Blog Articles

May - Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month—a time to raise awareness about the importance of mental health, to promote acceptance and understanding, and to break the stigma associated with mental illnesses.

May 18th, 2023

Mental Health for Moms

Mental health is a vital component of overall well-being, and it's essential for mothers to prioritize their mental health to navigate the rewarding yet challenging journey of motherhood.

May 11th, 2023

Celebrate the Emotional Resiliency of Teachers

During Teacher Appreciation Week, we want to honor teachers for their incredible resilience in the face of many challenges in today’s teaching profession and educational landscape.

May 5th, 2023

Mental Health: Overcoming the Stigma and Debunking Common Myths

This article aims to address this stigma by debunking common myths about mental illness and providing strategies to overcome it. By promoting accurate information and fostering empathy, we can effectively support those in need.

Apr 28th, 2023

The Power of Pets in Mental Health

In this article, we will delve into the compelling connection between pets and mental health, exploring the psychological benefits of pet ownership, the science behind this bond, and how to make the most of this incredible relationship.

Apr 21st, 2023

Recognizing the Signs of Mental Illness and How to Offer Help

According to the World Health Organization, one in four people will experience a mental health issue at some point in their lives. As such, it is crucial to recognize the signs of mental illness and know how to offer help to those in need.

Apr 11th, 2023

Autism Awareness

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 1 in 54 children in the United States has been diagnosed with ASD. This means that there are millions of individuals and families impacted by ASD in the United States alone.

Apr 5th, 2023

Child Psychological Testing and Evaluation

Child psychological testing and evaluation is a process in which a trained psychologist assesses a child's emotional, cognitive, and behavioral functioning.

Apr 3rd, 2023

Psychological Testing for Autism Spectrum Disorder

Proper psychological testing is a crucial tool for evaluating the symptoms of ASD and developing effective interventions.

Mar 28th, 2023

Psychological Testing for ADHD

One of the most important tools for diagnosing ADHD is psychological testing, which involves a comprehensive evaluation of a person's cognitive, behavioral, and emotional functioning.

Mar 24th, 2023

Achieving Your Goals

Sticking to your goals can bring a variety of benefits to your life, including increased self-confidence, improved health and wellness, increased productivity and success, greater financial stability, and improved relationships.

Mar 20th, 2023

Improve Your Executive Functioning Skills

Executive functioning skills are the cognitive processes that enable individuals to plan, organize, initiate, prioritize, sustain attention, shift between tasks, inhibit inappropriate responses, and manage emotions. These are critical life skills.

Mar 14th, 2023

Screen Time & Mental Health

While screen time has many benefits, including convenience and connectivity, research shows that excessive screen time can have negative effects on mental health.

Mar 10th, 2023

Gardening & Mental Health

There is a growing body of research that suggests gardening can have significant positive effects on mental health. Today we will explore the link between gardening and mental health and how gardening can be used as a tool for improving mental wellness.

Mar 6th, 2023

Women's Mental Health

During March, we celebrate Women’s History Month.

Mar 1st, 2023

Hobbies & Mental Health

Engaging in hobbies is much more than just a way to pass the time. It is a way to nourish our mental health, promote well-being, and reduce stress. In this article, we will explore the importance of hobbies in mental health and how they can benefit us.

Feb 23rd, 2023

Parenting Through Adolescence

Parenting through adolescence presents a new set of challenges for parents. As your child grows into teen life, you may be wondering how to shift your approach to best this new dynamic.

Feb 21st, 2023

Understanding & Treating ODD

ODD is a behavioral disorder that usually begins in childhood and can persist into adolescence. The symptoms of ODD are characterized by persistent patterns of defiant, angry, and aggressive behavior towards authority figures.

Feb 15th, 2023

Valentine’s Day Self-Care

Valentine's Day does not have to be a source of stress or anxiety. There are several ways to cope with these emotions and maintain good mental health during the holiday season. One of the most important things you can do is practice Self-Care.

Feb 13th, 2023

Big feelings, big changes.

Fun ways to Grow and Adapt Positively in Social Settings

Feb 10th, 2023

Mental Health Tips for Winter

Winter can be a challenging time for many people, especially when it comes to mental health. With shorter days, colder weather, and lack of sunlight, it's important to prioritize mental wellness during this time.

