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Oftentimes, when we think about what could harm our mental health, our minds go to major life events—the loss of a job, the end of a relationship, or the death of a loved one. But small habits that often go unnoticed can also play a major role. Below are three common habits that could be […]
Oftentimes, when we think about what could harm our mental health, our minds go to major life events—the loss of a job, the end of a relationship, or the death of a loved one. But small habits that often go unnoticed can also play a major role. Below are three common habits that could be negatively affecting your mental health:
Sleep impacts your mental health in numerous ways—it can affect your cognitive skills, mood, and behavior. As such, failing to get enough sleep can increase your risk of anxiety and depression and make it more difficult for you to focus, solve problems, make decisions, remember things, and control your emotions and impulses. Try sticking to the same sleep schedule, keeping your bedroom cool and dark, and performing a relaxing activity before bed (e.g., taking a warm bath or reading).
In today’s busy world, it can be difficult to find time to exercise, but it’s important to stay active. Not only can exercise improve your physical health, but it can also boost your mental health. In fact, studies have shown that regularly exercising could reduce your risk of depression.
Social media can be beneficial—it can help you stay connected to long-distance family and friends and keep up with current events—but research suggests that spending too much time on it can lead to anxiety and depression. To reduce your screen time, try setting a timer, turning off notifications, or deleting apps from your phone.
In addition to breaking the negative habits described above, one of the best things you can do to boost your mental health is speak to a therapist. Fortunately, you can entrust your care to the skilled team at our practice. Once we’ve learned more about you and any issues you may be experiencing, we’ll be able to provide you with customized advice for how to eliminate negative habits from your life and start implementing more positive ones. Contact us today to schedule your first appointment.
If you’re looking to improve your mental health and overall well-being, one of the best things you can do is track how you’re feeling. Not only does this allow you to identify any issues you might be experiencing and set goals for how to resolve them, but it can also help you analyze how you’re […]
If you’re looking to improve your mental health and overall well-being, one of the best things you can do is track how you’re feeling. Not only does this allow you to identify any issues you might be experiencing and set goals for how to resolve them, but it can also help you analyze how you’re progressing toward those goals. Here are some tips for how to track your mental health:
Once you’ve started tracking your mental health, you may find that you need a professional to help you achieve your goals. You’ll find exactly what you’re looking for at our practice. Our therapists are highly experienced and will supply you with the individualized, patient-focused care that we’ve come to be known for. Contact us today to request an appointment.
When it comes to treating mental health conditions, no single approach works for everyone. For many people, the most effective care comes from combining talk therapy with medication management. This integrated approach can offer both emotional insight and physiological support, helping clients manage symptoms while building long-term coping strategies. Benefits of Medication and Therapy Together […]
When it comes to treating mental health conditions, no single approach works for everyone. For many people, the most effective care comes from combining talk therapy with medication management. This integrated approach can offer both emotional insight and physiological support, helping clients manage symptoms while building long-term coping strategies.
Talk therapy—also known as psychotherapy—is all about exploring thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in a confidential setting. It can help individuals develop healthier patterns, uncover causes of distress, and learn practical skills to manage anxiety, depression, trauma, and more. Medication management, on the other hand, involves working with a healthcare professional to find the right psychiatric medications and dosage for your specific needs. The potential benefits of combining therapy and medication include:
Faster relief of symptoms when both treatments are used together
Emotional support while adjusting to a new medication
Improved treatment adherence and follow-through
A holistic understanding of both psychological and biological factors
Ongoing monitoring of mental and physical well-being
While medication can relieve acute symptoms like panic attacks or mood swings, talk therapy helps you build the long-term resilience to thrive beyond them. The two approaches are not mutually exclusive—they’re most powerful when used together.
Whether you’re just beginning treatment or looking to adjust your current plan, you deserve compassionate providers who listen, guide, and adapt with you every step of the way. Our mental health professionals offer collaborative care that integrates medication support with therapy sessions tailored to your unique journey. Get in touch today!
