CLOSED to new questions AMA September 14-16th with therapists Rory and Stacy
Hi there. My name is soulsings, the ambassador liaison with 7cups therapy program. I am thrilled to introduce an AMA [Ask Me Anything] thread that can help you better understand how 7cups online therapy can help you cope with mental health issues that you experience in your life. Rory Boutilier and Stacy Overton are licensed therapists that provide online therapy services for 7 Cups. They can answer your questions about different mental health challenges in your life. See their bio's at the end of this post!
This format gives you 3 days Sept 14th to 16th (EDT time GMT-5) to ask your question and give them time to answer them. So post your questions now and they will answer them as quickly as they can. Remember this is a 3 day thread, so get your questions in early. They will answer questions in the order received.
Sometimes people ask the same or similar questions, so please read through the questions in this thread before submitting your questions so you can benefit from all the answers presented here and we can limit duplicate questions from happening.
Thanks for participating in this AMA thread. I look forward to your questions and the therapist's answers. If you want to ask a particular therapist to answer your question, start your thread with for Stacy or for Rory
Stacy Overton: Here is a Link to their therapy page https://www.7cups.com/therapists/profiles/Stacy-Overton-StacyOvertonPhD/
BIO: Counseling is about making changes you seek in your life. It is a place that feels safe and is free from any judgment to work through almost any problem. Healing is a process and there are no quick fixes but change is absolutely obtainable with time and motivation. Dr. Stacy has a style that is authentic, direct, and compassionate. She helps individuals identify their values in order to develop skills and discover strengths to lead meaningful, balanced lives. She has over 20 years experience with a variety of populations that include; persons with chronic/acute illness, depression, anxiety, mood disorder, addiction, relationship challenges, divorce, grief/loss, trauma and womens issues. For more of their bio, see link to therapy page above.
Rory Boutilier: Here is a Link to their therapy page https://www.7cups.com/therapists/profiles/Rory-Boutilier-RoryBoutilierRPC/
BIO: Hello! I take a unique approach to helping you reach your goals and I fully believe that therapy is a collaborative process - your success is my success. My focus is on you and your progress in therapy. I have training in short-term/dynamic, cognitive-behavioral, existential, client-centered, and solution-focused therapy models. Whether you are struggling with depression, anxiety, self-harm, life changes, or anything else, my goal is to help you achieve the changes you want to see in your life. I am here to help you in the process by being non-judgemental and unbiased in our work. For more of their bio, see link to therapy page above.
Hi, i have been fighting type 2 bipolar since i was 18yrs old. And I've relapsed 8 times and been institutionalised in over 3 different country's I don't which is worse the deep depression, the hate i feel for myself or the dream of hope im living in when im going through manic stages which turns out to be nightmares im forced to remember for the rest of my life.
I hope that makes sense
Thank you
I have intrusive thoughts mood swings and foggy thoughts what can cause that I went threw abuse last year
Hello, Stacy and Rory. Thank you for doing this for those who need your assistance. It's greatly appreciated. I have a strong tendency to isolate. And, this Covid issue has exacerbated this. It is to the point, if I even have to go to the grocery store I will get such severe anxiety that I put it off until I know it's too late and it is closed, often making myself go without the things I need. Sometimes the panic attacks are so frequent and harsh the thought of having one nearly paralyzes me with fear. Do you have any advice or suggestions about coping mechanisms, etc that I can implement to start functioning better? And, again, thank you so much.
Hello Stacy and Rory
I want to ask that is it possible to overcome depression 100%? I have suffered from depression from past 8 years i feel better now but even small things trigger anxiety and depression. What do you think should be done? How to improve the cognitive skills affected due to depression like memorizing things or calculations? When i feel extremely emotional over my past relationship break up issues i feel the need to talk to someone always, i tend to repell people because of always crying how to handle such things on my own without the need of speaking it out with a person over and over again?
Hi Rory & Stacy,
I was just wondering what to do when you feel absolutely no motivation to do anything. I'm currently in college and it sucks because I have no career aspirations and can't get myself to truly care about anything I learn. My current major is the one I'm interested in the most yet I still can't fully put my efforts into it. It makes it real hard to even try to succeed in my education and learn something. Any help is appreciated, thank you for your time!
Guys,
Glad to have this chance. My question is,
Is Obsessive Rumination a type of OCD? And how serious of a mental disorder is OR?
Hi, I have depression with anxiety, depression and insomnia. Been on antidepressant and sleeping pills for the past 6 months. I am trying to taper off reliance on sleeping pills. But everytime when I try to do that, I couldn't sleep.
Any advice? Thanks in advance 
Which therapeutic activities most effectively help humans to restructure our brains?
Which environmental factors are most likely to cause humans brains to restructure themselves in bad ways?
Are there any serious agency problems you believe we should be worrying about in the pharmaceutical industry?
What makes human intelligence unique?
What are the relationships between survival instincts and our cognitions?
Hey I resigned my teaching job due to Covid concerns affecting my health and my husband's. Realized the holidays are coming up and we know our children are staying elsewhere and not in our home but I'm concerned about it we should even have Thanksgiving get together or not. There will be 10 with one being a newborn who will come October. It will break my heart not seeing them. I just don't know what to do. They do take precautions. Well the mother-in-law does not as much and she and husband will be there too. Any ideas?
@goodWalker4788
Hi GoodWalker4788! I know the upcoming holidays are going to be especially hard for people who haven't had a chance to see family or spend time with loved ones. Unfortunately you are the only one who can make a decision in regards to how you want to handle regular traditions when it comes to family. I know a lot of people are trying to stay safe and and be creative in regards to family and it's hard to know if seeing everyone is worth the risk. I think I if I were you I would chat with other family members and evaluate who might be considered high risk before making a decision. I hope that helps.
Stacy
@goodWalker4788
May you can do dinner outside if it's warm enough or do a social distance kind of dinner where you stay 6-9 feet apart. You could not have the baby come at all if there's someone to watch her or if one of the parents is willing to forgo Thanksgiving dinner. You could do a Thanksgiving thing like on Zoom or Facebook where you talk and or play games for an hour or two. I am sure this is hard but love always finds a way do what you feel is best for all.
@ndbassett40. Being outside would be a great option. I just live where weather is so unpredictable. Last week we had 90's then a sudden cold front dropped temps down to 32! My husband and I are most vulnerable honestly. Well him more than me. I just hate this freaking Pandemic
Hello I am a new member my name is Amanda, and I just have been feeling very depressed and emotional and need some type of support system minus the judgement.
@Amandap3
Hi, Amanda. I'm new as well. It can be challenging finding support and encouragement with understanding and without judgment. I am so sorry you sre experiencing this. 7cups seems to be very empathetic and takes very seriously each individuals right and need to open up and share without interruption or judgment. I too experience depression, as a part of my disorders. I recommend joining a group on here in which you identify and participating in a sharing circle. The listeners take their duties very seriously and will ensure people are respectful and follow the rules. You also may post me to talk by tagging me in it. I am not on here constantly but will check back.
Hello! @Amandap3
Welcome to cups! This is a wonderful place to find additional support. The best way to find support (and hopefully nonjudgmental support) is to get involved. You can talk to a trained listener or join one of our regular forums. If you feel like you need additional support you can always sign up to talk to one of the therapists. We are all licensed professionals and are here to help any way we can
Stacy
@Amandap3
