CBT for Anxiety and Depression: Effective Treatment Options
Discover how Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) treats anxiety and depression. Learn about its benefits, techniques, and effectiveness
The Link Between Mental Health and Exercise, Diet, and Sleep
Our daily habits have a big impact on our mental health. A growing body of research shows that lifestyle changes with behaviors we can modify—especially exercise, diet, and sleep—can have important interconnected effects on mood, anxiety, depression, and general mental well-being. Read on to learn more how these influence mental health and practical steps to […]
A Day in the Life: Inside a Residential Trauma Treatment Program
Wondering what residential treatment for trauma looks like? While every center offering trauma-informed care is unique, here is a peek inside what a day might consist of. By addressing trauma from all angles, this program helps clients reprocess pain, restore balance, and reclaim their lives. Life in a residential treatment center can be a rich […]
Does IOP Work? Key Facts & Myths Debunked
Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) have become increasingly popular due to their flexibility and effectiveness. Nonetheless, there are a number of myths about them that can be confusing for those who are considering this form of addiction or mental health treatment. Myth 1: IOPs Are Just Group Therapy With No Medical Supervision The Reality: IOPs do […]
Trauma Recovery Guide: Proven Resilience Strategies
Learn effective strategies to build resilience and recover from trauma. Discover coping skills and healing techniques for lasting recovery.
What Is Epigenetics? How Gene Expression Shapes Mental Health
The complex relationship between our genes and mental health shapes who we are, yet doesn’t define who we can become. Epigenetics is an exciting emerging field that studies how behaviors, life experiences, and environment shape gene activity without changing DNA. Chemical “tags” on genes turn the genes on or off, influencing mental health. Stress, diet, […]
Holistic Treatment for Anxiety & Depression
Between 45–67% of patients with a major depressive disorder (MDD) meet criteria for at least one co-occurring anxiety disorder and 30–63% of patients with anxiety disorders meet criteria for a co-occurring MDD, according to a study by Bessel van der Kolk, one of the leading researchers on trauma [1]. When anxiety and depression occur together […]
Inpatient vs. Outpatient Mental Health Treatment: Choosing the Best Option
Deciding which type of mental health care is the best fit is an important decision for your recovery. In this article I explain the differences and the factors to consider. Understanding Inpatient Care and Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) While inpatient care and intensive outpatient programs have some overlap in programming, there are important differences. Let’s […]
Innovations in Trauma Therapy: New & Effective Approaches
Trauma therapy is a challenging field, but is full of promise, having evolved significantly in the past few decades in efforts to help those individuals experiencing trauma-related disorders. Emerging and innovative approaches are being used to complement those that have been developed in the past 15-20 years. Read on to learn more about this interesting […]
Nutritional Psychiatry & Genetic Testing for Mental Health
Two major breakthroughs in understanding and treating mental health conditions are nutritional psychiatry and genetic testing. The former is focused on the impact of diet on brain function and emotional well-being. The latter focuses on identifying genetic markers to personalize the selection of psychiatric medication. Both fields show promise but have distinct applications and limitations. […]
PGX Testing in Mental Health: Personalized Treatment Insights
Pharmacogenomic (PGx) testing is emerging as a promising tool in mental health care, using genetic insights to tailor antidepressant and antipsychotic treatments. PGx testing is a precision (also called personalized) medicine technology that examines genetic variation in the way medication is metabolized or broken down for processing by the body. By analyzing an individual’s unique […]
How Are Neurodivergent Disorders Treated?
Approximately 15% of the global population is neurodivergent, often experiencing multiple conditions simultaneously. Neurodevelopmental disorders like autism and ADHD, are often summarized as any condition in which someone develops atypical cognitive processes early in life. With advocacy from the expanding neurodiversity movement, neurodevelopmental disorders are no longer viewed as illnesses that need to be cured, […]
What Is Nutritional Psychiatry, and How Can Diet Improve Your Mental Health?
Over 2,000 years ago, Hippocrates said, “let thy food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food.” While the term nutritional psychiatry may sound complicated, it simply refers to the relationship between food choices we make, nutrition, and our mental health. Just what Hippocrates wisely said. Nutritional psychiatry recognizes that the food we eat […]
What Causes Suicidal Ideation In Adults and How To Treat It?
The overall suicide rate in the US is about 11 per 100,000 persons. Although 80% of those who commit suicide are men, the majority of those who make nonfatal suicide attempts are women between 25 and 44 years of age [1]. Suicidal behavior takes place on a spectrum from fleeting suicidal thoughts to completed suicide. […]
What Is Bipolar Disorder and How Is It Treated?
About 5.7 million adult Americans or about 2.6% of the U.S. population is affected by bipolar disorder [1]. It is a medical condition that causes a person to cycle through periods of depression and elevated mood. Formerly known as manic-depressive illness or manic depression, it causes intense shifts in mood, energy levels, and behavior. The […]
What Is Anxiety and How Is It Treated?