Did you know that chronic stress can have serious consequences on your health? It’s true—stress can make it difficult to sleep, weaken your immune system, and lead to other problems like heart attacks, strokes, anxiety, and depression. Plus, stress can cause irritability, lack of motivation, and difficulty concentrating, thereby negatively impacting your work and personal […]
Did you know that chronic stress can have serious consequences on your health? It’s true—stress can make it difficult to sleep, weaken your immune system, and lead to other problems like heart attacks, strokes, anxiety, and depression. Plus, stress can cause irritability, lack of motivation, and difficulty concentrating, thereby negatively impacting your work and personal relationships.
If you’re feeling stressed, one of the best things you can do is speak to a therapist who can recommend stress relief techniques that are tailored to your specific circumstances. But in the meantime, we’ve compiled the following five strategies for stress management.
It’s very common for stressed individuals to turn to comfort foods, which are typically high in fat and sugar. But it’s important to stick to a balanced diet, even in times of stress. Research shows that certain foods can impact stress levels—for example, lean proteins and herbal teas can help reduce stress, while refined carbohydrates and caffeine can make you feel more stressed.
Stress often causes chronic fatigue, and if that’s the case for you, you may have a hard time summoning the motivation to work out. But it’s important that you find a way to incorporate some type of physical activity into your daily routine. Exercising can stimulate the body to produce endorphins and reduce its levels of stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol.
Do you often feel stressed because you’re being pulled in too many directions at once? Setting healthy boundaries may help. For example, at work, this may involve shutting down your computer at a certain time each day, speaking up when you have too much on your plate, and avoiding office gossip.
When work, school, and family obligations become overwhelming, you may feel like you don’t have any time left over to focus on yourself, but it’s important to carve out time for self-care and relaxation. Think about what brings you peace—whether that’s going to the movies, getting a pedicure, or working on a jigsaw puzzle—and set aside time to do that on a regular basis.
Research shows that focusing on what’s going on around you and letting go of any intrusive thoughts and feelings can greatly reduce stress levels. One of the best things about meditation is that it can be done almost anywhere, so you can employ this technique whenever you start to feel stressed throughout the day.
If you’re looking to improve your stress management skills, we can help. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder that causes someone to excessively worry about leaving an environment that they consider to be safe (in many cases, their home). Oftentimes, individuals with this type of anxiety are concerned that they won’t have help available to them when necessary, or that they won’t be able to escape a dangerous […]
Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder that causes someone to excessively worry about leaving an environment that they consider to be safe (in many cases, their home). Oftentimes, individuals with this type of anxiety are concerned that they won’t have help available to them when necessary, or that they won’t be able to escape a dangerous or embarrassing situation. Someone who has agoraphobia may fear:
Individuals with agoraphobia often need friends and family members to accompany them to public places, which can make it difficult for them to work, run errands, and socialize. And in severe cases, agoraphobia can prevent someone from leaving their home entirely.
Agoraphobia treatment varies from one person to another, and if a medical provider diagnoses you with this type of anxiety, they’ll recommend the approach that’s best suited to your needs. Many people with agoraphobia benefit from taking medication and attending counseling, where they can identify triggers and learn coping skills.
Do you need help managing your anxiety? Contact us today. We have experience treating numerous types of anxiety and we’ll be happy to tell you about our practice, answer your questions, and schedule your first therapy session.
In many cases, grief occurs when someone has already suffered a loss. But grief can also result from a loss that is impending but hasn’t yet occurred. When this happens, it’s referred to as “anticipatory grief” or “preparatory grief.” Anticipatory grief commonly affects individuals who are expecting to lose someone or something important in the […]
In many cases, grief occurs when someone has already suffered a loss. But grief can also result from a loss that is impending but hasn’t yet occurred. When this happens, it’s referred to as “anticipatory grief” or “preparatory grief.”
Anticipatory grief commonly affects individuals who are expecting to lose someone or something important in the near future. For example, you may experience anticipatory grief if:
Like the other types of grief, anticipatory grief can lead to sadness, irritability, anger, anxiety, fear, guilt, and other intense emotions. However, it’s important to remember that anticipatory grief can also serve a beneficial purpose—it can motivate you to address unresolved issues and process your thoughts and feelings before the event in question occurs.
If you think you may be experiencing anticipatory grief, we invite you to schedule an appointment with one of the skilled therapists on our team who can provide you with the tools and tips you need to move forward with your life. Contact us today.
