Dr Bill Tollefson interviews kimh039
A Counselor delves into her professional field- and more- on HubPages
1. How did you find out about HubPages and what made you decide to join?
I was wondering that myself a few weeks ago! I honestly don’t remember. I would imagine I was looking for something else, and came upon HubPages accidentally.
2. What do you like most about writing on HubPages?
I like that we can publish instantly. I used to get Writer’s Market books, and learned how manuscripts had to be formatted (back in the day of manual typewriters and carbon paper), and which magazines, editors and publishers were interested in what kind of writing. The work to reward ratio was not very favorable.
I also like that I am learning about topics that I wouldn’t ordinarily learn about on my own, because I have a relationship with a writer who might share an interest with me on one topic, but has other interests and experiences that he or she writes about that I don’t share or that I know little about. A prime example that comes to mind is TonyMac04. We share some interests in psychology and communication topics, and he writes about his experiences in South Africa; and we both have granddaughters named Sophia. I knew very little about South Africa until I “met” Tony, but because we have a relationship on HubPages, I am interested in learning something about what interests Tony and what has influenced Tony; so I read one of his Hubs and learn about the culture and history of South Africa in the process.
I would like to say that I like that my writing skills are improving, but I don’t have any evidence of that. I may have worked harder at perfecting my Hubs early on than I do now! That might be the downside of instant publication. I am thinking more like a writer. When I am busy doing something, I often get an idea and think, “That would make a good Hub.” Or I’ll want to know more about something and will start gathering research or writing down ideas. I have definitely learned a lot about writing; about fiction plots and character development, ways to engage a reader, working through writer’s block, etc.
Lastly, I value the social and intellectual interaction here at HubPages. I love it when a reader leaves a thought provoking comment, or offers new information or insights that I hadn’t considered or a different perspective on an issue. I like reading other writers’ perspectives and looking at the world from someone else’s point of view.
2. I love the animated video that you posted on your profile page. Can you tell us why you chose that format as your initial introduction to potential readers and followers and how other Hubbers could make such a video?
I first used the videos for my Hub on Climate Change and Human Health. I like to keep my profile page short so my Hubs can be viewed easily. I kept writing a profile page that read more like a professional resume. Because I write a lot of non-fiction, I do want people to know something of my professional background, if they are interested. I don’t like to share a lot of personal information online for safety and privacy reasons. I came up with the idea of making a profile video and adding it as a link on my profile page. It was a good solution.
If you can navigate HubPages, you can make a video. I use Xtranormal movie maker, and then publish the video on YouTube, so I can use them on HubPages. Here is a video I just made of part of our interview. The instructions at Xtranormal are user friendly, but here is an instructional video, just to give an overview of what is involved. There is a “create video” button on the site that will get you started.
Basically you make a few selections such as which avatar(s) you want to use, the scene, voices and background sounds you want in the video, and then you type your text, choose some camera angles and insert facial expressions and body movements. When you submit your work, the website makes the video and puts your written text into the voice you selected. You can then publish the video on YouTube.
3. Your profile page has a link to “My Online Shoppes” and says that is your cyber mega mall. Can you explain what a cyber mega mall is and would you recommend that other Hubbers consider creating one?
My Online Shoppes is a website with links to hundreds of online stores. For that reason, I call it a cyber mega mall. I have affiliate accounts through Google’s Affiliate Network with all these stores. It works just like amazon.com; if someone buys something, I get a commission. Frankly, when I “built” it, I was hoping to cash in on the trend toward increased online shopping and decreased mall traffic as explained in my Hub How We Shop Now: Post Recession Shopping Behavior. I used to spend more time maintaining the site, updating coupons and discounts, linking ads to other sites, tweeting, etc. – especially right before Christmas. Now I keep more permanent and less seasonal links so it is lower maintenance. It has been a valuable learning experience; not so much a profitable business venture.
4. You are a licensed clinical counselor and addictions counselor. Can you tell us about your professional background and how it informs your Hubs? Do you have a favorite Hub that you’ve written in the area of mental health and if so, which Hub is it and why is it so special to you?
I am very mindful when I publish a Hub of who might be reading the Hub and how it might affect them. I am conscientious that my facts are correct first of all. I am also careful about how I communicate trauma issues and other sensitive topics.
There are some interesting statistics on the co-occurrence of substance use disorders and trauma, for example. Sixty percent of women and forty percent of men in treatment for a substance use disorder also have a trauma history – that either pre dates their use or occurred as a consequence of their use. It is very important that they gain coping skills before they begin their trauma work and while they are in substance abuse treatment. Coping skills can help them stay sober and help them manage urges that might be triggered by trauma symptoms. If they don’t stay sober they can’t address their trauma issues and if they don’t address their trauma issue they can’t stay sober. For this reason, I focus on skills and acknowledge that trauma symptoms might be present or I may mention a type of trauma without going into vivid details about the trauma that might be a trigger for someone.
