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According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), roughly two-thirds of adolescents and teens report experiencing at least one traumatic event by the age of 16. Luckily, a qualified therapist can help kids navigate and process their emotions related to the trauma. Ramifications of Childhood Trauma Whether it’s physical or sexual abuse, […]
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), roughly two-thirds of adolescents and teens report experiencing at least one traumatic event by the age of 16. Luckily, a qualified therapist can help kids navigate and process their emotions related to the trauma.
Whether it’s physical or sexual abuse, emotional neglect, homelessness, or the sudden loss of a loved one, childhood trauma leaves a lasting impact on the child and even the adult they grow into. While everyone handles trauma differently, there are some common symptoms experienced by most. These include:
As I mentioned, there are treatment options that can help kids decrease their symptoms and learn how to cope with triggers.
1. Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) is related to the more well-known cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and is a go-to treatment for many therapists when addressing the effects of PTSD. With this particular treatment approach, a therapist will help the child or adult process the trauma as well as offer tools to identify and address negative thinking related to traumatic events.
2. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR is an effective treatment for helping people process trauma. A therapist leads the client through a series of repetitive eye movements that help them re-pattern memories of trauma. Before the eye movements begin, the therapist will take time to gather the client’s history, assess, and prepare them so the desensitization has the best chance of working.
3. Play therapy
For very young children that have experienced trauma, it can be intimidating to open up and vocalize their thoughts and emotions. Using the therapeutic power of play, therapists help children as young as 3 work through their trauma.
If you or someone you love has experienced trauma in childhood and would like to explore treatment options, please get in touch with me. I’d be happy to discuss how therapy can help you move through the pain and live your best life.
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At no other time in history have schools had to face so many challenges. The COVID-9 pandemic required teachers, students, and faculty to quickly pivot and move classes to an online environment during times of great uncertainty. Despite the work involved to keep education going, students of all ages have still been significantly impacted by […]
At no other time in history have schools had to face so many challenges. The COVID-9 pandemic required teachers, students, and faculty to quickly pivot and move classes to an online environment during times of great uncertainty.
Despite the work involved to keep education going, students of all ages have still been significantly impacted by the stress of lockdowns. Many students are dealing with mental health challenges as a result.
A recent study looked at 195 students at a large public university in the United States to understand the effects the pandemic has had on their mental health. The researchers found that 71% of the participants were experiencing increased stress and anxiety as well as depressive thoughts.
While many schools have opened back up, many students are still experiencing symptoms of trauma and mental health issues.
It’s important that teachers and faculty become educated themselves on the indicators of a mental health crisis in their students. What is the best way to recognize those students who may be having issues and need extra support?
All educational institutions should put in place universal screenings to identify those students in need. These screenings may involve brief questionnaires to gauge student emotional concerns.
Schools should also be sure to have enough school-based mental health professionals on staff to provide direct support for at-risk individuals.
Students should recognize their feelings and be open to sharing them with others. Reach out to teachers and staff and get the help you need.
And if you are a student who would like to talk with someone about the stress and anxiety you are feeling, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me.
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October is ADHD awareness month, and so I thought this would be the right time to talk about how ADHD affects women specifically. So much research has gone into the effects of ADHD in males, and this has led to boys getting a more accurate diagnosis than girls. The problem is, most scientific studies about […]
October is ADHD awareness month, and so I thought this would be the right time to talk about how ADHD affects women specifically. So much research has gone into the effects of ADHD in males, and this has led to boys getting a more accurate diagnosis than girls.
The problem is, most scientific studies about ADHD symptoms focus on the “hyperactive” patterns, which are far more common in males. Since girls with ADHD show less hyperactive behavior, they tend to go undiagnosed. As a result, their issues continue into adulthood.
Because young girls don’t show the same ADHD behaviors as boys, they tend to get misdiagnosed as having anxiety or depression. Subsequently, most women are not accurately diagnosed until they are well into their 30s or even 40s.
Here are some of the signs of ADHD in adult women:
When it comes to treating ADHD in adult women, there are usually two ways to go: medication and therapy. While medication can’t cure ADHD, it can offer immediate relief of some symptoms, and that can make your life more bearable.
