Mental Health Professional

Peggy, I want to climb the tallest mountain, speak the loudest, or push the farthest,” I might tell my friend, Peggy B.

And depending on the topic, “Well, I am not sure about that,” Peggy B has been known to respond to my adventurous ideas.

More than 20 years ago my life was blessed when I met Peggy B at our neighborhood Bible Study Fellowship Class.

Our daughters, who are about a month apart in age, went to middle school and high school together, and she was a person with whom I really wanted to form a friendship.

For several years we got together weekly in our homes as our schedules allowed, so we could pray for our husbands, children, and world events.

It is a huge under-statement to say that Peggy B has, does, and will continue to bless my life with vast wisdom and knowledge.

She also laughs heartily with me about the many humorous events we see in our daily lives.

So as you look at the title of this blog, you may wonder: “What does Peggy B have to do with mental health professionals?”

Good question. During the earlier days of our association, Peggy herself often visited qualified counselors for help dealing with personal challenges.  Her positive experiences led to her choose her own profession as a Licensed Family and Marriage Therapist (LFMFT).

She’s applied what she knows to me more than once.

For example, when she realized I wanted to make decisions for whether my Mother got out of her house more, Peggy B politely told me to butt out of it: “Athalene, you are NOT responsible for your mother’s social life.”  

And because I was too shocked by this to utter a sound, she quickly repeated it. “Did you hear me? I said you are not responsible for whether she has a social life.”

Another time when discussing a documentary on a former President, Peggy B told me, “I think you are too naïve. I would have expected you to see through the comments made about him.”

“ Ah, ahumpf, bttt,” I spluttered because her reaction rang true. And I knew it took a true friend to be that honest with me.

I am certain she is highly professional with her clients, although she will remain honest. I don’t know if they realize how fortunate they are to work with her.

She is a real person.

I appreciate the standards and qualities of many mental health professionals in and around my city, Wichita. They know much about their fields, and they follow the high ethical standards associated with their professions.

When it comes to ADHD, I recommend my clients seek additional help or get diagnosed from one of our truly exceptional mental health specialists. I even reserve the right to recommend the name of the one of the best in our community for special cases.

For one reason, I want people who suspect they are persons with ADHD to have a diagnosis that is as accurate as possible.

If persons with ADHD take medications, I want them to work with physicians who truly know and understand the science of medications. As one psychiatrist told me, “It is not exact for every person. We must work on an individual basis.”

Most importantly, it is important that whether they work with their physician, a counselor, therapist, psychologist, or a psychiatrist, learning skills that move them along in life is more important than the pills they take.

It’s more about the skills than the pills.

At McNay&Voth ADHD Services, we exist to help persons with ADHD move forward in life while living up to their vast potentials. We do not counsel or offer therapy, but we do offer coaching that is proven to help persons set and meet personal goals.

If you or friends are interested in knowing more about ADHD coaching, please contact us at www.coachadhd.com or 316-771-7557. We would love to hear from you.

If you want to contact me to hear stories about my wonderful friend, Peggy B, please contact me. I would love to share.