It’s normal to experience grief after a loss, such as the death of a friend or family member. In most cases, these emotions gradually improve over time. But if you’re still living with the symptoms of grief months or years later, you may have what’s known as “complicated grief,” “prolonged grief,” “chronic grief,” or “persistent […]
It’s normal to experience grief after a loss, such as the death of a friend or family member. In most cases, these emotions gradually improve over time. But if you’re still living with the symptoms of grief months or years later, you may have what’s known as “complicated grief,” “prolonged grief,” “chronic grief,” or “persistent complex bereavement disorder.”
Many people with complicated grief report feeling “stuck” in life. They often find it difficult to get back into their normal routine, and they may have a hard time finding enjoyment in the activities they once loved. There’s no definitive length of time that must have passed for grief to be considered complicated.
Complicated grief can affect anyone. With that said, certain circumstances can make this type of grief more likely to occur. For example, you may have a higher chance of experiencing complicated grief if:
If you’re experiencing complicated grief—or any other type of grief—you can rely on our experienced therapists to help you heal from your loss. Contact us today, and one of our compassionate team members can answer your questions and arrange a time for you to attend an initial therapy appointment.
Many people throw around the term “narcissist” very casually, using it to describe an individual with high self-esteem rather than one who actually has narcissistic personality disorder. Below, we explain what narcissism is and how it differs from self-confidence. What Is Narcissism? Narcissistic personality disorder is a mental health condition characterized by an excessive need […]
Many people throw around the term “narcissist” very casually, using it to describe an individual with high self-esteem rather than one who actually has narcissistic personality disorder. Below, we explain what narcissism is and how it differs from self-confidence.
Narcissistic personality disorder is a mental health condition characterized by an excessive need to feel important and impress other people. Narcissistic individuals often:
Interestingly, many people with narcissism internally doubt and criticize themselves, which can cause them to become preoccupied with being admired and knowing what others think about them.
It’s important to have a healthy sense of self-confidence, but when does that cross over into narcissism? Self-confident individuals reasonably believe in their own capabilities but also recognize that others have value, too. Narcissists, on the other hand, tend to excessively admire themselves and look at others with disdain.
If you think you might be a narcissist—or if you have a loved one with narcissistic personality disorder—contact us today. We would love the opportunity to help you overcome any struggles you might currently be experiencing.
Bipolar disorder (previously referred to as “manic depression”) is a mental health condition characterized by extreme mood swings. Someone’s mood can shift from extreme highs (mania or hypomania) to extreme lows (depression). The frequency of these shifts varies from one person to another. What Causes Bipolar Disorder? Researchers are still trying to determine exactly what […]
Bipolar disorder (previously referred to as “manic depression”) is a mental health condition characterized by extreme mood swings. Someone’s mood can shift from extreme highs (mania or hypomania) to extreme lows (depression). The frequency of these shifts varies from one person to another.
What Causes Bipolar Disorder?
Researchers are still trying to determine exactly what causes bipolar disorder. With that said, studies suggest that this condition may develop due to genetics or physical changes within the brain.
What Are the Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder symptoms vary depending on the type of episode that someone is experiencing. For example, when someone is having a manic or hypomanic episode, they may:
But when someone enters into a depressive episode, they may instead:
Experienced Therapists Treating Patients Near You
If you’ve been diagnosed with bipolar disorder—or if you suspect that you might have this condition—you can turn to our skilled therapists for assistance. Contact us today to schedule a therapy session at a date and time that’s convenient for you.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a type of mental disorder that can cause excessive movement and make it difficult for someone to focus and control their impulses. For many people, ADHD can also make it hard to stay organized—deadlines are missed, projects are started but not completed, and piles of clutter make it impossible to find […]
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a type of mental disorder that can cause excessive movement and make it difficult for someone to focus and control their impulses. For many people, ADHD can also make it hard to stay organized—deadlines are missed, projects are started but not completed, and piles of clutter make it impossible to find important items.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to manage your ADHD and improve your organization skills. If you’ve been diagnosed with ADHD and you regularly find yourself struggling to stay organized, you may want to:
If you’ve been diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and you struggle to stay organized, we can help. We regularly treat patients with ADHD, and once we’ve learned about your unique situation, we’ll be able to supply you with customized advice on how to better organize your home, your workplace, and other aspects of your life. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of the skilled therapists on our team.