Psychotherapy and ADHD-focused coaching can provide you with life-management skills, coping strategies and build your self-esteem. I also advise many of my clients to join support groups to connect with other women who understand what you are going through. Often when we are dealing with mental health issues, we feel isolated and alone. Connecting with others in the same boat can do a lot for our recovery.
If you are a woman and think you may be suffering from ADHD, I encourage you to reach out to a mental health therapist. Life gets so much better when your ADHD symptoms are under control.
If you’d like to explore treatment options, please reach out to me.
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Not many people get through life without experiencing burnout at some point. Whether it’s from working more than one job, taking care of a sick loved one, or juggling family life while going back to school, burnout is real, and it negatively impacts your life and health. Common Signs of Burnout If you think you […]
Not many people get through life without experiencing burnout at some point. Whether it’s from working more than one job, taking care of a sick loved one, or juggling family life while going back to school, burnout is real, and it negatively impacts your life and health.
If you think you may be experiencing burnout but are unsure, here are some of the most common signs:
Exercise
You know exercise is necessary for your physical health, but it is also fantastic for your mental and emotional health as well. Physical activity helps our bodies secrete feel-good hormones, which give our mood a boost. So be sure to commit to exercising at least 3-4 times a week.
Get Enough Rest
It’s essential to get enough restorative sleep each night. Sleep not only helps our bodies build and repair new tissue, but it helps us be able to feel calm and focus.
If you have trouble getting enough ZZZZZs each night, skip caffeinated beverages past 2 pm, ban smartphones and other electronics from the bedroom, and establish a relaxing nighttime ritual like meditation, reading, or taking a bath.
Validate Your Feelings
“Keep calm and carry on.” That’s a fun saying for a throw pillow, but it’s not always the best advice. Sometimes it’s important to admit that you are struggling and that you need a break.
Remember to Play
Just because you’re an adult, that doesn’t mean you don’t need some downtime to just have fun. Whether you want to play a sport, enjoy a hobby, or go to the theater, be sure to make time each week to enjoy yourself and your life.
Ask for Help
During stressful times, it’s important to reach out to others for help. Sometimes all we need is a friendly ear to listen to what’s on our minds and hearts. Let your friends and family know you could use a little support.
If your stress levels don’t seem to go down, you may want to consider working with a counselor who can help you navigate your feelings and offer coping strategies to deal with the issues you have going on.
If you’d like to speak with someone, please reach out to me.
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According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, one out of every five students reported being bullied in 2019, with slightly more female than male students reporting being a victim. 41% of students who reported being a target said they believed the bullying would continue. Anti-Bullying Awareness Week occurs each November as a reminder that […]
According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, one out of every five students reported being bullied in 2019, with slightly more female than male students reporting being a victim. 41% of students who reported being a target said they believed the bullying would continue.
Anti-Bullying Awareness Week occurs each November as a reminder that we all, parents, teachers, and faculty, have to do our part to stop bullying in its tracks.
How to Tell Your Child is Being Bullied
Here are some signs your child may be bullied at school:
They often come home with torn clothes or damaged bookbags and other items
They have unexplained cuts or bruises and continually claim to not remember how they got them
They have few friends
They are afraid of going to school, riding the bus, and taking part in extracurricular activities
Suddenly does poorly in classwork
Is appearing more moody (sad, angry, depressed)
Having trouble sleeping
Having nightmares
Experiencing a loss of appetite
Has developed low self-esteem
Signs your Child Maybe a Bully
To every victim, there is a bully, and many parents are often shocked to find out it is their own son or daughter. Here are some signs your child may be bullying someone else at school:
They constantly justify their bad behavior and shift blame onto others
They have friends you often see acting meanly or aggressively
They are experiencing difficulty sleeping because of snoring or apnea
They have a history of getting into trouble at school
They exhibit certain behavioral issues like impulsiveness, frustration, and lacking empathy
There is anger and/or violence in your own home
What to Do if Your Child is Involved in Bullying
Whether your child is the victim or the bully, it’s important to calmly speak with them to understand what may be going on.
Getting help for your child is also strongly encouraged. Those that have been bullied will have experienced trauma from it, while those that are bullies typically experienced trauma or event that led to the bullying.
