Martha Ruske, MFT
Recovery Life Coaching
Free Resources - Links
As a librarian, I've watched the information explosion happen, and seen the Internet, more and more, supplant books as our main way of getting information. I think that's unfortunate because BOTH sources of information are valuable if you pick and choose well.
Here are some links that I have found to be useful. I have divided them into categories:
- Recovery-Related Articles
- General Well-Being
- Sites Providing Free Tools
- Small Business Resources
- Sites Linking to Intentional Path
Enjoy and don't forget to visit the Bookstore too!
"Life Coaching in Addiction Counseling: how to get the most from the 12 steps," by Dr. Patrick Williams. In Counselor, the Magazine for Addiction Professionals, December 2002.
The author unfortunately uses phrases such as "falling off the wagon," and "addictive personality," but in general it's a good article.
"Third Stage Recovery: a transformational model of treatment and healing for the 21st century," by Jacquelyn Small. In Counselor, the Magazine for Addiction Professionals, June 2004.
Dr. Weil
The site is a resource for healthy living based on an integrative medicine philosophy. It addresses all matters of health, mind/body/spirit, aging, supplements, and more.
Hypoglycemic Health Association of Australia
Site dense with information on hypoglycemia and insulin resistance. Includes a questionnaire to test yourself for hypoglycemia (in lieu of the glucose tolerance test), hypoglycemic diet guidelines, and information on the connection of hypoglycemia to alcoholism.
Lessons For Living
This site includes good articles on attitude, emotions, midlife, depression, stress, labyrinths, and the enneagram.
Place of Hope
This is Dr. Gregory L. Jantz's site for the Center for Counseling and Health Resources, Inc. It focuses on eating disorders, and addictions, using a "whole person" approach. There is a good online store of reasonably-priced books and audiocassettes.
America on the Move
AOM encourages 2 small changes per day: take 2000 more steps and eat 100 fewer calories. You can record your daily steps (using a pedometer) or exercise minutes, then view your progress on the Appalachian Trail, Highway 50, the Alaskan Highway, or the Lewis and Clark Trail, where steps and minutes are converted into miles.
Authentic Happiness
Martin E.P. Seligman has studied the factors that promote happiness –i.e. “positive psychology.” This link goes directly to a page of questionnaires that measure character strengths and aspects of happiness. There is a free registration form to complete in order to have access. See especially the "VIA Signature Strengths Survey."
Enneagram Institute
The Enneagram is a personality system that describes 9 distinct patterns of thinking, feeling, and acting. This link goes directly to a page of tests, the first of which is the free “RHETI Sampler”.
Learning Meditation
This link goes directly to the "Meditation Room," which provides audiolinks to guided meditations of varying lengths.
Tapas Acupressure Technique
Download a free workbook that explains how to do TAT: a healing tool which combines lightly holding a few acupressure points on your head while putting your attention on a problem.
Action Plan Marketing
Robert Middleton helps service professionals who looking to market their services. He wrote the excellent InfoGuru Marketing Manual. His materials give very clear, step-by-step instructions. I like his approach because it is focused on the needs of the client and service to the client. Giving, not getting.
Heart of Business
Mark Silver is a wonderful business coach. He uses a combination of business coaching, spiritual healing, and entrepreneurial training to bring fast results. He’ll help you incorporate the techniques in the InfoGuru Marketing Manual.
Healthy Web Design
Dawud Miracle is a pleasure to work with. He really strives to get an understanding of your business so that your site will be congruent with who you are and what you are trying to present. He takes the stress out of website building!
Sites linking to Intentional Path:
Healthy Place
Consumer mental health site, providing information on psychological disorders and psychiatric medications from both a consumer and an expert point of view. There is an addictions community with chat rooms, forums, and other resources.
Mental Health Matters
Provides detailed information on mental health issues and disorders. They are building a good section on self-help resources which includes anger management, self-esteem, stress relief, etc.
Self Growth
Supersite for self-improvement and personal growth. Includes articles and links on addiction and recovery.
Sterba
Business listings for Marin, Napa, Sonoma, San Francisco, Mendocino, and Lake counties, California.