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Dr. Messina & Associates Blog View all posts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Healing After Infidelity

Infidelity is one of the most painful emotional attacks we can endure. Discover how you can survive, heal, and overcome the PTSD associated with this trauma.
Jan 20th, 2022

The Power of Pets
Animals offer numerous benefits to our mental and emotional wellbeing. Explore three ways to incorporate furry companions into your psychiatric treatment plan.
Jan 18th, 2022

How to Stop Comparing Yourself to Others
When you focus on what you don't have, what you have becomes less. Explore three perspective shifts to stop comparing yourself to others and enjoy life more.
Jan 4th, 2022

Mindful New Year’s Resolutions for Your Mental Health
With mindful New Year’s resolutions, your mental health can thrive for the better. Here’s everything you need to know about creating mindful New Year’s resolutions that can not only help you cope in the new year but create your dream life.
Dec 27th, 2021

Holiday Giving - Volunteering and Charity
This holiday season, focus on giving back, volunteering, and charity to brighten lives of those in need. Giving back has been proven to boost positive feelings. Here’s what you need to know about how giving back can positively impact your mental health.
Nov 22nd, 2021

How to Effectively Manage Holiday Stress
The holidays can easily and quickly become overwhelming. Thinking about all the things you must do to make sure the holidays are enjoyable for friends, family, and loved ones is enough to stress anyone out. Here are some tips for managing holiday stress.
Nov 17th, 2021

How to Honor Veterans
Veterans hold a sacred place in our country for their ability to keep us safe and the sacrifices they’ve made. Celebrating and spreading awareness for veterans helps veterans obtain employment, seek mental health services, and feel supported and included.
Nov 12th, 2021

Breast Cancer Awareness

To honor those who have fought or are fighting against breast cancer, here’s what you need to know about how breast cancer affects mental health, and how you can help your loved ones or take care of yourself as a survivor or fighter.
Oct 29th, 2021

Post-Pandemic Social Anxiety
Now that life is beginning to resume back to normal, those that struggle with social anxiety may feel added stress at the thought of the new social norms that will be in place.
Oct 25th, 2021

Adapting as a Blended Family
The process of adapting as a blended family may come with some hurdles to overcome but there are many ways to work together and build a beautifully blended life.
Oct 19th, 2021

Keeping a Well-Maintained and Nurtured Marriage
Marriages take effort as a team, and today we are sharing with you some tips on how to maintain and nurture your marriage so that you and your partner can always feel connected, on the same page, and fulfilled.
Oct 11th, 2021

Art and the Mental Health
Studies have shown that participating in various forms of art can have powerful and lasting effects on mental health.
Oct 5th, 2021

Therapy in the Kitchen
Studies have shown cooking and baking can uplift your mood, promote mindfulness, spark passion and creativity, inspire bonding opportunities, and encourage gratitude. Learn more in today's blog.
Sep 21st, 2021