Recently producer Harvey Weinstein was led handcuffed into a Manhattan courtroom, formally charged with rape and sexual assault. It was the culmination of months of investigation into his decades of abhorrent behavior toward women, stemming from the October New York Times exposé that brought the Hollywood mogul’s empire crashing down and kick-started the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements.
How often to do you think about your relationship? What do you think is important in a relationship? What makes a relationship good? People often list things like trust, communication, or intimacy, and there are countless theories of love that try to get at the secret ingredients of a good relationship. One popular theory is Sternberg’s Triangular Theory of Love:
The stigma associated with abortion, many times, brings a lack of empathy and understanding of others with judgement and preconceived biases. But the hard decision to end an unplanned pregnancy is personal and varied, and those who have had to make that difficult decision go through a wide range of emotions, most notably guilt AND grief.
"Sleep is the golden chain that ties health and our bodies together." -- Thomas Dekker
Is there a link between Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and sleep disorders in children?
Alana Urness is a board-certified family nurse practitioner who specializes in managing both acute and chronic mental health conditions in individuals of all ages.
Alexia utilizes a variety of therapeutic approaches including Solution-Focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and Gottman Method Couples Therapy.
Amy is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years of experience working with individuals, couples, and families. She provides care in both in-person and telehealth settings, utilizing a collaborative and personalized approach.
Andrew Troxel utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).
Emotional support animals (ESAs) have become a particularly touchy subject lately. Earlier this year, air carriers Delta and United announced more stringent guidelines regarding ESAs on board their aircraft. In March, sources at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development hinted that the Department is considering doing the same, which could potentially make it more difficult for a tenant or homeowner to use the ESA designation to possess an animal in a property with a no-pets policy.
Ann-Marie is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) who specializes in substance and alcohol abuse, mood, and anxiety disorders.
“It’s a rough world out there, people. Try to hang on.”
Actor and comedian David Spade tweeted those words in the hours following the death of his sister-in-law, renowned fashion designer Kate Spade, who died on June 5 of an apparent suicide.
Our culture focuses a great deal of advertising dollars on encouraging us to celebrate our joys, comfort our sorrows and soothe our stressors with the perfect food items. While indulging in our favorite treat or comfort food can bring temporary comfort and relief from uncomfortable emotions, using food as our only method of self-soothing can leave us feeling guilty and depressed. In addition, the accompanying weight gain that sometimes can follow a “food binge” can bring on self-loathing and self-recrimination.
Do you look on Facebook and often become envious of experiences others have posted about? Do you hesitate to make plans to keep your options open in case a more exciting invitation comes along? Do you constantly check your email or text in the middle of interactions with your family or friends?
Several years while on vacation, I read Daring Greatly by Brene’ Brown and it changed my life. I connected with so many of the things she was writing about – perfection, shame, vulnerability - and found myself using the book as a roadmap for “showing up and being seen” in my life.
Arnulfo Mogato Jr. is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner specializing in treating adults with anxiety, depression, and mood disorders.
Ashleigh is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), and National Certified Counselor (NCC). She has been working as a counselor since 2018 and brings experience from a variety of settings, including inpatient care, intensive outpatient programs (IOP), and partial hospitalization programs (PHP).
Ashley utilizes strengths-based perspective, psychodynamic theory, DBT, and CBT therapy.
If you had to put a number on it, how much do you feel like your partner listens or pays attention to you? How much do you listen and pay attention to your partner? Feeling listened to, heard, and understood are vital parts of communication
Ava works with clients aged 15+ across the lifespan in the treatment of anxiety, panic attacks, depression, mood disorders, bipolar disorder, PTSD, OCD, ADHD, and addiction.
Nearly 93% of households with school aged children reported some form of distance learning during the Covid-19 pandemic (US Census Bureau, 2020). As children prepare to make the transition back to an in-person learning environment, which has a plethora of benefits including peer motivation, social interaction, and an overall better structured learning environment; The transition also may come with some mental health challenges including social anxiety, lack of social skills, and fear.
June is LGBTQ Pride month in much of the United States. The month of June is chosen for the many festivities celebrating LGBTQ people because it coincides with the Stonewall riots of 1969. Many cities hold parades and festivals to combat the shame and stigma that exists against LGBTQ people.
Gottlieb explores her personal journey in psychotherapy as she cleverly weaves together several clinical case studies of clients she is treating. These clinical case studies include a seemingly egocentric television producer, an elderly woman facing depression and shame, a newlywed suddenly diagnosed with cancer, and a young woman navigating love and alcohol use.
