Independent Perspective #1627

Guest:  Naomi Taylor

Topic:  Mental Health PEER Connection Family virtual support groups

Duration:  05:36

Published:  January 7, 2021

Host:  Welcome to Independent Perspective, a public affairs presentation of Western New York Independent Living. Our guest today is Naomi Taylor, Family Support Specialist with Mental Health PEER Connection. And I'm your host Ernie Churchwell. Welcome to the program, Naomi.

Guest:  Thanks for having me, Ernie.

Host:  It's our pleasure. As many people know we're having to do alternative means of providing service, because of the Covid 19 pandemic and Mental Health PEER Connection has risen to the occasion with a number of virtual support groups that people can attend from the safety of their own homes, and we're pleased to have you on because you’re a facilitator for three of them. So, we're going to cover a lot of territory in the next few minutes. To do it one at a time, could you tell us about the Friends and Family. Smart Recovery, and smart is an acronym. What does that stand for?

Guest:  Well, I'm not really 100% sure what Smart Recovery stands for at the moment, off the top of my head. But what it is, is a, a peer run cognitive behavioral self-support group. In these groups we learn how to build social support and peer networks, how to have communications with loved ones that are suffering with substance abuse behavior in an assertive but non-confrontational way. They also learn how to set healthy boundaries, manage emotional upsets, and we also talk a lot about the importance of self-care, and its value in the relationship.

Host:  Very good. And so, we don't have, could you tell us first, that this meets on a regular time each week. Can you tell us when that is?

Guest:  Sure, we have two days that the Smart Recovery meeting meets, on Mondays at 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. and on Thursdays from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m.

Host:  And I guess if people get in touch with you and register, you can give them the contact information so they can participate. And, but we still have two more to cover; what takes place in your Creative Thinking which I gather is also for family and friends of people who are recovering from substance abuse?

Guest:  Correct, yes. A lot of times when families are involved with individuals that suffer with substance abuse behaviors, we tend to think in black and white patterns, and we lose creativity. We forget about the fun things in life. And together we can learn how to think outside of the box in creative, creative manners to have fun in our lives again to enjoy every moment as best as is possible.

Host:  Oh, that sounds exciting and useful and when does that meet?

Guest:  We Think Outside the Box meets every Tuesday from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Host:  All right. And last but not least, you also do Communication is Key. And that sounds like a very important principle, how does it work for you guys?

Guest:  Well, through my own recovery from family dysfunction and family addiction, I've learned that communication between both parties and the family as a whole is key to finding ourselves again, to learning how to be together as a team and not against each other. So, we learn how to talk to one another. How to meet each other, where we are to acceptance and how to talk about our needs in a relationship.

Host:  All right, and if you could give us the dates and times that that group meets?

Guest:  Sure, Communication is Key meets every Wednesday afternoon from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.

Host:  Boy talk about a smorgasbord of self-help that you're providing to people, while keeping them safe simultaneously but they do need to register to get that contact information. How can they reach you?

Guest:  Sure, they can reach me at 716-836-0822 extension, 164, or shoot me an email at ntaylor@wnyl.org

Host:  Terrific. Well, I'm sure you'll be getting tons of calls from that and thank you for sharing all this good news with us. Thanks for being with us, Naomi.

Guest:  Thanks for having me, Ernie.

Host:  You’ve been listening to Independent Perspective, a public affairs presentation of Western New York Independent Living. Our guest today was Naomi Taylor, Family Support Specialist with Mental Health PEER Connection and your host was yours truly, Ernie Churchwell.