Video Transcript:
Announcement: [00:00:00] Welcome to Healing With Human Connection, where we have encouraging conversations about tough topics such as substance abuse, drug addiction, and mental health issues, for those in the Northwest Indiana area. Our hope is to share information that will guide you to resources that can help you change your life so that you can live the life you were meant to live.
Announcement: Check out our website, www.healingwithconnection.com to find a full transcript of today's conversation along with the list of any resources or links mentioned in this episode. Enjoy the show.
Jeanne Ann Cannon: Welcome everyone. Thank you so much for joining us today. We're so happy to be here. I am Jeanne Ann Cannon. I'm a therapist and certified life coach specializing in relationships, couples counseling and transitions and such.
Jeanne Ann Cannon: Um, and we have Lisa Scheller, my podcast partner who is a life and health coach [00:01:00] specializing in individual and family coaching. And she and her husband have written an excellent book on recovery from alcoholism, uh, called from Fear to Faith. And we are so excited to have Dr. Schreck with us today.
Kathryn Schreck: Thank you.
Jeanne Ann Cannon: Thank you so much Dr. Schreck. Really.
Kathryn Schreck: Thank you.
Jeanne Ann Cannon: For joining us. We know how busy you are and of course, our goal as we talked before, um, is to hopefully someone who's out there listening, struggling with either mental health, emotional issues or substance abuse issues of any sort, either they themselves or a family member, that we can give them a little insight about what's out there and what's available.
Jeanne Ann Cannon: So maybe just to start, can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got started in the field?
Kathryn Schreck: Sure. Yeah. So, um, I'm a clinical psychologist, so, um, I got my undergrad degree from IUN in Gary.
Jeanne Ann Cannon: Mm-hmm.
Kathryn Schreck: Um, and then I studied, uh, gender and human rights at the United Nations School in Costa Rica.
Jeanne Ann Cannon: Oh, cool.
Kathryn Schreck: And that was a great [00:02:00] experience. And then I got my doctoral degree in, in Fort Lauderdale at Nova Southeastern University.
Lisa Scheller: Mm-hmm.
Kathryn Schreck: So I knew that I wanted to help people. I just wasn't sure of what capacity and what level. Um, but then I started to do volunteer work in domestic violence and helping survivors with that,
Kathryn Schreck: um, through different communities. And since I joined NorthShore, I've been able to do, um, presentations and workshops with work life balance.
Lisa Scheller: Mm-hmm.
Kathryn Schreck: Women's health, self care, um, stress management, those kinds of things. So that's been really, really important work for me to be fulfilled, but also to help other people.
Jeanne Ann Cannon: Yeah. That's wonderful. And would you not say, Dr. Schreck, not to get off, but Oh my gosh, after covid, all of those things you just mentioned.
Kathryn Schreck: Oh, definitely.
Jeanne Ann Cannon: Stress.
Kathryn Schreck: Mm-hmm.
Jeanne Ann Cannon: And Reacclimating to society and oh my goodness. For men, women.
Kathryn Schreck: Losing your support systems.
Lisa Scheller: Yes.
Kathryn Schreck: Because we all became very isolated.
Lisa Scheller: Mm-hmm.
Kathryn Schreck: And I think even after the, um, [00:03:00] intensity of the pandemic lifted, we sort of adjusted to that lifestyle in a strange way. And then to go back to asking for those things or needing other people, I think it felt more like a burden.
Jeanne Ann Cannon: Yeah.
Kathryn Schreck: Um, to do that, so..
Jeanne Ann Cannon: Right. Like heightened anxiety on some level for all ages, school children going back.
Kathryn Schreck: Mm-hmm.
Lisa Scheller: Readjusting to things that... we had to adjust to the pandemic and unadjust to the pandemic.
Kathryn Schreck: Yep.
Jeanne Ann Cannon: Right.
Kathryn Schreck: Absolutely. Yeah. And there's a lot of stress doing all that, that flexibility and..
Jeanne Ann Cannon: Right.
Kathryn Schreck: Mm-hmm.
Lisa Scheller: And change, you know, people adjusting to change, which is hard for people. So we all had to change and got fearful about the pandemic.
Lisa Scheller: Now things are opening up. What does that look like? And now fearful about what can I do or how do I do this? That..yeah.
Kathryn Schreck: Yeah. Oh, absolutely.
Jeanne Ann Cannon: And tell us a little bit about NorthShore again, for anyone listening, what is it, what are the programs? You told us a little bit about what you do, but can you give us a big picture of..?
Kathryn Schreck: Sure.
Kathryn Schreck: I'll try [00:04:00] to do my best for the big picture and not just the specialty, but, um, I joined NorthShore because of their mission and they really reach out to all members of community and there's no discrimination against income, race, culture, anything like that. And so it's also very integrated and so I really liked that part of it where it's the whole individual.
