Joan Walz
My blogs
| Gender | Female |
|---|---|
| Industry | Consulting |
| Occupation | Social Health Coach |
| Location | Kitsap, Seattle, Washington, United States |
| Introduction | I taught the first behavioral/cognitive classes in the United States at the University of Washington, Dept. of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences. It was the first program in the United States that applied these new therapies to patients' everyday lives. They attended classes in stress management, conflict resolution, parenting skills, dealing with depression, assertiveness training, couples communication, social anxiety and phobias. These were behavioral/cognitive/speech communication skills. It was asserted that people could make dramatic changes; they were not permanently trapped in a personality type, or permanent behaviors.They could make dramatic personal changes, if they had the knowledge and tools to be their own coach and change agent.These were the beginning programs in integrative medicine, or psycho-neuro-immunology. I trained there for 10 years. Assertiveness skills and social skills have a huge impact on loneliness. Social isolation is a health problem on a par with high blood pressure, smoking, diet,and lack of exercise as a risk factor for illness and early death.You can increase social health, and I can teach you how to do it. |
| Interests | Reading, helping people develop friendships and reduce social anxiety. Gardening flowers, walks and small hikes (creaky knees!), investing |
| Favorite Movies | The More the Merrier, You Can't Take it With You, Lady for a Day |
| Favorite Music | Big Band, Soft Jazz, and on Saturday night- Polka Music to dance to! |
| Favorite Books | Right now? Methland The Death and Life of an American Small Town, by Nick Reding, Who Stole the American Dream by Hedrick Smith, and Nomadland by Jessica Bruder |
What's the biggest challenge facing you this year?