Phillips provides psychiatric care for all ages, specializing in the treatment of ADHD, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia with medication management and therapy.
It’s that time of year where we take stock and plan for the future. You may want to focus time on budgeting this year. As a CPA and mother of 3, I have some great tips to start the process and get you thinking.
If you look around your surroundings on any given day, most likely you notice a majority of people are focused only on their cell phone – people walking across city streets; couples in restaurants not interacting with each other but in fact looking at their phones; parents not being present with their children but instead looking on the Internet.
Studies have found that spending quality time together gives families the opportunity to be present with each other and strengthen relationship bonds. Family vacations are a great way to take a break from day-to-day responsibilities, explore other cultures, and create life-time memories.
Carissa utilizes Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness Based Therapy, Emotion-Focused, and Solution-Focused Therapy modalities.
Cassandra uses diverse therapies like CBT, narrative, psychodynamic, mindfulness, DBT, reality, solution-focused brief therapy, and crisis intervention to suit client needs.
Christina focuses on educating clients about medication management and developing individualized treatment plans. Her goal is to provide evidence-based care that addresses each client's unique needs and promotes long-term well-being.
For parents who are separated or divorced, navigating child custody and visitation can be challenging even in the best circumstances. In times of stress such as the COVID-19 pandemic, everything can suddenly become more complicated.
“All children, except one, grow up,” reads the opening line of J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan. The one to whom it refers, of course, is Peter, the boy who was determined to hold onto his youth at all costs.
Half of all adults in the United States have at least one chronic illness. This can range from around 20% of people ages 45 to 64 and jumps to 80% of people over the age of 65. With these rates, about 45% of adults help aid a loved one with a chronic condition at some point in their life. Chronic illnesses are those that are not immediately curable and are present for an extended period of time. Some of the most common examples in the United States include diabetes, chronic headaches or migraine, epilepsy, arthritis, and asthma.
You probably don’t need a therapist to tell you that your environment has a huge impact on your mood and overall well-being. Just think about it, most of us start and end our day at home. A clean, well-thought out environment can help us feel calm and grounded. While a messy, disorganized home can distract us from feeling present and connected. Being more mindful of your environment can help reduce anxiety and low mood. Not sure where to start? No worries! Grab your favorite snack and let's talk about 5 ways you can create a peaceful space at home.
Dr. Dalal is a board-certified psychiatrist specializing in the treatment of substance and alcohol abuse, anxiety, and mood disorders and is a suboxone-certified provider.
Dr. Rehmel specializes in diagnosing and treating neurodevelopmental disorders, neurocognitive disorders, and conducting testing.
Dr. Julie Mescall specializes in psychological evaluation and therapy with children, teens, and young adults.
Dr. M. McCray Ashby specializes in anxiety, depression, ADHD, mood disorders, OCD, and behavioral issues in children and adolescents.
Dr. Siegall has extensive experience treating adolescents over 15, adults, and seniors.
Eileen Chang is a Therapist Under Supervision with a background in education and human development. She works with individuals, couples, and families, offering both in-person and telehealth services. Her work is grounded in creating a collaborative and supportive environment where clients feel safe exploring their thoughts, emotions, and experiences.
We’ve all had moments where we feel at odds with ourselves. Maybe it happens when our partner says something hurtful. In that moment, part of us wants to run out of the room; part of us feels vulnerable and hurt; part of us knows they didn’t really mean it, and part of us might feel ashamed of having these feelings at all. We might even tell a friend later, “Part of me wanted to scream at him and part of me was so embarrassed that I even cared.
Emily Evans, LCSW, is a dedicated mental health professional specializing in depression, anxiety, and mood disorders. Utilizing evidence-based therapies, she fosters resilience and well-being in clients of all ages.
Emma is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) that provides services to individuals, families, and couples. Emma uses different approaches depending on client needs; some areas of focus include, but are not limited to anxiety, mood disorders, communication difficulties, self-esteem issues, and trauma.
Springtime may be the season for decluttering and deep cleaning our houses, but it is also a great time for mental health spring cleaning — assessing habits, relationships or activities that aren’t contributing positively to our overall wellbeing. While spring cleaning for our mental health may be harder than washing windows, and sweeping out cobwebs, it offers a great opportunity for a fresh start and new beginnings.
Eric Stobie is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMHCA) and Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC)
Erin uses a blend of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness-Based Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing to help promote personal growth and well-being.