Lisa Scheller: Mm-hmm.
Kathryn Schreck: So there's the medical side, the psychiatric side, um, and then also more of the mental health.
Lisa Scheller: Mm-hmm.
Kathryn Schreck: Um, behavioral health, um, side to that. So what I do personally there as a psychologist, um, I can do psychological assessments.
Jeanne Ann Cannon: Mm-hmm.
Kathryn Schreck: So if there's any issues of learning disorders or issues with school, we can assess for that and hopefully get accommodations for any disabilities or needs there.
Jeanne Ann Cannon: Yeah.
Kathryn Schreck: Um, help with, um, appropriate diagnosis so it's appropriate treatment.
Lisa Scheller: Mm-hmm.
Kathryn Schreck: Um, and we serve individuals, families, couples, [00:05:00] um, those kinds of therapies. So, um, really it's, it's just an array of services and it's so wonderful to be able to offer so many different things.
Jeanne Ann Cannon: Right. Can you talk a little about.. I, I love that you mentioned, um, an appropriate diagnosis.
Kathryn Schreck: Mm-hmm.
Jeanne Ann Cannon: Oftentimes I have clients, I have a client right now who I don't think, years ago, was diagnosed appropriately.
Kathryn Schreck: Mm-hmm.
Jeanne Ann Cannon: So sometimes medication is given, given that past diagnosis.
Kathryn Schreck: Mm-hmm.
Jeanne Ann Cannon: So maybe for someone listening, what does that mean to get, um, diagnosed? Like what process? Generally speaking, because I think sometimes people are afraid of that.
Lisa Scheller: It's hard.
Kathryn Schreck: Yes. And even as clinicians, it's really difficult and so we need to consult with other people.
Lisa Scheller: Mm-hmm.
Kathryn Schreck: And um, really listen to the individual and really look at their history and their timeline and, um, and take all of that into consideration. And what's great about testing is that it does add, um, a somewhat objective component where it's [00:06:00] normed on data.
Kathryn Schreck: And so even if someone has been diagnosed in the past with, um, a certain disorder, how does that look now and what different things might have affected that diagnosis? Um, and may have led to other, uh, serious conditions as well.
Jeanne Ann Cannon: Right.
Kathryn Schreck: Um, so, so getting that diagnosis is extremely important, not just for medication, but also for evidence-based treatment.
Lisa Scheller: Yes. Mm-hmm.
Kathryn Schreck: Um, and to make sure that it's something that really fits for what that patient needs.
Jeanne Ann Cannon: Right.
Kathryn Schreck: And to get them where they need to be and want to be, is so important.
Jeanne Ann Cannon: Yeah. I love when you're talking about evidence-based because sometimes in the world of therapy or counseling, it's like, oh, come on.
Jeanne Ann Cannon: What is that all about?
Kathryn Schreck: Mm-hmm. Oh, we're just talking.
Jeanne Ann Cannon: Yeah, yeah, yeah. But when it's evidence based and there's data and what was your behavior before and what is it now and how have you made progress? It's very real.
Kathryn Schreck: Absolutely. Yeah. So it's, it's nice science and relationship joined together.
Jeanne Ann Cannon: That's great.
Kathryn Schreck: To help somebody.
Kathryn Schreck: [00:07:00] Yeah.
Jeanne Ann Cannon: That's great. So if someone's listening and they're interested in either working with you, particularly, you seem wonderful, and compassionate.
Lisa Scheller: Yes.
Kathryn Schreck: I appreciate that.
Jeanne Ann Cannon: Well, truly in the field, when you find someone who is very good and that you can relate to and trust is huge.
Kathryn Schreck: Absolutely. Yeah. That safe space.
Jeanne Ann Cannon: How would they find out about NorthShore and maybe making, you know, how much does it cost and how do you go for an assessment or an intake or..?
Kathryn Schreck: Oh, sure.
Kathryn Schreck: So first things first would be to go to like northshorehealth.org. Um, and you can set up appointments through there.
Jeanne Ann Cannon: Mm-hmm.
Kathryn Schreck: Um, I know with behavioral health, we have amazing coordinators who not only help schedule appropriate services that are needed, but they can also help the patient to find community resources.
Jeanne Ann Cannon: Oh, nice.
Kathryn Schreck: Um, so if it's therapy in addition to housing issues.
Lisa Scheller: Yes.
Kathryn Schreck: You know, basic needs as we move up the ladder. Right?
Jeanne Ann Cannon: Right.
Kathryn Schreck: Um, so go in to that website, northshorehealth.org and then, [00:08:00] um, you would make an appointment. You would come in for the intake. We would meet, get to know all of the history like we talked about and what the needs are, and then build a plan off of there.
