integrative approaches Archives - Integrative Psychiatry Online, Ron Parks, MD

Collage of 13 pictures with theme of writer's block, and return to creative production and flow; one picture reminds to listen to your inner voice.

Surmounting Writer’s Block

Written by Ron Parks, MD on June 10, 2023. Posted in Commentary on Health and Well-being, Creativity, Depression, Dreamwork, Expert Mentor-Guide, Getting Things Done, Happiness, holistic mental healthcare, Meditation/Mindfulness, Neurodiversity, Personal Growth, Spirituality & Health.

The critical steps to reignite inspired creativity, growth, and productivity.

Writer’s Block Strikes

I was returning from a vacation and felt guilty about not working on or beginning a new newsletter article. Every time I would sit down to start, I would find myself distracted and doing other things or just feeling tired or overwhelmed by the immensity of the task with all its components. Some basics of the task even felt too difficult, such as coming up with new material, doing the research, working through the succession of drafts, multiple edits, and the final publishing process.

Colleague of pictures around the theme of loss, forgiveness, broken heart, insight, perspective, & enlightenment

What I learned from my father’s death or should have

Written by Ron Parks, MD on May 8, 2023. Posted in Commentary on Health and Well-being, Death and Dying, Depression, Grief and Loss, Holistic Approaches to Prevention and Recovery, holistic mental healthcare, Meditation/Mindfulness, Mood, Neurodiversity, PTSD, Public Health Issue, Relationships, Spirituality & Health, Trauma.

The hidden truth about Forgiveness

by Ron Parks, MD

It was early morning when I got a call from the chief of medicine and cardiologist at the community hospital where I was on staff. In a more worried voice, than was usual for him, he said, “Ron, could you stop by my office on your way to make rounds? It’s about your father. With everything I have tried, I can’t stabilize him. We need to make some decisions!” With that, I grabbed my coat and headed out the door. Our chief of medicine was the top cardiologist in the immediate area. When my father, during a visit to our home, had another one of his heart attacks, I had him admitted to our local hospital under the care of an experienced cardiologist.

A group of pictures depicting help from relationships, getting insight, feedback, and perspective.

Relationships for Growth and Perspective

Written by Ron Parks, MD on April 24, 2023. Posted in ADD/ADHD, Asperger Traits, Aspie, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Creativity, Depression, Dyslexia, Getting Things Done, Holistic Approaches to Prevention and Recovery, holistic mental healthcare, Meditation/Mindfulness, Mood, Neurodiversity, Recovery, Relationships, Spirituality & Health, Unique Talent Attributes.

Awareness and receptiveness are essential for wise decisions, perspective, and adaptability.

My valued mentor and the confusing advice

A favorite mentor and advisor, at the end of our final meeting, on my way out from his cozy living room office, with the big glass window looking out on the yard, shaking hands with a big smile, told me, ” Here is my last clinical pearl; never give anyone advice.”

Four pictures of a person meditating in a beautiful ocean setting, a student absorbed in books, a ship on a mystical journey, and a sign of mind full or mindful?

Embracing the essential other for creative fulfillment and well-being

Written by Ron Parks, MD on March 2, 2023. Posted in Commentary on Health and Well-being, Holistic Approaches to Prevention and Recovery, holistic mental healthcare, Holistic Views on Mental Health Issues, Meditation/Mindfulness, neuroscience, Non-duality, Personal Growth, Recovery, Spirituality & Health.

Secretes to rejuvenating a stale, unhappy, and unproductive mind.

The stressful trip

I was preparing for a trip with my wife for a job interview halfway across the country at a prestigious university-affiliated hospital. I received calls several times during the prior year from the hospital recruiter. He was interested in me because of my experience in psychiatry and holistic medicine and the fact that I had worked for one of the leading practitioners of holistic medicine. Because interest and demand for complementary and alternative medicine were at an all-time high, his hospital wanted to set up its own unique department. I was considered a good fit for their needs. They offered me a considerable salary with other perks to make it of interest and value to me. My wife and I were ready to change for growth and new experiences, and my son was finishing his college program, so the timing and offer seemed perfect for us. Of course, it depended on their hiring me for the highly valued position.

Four pictures in a frame of two people caught in a storm and flood crisis are balanced by two images representing balance and composure after surviving the crisis. Pictures and composition done in Canva.

Wise actions when feeling overwhelmed or pushed to the limit

Written by Ron Parks, MD on January 18, 2023. Posted in Commentary on Health and Well-being, Depression, Holistic Approaches to Prevention and Recovery, holistic mental healthcare, Integrative Therapies, Meditation/Mindfulness, PTSD, Recovery, Spirituality & Health, Trauma.

