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3 Surprising Things About Mental Health: Sharecare.com Interview

In December, Sharecare Now named me the #1 online depression influencer of the past year! Crazy, huh? I love how the internet makes the world feel smaller because it allows us to talk to people all over the planet!

Since December, I’ve been in touch with the great folks at Sharecare who are passionate about connecting people with accurate health information online. A few weeks ago I chatted with the delightful Anne Kerueger, the Editorial Director at Sharecare.com about my life experience, how I became a therapist in the mental health field, what I wish clients understood, and why I’m thrilled when high-profile stars talk about their mental illness.

Read 3 Things A Therapist Wants You To Know

Oh, and feel free to comment on the article too.

 

Texting Doesn’t Replace Comfort Of Mother’s Voice: KSL TV News

A new study published in Evolution of Human Behavior shows their no substitute for hearing your mother’s voice to calm daughters who are stressed. I sat down earlier today with Brooke Walker at KSL TV News to share my thoughts on this news study. Give what I’ve learned about attachment theory, the results of this study aren’t surprising. Nothing can replace the presence and voice of a parent to soothe a stressed child.

Texting is a great for conveying information, but not emotion. It doesn’t replace the comfort of being with someone or hearing their voice –Julie Hanks, LCSW

Read the KSL News article here

Read the study abstract

photo credit: Jhaymesiviphotography

Top 10 Posts of 2011 on JulieHanks.com

It’s always fun to see which posts catch your interest over 12 months. Looking back over 2012 the top posts are a mix of music, personal posts, parenting tips, marriage topics, and mental and emotional health advice…and that list just about sums up my life!

A big surprise is #1 — guess you haven’t forgotten that I’ve been a performing songwriter for, oh, 25 years. But, the biggest surprise on this top 10 list is #2 because I only posted it last week! So, many of you have shared it with friends and family online. Thank you.

Thank you for sharing my articles and posts, for great blog discussions and social media comments, and coming to live events this year. I am grateful to have you as part of my “virtual” family.

OK…so here’s the top 10 posts of 2011…

  1. 3 Generations of Azevedo Performed in Church Today
  2. Letter To Santa That Made Me Cry
  3. How To Stop Overreacting and Keep Your Cool
  4. To Forgive Or Not To Forgive?
  5. National TV Appearance On Nov 3 Secretly Pregnant on Discovery Health
  6. Tuesday Tunes: Window To His Love
  7. Avoiding Parenting Clashes With College-aged Kids
  8. Q&A: Is Date Night Too Much To Ask? & I’m Never In The Mood!
  9. 8 Surefire Ways To Emotionally Mess Up Your Kid
  10. Keep Your Marriage Emotionally HOT

I am a social media lover so I hope you’ll stay connected in 2012.

Christmas Wishes From Julie

As 2011 comes to a close I’m filled with gratitude for the many associations I’ve had with you over this year. Whether it’s professionally, personally, or virtually, I am grateful for your friendship and support. 2011 has been an amazing year filled with new opportunities to help make the world a better place in some small way and I couldn’t have done it without you.

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas an Happy New Year. Here’s to 2012!

JulieHanks.com listed #1 Online Depression Influencer by Sharecare

I have a passion (bordering on obsession) with using technology to blog, tweet, post, and answer questions about mental health and relationships because 1) I love what I do as a therapist 2) I want to make a difference in the world for good by educating and providing helpful resources.  So, this morning when I woke up to an email letting me know that I’d been recognized for my online efforts by an amazing national organization Sharecare it’s icing on the cake. Thanks to technology, anyone’s voice can be heard and anyone can make a difference–even a little social worker in Salt Lake City, Utah.

If you’re not familiar with Sharecare.com check it out! It’s an amazing online Q&A platform website founded by Jeff Arnold, founder of WebMD & Dr. Mehmet Oz, with partners Harpo Studios, Sony Pictures Television and Discovery Communications.

 

Read more about the top 10 online influencers

 

Here’s how the top 10 are selected…

“Ask The Therapist” Live Facebook Event Dec. 21

The holiday season can bring out the best…and the worst in all of us, and in family relationships. Here’s your chance to get FREE advice to help you during the holidays and those cold winter months.

I’m excited to be participating in PsychCentral.com’s Ask the Therapist Live Facebook Q & A event with Dr. Marie Hartwell-Walker. We will both be available to answer YOUR mental health and relationship questions on Wed. Dec. 21st at 5:30-6:30PM MST in real-time in our Ask The Therapist Facebook Group.

Click here for details

Send you question to PsychCentral’s Ask The Therapist column anytime here

My Turn On “The Couch”: Psych Central

PsychCentral.com’s Margarita Tartakovsky, MS recently interviewed me for a new series featuring therapists  called “Clinicians on the Couch. She was delightful to interview with. Check out her body image blog  Weightless.

So…if you’re interested in knowing what I wish my clients knew, what psych books I’m reading, what’s surprised me about being a therapist, how I cope with stress and more, click the link below…

Clinicans on the couch: 10 Questions with Therapist Julie Hanks

Join Me For Time Out For Women 2012 Tour

Time outs aren’t just for kids. Women need a “time out” too. Spend a day & a half hearing inspirational music, and phenomenal speakers that will help you refuel spiritually and emotionally.

I’m thrilled to be a part of Deseret Book’s Time Out For Women Tour next year! When I got the invitation to be a presenter, I was honored. Speaking to women is one of my favorite things to do, and I especially love speaking to LDS women. I’ll be sharing how to become “Your Most Authentic Self”, to become the women God wants you to be, and how to make sure that you’re own needs are being met so there’s more of you to give to those you love.

Click here to find out which cities I’ll be visiting

Early bird special if you register before December 6th!

Oh, and I’m finishing up my first book to be released in Aug. 2012!

Will I see you at TOFW???

Penn State Sex Abuse Scandal – Have Courage To Report Child Abuse: KSL News

The Penn State sexual abuse scandal has brought child abuse to the forefront of headlines across the nation. When I heard about this situation I was sickened for the victims – the children who were abused. While the news is focusing on Paterno and other school officials who were fired because of this scandal, and the student outrage about their beloved coach being fired, this story is about institutional secrecy and protecting your own job and reputation.

“Part of why people protect the institution is because, really, they are protecting themselves because they are a part of the institution,” said director Julie Hanks of Wasatch Family Therapy. “And if the institution is threatened, they are somehow threatened.”

I wanted to be a voice to support having the courage to act on behalf of abused children, and to report any crime, or suspected crimes, against children to police authority. I was invited to share my thoughts on tonight’s KSL news story “LaVell Edwards describes friendship with Joe Paterno.” My comments are near the end of the story.

Read the full story at KSL.com

Read Utah mandatory child abuse reporting law

photo credit: Lance Neilson