Felicia utilizes a variety of evidence-based treatment modalities but not limited to, CBT, DBT, ACT, Mindfulness, and Solution-Focused interventions.
This summer, while enjoying a backyard barbecue with friends, the neighborhood fox ran through the yard. The first thing I did was scream……then run inside…….by myself……leaving my kids outside in the “perceived” danger. While it was a laughable moment, there was some shame and guilt associated with the fact that I fled, instead of protecting my kids and leading them to safety. It became perfectly clear that my stress response is “flight” rather than “fight.”
Beyond the stigma of therapy participation, there is a bigger challenge in FINDING THE RIGHT THERAPIST. As a therapist, I am aware that the most valuable part of treatment with a client and the best indicator of success is the therapeutic alliance. This alliance is measured by the patient’s perception of their relationships with the therapist, and is important in the patient’s willingness to share and engage in the therapeutic process.
Mental health in the workplace has typically been a taboo subject. However, the good news is more organizations are recognizing that mental health is just as important as physical health and offering more and more benefits to support their workers. One of the benefits some employers offer falls under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA),
We’ve all been there. You and your partner are so far into an argument that you can’t even remember how it started. What began as a tiff about doing the dishes has morphed into a completely different fight. Things get intense; you finally decide to take a break. Maybe you go for a drive or hop in the shower to hopefully cool off and finish the discussion. Chances are that one or both of you have committed at least one communication foul.
One of the key factors about emotional intelligence laid out by Dr. Jeanne Segal is self-awareness. Self-awareness is described by Dr. Segal as the ability “to control impulsive feelings and behaviors, manage your emotions in healthy ways, take initiative, follow through on commitments, and adapt to changing circumstances.”
As a mother of three children with ADHD, this time of year causes my nerves to fray. I worry about getting a good teacher match. I worry about their behavior in school. I worry about being misunderstood. However, the start of the school year is a great opportunity to focus on communication.
Many of us have heard the term “gender socialization” and recognize how it plays a part in the differing behaviors, emotional expressions, and preferences of males and females. Gender socialization is the process of males or females learning behaviors and attitudes considered to be appropriate for their assigned gender, whether it is a boy or girl. Our society is inundated with messages of what it means to “be a girl” or “be a boy.”
Researchers who study early childhood attachment – the emotional connection or bond that forms between babies/adolescents and their primary caregivers – are using science to better understand how attachment affects the development of the brain and how early childhood attachment impacts how humans form relationships throughout their life span.
The parenting styles of today have definitely shifted since my days as a kid.Summers were spent exploring the neighborhood on our bikes, community sports teams and long days at the local swimming pool.
For many, the upcoming holiday season is a time of joy and excitement, but for others, the holidays can bring a different group of emotions such as anxiety, sadness, resentment and even uncertainty. That’s because, the holiday season brings with it a whole host of stressors that can contribute to distressing emotions – financial, family, time management, unhealthy eating patterns, social connections, etc.
Many of us like to wind down after work with a glass of wine or connect with our friends socially over Saturday night drinks.
However, a recent study recently published found that alcohol consumption, including beer and wine, is the leading risk factor for death and disease and the seventh leading risk factor for premature death and disability worldwide in 2016.
ANT infestation is challenging to overcome, and no I’m not talking about those pesky little creatures that invade your home during the warmer months. I’m referring to Automatic Negative Thoughts (ANTS). These types of ANTS are pesky, yes, however, they invade your mind!
January is Human trafficking Awareness Month. Human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. Every year, millions of men, women, and children are trafficked worldwide – including right here in the United States (Department of Homeland Security, 2022). There are many preconceived notions about what human trafficking is, who it affects and why it happens. This blog will highlight facts and fiction surrounding human trafficking, how you can identify it, as well as how to help support survivors.
As a teenager, my parents would call me lazy. They couldn’t understand why I retreated to my room all the time, wanting only to sleep, and losing interest in activities and social situations I once found gratifying. For a long time I believed I was lazy and that belief carried with me through to adulthood. But what I eventually learned was that I wasn’t lazy, I was depressed.
Receiving a disability (intellectual, processing, emotional) diagnosis for your child, you almost feel as though you are being prepped for a battle. You are forced to justify your child’s existence and their right to all of the opportunities available the moment those words are uttered to you. Welcome to your new, never-ending and intimate relationship with the medical world. While the diagnosis can take on a role in your life that is unplanned, unwanted and emotional, you would do it all over again for your child -- because you are their biggest fan, advocate and supporter.