Feb 6th, 2023

The Importance of Emotional Intimacy

This Blog will explore the concept of Emotional Intimacy and why it’s essential for couples to nurture it in their relationships. We’ll look at how it can benefit both partners, as well as tips on how to foster this kind of connection.

Jan 30th, 2023

Navigating Social Media and Mental Health

Studies have shown that social media use is associated with an increased risk of depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. The answer is to use social media in a healthy and balanced way.

Jan 23rd, 2023

New Look, Same Great Services

Our website got a makeover!

Jan 13th, 2023

Improve Your Self-Esteem this New Years

A brand-new year is a wonderful opportunity to start fresh in your life. One area where many people need to make changes is in their self-esteem. Low self-esteem can lead to many issues such as depression and anxiety.

Jan 10th, 2023

New Year, New Mindset

Dr. Messina visited with local magazine, Cross Timbers Lifestyle, to discuss the importance of a mental health reset in the New Year.

Jan 2nd, 2023

Mental Wellness Goals for New Years

Make your mental wellness a priority in the New Year!

Dec 28th, 2022

Managing Seasonal Depression

The symptoms of seasonal depression closely align with those of a major depressive disorder. Seasonal Depression is not to be confused with the “winter blues,” which often describes simply feeling sad that the days are shorter.

Dec 19th, 2022

Managing Mid-Year Mental Burnout (For Students)

Students all over the country are finishing up the first half of the school year and entering into winter break. This is the perfect time to recharge and prevent burnout.

Dec 13th, 2022

Healing Childhood Trauma in Adults

Negative and impactful events of your adolescent past often get internalized and mistaken as a determination of your worth. Trauma-focused therapy can help you resolve these early formed beliefs that leave you shackled to your past.

Dec 8th, 2022

A New Way to Look At ADHD

People with ADHD face a lot of challenges socially and mentally. In an effort to spread hope about life after ADHD diagnosis and treatment, this article will highlight the different ways that ADHD can become your own superpower.

Dec 6th, 2022

Volunteering and Mental Health

When we give back, we secrete feel-good hormones like dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin that activate parts of the brain related to pleasure, trust, and relationships.

Dec 1st, 2022

Exposure Therapy for Anxiety

If you feel caged by daily anxiety and struggle to live life on your own terms, exposure therapy might be able to help.

Nov 28th, 2022

Navigating The Holidays Without Strong Family Relationships

For many, the holidays are stressful and triggering. Gatherings with strained family relationships can bring on depression and anxiety just at the thought of going to one. And for others without family near, this time of year is the most difficult.

Nov 23rd, 2022

Therapy for Bipolar Disorder

Living with any form of Bipolar is not easy, but it’s certainly not impossible. People with bipolar are capable of living a life full of joy and peace with the right support and tools.

Nov 21st, 2022

Gratitude and Mental Health

Practicing gratitude fights against the negative thought loops that keep you feeling trapped. It’s not always easy to be grateful on our bad days, but that’s when it’s most important.

Nov 15th, 2022

Support Your Veterans

Life after military experience can be an uphill mental battle. In honor of our veterans, we express our gratitude and remind them that they are not alone.

Nov 11th, 2022

Life with Unresolved Trauma

Some people spend their entire life holding onto moments of pain in their body and mind. These painful, repressed moments accumulate over time. Holding onto them becomes harder and harder to bear. This is life with unresolved trauma.

Nov 7th, 2022

Thankful Thursdays

Every Thursday in November, we will be posting a Thankful Thursday journal prompt. Our goal is to encourage an attitude of gratitude, positive thinking, and cognitive reframing.

Nov 3rd, 2022

Overcome Your Fears

Whatever keeps you up at night and has control of your mental health, you carry the power to overcome it. The trick is to learn how to play the game. Here’s a few tips to help you overcome your fears and anxieties that block you from living your life.

Oct 31st, 2022

Mental and Physical Health are Connected

Physical and mental health are undeniably linked. If you experience problems with one, you’re likely to experience problems with the other. Over time, unprocessed emotions take up our vital energy and we begin to experience physical symptoms.

