Shanie Walker
Bio
Shanie Walker is a Holistic Behavioural Therapist, awards, and honours in Art Therapy, Dialectic and CBT. Shanie is a Psychologist and Registered Professional Hypnotherapist. Accredited Nutritionist, and Master Degree in Fitness.
Stories (21)
Filter by community
Holistic Health
Holistic Health is an approach to life. Rather than focusing on illness or specific parts of the body, this approach to health considers the whole person and their interactions within their environment. It accentuates the mind, body, and spirit connection, with the goal being to achieve optimum well-being. Holistic health patients accept responsibility for their own level of well-being, and their everyday choices, to take responsibility of their own health. The four strategies to consider when promoting positive mental health are; encourage typical life experiences, increase coping skills, increase social support, and empower families (Huff, McClanahan & Omar, 2010). Holistic medicine focuses on treating the entire person and not just the disorder or affliction. In the assessment and management of chronical illness and specific disorders the holistic health care provider considers biopsychosocial factors of biological, psychological, and social concerns. These biopsychosocial aspects influence one another and are integral to healthy emotional functioning (Huff, McClanahan & Omar, 2010). In considering wellness, fostering positive mental health, the medical management goal is to minimize the impact of the disease on the physical, emotional development and functioning of the patient. Holistic health promotes a mental health goal of achieving balance between disease management and positive mental health. The Holistic health care provider embraces quality of life, believing all parts of physical, emotional, environmental, and spiritual aspects help patient life balance to address any issues, sickness, or disorder, to make a person whole (Walter, 1999).
By Shanie Walker5 years ago in Psyche
Rules of Breakup
Stress hallucinations, the shimmering treetops haze before me, my breathing is laboured, I whisper to the vase space of nothing, “don’t give up”. The swift gust captures between the ridges and savannah basin as the balmy wind whips around my face and hair. I feel a refreshing relief giving me a spurt of coolness. I take a small gulp of water from my thermal canister. The magnificent cliff looms above me, my clambering down this ridge seems like an eternity. Overwhelmed with sweat, screaming pain from my muscles and dread. I wonder, what possessed me? why am I here? the brochure said “a quest for paradise” deception. I look out at the vast landscape before me and speculate, am I going to die? The image in my head of a deadly fall, my body spiralling down the amass. I am desperate to control my fear in a dire need for preservation. My guide ahead, calls into my consciousness, “everybody alright?” I think, “this is not the spiritual realm of the rainforest paradise I imagined, the eternal bliss of elevation”. My focus drills back into the harsh reality of manoeuvring my foot to safety, I shout back, “Ok”, I persist my journey down.
By Shanie Walker5 years ago in Humans
The Regret Bonfire
The burden of guilt lifts, imaginary or truth. I say farewell to such overwhelming adversities. The harmless ashes of my metaphorical bonfire burn away as the soft tears stream gently down my face. I appreciate there is no real pain, no longer hatred, the bitterness has gone, and no more spite or lasting shame. An expressive emotional release as my remorse and pain burns away.
By Shanie Walker5 years ago in Longevity
Art Therapy, Relaxation and Mindful Living
The concept of mindfulness originated from early Buddhist practices, an historically encouraged and enlightened meditation with emphases on awareness of one’s emotions, sensations, and consciousness (Hinchey, 2018). Art Therapy today practices mindfulness to help an awareness of self and a capacity to reflect. Mindfulness, meditation and behavioural therapy in the expression of art therapy, creates mindfulness through art (Goguen- Hughes, 2010). Mindful relaxation techniques are used in mindful based art therapy to reduce damaging effects of stress by activating the body’s natural relaxation response, through practises of mindfulness relaxation techniques and mindful meditation. Mindfulness is based on meditation principles without judgment, paying attention to experiences and emotions in the present moment. Artistic expression for mindful living, relaxation and meditation have the same fundamental principles of Art in the mental health profession in that it is a creative process of art making to improve and enhance the physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing of people. Jensen, (2016) offers the creative process of artistic self-expression helps people to resolve conflicts and problems, develop interpersonal skills, manage behaviour, reduce stress, increase self-esteem and self-awareness, and achieve insight. Art therapy is a creative method of expression with therapeutic techniques to gain mindfulness, relaxation and meditation. Whereby, art therapy as a profession used in the health care system assists in treating patients with mental health disorders and psychological problems.
