What is PTSD? Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after exposure to a traumatic event. Symptoms can manifest immediately following the event, or weeks, months, or years later. It is normal to experience some sort of stress-related symptoms after a trauma. Common reactions include… Read More
Managing Anxiety and Staying Well During COVID-19 Crisis
As public concern and precautions for COVID-19 are on the rise, the impact of this pandemic is being felt by everyone. Experiencing increases in stress, fear, anxiety, sadness, frustration, confusion are all normal reactions in the face of the tremendous amounts of uncertainty we are all navigating… Read More
Tips for Parents and Caregivers in Supporting Children Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic
As the COVID-19 outbreak progresses and response plans are implemented, families are navigating school closures, changes to employment status and/or environment, and inevitably increased levels of stress. Children may be struggling with major adjustments to their routines. They may ask questions about what is happening,… Read More
Ideas for Free Activities with Digital Access During COVID-19 Quarantine
As we all navigate a new normal of social distancing and home quarantine during the COVID-19 crisis, here is a compilation of free resources (for kids and adults!) to help fill your time in an engaged and productive manner. In this difficult time, where it may feel challenging to… Read More
Exposure and Response Prevention for OCD
While most mental health diagnoses can be treated through various forms of therapy, research has demonstrated that exposure and response(ritual) prevention (EX-RP) is the best-known form of treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). OCD often encompasses both obsessions and compulsions. What is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder? It is important to… Read More
Myths of Addiction
“Being sober is enough.” “She can’t change yet because she hasn’t hit rock bottom.” “Treatment didn’t work last time so it wont work this time either.” “Addiction is a choice and is simply a matter of will power.” These are just a few of the many myths of addiction that… Read More
7 Ways to Strengthen Your Marriage in the New Year
The holidays are filled all kinds of things that compete for your attention. Between various family members, schedules, gift giving (and purchasing), and running around to get things tied up at work before the new year, our marriage often finds a last place seat on the priority list. Thankfully, we… Read More
Making Sense of Addiction
It’s no secret that addiction is a major problem facing our country and world. Over the last decade or so, addiction has increasingly become a subject often discussed or alluded to in social media, the news, books, movies, songs, debates, etc. Most recently, opioid addiction has been officially termed an… Read More
Supporting Our Kids through Trauma
As parents, the job we take most seriously is protecting our children. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, our children and teens sometimes experience traumatic events. Something is considered to be traumatic if it is a scary or dangerous situation that overwhelms a child or teen’s ability to cope. Traumatic events… Read More
Understanding Panic Disorder
Does having a rapid heart rate, sweating, breathlessness, dizziness, feeling like you’re loosing control seem all too familiar? If so, you may be experiencing a panic attack. A panic attack is defined by a sudden rush of fear or discomfort that peaks within ten minutes, and is accompanied by at… Read More