Expressing your love through flowers, gifts and dinner on Valentine’s Day is great, but identifying ways to connect and revisiting your shared values and experiences with your partner can offer long-term strategies for strengthening your relationship.
Social media has served as an important platform for increasing awareness of mental health and helping reduce the stigma of mental health disorders. Many people have found connection on social media with others who are also struggling, as well as a community to share and express themselves in a way that maybe they wouldn’t have felt comfortable before.
Jennifer specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and TF-CBT, Adlerian Play Therapy and Acceptance & Commitment Therapy.
Jennifer is currently completing her Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner coursework at Walden University. She is passionate about providing compassionate and comprehensive mental healthcare, with a focus on supporting adolescents, adults, couples, and families experiencing anxiety and depression.
The past two-and-a-half years have come with a whirlwind of changes looming at every corner. From welcoming triplets to my husband’s lay off from work and all the events in between and after. There really hasn’t been a dull moment.
Kara creates a safe, non-judgmental environment for all clients. As a therapist, she is active and engaged, providing validation to each person's experience.
Karen is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in anxiety, depression, substance use, trauma, caregiver stress, dementia, healthcare diagnoses, grief and loss. She uses Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness-Based Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy with a strengths-based approach.
Kathy utilizes Cognitive-behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Internal Family Therapy Systems Therapy (IFS) in individual therapy and Gottman Method when treating couples.
For those of us in the helping professions as counselors, therapists and social workers, we've always focused on understanding the diverse needs of our clients and being culturally aware of our unique differences from a mental health standpoint.
However, in light of the divisiveness in our country right now, it may help to translate this approach of understanding and inclusiveness to our interactions with others in our everyday lives.
You may have heard of Lavar Ball, the powerhouse dad, media personality and businessman, who seems to be the face (and mouth) behind the Ball family basketball dynasty. All three of Lavar’s sons are basketball prodigies – with one recently drafted as the second pick in the first round to the Los Angeles Lakers and the other committed to playing basketball at UCLA.
Laskarin works with adult clients in the treatment of anxiety and mood disorders, as well as trauma.
In many circles, there is a growing trend to only focus on the positive. This thought-process touts the idea that if you solely focus on the “good,” you can always be happy and avoid things like sadness, pain, hurt, and anger. Some will say just drink more tea, consume only organic food, use this or that supplement, get into aromatherapy, smile more, or do more yoga.
In honor of Valentine’s Day, let’s talk about love. Love can fall on a spectrum of admiration and affection to a deep, emotional connection – you love your Aunt Edna, but you LOVE your husband.
We are surrounded by media on a daily basis. We watch TV, stream music, browse Facebook, Twitter, or any number of other social media platforms — sometimes without even realizing how much time we spend doing it. This is true for children and adolescents, too. Today’s children and teens spend an average of seven hours a day on entertainment media. Social media is especially popular among adolescents.
Maria utilizes Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, as well as Mindfulness Based Therapies.
Mark helps developing new skills to manage stress, life changes and adjustment, or treating clinical psychiatric disorders, his focus is to help clients reach their goals of balance, joy, reconciliation, and inner peace.
Megan has experience treating adolescents ages 13 and up as well as adults. She has provided care in both hospital settings as well as private practice.
Megan Rigual with experience in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT), supports her clients in achieving their goals through evidence-based methods.
A big part of the mental health space is emotive language and vocabulary. Therefore, it’s long overdue that we talk about “Blame Culture” and how much of a large part self-criticalness is at the core of the most common mental health issues. Blame is often a means of attempting to hold ourselves accountable. However, it often is excessive and leads to self-gaslighting that involves nitpicking, fault-finding, complaining, exonerating the role that mental health plays.
If 90 percent of sports is mental, why do we spend 90-100 percent only on the physical aspect?
More and more professional sports organizations are recognizing the strong “mind-body” connection and how that affects self-confidence, sports performance and overall team satisfaction.
Michael is a highly experienced clinical provider with a broad background across the healthcare spectrum—from emergency and trauma settings to acute inpatient psychiatric care. He later transitioned into outpatient mental health, providing community-based ambulatory services to diverse populations.
Michael utilize diverse treatment modalities including CBT, DBT, and Play Therapy.
Michelle has over 20 years of experience providing therapy to adolescents, adults, and seniors. Her clinical background includes work in community mental health and federally qualified health centers, where she has helped individuals navigate a wide range of emotional, behavioral, and relational challenges.
