Mental Health Consulting Services for the Media: movies, TV, newspapers, and magazines
Television Interviews
CW 33--interview regarding self-injury and the self-injury support/therapy group. Interview aired on May 27, 2009. http://www.the33tv.com/news/kdaf-self-injury-story,0,4258734.story
CBS 11 also interviewed Ms. Vann and a teen regarding self-injury. Air date Monday, June 15th at 10pm. http://cbs11tv.com/health/teenage.cutting.burning.2.1045657.html
KERA Ch. 13 interviewed Ms. Vann as an expert for their upcoming documentary on teenage girls and relationships and will be on a panel during the screening of the documentary in October http://www.kera.org/blogs/boyfriends/?page_id=190
FILM (3): Ms. Vann served as a mental health consultant for a movie on relationships and was filmed discussing relationship issues. The film is called RELATIONSHIPS 901 by Steven Riznyk. http://vimeo.com/11178301. It is also on YouTube.
Ms. Vann served as a consultant for another film that depicts mental health issues called Better Lived Than Dreamed by Brandon Marshall.
Script consultant for a PSA (public service announcement) on Depression for Ali Ritzi.
Internet Film (4): Filmed for 4 video segments for WomanAnew website on topics of self-injury, sexual abuse/rape, communication issues, and boundaries.
Radio:
11/12/09: Interview on Cheating for www.Talk97.com
11/13/09: Interview on Manipulation in Relationships/boundaries on www.XandYCommunications.net and www.Deservewhatyouwant.com
Co-host of call-in radio show Choices for KWRD (2000-2001)
Co-writer and voice for 2 radio ads on KLTY 94.9, 1 ad for KDGE 102.1, & 1 ad for Mix 102.9. Ms. Vann has recorded a total of 4 radio ads that have run on terrestial radio and streaming online. If you would like, I can send you copies of the ads.
Magazine Interviews(2)
Health To You for Hospital Corporation of America: article Spring 2010
Article focuses on teen stress, risk factors, and what parents can do to help.
Chattanooga Parenting: Opening the door: The whens, wheres, and hows of talking to your teen by Janis Hashe, February 2010
"Parents forget what it is like to be a teenager," says Lori Vann, a licensed professional counselor. Every little thing is just so huge. And tone of voice matters. Speaking to a teen is not like speaking to a second grader."
"Whatever the subject, keep guilt and drama out of the conversation, advises Lori Vann. Anger, and comments like, 'How could you do this to me?' just drive the problem deeper," she says. "Remember to love the sinner, but not the sin."
Newspaper Interviews (5)
Lewisville Leader Newspaper article that ran on May 27, 2009.
YOUTH NEWS
Self-injury support group offered for teenage girls
SUBMITTED REPORT
For desperate teenage girls overwhelmed with emotions that they cannot express, deliberate self injury is becoming an increasingly popular and dangerous form of self expression.
Lori Vann, licensed professional counselor supervisor, has formed the DFW Self-Injury Support Group, which is designed for teenage females, ages 13 to 18, who need extra support as they try to deal with and overcome their urges to injure themselves.
Those participating can share what coping skills have been helpful for them, in addition to learning new skills from the therapist. The service offers part therapy and part support group.
Meetings are scheduled for June 13, June 27, and July 11 at the Lewisville Church of Christ, located at 901 College Parkway in Lewisville. Girls who plan to attend should call 214-270-6966 to register. The cost is $20 per session. Sessions are 75 minutes long.
"Self injury, also referred to as self abuse, self mutilation and self harm, is an often misunderstood and misdiagnosed problem," Vann said. "Individuals who participate in this harmful coping skill may also struggle with depression, bipolar, obsessive-compulsive disorder, substance abuse, eating disorders, perfectionism/control issues, anxiety disorders, and have a history of abuse (physical, emotional, and sexual)."
Vann was a professor of psychology for both the Collin County and Dallas County college districts. She has studied self injury for more than nine years and has worked with more than 125 individuals who have some history of self harm. She has given more than 20 presentations on self injury throughout the Metroplex.
The Carrollton Leader Newspaper--August 12, 2009
The Colony Courier Newspaper ran the same story on August 19, 2009
http://www.planostar.com/articles/2009/08/24/the_colony_courier-leader/news/443.txt
Local support group spotlights self-injury
http://www.scntx.com/articles/2009/08/12/carrollton_leader/news/06.txt
In her nine years of counseling self-injurers, Vann said the most common reason is that the emotional pain can be so bad that the physical pain is a release for it. It is estimated that 20 percent of teens have self-injured at some point in their lives.
Vann defines self-injury as the intentional harming of yourself, usually for emotional reasons.
“It can take a lot of different forms,” she said. “The most common is cutting. There’s also scratching or rubbing, burning, piercing the skin with different objects.” Vann said guys often go with more violent methods of self-injury such as burning, hitting objects, or using objects to hit themselves. “It’s downplayed, but they are doing it intentionally,” she said.
She said forearms are the most common spot for injury, along with the shoulders, chest area and legs. She suggests parents approach with caution if they suspect their teen is self-injuring.
“They have to watch their emotional state,” Vann said. “One of the biggest mistakes is parents become accusatory. They get mad at them. If a parent doesn’t feel they can control themselves, they should seek out a counselor.”
“If they’re feeling angry… I have them either write a letter or journal about the situation or person they’re really ticked off about,” she said. “Then they take that letter and rip it up.”
Vann said self-injury can continue into adulthood if not treated.
“Some may ‘grow out of it,’ but if they didn’t work on issues that led to it, it will continue into adulthood,” she said. “Self injury can become addictive.”
Cost is $20 per session and receipts will be provided. Call 214-270-6966 to register. For information, visit lorivann.com.