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April 09 Issue - Employee Monthly Magazine SpotlightNew EAP counselor promotes positive thinking
One of Elisa Enriquez’ favorite relaxation
techniques is yoga. Photo by Sandra Valdez
What’s behind Elisa Enriquez’s sunny smile? “Positive thinking,” claims Enriquez. The new counselor in the Lab’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) said that although people don’t have control over much of what worries them, they can control how they think about it. “You can either see situations as problems that threaten to overwhelm you, or you can view them as opportunities for growth,” she said. Positive reframing is just one of the many tools for healthy living that Enriquez, a licensed independent clinical social worker, has to offer Lab employees. Enriquez, who speaks both English and Spanish, holds a master’s degree in social work from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Central Florida. Enriquez has extensive experience in cognitive-behavioral therapy and in interpersonal skill building, such as assertiveness and anger-management training. Working at the EAP allows her and the other counselors to provide Lab employees with a plethora of free and confidential counseling services, she said. “Some people have the perception that EAP counselors help primarily with mental and behavioral conditions, but that’s not so,” Enriquez said. “A big part of the counseling we do is helping people build skills to enhance their work experience, nurture relationships in the workplace and at home, and manage stress.” Stress-relieving techniques include biofeedback, taught by James Barber, and classes, such as “Dealing with Stress During Uncertain Times,” taught by Amy Anderson. While experienced in longer-term therapy, Enriquez said she particularly enjoys conducting solution-focused and brief therapies that enable clients to identify problems and come up with practical solutions in 10 sessions or less. Prior to joining the Lab, Enriquez worked as a psychotherapist with Los Alamos Family Council and as a behavior therapist in Santa Fe. She relaxes by doing yoga, hiking, singing, and listening to the sound of water. Contact Enriquez at 7-9676 or elisae@lanl.gov by e-mail. --Tatjana K. Rosev Other Headlines
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