Because I also have a background in Preventive Medicine which is concerned with public health, I think of substance abuse, mental health, criminality, violence and suicide as preventable public health problems that affect us all profoundly. Increasing public knowledge and awareness about these topics can help people make more informed choices and can enhance motivation for change. On the other hand, I avoid sounding “preachy” and judgmental about these issues because I firmly believe acceptance is healing and rejection is toxic. So, on the one hand I am very directly confronting harmful social behaviors and, on the other hand, communicating compassion, understanding and acceptance for the person with the behavior, and their loved ones.
I often write about topics that are based on new research that is being announced by NIMH, SAMHSA, NIDA, NIH, HHS or CDC websites. I use my understanding of research and scientific methods, and kind of translate from “research-ese” to everyday language, and put the knowledge in an everyday context. I wrote a couple Hubs on some promising research on the future potential for developing fast acting antidepressants Scopolamine and Ketamine and explained why this research is important and who will be affected by it.
I wrote one Hub, Shocking News About Psychiatric Medications and Treatment, as rebuttal to a Hubber who was publishing very sensationalizing but inaccurate information about psychiatric treatments and medications. I thought her Hubs were intentionally sensationalized and overly commercial and were contributing to the stigma that prevents people who need help from getting the help they need. As a result, I also increased my own awareness that there are some injustices and client rights violations that do need some “air time.”
5. You also write many Hubs that are unrelated to your profession, including some short stories and poems. Can you tell us what your favorite fiction or poetry Hub is and why it’s so special to you?
In addition to my counseling background, I had US Army training in Preventive Medicine and have an undergraduate degree in Business Administration and Economics. I am currently working in an administrative position in Managed Behavioral Health Care, and practicing part time in the evening. So, I also write Hubs about health, health care and managed health care as well as some business and technology Hubs. I have a few road trip Hubs, two short stories and several poems.
I plan to write more short stories and have been learning more about character and plot development in fiction. The two short stories were my first efforts at fiction writing. My all time favorite poem is A Story of Two Hubbers. It’s a short, fun poem about, well, two Hubbers! A lot of readers enjoyed Ode to Epigramman, probably because a lot of readers enjoy Epigramman’s epigrams. Some of my poetry is light and comical, and others are deeper and more complex self expressions that are hard to put into words or that I just want to experience and get in touch with. Nothing Is All There Is is a poem about nothingness that became the first Hub in a series about nothingness and nihilism, and that led to some excellent philosophical discussions.
6. Your Hub, “The Trouble With Suicide and Extreme Emotional Distress” was tagged by HubPages as being an inappropriate topic for ad placement but you kept it published as a public service which was great because the article is extremely well written and documented. Were you surprised when the ads were pulled? Do you feel that HubPage’s restrictive policy on ad placement in Hubs about suicide and domestic violence discourages hubbers from writing about these important topics? [Editor's note: ads are turned off for Hubs that do not meet Google's AdSense Program policies. HubPages adheres to, but does not determine, those policies]
Actually, the moderators did turn the advertisements back on. I have to be careful about editing that Hub, because when I do, I have to ask the moderators to re-set it for advertisements. There is a procedure to follow to have ads re-enabled. I understand the policy. Suicide is one of those sensitive topics that if not properly presented can actually encourage suicide, and can understandably be upsetting to someone who survives a loved one’s suicide. Thanks for the compliment?
7. Have you noticed any decrease in traffic to your Hubs since the changes in the Google search engine formula went into effect? Do you think HubPage’s decision to switch all of us into our own subdomains will help restore traffic to quality Hubs?
I don’t know if my traffic decreased as a result of the changes. When I went on vacation in April/May, I didn’t publish any Hubs and when I came back I didn’t publish for awhile. I took a break that already had decreased traffic before the changes were made. I don’t know much about the subdomain issue except that I now have one. I hope some of the spammy and low quality Hubs that are just used for traffic and a quick buck disappear as a result!
8. Do you use backlinks, blogs and search engine optimization to enhance traffic to your Hubs?
I blog, twitter, feed, digg, reddit, stumble upon, red gage, she told me, best review, google reader and google buzz, selfgrowth.com, listorius, wordpress, and more. Basically, once I publish a Hub I go to those sites and create links back to the Hub and send tweets and update google reader and buzz. [Editor's note: HubPages only advises doing this in moderation and so long as one also shares other links and is generally active on these other sites]
9. Do you have any final comments or advice for fellow Hubbers?
Thanks for the interview, Dr Bill. Thanks to fellow Hubbers and readers for reading, writing, commenting, supporting, encouraging and being there.
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