Our life and future happen from the decisive choices and actions we take.

Two terrifying Incidences

To listen to Speechify recording version, click here

In my early life and career, there were two incidences when I thought I would not survive and my future aspirations would be no more. These episodes seemed to happen in the so-called fate of the moment, with the saving grace of surviving a tragic outcome.

One incident reverberated in my mind when I hit the brakes with an almost intuitive decision that reversed what I thought would be a deadly consequence for my wife and me. The near-fatal incident was when I drove south for a vacation with my wife several years after our marriage. We were on a two-lane road with the glow of the future in front of us.

a frame with four colorful pictures suggesting a person having a nightmare with two shots of extremely alarmed people, one hanging from a mountainside, and of a pressure gauge in the red zone

Dreamwork for Insight, Creativity, and Growth

Written by Ron Parks, MD on November 22, 2022. Posted in Anxiety & Panic, Commentary on Health and Well-being, Creativity, Dreamwork, Getting Things Done, holistic mental healthcare, PTSD, Recovery.

The dream is an untapped resource for insight, problem-solving, and self-improvement.

Dreams an Untapped Resource

Dreamwork is a valuable resource and aid in self-help and therapy work. It is a practical and always available tool that supports personal growth, productivity, and mental and emotional health.

A creative young girl building with blocks

Unmasking Neurodiversity to Discover Hidden Talent, and the Authentic Self

Written by Ron Parks, MD on September 20, 2022. Posted in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Commentary on Health and Well-being, Holistic Approaches to Prevention and Recovery, Holistic Views on Mental Health Issues, Meditation/Mindfulness, Mood, Neurodiversity, Non-duality, Public Health Issue, Spirituality & Health, Trauma, Unique Talent Attributes.

The cost of masking, arrogance, and a rigid self-identity; Eight Tips for successfully living the authentic and creative life.

graphic of Earth as a globe made up on multicolored jigsaw pieces making up the whole floating in space

Unlocking Artistry and Creativity

Written by Ron Parks, MD on September 6, 2022. Posted in Asperger Traits, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Children's Mental Health, Creativity, Getting Things Done, Neurodiversity, Neuroplasticity, Unique Talent Attributes.

Conforming, Neurodiversity, and Masking

Ron Parks, MD

Barriers to creativity, artistry, and genius go from very subtle to high-risk, life-threatening circumstances. Obstacles that amplify weaknesses and ignore talents and strengths must be recognized to enhance imagination and ingenuity. The alternative is a surrender to conformity, compromise, and avoidance of risk.

Old leather journal on wood plank table with a favorite pen beside.

Journal Keeping for Health and Productivity

Written by Ron Parks, MD on April 26, 2022. Posted in Addiction, Anxiety & Panic, Depression, Getting Things Done, Grief and Loss, Holistic Approaches to Prevention and Recovery, holistic mental healthcare, Integrative Therapies, Meditation/Mindfulness, Mood, PTSD, Recovery, Spirituality & Health, Trauma.

Purpose, Types, Benefits, and Tips

Journaling is one of the most valuable and accessible self-help tools available.

In times of stress and duress, journaling can help work through some of the most difficult life challenges, such as the death of a spouse with the difficulty that follows.

An award-winning author, grief support advocate, and marketing consultant, Linda Donovan,¹ shares a personal piece about the healing power of journaling in her life as an opening to our exploration of a valuable tool anybody can use. Dr. Parks then continues the narrative about the history and purpose of journaling, how his fascination with it developed, journal types, benefits, eight tips for doing journal keeping, and resources.

Model of two hearts fitting nicely together in a birds nest

Relationships, Conflicts, and War

Written by Ron Parks, MD on March 14, 2022. Posted in Commentary on Health and Well-being, Holistic Approaches to Prevention and Recovery, holistic mental healthcare, Holistic Views on Mental Health Issues, Meditation/Mindfulness, Non-duality, Recovery, Relationships, Spirituality & Health, Trauma.

A prospect for healing and peace for individuals and countries

Ron Parks, MD Feb 25

A Holiday with Meaning

Valentine’s day that passed recently reminds me that there are more profound realities than myself and related busyness. The holiday about love and relationship almost got overlooked, with my over-involvement and preoccupation with what I was doing. Luckily, my wife and something in the news gave a subtle reminder of Valentine’s Day coming. After reflecting on the day’s special significance—love, relationship, and our mutual interdependence—I went into action with roses and a special day together.

Unfortunately, the loveliness of the holiday was diminished by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The dynamics of relationship and choice-making become even more poignant when seeing the tragedy of another war unfolding. I reflected on the relationship between an individual’s emotional and mental functioning and extension to one’s social group, society, or country.

Tag: integrative approaches