It’s normal to feel anxious or worried from time to time. We may worry about health, money, school, work or family. But anxiety disorders involve more than the occasional worry or fear. The anxiety does not go away, it’s felt in many situations and it can worsen over time. When the cognitive, physical, and behavioral […]
How Accurate Is Genetic Testing for Mental Health? What the Science Says
Genetic testing is a hot topic these days as it is enabling the rise of personalized, or precision medicine. The study of how a person’s unique genetic makeup influences their body’s response to medications is called pharmacogenomics or PGx. A genetic test involves testing a simple cheek swab or blood sample to pinpoint changes in […]
Can Genetic Testing Predict Depression, Anxiety or Bipolar Disorder?
You may have heard about genetic testing as the foundation of a new approach to medicine. It has been successfully applied to areas like cancer and cardiology treatment. But what about for mental health conditions? The field of psychiatric genetics has made great strides in the past 20 years, particularly for illnesses such as schizophrenia […]
How Can Family Therapy Help You and Your Loved Ones?
You may have heard of family therapy, but do you know how it can help someone recovering from a mental health condition? Family therapy is a powerful complement to individual therapy by providing support, education and guidance to you and your family. And it’s not about blaming and shaming while everyone argues. Family therapy helps […]
How Much Does Genetic Testing for Mental Health Cost? Is It Worth It?
You may have heard of genetic testing which has grown in public awareness in the past few years, largely due to two things: its clinical validation for a variety of conditions, including for mental health, and its affordability. But does it work, and is it affordable enough to make the cost worthwhile? Read on to […]
What Are the Worst Foods for Mental Health? (And What to Eat Instead)
Did you know that some foods can worsen certain mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression or mood disorders while others can support positive emotional well-being, mental health and brain function? The emerging field of nutritional psychiatry seeks to understand the gut-brain connection, the communication pathways between the gut and the brain. . Read on […]
Which Foods Help Reduce Anxiety and Improve Mood?
We all feel a little anxious some of the time. But anxiety disorders are more than an occasional worry or fear. Approximately one-third of US adults experience any anxiety disorder at some time in their lives [1]. For those with these disorders, anxiety does not go away and is felt in many situations. And it […]
How Acceptance and Support Can Lead to Better Mental Health
How many times have you tried to accept a challenging situation, but found it hard to do? Acceptance can be elusive but it’s worth the emotional journey to get there. This is especially so to strengthen our mental health. And having a good trusted support network is a key piece of the puzzle. Read on […]
How Long Does Ketamine Work for Depression?
What Is Ketamine Therapy for Depression? Ketamine therapy is a new treatment for depression. It offers rapid relief, particularly for those with treatment-resistant depression. Used for many years as a surgical anesthetic, it was later discovered to have fast-acting anti-depressant and anti-anxiety effects [1]. Read on to learn more about how it works, how long […]
How Your Energy Affects Your Mental Health
Many people think that mental health is the absence of mental illness, but it’s much more than that as it includes your emotional, psychological and social well-being. But what does energy have to do with all this? Read on to learn more about the mental health benefits of good energy and tips to care for […]
Is Behavioral Health the Same as Mental Health?
It’s easy to be confused by these terms because there is no single way of using them among medical, mental health, and substance abuse professionals. In fact, organizations such as the American Psychological Association and American Psychiatric Association don’t have formal positions on the difference between these terms. In this article I’ll provide a clear […]
Main Differences Between PTSD and Complex Trauma
Understanding the difference between PTSD and Complex PTSD can be challenging as they are related and share some commonalities. People often use these terms together but they are different conditions resulting from different types and lengths of traumas. Read on to learn more about their similarities and differences. What Is Complex PTSD (C-PTSD)? C-PTSD is […]
Signs of Emotional Trauma in Adults
Emotional trauma is the result of events which are deeply disturbing and may be horrific or terrifying, leaving you feeling unsafe, helpless or overwhelmed and shattered. The good news is that many recover fairly quickly and can move on with their lives. However for some the effects are deep and long-lasting, leading to Post Traumatic […]
Can You Have Trauma Without PTSD?
PTSD always implies having trauma experiences but trauma does not always mean you may have PTSD. But both are the result of shocking, scary, or dangerous events. While they are similar, it’s helpful to understand the differences between these two terms, which can be confusing. Read on to learn more. The Basics of Trauma and […]
SSRI and PTSD: A Medical Approach to PTSD Treatment
Many wonder whether medication is advised for PTSD and if so, what kinds are recommended. Read on to learn more about SSRI medications and treatment approaches for PTSD. Medication for PTSD: Is It Advisable? The current approach to treating PTSD involves both psychotherapy and medications. There are a number of medications that have been recommended […]