If you would like to explore treatment options for your child, please get in touch with me.
SOURCES:
https://www.stopbullying.gov/
https://www.pacer.org/bullying/info/stats.asp
https://childmind.org/article/what-to-do-if-your-child-is-bullying/
Men. They’re strong. Courageous. Ready to go to war for the country and family they love. But men are also susceptible to disease and poor health outcomes. In fact, men are more likely to experience health issues simply because they have been brought up to believe that asking for help is a sign of weakness, […]
Men. They’re strong. Courageous. Ready to go to war for the country and family they love. But men are also susceptible to disease and poor health outcomes. In fact, men are more likely to experience health issues simply because they have been brought up to believe that asking for help is a sign of weakness, and putting others first should be their priority.
Luckily we have National Men’s Health Week, which runs between June 14th and June 20th. Leading up to Father’s Day, this week is a great way to celebrate the men in your life and encourage them to take better care of themselves.
Here are some things you can do to show the men in your life you want them to start prioritizing their health. And if you’re a man, here are some things you can start doing to take the very best care of yourself:
If you or your loved one has been putting off getting that check-up, now is the time.
If you don’t exercise or do so just once in a while, why not make a commitment to work out on a regular basis. To start, it doesn’t matter what you choose to do. Ride a bike. Swim. Lift weights. Kayak. The important thing is to pick an activity you love so that you will do it consistently.
Make this the week you throw out the processed garbage and start eating right. That means eating plenty of animal protein, organic fruits, and veggies, and don’t skimp on healthy fats!
Your health and well-being are just as much about your happiness levels as about what you eat or how much sleep you get (did we mention you should be getting at least 7 hours each night?). Be sure to make time to partake in your favorite hobbies or activities. Start that woodworking project again. Take tap lessons or learn how to scuba dive. The more fun you’re having in life, the healthier you’ll be!
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September is National Recovery Month, a time dedicated to spreading awareness about the benefits of substance abuse treatment and mental health services, which can help many suffering in our society lead better lives. For over 30 years, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has been educating the public on the value of […]
September is National Recovery Month, a time dedicated to spreading awareness about the benefits of substance abuse treatment and mental health services, which can help many suffering in our society lead better lives. For over 30 years, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has been educating the public on the value of investing in themselves and the community as a whole.
If you or a loved one have been affected by substance addiction or mental health illness, here are some ways you can celebrate National Recovery Month:
The National Recovery Month website offers banners, logos and flyers you can print and circulate throughout your community, helping to raise awareness.
Contact your local recovery center and see if they will be holding any events that you can attend.
There are numerous ways you can share your own story and inspire and empower others. You might want to speak at a local event or write about your story on your blog or Facebook page. Sharing your story about recovery from addiction or mental health illness provides others with hope and the affirmation they are not alone.
On the SAMHSA website, you will find many different recovery events that you may want to consider hosting. For instance, there are walks and rallies that are always great for drawing a crowd and spreading important messages.
This month is a great time to reflect and show gratitude to the people who have helped you in your recovery. You can say thanks to yourself, your network of family and friends, and the professionals that supported you along the way.
Recovery is never “done.’ It is a lifelong commitment and process. If you’d like to find a therapist who can help you continue to recover and reach your true potential, please reach out to me.
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October is National Depression and Mental Health Screening Month, a time when clinicians and their communities come together to spread awareness and combat mental illness. By working together, we can all promote the importance of mental health screenings while reducing the stigma associated with mental health illnesses. Common Symptoms of Depression The following are some […]
October is National Depression and Mental Health Screening Month, a time when clinicians and their communities come together to spread awareness and combat mental illness. By working together, we can all promote the importance of mental health screenings while reducing the stigma associated with mental health illnesses.
The following are some of the most common symptoms of depression. If you or someone you love has been experiencing one or more of these nearly every day for at least two weeks, it’s a sign you or they may be suffering from depression:
It’s common for people battling depression to feel worse during the holidays. That’s one reason why the month of October was chosen as the awareness month; because it gives people plenty of lead time to get help before the festivities hit.