By Shanie Walker5 years ago in Psyche
Lower Levels of Serotonin and its Effects to the Body
Serotonin is an important neurotransmitter in the CNS and affects the circulatory and cardiovascular systems. Serotonin is a known monoamine neurotransmitter synthesized from the amino acid, tryptophan. In the CNS, serotonin contributes to the regulation of sleep, appetite, and mood. It’s intricates are involved in memory and learning. While serotonin acts as a neurotransmitter in the CNS, it acts as a vasoconstrictor in the blood. It is also a growth factor which promotes healing and controls the release of insulin. Serotonin levels in the body is affected by many factors which include diet and drugs. Alban, (2019) suggests low serotonin levels is partially responsible for our current epidemics of depression and anxiety. Evidence base studies propose serotonin deficiency occurs when a person’s body doesn’t have enough serotonin activity. Furthermore, low levels of serotonin is linked to a range of physical and psychological symptoms, resulting; anxiety, depressed mood, aggression, impulsive behaviour, insomnia, irritability, low self-esteem, poor appetite, poor memory. In addition, suboptimal levels of serotonin are also thought to be associated with several psychological conditions, including: eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and social anxiety disorder (Healthline, 2005-2019).
By Shanie Walker5 years ago in Psyche
Endorphins
Endorphins are endogenous opioids released through the pituitary gland which are thought to mediate analgesia, induce euphoria, and has a key role in the reward system in the brain (Leuenberger,2006). Endorphins play an important part in the psychological benefits of exercise with depression. Furthermore, improved self-esteem is also a psychological benefit of regular physical activity. When a person exercises, their body releases chemicals called endorphins. These endorphins interact with the receptors in the brain which reduces a person’s perception of pain. The endorphins trigger a positive feeling in the body, like morphine, thus, the feeling which follows a run or workout is commonly described as "euphoric." This feeling, is known as a "runner's high," and is generally accompanied by a positive and energizing outlook on life. The endorphin theory postulates; mood elevations and reduced anxiety following acute exercise because of the release and binding of β-endorphins (endogenous opioids) to the receptor sites in the brain. Studies conclude; exercise increases endogenous opioid activity in the central and peripheral nervous system that could induce a euphoric state and reduce pain (Anderson & Shivakumar, 2013).
By Shanie Walker5 years ago in Psyche
Art Therapy and Personal Aspirations
Art therapy is influenced by the disciplines of art and psychology, which uses the creative process and pieces of art created in therapy. A person using art for creative expression uses several types of art media, to help explore the person’s innermost emotions and thoughts, reconcile conflicts, manage stress and anxiety, develop self-awareness, manage addictions and self-deprecating behaviours, and an increased sense of self-esteem. Artwork in treatment can develop self-awareness, explore emotions, address unresolved emotional conflicts, improve social skills, and raise self-esteem. In pursuit of attaining personal goals of improved quality of life, wellness and becoming an accredited practitioner of choice. The integration of art therapy, primarily aims to help with experiencing emotional and psychological challenges to achieve personal well-being and improved cognitive functioning. As a psychologist, my career aspirations include art therapy to combine CBT treatments for my patients (GoodTherapy, 2007-2019).
By Shanie Walker5 years ago in Psyche
The Preloved Shopper
My daughter’s birthday is looming! Her, sexy smart, beautiful brunette and cleverly artistic. As time arranged it, her son’s birthday is her birthday, a gift from god some might say. He is 12 years old, very social; easy to please – a planned day out, go-carting.
By Shanie Walker5 years ago in Families
The Preloved Shopper
My daughter’s birthday is looming! Her, sexy smart, beautiful brunette and cleverly artistic. As time arranged it, her son’s birthday is her birthday, a gift from god some might say. He is 12 years old, very social; easy to please – a planned day out, go-carting.
By Shanie Walker5 years ago in Families
Cortisol and Stress
Cortisol is closely associated with stress. It is a hormone which is the key element that works in the body's stress response and often measured as an indicator of stress. Cortisol has a vital role in the body's functioning, secreted by the adrenal glands. Primarily, it aids in the following functions to generate; proper glucose metabolism, regulation of blood pressure, insulin release for blood sugar maintenance, immune function and inflammatory response (Scott, 2018).
By Shanie Walker5 years ago in Psyche
The Most Exquisite Night
Thank god for my glass of Merlot! When I compare my love life with people around me, I feel disheartened, disconsolate, and alone? My friends, one by one have settled into blooming real-life romances. Intense love affairs and shared happy families from meeting that special someone.
By Shanie Walker5 years ago in Humans
