At Center For Family Services, staff are recognized as the most valuable and greatest resource. The top workplace team at Center For Family Services consists of highly experienced experts in a variety of fields. Trusted staff are changemakers and thought leaders and are often the leading voice in how services are designed to best serve those in need. 

The Expert Angle offers an outlet for highly talented staff to share their knowledge with you. This forum is a place where content experts share information on topics that most closely resonate with the work they do. The Expert Angle is a collection of blog entries where our staff can explore the various entities of Center For Family Services’ mission and programs from the point of view of an expert in that role. The blog is a platform to help communities, individuals, and other social service professionals to learn and grow. 

Dealing with the Winter Blues: Practical Solutions Part II

Posted on: | By: Richard Lange, Ph.D., LPC, LCSW
In my last blog post, I talked about some of the physical things you can do to overcome the "Winter Blues;" get more light, exercise, and hydrate.  This time we will look at some mindset tips that help people get out of their funk. Make plans. Now you are probably wondering what this has to do with the winter blahs, however, it actually makes a lot of sense. If you celebrate the holidays, you are constantly planning: what to make for Thanksgiving, where you will go, or who you will invite. Then, Christmas comes, and you plan what to buy the kids, and where you want to be. You might…
Blog Tags: Winter Blues, New Year New Goals, Make Plans, Staying Positive, Stay Active

Love and Loss

Posted on: | By: Amy Romaine, MA, ATR-BC, LPC, ACS, ATCS, BC-TMH Clinical Supervisor, Grief and Traumatic Loss Services
Walking into stores during the month of February, we are bombarded with images of flowers, chocolate and hearts in celebration of Valentine’s Day. These images can often be grief triggers, symbolizing love that was lost, love that will never be felt again, relationships that have permanently been altered and can’t be experienced in person. It can stop us in our tracks. How do we move from being frozen and stuck? One way is to use that very same imagery to transform the experience. We can shift these images to take on additional or new meanings, helping us to integrate our grief experiences.…
Blog Tags: Grief and Loss, Loss Support, Grief Support, Imagery, Connection, Grief Experiences, Grief Triggers, Symbolism and Grief

New Year, Now What? – Grief and the New Year

Posted on: | By: Amy Romaine, MA, ATR-BC, LPC, ACS, ATCS, BC-TMH Clinical Supervisor, Grief and Traumatic Loss Services
It’s 2022 and for some, January 1st comes with the stark reminder that this year will begin without their loved one. Again. Or for the first time. While others are reveling in a “fresh start” or “resolutions for the new me”, those who are grieving may be wondering how they are going to make it through another year without those who died. Many find it hard to be optimistic this time of year. Others find great comfort in a concrete marker of passing time or making it through the first year without their loved one. How can we process our current state of grief with the start of the new year? We…
Blog Tags: Grief Support, Managing Loss, Managing Grief, Loss Services, Grief and the New Year, Grief and Needs

Dealing with the Winter Blues: Practical Solutions

Posted on: | By: Richard Lange, Ph.D., LPC, LCSW
Winter doldrums, winter blahs, winter blues. We all get them. The holidays are over; all the rushing about is over, families are gone, the weather is dark and dreary. So, it’s no wonder that people start feeling down around this time of year. And even worse for this year, we are in the middle of a big COVID-19 spike, and everyone’s concerned.  Feeling down is common for most people during this season, however, it can be more than just the blues for some. There is a disorder called Season Affective Disorder which affects about 14% of the population of the United States. I will discuss…
Blog Tags: Season Affective Disorder, Winter Blues, Benefits of Movement, Stay Active, Winter Depression, Seasonal Benefits