Kathryn Schreck: Um, and, you know, pick an appropriate therapy and look at diagnostic tools and then look at, are there other health conditions? Are there other needs there, and then make referrals as appropriate. Yeah. So it's not just this one stop and then you have to start again. It's you start with one person and then we really help the person..
Lisa Scheller: Build on that instead of you have to go and tell your story again to somebody else..
Kathryn Schreck: Each one and make another, you know. Yeah, so we put those referrals within house and it's great. So that's all set up. Other people call them from the other departments.
Lisa Scheller: Mm-hmm.
Kathryn Schreck: I mean, it's..
Lisa Scheller: That's awesome.
Kathryn Schreck: Yeah. So, the first step is the important part.
Jeanne Ann Cannon: Well, and the first step, I guess, like, bing bing, bing a lot of questions that maybe listeners might have would be, you know, what do you, I don't know if I can afford it.
Jeanne Ann Cannon: I have insurance, but I don't know.
Kathryn Schreck: Mm-hmm.
Jeanne Ann Cannon: You know, I don't have insurance. What do I do? Um, that question in [00:09:00] addition to, um, once you get diagnosed, I always think it's important when people ask me, should I get counseling, should I not? Should I go for stuff? There's no commitment. You go to North Shore you get, go through intake, you get an assessment, it's still your prerogative to take it or not.
Kathryn Schreck: Absolutely, yeah. The free will of it.
Jeanne Ann Cannon: Yeah.
Kathryn Schreck: Um, and I think, uh, something that can become a deterrent is if somebody has tried it before.
Jeanne Ann Cannon: Mm.
Kathryn Schreck: And it wasn't a good fit.
Jeanne Ann Cannon: Mm-hmm.
Lisa Scheller: Yes.
Kathryn Schreck: Um, or, you know, they just became disappointed or they felt like it wasn't a success right away.
Lisa Scheller: Mm-hmm.
Kathryn Schreck: Being able to go and try that again, um, because there is, uh, somebody for everybody and there is a good fit. Um, so, uh, as far as the financial piece of it, um, Northshore does sliding scales. They work with Medicaid, they have incredible insurance navigators that you meet with to really see what are the financial needs or [00:10:00] barriers.
Lisa Scheller: Yeah.
Kathryn Schreck: And then they help work through that.
Jeanne Ann Cannon: So there'll be no surprises financially.
Kathryn Schreck: No.
Jeanne Ann Cannon: I mean I always say that, that, you know, you'll know what you're getting.
Kathryn Schreck: You got it. All the information will be there.
Jeanne Ann Cannon: Great.
Kathryn Schreck: Mm-hmm.
Jeanne Ann Cannon: Great.
Lisa Scheller: And I know right now with the coming off the pandemic, um, there's a wait list at different places.
Kathryn Schreck: Sure.
Lisa Scheller: And so what kind of a wait list, if people are looking for urgent care right now?
Kathryn Schreck: Yeah.
Lisa Scheller: Um, they call around and there are people saying, three months out, you're like, this many months out, you know. We don't want people to lose hope, but, you know, is that something that there's a barrier there for?
Kathryn Schreck: There is.
Kathryn Schreck: Absolutely. And I think with, uh, you know, that's a great comment to make because the need is so great. But something I thought about was what's so much more important is that people are reaching out more.
Lisa Scheller: Yes.
Kathryn Schreck: And so the need has always been there.
Lisa Scheller: Yes.
Kathryn Schreck: But people seeking the services is so..
Jeanne Ann Cannon: Quantity.
Kathryn Schreck: Yes. The, it's so numerous.
Kathryn Schreck: And so us being able to have the support and services available is extremely important, the education piece [00:11:00] for us as a mental health professionals.
Lisa Scheller: And I think that's such a huge, um, part of it. It's educating people.
Kathryn Schreck: Yes.
Lisa Scheller: About it. Because we talk about any chronic disease or any disease at all, the more you learn about it, the fear kind of will dis, dissipate.
Kathryn Schreck: You got it.
Lisa Scheller: Dissipate, you know, so, you know, it's kind of our book here from Fear to Faith.
Jeanne Ann Cannon: Yes. I was gonna say, Lisa.
Lisa Scheller: Like when we're fearful because I was not raised, um, in an alcoholic family, but then married into an alcoholic family and that, you know, and having to deal with that, and it was a lot of fear. But the more I learned about it, the more I educated myself, the more I had to look back at myself and go, well, how am I triggering this and what part am I playing?
Lisa Scheller: And so on and so forth. Um, but the more educated myself, the more I was able to have more of a clear conscience that, this, I am a part of it, but how can we grow together to... yeah.
