What Treatment is Available for Adolescent Substance Abuse?
Teen substance abuse is a pressing issue with both immediate and long-term consequences that ripple through an adolescent's life. At this stage, the brain undergoes crucial development, making it particularly vulnerable to addiction.
How to Navigate Anxiety and Panic Attacks After a Divorce
Divorce is a common occurrence, and sometimes, it can come with a wave of anxiety and panic attacks. Even when divorce appears to be the most sensible decision and offers a sense of relief, it remains a profound life transition.
Evidence-Based Treatments for Binge Eating Disorder
Figuring out if you are struggling with a binge eating disorder usually starts with an honest conversation with a mental health professional. Opening up about your emotions and eating patterns can feel daunting, but it's the necessary step in getting the proper support.
6 Ways to Manage Anxiety Naturally
Anxiety is a common emotion; we all feel it now and then. Stress and worry are normal parts of life. However, when anxiety holds you back from daily activities or strains your relationships, it might be time to seek help.
Couples Therapy: What Happens If We Fight During a Session?
As couples therapists, one of the most common concerns we hear from clients, especially those new to the process, is the fear of fighting during sessions.
How Bipolar Disorder Impacts a Family
Families of individuals with bipolar disorder often experience a wide range of intense emotions. Grief and sorrow are common, as family members may feel they've "lost" the person they knew to the illness, particularly during severe episodes.
Investigating the Role of Genetics in the Likelihood of Developing Addiction
Addiction, or substance use disorder (SUD), is a complex and multifaceted disease, far from being a simple matter of willpower or moral failing. For decades, the "nature vs. nurture" debate has raged, but modern scientific understanding increasingly points to an intricate interplay between an individual's genetic predispositions and their environmental experiences.
What Does ADHD Feel Like?
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is often misunderstood. ADHD is far more than simply being "hyper" or easily distracted.
When Does OCD Develop?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is like being caught in a loop of unwelcome thoughts and fears, known as obsessions, that drive you to perform repetitive actions, or compulsions, in a desperate attempt to quell the anxiety.
How a Person with Bipolar Thinks
Bipolar disorder is a profound shift in thinking patterns that can feel like navigating a mental rollercoaster. Imagine your thoughts moving at lightning speed during a manic high, racing from one idea to another with an energy that feels boundless.
7 Thought Traps that Keep You Stuck in Anxiety
Anxiety is a normal part of life, a biological reaction that kicks in to help us face danger. But when small, harmless situations trigger anxiety, it might indicate an anxiety disorder, where irrational fear takes hold.
When Does Substance Use Become Abuse?
In today's world, drinking alcohol at a party, taking pain medication, or even recreational drugs, can all seem part of the norm. But there's an important distinction between use and abuse that is often misunderstood.
4 Ways to Support Your Teen's Mental Health Without Seeming Overbearing
Supporting your teen's mental health can sometimes feel like walking a tightrope. You want to be there for them without making them feel like you're constantly hovering.
College Application Stress: How to Help Your Anxious Teen Apply to College
Navigating the college application period can leave your teen feeling overwhelmed. Look for signs like irritability, mood swings, or withdrawal from family activities.
My Kid Is Struggle at School: How Can I Help?
Navigating the school years is not always smooth sailing for kids. They may face challenges for various reasons. A learning or focus issue may be at play, making it hard to concentrate in class. Or the struggle lies in getting organized, a skill that doesn't come naturally to everyone.
7 Ways to Help Your Child Navigate Anxiety About School
Returning to school can evoke a mix of emotions in children. While some eagerly anticipate new adventures, others may face anxiety and uncertainty. Children often worry about academic pressures or their social dynamics. They might be anxious about making friends, meeting new teachers, or even adjusting to different subjects. My experience as a child therapist has taught me that adopting a compassionate and empathetic approach can make a world of difference.
How to Gradually Hand Off Responsibility to Your Teen
As your child enters the teenage years, you face the delicate balance of guiding while fostering independence. Handing off responsibility to your teen is a crucial part of their development, but it can be challenging to know how and when to loosen the reins.
How to Practice Emotional Vulnerability in Your Relationship
Are you tired of feeling disconnected and guarded in your relationships? Practicing emotional vulnerability may be the key to deeper connections and personal growth.
Depression: How to Stop Negative Thought Patterns
We all experience negative thought patterns, but they don't have to control our emotions or actions. By developing strategies to shift our mindset, we can learn to reframe these unhelpful thoughts and focus on the positive.
What Role Does Sleep Play in Managing Anxiety?
You're likely aware that quality sleep is crucial for physical health, but did you know it's equally vital for mental well-being?