Category: Blog

It’s common to think that when an individual goes through a traumatic event, they’re the only one who experiences the effects of trauma. Families aren’t made of isolated individuals; they are all part of a support system that is intertwined on many levels, including emotional. When a member of the family becomes traumatized, it’s not… Read more

Open dialogue is a core concept in family therapy, as it brings family members as a support group for the patient and establishes a social network for families to bond. Open dialogue was initially a developing process for therapists to find the best treatment for those suffering from psychosis, a mental state where an individual… Read more

It’s probably safe to say that there isn’t a single person who hasn’t experienced the desire to stay home and hide from the world at large. Not having to go into the office, deal with traffic, or endure another day at school seems like something out of a dream. After almost a year of many… Read more

Surviving the holiday season can be a real challenge for anyone. There’s the stress of shopping for presents, the constant onslaught of holiday music, and familial obligations to meet. If that wasn’t bad enough, our businesses and friends are often clamoring for our time for special gatherings as well! No matter how much we want… Read more

Sibling rivalry is a well-known element of childhood with brothers and sisters, but at what point does it cross the line into bullying? It frequently comes as an unpleasant shock to parents to learn that what they thought of as merely the troubles of youth may actually be a problem that can have long-lasting psychological… Read more

When the topic of anorexia comes up, the first image that usually pops to mind is that of a dangerously emaciated young woman counting every calorie on her plate. As the popular image of anorexia, it does a disservice to many of its sufferers by making them invisible to the public eye. While many anorexics… Read more

Holiday depression is a well-known phenomenon that strikes many people each year. 2020 is expected to be especially rough for many more as the combination of depression, and pandemic fatigue hits them like an emotional hammer. The feeling of loneliness that drives holiday depression is amplified by our inability to hang out with friends and… Read more

Autism, when viewed through the eyes of others, can often be miscued, but they’re, in fact, a normal part of life. Its a spectrum disorder that shows its symptoms in many variations and people with the condition experience their autism individually. They operate on different social rules, express their thoughts in their way, move and… Read more

According to the CEO of the National Eating Disorders Association, around 30 million Americans have dealt with an eating disorder at some point in their lives. An eating disorder is characterized by severe disturbances in one’s behavior, thoughts, and emotions in regards to food, eating, and weight. Although eating disorders can occur independently, they are… Read more

Many people are familiar with posttraumatic stress disorder, or have at least heard of it. However, did you know that there are other types of trauma and stressor related disorders? Trauma and stressor related disorders are defined by exposure to a traumatic or stressful event that causes psychological distress.  In the past, trauma or stressor… Read more

With all the recent changes, chances are you’ve spent more time than ever at home with your family. While this can be beneficial for a variety of reasons, it can also create tension and highlight family problems. Not to mention the fact that your entire family dynamics may have changed as a result of having… Read more

Parenting is tough enough as it is, albeit trying to parent during a pandemic. With everything going on, chances are you and your family’s lives have suddenly changed. In fact, many families are now trying or preparing to navigate the complicated road of distance learning. While this is not how anyone pictured this year going,… Read more

When people hear the term “anxiety”, many will associate this with nervousness, an inability to sit still, sweating, or even rapid breathing or heartbeats. While these are certainly some of the more well known symptoms associated with anxiety, they are not the only symptoms. In fact, some people can experience anxiety in different ways and… Read more

As the country begins to open back up in an attempt to return to normal, you may be tempted to return to in-person psychotherapy sessions. After all, screens and speakers are no substitute for sitting in your therapist’s office. However, clinical psychologist and psychoanalyst, Todd Essig believes that there are more benefits to telepsychiatry in… Read more

As we continue to press forward through COVID-19, we face many uncertainties about the future. However, one researcher believes that we can expect certain trends in the future based upon things that have happened in the past. In his article, “Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Psychiatric Illness”, Murray B. Stein, a psychiatrist and professor of Psychiatry… Read more

Our entire nation has been affected by COVID-19, whether directly or indirectly. For some this means becoming ill or watching loved ones become ill, while for others this can mean simply observing the chaos of the pandemic. Each of these experiences can be considered traumatic to the individual, however the entire pandemic can also be… Read more

Living through a pandemic is no easy feat. With so much happening around us, it’s just about impossible to not be affected in some way by COVID-19. While this stressful time is expected to take a toll on your mental health, there are a few signs that can indicate it may be time to seek… Read more

At the present moment, we are all dealing with COVID-19 and are faced with uncertainty. Many people are also experiencing varying levels of fear. Both uncertainty and fear can produce strong emotions that can be hard to deal with. Additionally, everyone is affected by the virus in different ways. Some people catch the virus, some… Read more

The last few weeks have become increasingly stressful for many of us. Unfortunately, the immediate future will likely be a struggle as well. This has caused many people, both continuing and new patients, to seek therapy as a way of managing their mental health during this tough time. However, due to the social distancing guidelines… Read more

While depression and anxiety are the most common mental health conditions, there are other types of mental health conditions that are not as common, but still quite prevalent. Among these are personality disorders. According to a 2003 study cited by the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 9.1% of Americans have some form of a… Read more

During a one on one therapy session, the patient and therapist go back and forth discussing certain concerns. Depending on the approach being used, the therapist may ask specific questions or encourage a patient to speak more about a certain topic. Nevertheless, one on one sessions are simply an exchange between two people.  But, what… Read more

When you are struggling with your physical health, you go see your primary physician for advice, treatment, and possible medications. However, when it comes to struggling with your mental health, are you one to schedule an appointment with a therapist? Or are you likely to make excuses as to why you don’t need therapy. Truth… Read more

Everyone experiences feelings of anxiety from time to time when doing things like public speaking, a job interview, or starting a new job or school. Anxiety is the body’s emotional response to stress and can manifest as fear or nervousness about the future. While it is normal to experience anxiety occasionally, prolonged or recurring feelings… Read more

2020 is officially here and with the coming of a new year and decade, comes a variety of new year’s resolutions. Some people believe in making resolutions every year, while others may simply choose to remain unchanged. No matter what type of person you are, these new year’s resolutions are intended to assist you in… Read more

There’s a reason people use the phrase “Terrible Twos” when describing young children. Toddlers can be extremely difficult at times and can make even the best parents feel like they are at a loss. While it is normal for every toddler to experience difficult moments from time to time, some toddlers (and their parents!) may… Read more

Taking a step forward and deciding to work on your mental health is a big step towards your overall well-being. However, once you’ve decided to take that step, the next decision you will need to make is where to start. Depending on the type and severity of your symptoms, you may begin by visiting a… Read more

Trauma has an unfortunate way of tattooing itself deep within our psyche. It can also be caused by many different things and does not necessarily need to be experienced first-hand to affect us. Everyone has a different way of dealing with trauma. Some are able to process the trauma and move forward, while others can… Read more

Whether you’re a parent or a teenager, adolescence is hard. Around this time, teenagers are trying to develop their own sense of self and independence. This can cause conflict with their parents, as well as emotional turmoil. As a parent, you want to protect your child from the evils of the world while also allowing… Read more