Oct 27th, 2022

Self-Care Isn’t Selfish

At what point does self-sacrifice become self-neglect? What is often praised as heroic and caring can be the very thing that is hurting your health. If you have anxiety or depression, you likely know all-too-well what it’s like to neglect yourself.

Oct 21st, 2022

Breast Cancer and Mental Health

Being diagnosed with breast cancer naturally brings with it a tidal wave of emotions, like shock. anxiety, and grief. In honor of those fighting breast cancer, here are some helpful ways to support yourself through this unprecedented time.

Oct 17th, 2022

What Can Therapy Teach You

The things you learn in therapy can help bring comfort, clarity, and confidence in the years that follow.

Oct 13th, 2022

World Mental Health Day

1 in 4 people will be affected by mental illness around the world. Depression and anxiety are an epidemic, and these issues affect every other aspect of life and beg to be heard.

Oct 10th, 2022

The Importance of a Good Night's Sleep

Sleep is restorative, increases happiness and performance, and most of all, it’s free – yet over 70 million Americans suffer from a sleep disorder. Most of these sleep problems are caused by stress and poor mental health.

Oct 6th, 2022

Stress Management

Severe stress can impact you physically and mentally. It can lead to symptoms like headaches, chronic health issues, and sleep problems, just to name a few. Our ability to cope with stress greatly affects the way it shows up in our lives.

Oct 3rd, 2022

Understanding ADHD

You don’t have to struggle with daily life. Without support, ADHD can lead to more severe mental health conditions. Counseling for ADHD can gift you the tools and support to make the most of this condition.

Sep 27th, 2022

World Gratitude Day

Expressing gratitude can reduce stress and even lessen symptoms of depression, along with a host of other benefits. Today, take a moment to show someone gratitude or extend some to yourself.

Sep 21st, 2022

Therapy is for Everyone

It’s time to shake the idea that therapy is an option only considered when we can no longer keep our head above water. Like a monthly massage or physical check-up, everyone can benefit from talk therapy.

Sep 19th, 2022

Children’s Mental Health

As parents, we might even strive to keep our children safe from emotionally weighted topics in an attempt to preserve their youthful innocence. While our intentions are pure, this avoidant path does a great disservice when it comes to mental health.

Sep 12th, 2022

Mental Health and Relationships

Mental health conditions like anxiety and depression are incredibly common. Becoming aware of the challenges our mental health can place on our partners and implementing coping strategies can lead to healthy, fulfilling relationships.

Sep 8th, 2022

Healing Through Trauma

Trauma is incredibly complex, and there is still much to learn about it. Trauma isn’t what happens to you. It’s about how you process the lasting impact of a negative event.

Sep 1st, 2022

Recognizing and Managing Social Anxiety

Social anxiety that has turned severe can lead to other health problems, like depression and substance abuse. If you’re struggling to deal with your anxiety, getting support can help you learn life-long coping skills.

Aug 30th, 2022

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective forms of treatment for many common psychological disorders, including depression and anxiety.

Aug 25th, 2022

Recognizing and Managing Depressive Episodes

Depression is a common and often debilitating mental health disorder that affects the way we feel, think, and act. If you think you might be struggling with a depressive episode, read on below for common signs to look out for and effective tools to cope.

Aug 22nd, 2022

Managing Back-To-School Stress

It’s that time of the year again. The time of the year where our schedules are jam packed, the kids go back to routine, and everything feels chaotic. That’s right, the beginning of the school year.

Aug 17th, 2022

Healthy and Effective Communication

Communicating effectively and in healthy ways isn’t always easy. Even the best communicators can have a hard time with it.

Aug 15th, 2022

Heatwaves and Mental Health

Just as many people experience Seasonal Affective Disorder in the winter due to less sunlight and colder temperatures, heatwaves can also have a negative effect on our mental health.

Aug 10th, 2022

Cultivating Self-Esteem

Low self-esteem can make you more vulnerable to mental health issues, or it can indicate that your mental health is already struggling. Either way, there are strategies and pathways to improving it.

Aug 8th, 2022

Coping Strategies for Children

Having feelings is hard. It’s especially difficult for our little ones. Without words or tools to express how they’re feeling, emotions can get really big, really fast.