A Community with Pride

Posted on: | By: Riley Keenan Program Director, Coordinated Assessment Kaleidoscope Advocate
9% of LGBTQ youth have experienced homelessness, been kicked out, or run away.1 in 3 LGBTQ youth reported that they had been physically threatened or harmed in their lifetime due to their LGBTQ identity.10% of LGBTQ youth reported undergoing conversion therapy, with 78% reporting it occurred when they were under age 18. Almost half of all LGBTQ+ youth seriously considered attempting suicide in 2020. At the same time, only half of the youth surveyed could access wanted mental health care.Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ+) youth need support now in order to…
Blog Tags: LGBTQ+ youth, South New Jersey LGBTQ+, Safe Environment, Gay, Lesbian, Transgender, Queer, Gay Community, Youth Group New Jersey, LGBTQ+ Community

“Yes…And” – Celebrating Holidays While Grieving

Posted on: | By: Amy Romaine, MA, ATR-BC, LPC, ACS, ATCS, BC-TMH Clinical Supervisor, Grief and Traumatic Loss Services
This time of year can hold many challenges: colder weather, shorter days, less sunlight, increased stress, more responsibilities (home, work, school, financial), planning for holidays, interacting with distant family members. Now add grieving to that list and see how it colors everything else. Grief is like a lens that colors how we see things, how we act, how we feel and how we interact with others. Survivor guilt can make us feel like we don’t deserve to be happy and celebrate. We can feel angry when we don’t feel others are grieving enough. Grieving during the holidays reminds us that,…
Blog Tags: Holidays and Loss, Grieving and the Holidays, Traumatic Loss, Navigate Grief, Survivor Guilt

Workplace Wellness - Mindfulness Tips for the Holidays

Posted on:
The holidays can be an overwhelming and emotional time of year no matter what you may celebrate. Staying mindful during the holiday season can alleviate stress. For some, the holiday season brings to the surface a variety of challenges. As we adapt back into the world of social gatherings be sure to begin this holiday season with a new sense of mindfulness. Emotions that were locked away may come to life once again, joy, excitement and happiness to name a few, but also anxiousness and stress may also make an appearance. These mindful holiday tips below are crafted to…
Blog Tags: Holidays, Mindfulness, Reflection, Meditation

The Challenges, Fears, and Emotions of Addiction from Both Sides

Posted on: | By: Julia Jolles, Living Proof Recovery Center Staff
When a loved one starts their recovery journey it’s natural for friends and family to feel scared, nervous, and overwhelmed. Their lives can often feel like a rollercoaster of emotions. They’ve experienced so much heartache already they often become laser focused on expecting the next bad thing to happen or fear the past so much they struggle with how to reconnect with their loved one and how to welcome them back into their everyday lives.  Something as simple as having a “normal conversation” with their loved one becomes overwhelming.   But, underneath your loved one’s…
Blog Tags: Recovery, Substance Use Disorder, Challenges, Emotions, Hope, Addiction, Family, Relationships

A Diamond in the Rough- The Living Proof Recovery Center and The Power of Support

Posted on: | By: Jeannine Dumont Living Proof Recovery Center Staff
Living Proof Recovery Centers has been a supportive place for many individuals since opening in 2002. It’s peer-led and volunteer driven environment can be found in Camden County, and most recently, on Rowan College of South Jersey’s campus in Gloucester County. Recovery support efforts here are ever expanding and the services offered are designed for those considering, entering or already in recovery. As a staff member for over eight years I have had the opportunity to see the impact of this program’s efforts. I love seeing people begin to open up, change and heal by sharing their stories…
Blog Tags: Recovery, Peer led, supportive relationships, substance use, substance addiction, community support

A Recovery Pathway That Worked for Me – Building a Better Foundation

Posted on: | By: Vanessa Puk Living Proof Recovery Center Staff
There are many pathways an individual can take to help them in their recovery process. These pathways are not only about getting free of the craving, but it is about healing your mind, body, and spirit. My pathway to recovery hasn’t always been traditional, but I found what works me. I realized I needed to find my personal pathway to recovery in May 2016. I was sick of feeling unfulfilled in my life and tired of making poor choices.  I had been arrested for a DUI and while sitting in the cold jail I had the chance to reflect on where my life was going and began to come to the realization…
Blog Tags: Recovery, Pathway to Recovery, Certified Peer Specialist, Living Proof Recovery Center, Personalized Process, Addiction
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