During this time, many clinicians, hospitals, and mental health facilities will either reduce or completely waive the fees for mental health screenings. This makes it far easier for those individuals who believe they may be suffering from depression to receive an affordable and accurate diagnosis.
If you or someone you love is suffering from depression, it’s important to get screened. After your screening, a qualified practitioner will discuss a treatment plan with you that may include talk therapy, medication, or a combination of the two.
If you are someone who has recovered from depression, it’s a wonderful idea to share your journey with others if you feel comfortable doing so. Often when people are struggling with their own darkness, knowing someone has walked through to the other side and is living once again in the light, can offer hope and encouragement.
If you or someone you love is interested in speaking with a trained therapist, please reach out to me. I would be happy to discuss how I might help.
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None of us were prepared for the global pandemic we find ourselves in. Not parents, teachers, and certainly not the healthcare workers around the country. Doctors and nurses suddenly found themselves working double shifts to care for sick people. As the rest of the world went into lockdown and people stayed home, safe and sound, […]
None of us were prepared for the global pandemic we find ourselves in. Not parents, teachers, and certainly not the healthcare workers around the country. Doctors and nurses suddenly found themselves working double shifts to care for sick people. As the rest of the world went into lockdown and people stayed home, safe and sound, these frontline workers showed up day after day, putting their health and life on the line.
Many, in an effort to keep their families safe, found other living arrangements. The idea of possibly exposing their family to something they may have been exposed to at work was too much of a risk, and so many mothers and fathers also had to deal with the stress and sadness of being away from their family during the height of the pandemic.
While many frontline workers appear stoic, all of this stress and fear took its toll, even on the bravest among us. As a result, many frontline workers have found themselves burnt out and experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety.
It’s common for everyone to feel stressed or sad from time to time. But when certain symptoms linger, you are typically dealing with depression or anxiety. If you’ve never dealt with either before, you may not know the symptoms.
Symptoms of depression include:
Symptoms of anxiety can include:
For many healthcare workers, all of their time and focus is on how they can help others. The idea of self-care and asking others for help is not something on their radar.
If you are a healthcare worker that is experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression as a result of COVID, it’s really important that you let someone else help you right now. A therapist can offer strategies that will help you cope with your symptoms and deal with the underlying emotions.
If you or someone you know would benefit from mental health therapy, please get in touch with me. I offer both in-person appointments as well as online support.
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We’ve all read the studies that tell us having a glass or two of wine a day is actually beneficial to our health. But what happens when that glass or two turns into three, four or more? Drinking too much alcohol can have serious ramifications on our health. Here are just some of the ways […]
We’ve all read the studies that tell us having a glass or two of wine a day is actually beneficial to our health. But what happens when that glass or two turns into three, four or more?
Drinking too much alcohol can have serious ramifications on our health. Here are just some of the ways alcohol negatively affects your body and overall health:
Your liver is responsible for breaking down and removing harmful substances from your body, including alcohol. When we drink too much alcohol, over time, it can damage our liver leading to a condition called cirrhosis. Once your liver becomes this damaged, it can no longer remove harmful toxins from your body and you can experience another type of health crisis.
Drinking too much can also damage your pancreas where insulin is made. When the pancreas is no longer functioning optimally and it cannot make enough insulin, your blood sugar levels begin to rise. This can eventually lead to the development of type 2 diabetes.
You know that when you drink too much, you begin to slur your speech. This is because alcohol impacts your central nervous system. Alcohol essentially reduces proper communication between your brain and your body. This is why you have slurred speech and horrible coordination when you’re drunk. Drinking in excess can eventually cause numbness and tingling sensations in your hands and feet. It can also cause you to lose memories because damage occurs to your frontal lobe.
The more you drink, the more you damage the lining of your digestive tract, so you soon become unable to absorb important nutrients from your food. Many alcoholics are suffering from malnutrition.
Drinking in excess also causes ulcers, and sometimes these ulcers can begin to bleed, causing more serious health complications.
Chronic drinkers have a higher risk of developing heart disease and high blood pressure. If left untreated, they also have a higher chance of having a stroke or heart attack.
Alcohol in moderation can be very beneficial to your health. But drinking too much affects your health in a negative way. If you think you may have a drinking problem, please get help.
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