Aug 4th, 2022

Recognizing and Overcoming Cognitive Distortions

Cognitive distortions are negatively biased thought patterns that fuel our misery, anxiety, and make us feel bad in general. These exaggerated thought patterns are irrational and don’t properly represent reality.

Aug 1st, 2022

Men's Mental Health

When it comes to mental health, our symptoms and even attitudes towards it can often present differently for men and women. In fact, men are less likely to seek help for their mental health issues. Men are 3 times more likely to die by suicide than women.

Jul 25th, 2022

The Nervous System and Mental Health

The nervous system plays a fascinating and crucial role on our road to mental wellbeing. Without basic understanding of how our nervous system functions, we lack having the tools to regulate it when it falls out of balance.

Jul 20th, 2022

Coping With Bad Days

It’s okay to not be okay.

Jul 18th, 2022

Understanding Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder, previously labeled as manic depression, is one of the most misunderstood mental health disorders.

Jul 15th, 2022

Anger Management

Anger itself is not considered a mental health condition, but it is a symptom of several. Instead of fearing and avoiding your anger, work on learning how to sit with it. Here are proactive steps you can take before you end up in the heat of the moment.

Jul 11th, 2022

The Power of Positive Affirmations

The words we use each day are important and hold a great deal of power over our lives. Practicing positive affirmations grants us the power to confront our negative thought patterns and transform them into something that works in our favor.

Jul 6th, 2022

Recognizing and Overcoming Loneliness

Loneliness isn’t considered a mental health condition, but there’s no denying that the two are intimately linked. Mental health struggles leave us feeling lonely, and loneliness is damaging to our mental health.

Jun 28th, 2022

Mental Health and Meditation

To put it in simple terms, meditation is a mental exercise that trains our attention and awareness. Meditation is a valuable tool for putting a stop to cycles negative thoughts that often lead to anxiety and depression.

Jun 23rd, 2022

Challenging Negative Thoughts and Beliefs

If you tell your brain something often enough and emphatically enough, your brain will start to believe it. Do not feed negative thoughts and beliefs to your brain.

Jun 20th, 2022

The Importance of Setting Boundaries

If boundary sounds like a bad word, it’s time to change that. There are a few misconceptions around boundaries that perpetuate the idea that they’re “bad”. They aren’t a bad thing. Boundaries are a form of protection, not a way to limit others.

Jun 13th, 2022

Recognizing Subtle Symptoms of Depression

It’s estimated that over two-thirds of depression cases in the US go undiagnosed. Many times, people wait until depression has corrupted every aspect of their life and they can no longer ignore it.

Jun 7th, 2022

Get The Most Out of Therapy

It can be a challenging step to take the leap into therapy. The challenge doesn’t stop there. Participating in therapy is an active process, and to reap the full benefits of it you must actively put in the effort to make it work.

Jun 3rd, 2022

Mental Health: 101

With a rate of 1 in 5 people diagnosed with mental illness at some point in their lives, it’s essential that we have a basic understanding of it.

May 26th, 2022

5 Major Types of Anxiety

The most common type of mental disorder is anxiety. The prevalence of it has grown exponentially over the last 2 years, but so has our basic understanding of it.

May 24th, 2022

Managing and Preventing Burnout

It’s common in this modern world to feel a pressure to be productive all day, every day. Unfortunately, this is an impossible standard to uphold. We aren’t built to be indefinitely on the go.

May 20th, 2022

Social Media Pitfalls

When we’re mindfully using our phones, there is no harm done. In fact, there are many positives to having a smartphone at our disposal. However, it’s hard to deny the addictive qualities when we find ourselves checking for notifications every few minutes.

May 17th, 2022

Mental Health Myth Busting

The stigmas that have been built around mental health are often rooted in a lack of understanding.

May 13th, 2022

The Importance of Social Interaction

Our social lives are the bedrock of our health and emotional well-being. We’re better together than we are alone. Maintaining a healthy social life is linked to better memory, cognitive function, self-esteem, and even physical health.

May 10th, 2022

Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Help us break the stigma and break the silence so we can all recognize that Mental Health is Health.