Definition “Midwest Mania”: “The act of individual’s residing in a location known as the Midwest region of the United States and behaving with extreme excitement and energy in early May and June due to changing warm weather patterns of this region of the country.”
Body dysmorphia often stems from negative body image, and it can and does impact anyone, at any age. A person experiencing symptoms of body dysmorphia may feel that they are larger than their actual size, experience insecurities regarding how their body looks in comparison to others, and may also struggle with low self-esteem as it relates to their perception and relationship with their bodies. If these thoughts are left unaddressed and allowed to run unchecked, these symptoms can lead to body dysmorphic disorder.
You’ll never forget the day you’re told you’re having triplets. It was November 30, 2015, and I had made an appointment with my doctor to confirm my pregnancy. She thought I was further along than I should be so she sent me over to the ultrasound technician to make sure that all the dates added up. After about 10 minutes of laying in silence, I was expecting the worst.
Up by 5 a.m. prepping bottles, packing school lunches on your own, doing a load of laundry, responding to the teacher’s email, placing diaper bags in the car so you do not have to make three different trips because you don’t have an extra hand to help ,does any of this sound familiar? If it does, I imagine, “ you”, my lovely reader, are living the life of a single mother. It is by far the hardest, unpaid job that a woman will ever have, while it has its rewards, it is still very challenging.
Nikki incorporates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Mindfulness in her therapeutic approach.
Up by 5 a.m. prepping bottles, packing school lunches on your own, doing a load of laundry, responding to the teacher’s email, placing diaper bags in the car so you do not have to make three different trips because you don’t have an extra hand to help ,does any of this sound familiar? If it does, I imagine, “ you”, my lovely reader, are living the life of a single mother. It is by far the hardest, unpaid job that a woman will ever have, while it has its rewards, it is still very challenging.
Being stuck inside during this time can take a toll on both your mental and physical health. Setting an intention for physical exercise can not only keep you busy but can improve your overall wellbeing. There are plenty of physical activities that can keep you busy during this otherwise boring and uncertain time.
Separation and divorce can be devastating on couples as they grieve the loss of their partnership or marriage, but the loss of a family unit can be even harder for the children involved. Many times, parents can’t see past their own anger, hurt or sadness to put the emotional needs of their children first. While the adult relationship may end, the family as a whole doesn’t.
I took my first improv class when I moved to Chicago five years ago. I didn’t know many people in the city, so I thought it might be a fun way to make new friends and reconnect with my high school theater days. It wasn’t easy at first. I felt really vulnerable being asked to be silly with a room full of strangers. Over time, though, I not only started to have fun, but I started feeling an increased sense of well-being and happiness in my life on and off stage. These days, performing and teaching improv plays a vital creative and therapeutic role in my life.
To better understand what psychedelic assisted therapy is and why it is believed to be effective, it may first be helpful to understand how psychedelics work. According to the National Institutes of Health, “Hallucinogens (psychedelics) are a diverse group of drugs that alter a person’s awareness of their surroundings as well as their own thoughts and feelings.”
I spent some time this week looking at the list of this year’s Oscar-nominated films, crossing off the ones I’ve seen and making mental notes of the ones for which I need to carve out time to watch. In the process of doing that, I started thinking about the similarities among them, and that made me stop to consider the ingredients that make for a truly great piece of cinematic art.
Radmila uses CBT, DBT, trauma-focused, and developmental strategies to build a therapeutic alliance, revealing clients' authentic selves.
“Researchers have found that even more than IQ, your emotional awareness and ability to handle feelings will determine your success and happiness in all walks of life, including family relationships” -John Gottman, Raising An Emotionally Intelligent Child
For some of us, the chaos of the holidays and the stress of family and friend obligations can trigger depression or anxiety throughout the month.
It’s sometimes hard to find balance in a season of excess and high expectations, leaving many of us feeling down and empty. Studies have found that finding activities and interests that offer purpose and meaning, as well as performing random acts of kindness, without the expectation of reciprocity or acknowledgement, can reduce depressive symptoms and improve overall well-being.
For many, the upcoming holiday season is a time of joy and excitement, but for others, the holidays can bring a different group of emotions such as anxiety, sadness, resentment, and even uncertainty. That’s because, the holiday season brings with it a whole host of stressors that can contribute to distressing emotions – financial, family, time management, unhealthy eating patterns, social connections, etc.
Rosa utilizes a holistic approach to treatment, which includes solution focused therapy, CBT, DBT, and IFS.