Kathryn Schreck: Yeah. And I think educating yourself, but also having people around you who are educated too, so that it isn't just a, a self-education and that you're by [00:12:00] yourself doing it.
Lisa Scheller: Mm-hmm.
Kathryn Schreck: And so educating even the larger community.
Lisa Scheller: Yes.
Kathryn Schreck: Which is great, what you all are doing here. Um, and really, you know, to me, taking it even higher, you know, helping to initiate policy that supports having these services available.
Lisa Scheller: Yes.
Kathryn Schreck: Um, funding that supports these.
Lisa Scheller: Yes, exactly.
Kathryn Schreck: Because the more we remove stigma and have people going, which is amazing, we have to have
Kathryn Schreck: those services there, because in three months that motivation might change.
Lisa Scheller: Yes.
Jeanne Ann Cannon: Yeah, for sure.
Lisa Scheller: Exactly.
Kathryn Schreck: You know?
Lisa Scheller: Mm-hmm.
Kathryn Schreck: So..
Lisa Scheller: Absolutely. That's great information. But this is, you know, again, the reason for the podcast is to let people know there are services out there. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Don't forget to make, don't, um, be afraid to make that first move.
Kathryn Schreck: And as far as you were talking about, you know, if there is a wait, don't stop there.
Lisa Scheller: That's right.
Kathryn Schreck: You know, go to the ER.. Call 9 1 1. Um, the National Suicide Hotline. And I wrote it down cause I want to get it right. 800-273-TALK, which is 8255. [00:13:00] 800-273-8255. It's anonymous and it's people who are trained where you can just talk in that moment.. 24 hours a day and not have to wait three months.
Lisa Scheller: Right.
Kathryn Schreck: Because sometimes that struggle, can't wait three months.
Lisa Scheller: Right.
Jeanne Ann Cannon: Well, Dr. Schreck, thank you so much.
Kathryn Schreck: Oh my gosh, my pleasure.
Lisa Scheller: Thank you.
Jeanne Ann Cannon: What a fascinating work you do and I'm sure you help so many. And we invite anyone who's listening to please Call Northshore.
Jeanne Ann Cannon: And if you have a question for you specifically Dr. Schreck then maybe email or something or..?
Kathryn Schreck: Um, so if they contact NorthShore, then they can get in touch with me, either through an appointment or through one of the care coordinators.
Jeanne Ann Cannon: Great.
Kathryn Schreck: Mm-hmm.
Jeanne Ann Cannon: Wonderful.
Kathryn Schreck: Yep.
Jeanne Ann Cannon: Wonderful.
Lisa Scheller: And is there anything else you wanna share that you think is important for us to know?
Kathryn Schreck: You know, there was one last thing.
Lisa Scheller: Okay.
Kathryn Schreck: Um, the, the power of our individual mental health and how it really radiates out to the world.
Lisa Scheller: Mm-hmm.
Kathryn Schreck: You know, when we talk about being isolated and, and struggling with your own mental health issue, it [00:14:00] affects the way you interact with your family, your friends, how you do your work,
Kathryn Schreck: how you engage with the larger community. And so the importance when we talk about individuals, it doesn't just stay there.
Jeanne Ann Cannon: Right.
Kathryn Schreck: It really impacts the decisions we make and how we..
Jeanne Ann Cannon: A ripple effect.
Kathryn Schreck: You got that right. Yeah.
Lisa Scheller: That's awesome.
Jeanne Ann Cannon: Ain't that the truth.
Kathryn Schreck: Mm-hmm.
Jeanne Ann Cannon: Well, thank you Dr. Schreck.
Kathryn Schreck: You're so welcome.
Jeanne Ann Cannon: And Lisa, thank you. Cassie, thank you.
Lisa Scheller: Thank you.
Kathryn Schreck: Thank you.
Jeanne Ann Cannon: Um, and if anyone, again, call NorthShore and make an appointment, and if you have questions, they can help you out. And, uh, we thank you for coming and as Dr. Schreck said, really it is about self-care, self-love, having the courage to take care of ourselves and make that call. So..
Lisa Scheller: And make that first step.
Jeanne Ann Cannon: Yes.
Kathryn Schreck: Check it out.
Lisa Scheller: Yep.
Jeanne Ann Cannon: There you go.
Lisa Scheller: That's right.
Kathryn Schreck: Mm-hmm.
Jeanne Ann Cannon: Thank you and have a great week.
Lisa Scheller: Yep.
Kathryn Schreck: Thank you.
Announcement: If you enjoy today's episode, let us know by leaving a comment or review and sharing with a friend. All resources mentioned [00:15:00] today, and a full transcript of this episode can be found by going to our website, www.healingwithconnection.com. A video of this recording can be found on our YouTube channel, and the audio podcast is available on Spotify, Apple and Google Podcasts.