May 5th, 2022

The Key to Embracing Change

While it’s normal to fear change and even resist it – there are practices and strategies to overcome this fear and even embrace change itself.

May 2nd, 2022

Understanding and Managing OCD

Although many mistakenly think over organizing or over-cleaning are signs of OCD, true OCD is much more complicated than such behaviors. Suffering from this mental illness can be distressing and lead to anxiety.

Apr 28th, 2022

Nurturing Your Mind with Nature

Statistics say that the average American spends 90 percent of their time indoors . This makes it even more imperative to set intentions to get outside at least once a day and let nature do its job.

Apr 25th, 2022

Spring Refresh: Reset and Recenter your Mental Health

Have you ever thought of giving your mental health and mindset a refresh? Taking care of our brain is one of the most rewarding and important choices we can make.

Apr 18th, 2022

Autism Awareness Month

The signs and symptoms of autism of often visible in infancy and diagnosed around the age of two. At Dr. Messina and Associates, we are qualified to diagnose and provide treatment to children with autism.

Apr 11th, 2022

Psychological Testing

Psychological testing might sound intimidating, but it should not be feared. Psychological testing is a simple process that allows a psychologist to evaluate your specific needs and symptoms. This helps determine your diagnosis as well as treatment plan.

Apr 7th, 2022

Telepsychiatry: Virtual Psychiatric Services

Telepsychiatry is a virtual service that can provide you with psychiatric services from the comfort of your own home or any location you may be.

Apr 4th, 2022

Spring Cleaning and Mental Health

Spring cleaning can help you regain a sense of control over the environment in your home, reduce your stress levels, increase your focus, improve your mood, and may even reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Mar 28th, 2022

Signs of Emotional Abuse in a Relationship

Emotional abuse is just as damaging and scarring as one that is physically damaging, they both leave deep emotional wounds that take time to heal.  

Mar 25th, 2022

Women's Mental Health

In the United States, women are 50% more likely than men to develop generalized anxiety disorders or depression. It is critical to know the risk factors for developing anxiety and depression and the sign and symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Mar 21st, 2022

Psychological Benefits of Exercise

Think of exercising as an extra-boost of therapy and medication. It is a celebration of what your body can do! Regardless of your fitness level, daily exercise of just 30 minutes can make a noticeable change in your wellness. Exercise is for EVERY BODY.

Mar 16th, 2022

Social Media & Relationships

According to Forbes, Americans spent on average 1,300 hours on social media in 2020 alone! Social media is used to stay in contact with friends, family, and even your significant other. However, social media can be problematic for relationships.

Mar 11th, 2022

How to Support Loved Ones with Mental Illness

Watching a loved one struggle with mental illness may be difficult for you and you may not know how to support them. Here are some tips on how to support a loved one with mental illness.

Mar 7th, 2022

Tips to Achieve your Health and Wellness Goals

Every day is an opportunity to take charge and enlist healthy habits. Set specific, attainable goals and you'll find that these changes will have a positive effect on your physical and mental health and wellness.

Feb 28th, 2022

The Importance of Workplace Wellness

According to Forbes, chronic stress is one of the most common health issues in the workplace. This can lead to physical health issues as well as mental health issues. This is why establishing a healthy work-life balance is key.

Feb 25th, 2022

Overcoming the Winter Blues

As we dive deeper into this cold winter, many of us experience a plunge in our mood and energy. The drop in cognitive health seems to be almost parallel with the weather. It is often referred to as winter blues or seasonal affective disorder.

Feb 21st, 2022

Stay at Home Valentine's Dates

Do you remember that time (before kids) when date nights were whenever you felt like it? Now kids are the primary focus and date nights are hard to come by. Maybe there is a solution to this issue, and you do not have to sacrifice date nights.

Feb 14th, 2022

How to Overcome Negative Self-Talk

Some studies show personality characteristics such as optimism or pessimism can affect your overall health and well-being. Perhaps this should help you consider how your self-talk.

Feb 8th, 2022

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) For Depression

Through CBT, you become aware of your thoughts and emotions, identify patterns of negative thinking, and reshape those thoughts. These coping skills give you healthier behaviors and thought patterns. You will learn to challenge a irrational thoughts.

Jan 28th, 2022