Blog Archive

Meditation & Mental Health. Meditation is an ancient practice, and thanks to social media, it met its’ peak in mainstream popularity over recent years. Increasing amounts of statistical evidence have also aided in its claim to fame. Multiple studies point to the fact that meditation – while a seemingly simple...

Recognizing and Overcoming Loneliness To be a human is to need other people. But what about when you’re in a room full of people and feel more alone than ever? A life full of people or not, loneliness affects just about everyone at some point. When chronic or long-lasting, it...

How Counseling Can Improve Mental Health In Southlake and Flower Mound, where stressors abound, where the demands of daily life can often feel overwhelming, and where the pressures of work, relationships, and personal growth can take a toll on our mental well-being, therapy stands as a beacon of hope and...

Couples Counseling: Strengthening Relationships With Therapy Healthy relationships are the cornerstone of a fulfilling life. They provide love, support, and a sense of belonging. However, even the strongest relationships can face challenges, and that's where couples counseling comes in. In this blog post we will delve into the world of...

Holistic Therapy Approaches: Nurturing Mind, Body & Spirit In an increasingly fast-paced and interconnected world, the importance of holistic approaches to therapy cannot be overstated. The traditional view of therapy often focuses solely on the mind, addressing mental health issues as isolated problems to be solved. However, as our understanding...

Cope With Bad Days No matter how successful, confident, and happy you are, there are still those days where life feels like a punishment and getting out of bed is the last thing we want to do. What typically follows is a series of unfortunate events: You spill hot coffee...

Heatwaves and Mental Health In many parts of the US, including Texas, the summer weather has been brutal and unforgiving. Our AC’s stop working, electric bills skyrocket, and sweat is everywhere. It’s just plain hot out there! While summer is usually thought of as a time for vacations, barbeques and...

How to Find the Right Therapist: Choosing Your Perfect Fit Mental health is an essential aspect of our overall well-being, and seeking therapy can be a pivotal step towards achieving emotional and psychological balance. However, finding the right therapist in Southlake and Flower Mound is not always straightforward; it requires...

Therapeutic Approaches for Recovery from Narcissistic Abuse Narcissistic abuse stands as a deeply intricate and insidious form of psychological manipulation that leaves survivors in Southlake and Flower Mound grappling with profound emotional wounds. To embark on a journey of healing, it's essential to grasp the intricacies of this abuse, its...

The Role of Play Therapy in Childhood Development Childhood is a critical period of growth and development, laying the foundation for an individual's physical, emotional, and cognitive well-being. During this time, children in Flower Mound and Southlake go through numerous changes, both internally and externally, as they explore the world...

Coping with Grief: The Role of Bereavement Counseling Losing a loved one is undoubtedly one of the most challenging and emotionally overwhelming experiences that life throws our way. Grief, the natural response to such a loss, can manifest in a myriad of ways, affecting our emotional, mental, and even physical...

Unlocking Emotional Intelligence Through Therapy In a world that often prioritizes intellectual prowess and external achievements, the concept of emotional intelligence (EI) has emerged as a powerful counterbalance. Emotional intelligence encompasses the ability to recognize, understand, manage, and effectively use one's own emotions while empathizing with the emotions of others....

The Transformative Power of Therapy in Addiction Recovery In the ever-evolving world in Flower Mound and Southlake, where addiction's grip continues to tighten, the pursuit of effective recovery methods becomes paramount. Addiction, in its various forms, has the potential to unravel lives, relationships, and aspirations. Yet, hope shines through the...

An Inner Journey: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Amidst the ceaseless cacophony of modern life in Southlake and Flower Mound, stress has entrenched itself as a pervasive force affecting individuals from all walks of life. Yet, within the chaotic currents, a transformative practice has emerged—Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). Rooted in the fertile...

Trauma-Informed Therapy: Healing and Recovery Life can be unpredictable, and for many people, it comes with its share of challenges and difficulties. Unfortunately, some experiences can leave deep emotional wounds that impact individuals long after the event has passed. Trauma can manifest in various forms, such as physical abuse, emotional...

Family Counseling: Strengthening Bonds & Resolving Conflicts Family is the heart of Southlake and Flower Mound, and strong, harmonious relationships within families are vital for individual growth and overall societal well-being. Yet, no family is exempt from challenges and conflicts. When faced with adversity, seeking professional help through family counseling...

Therapy for Anxiety - A Path to Inner Peace In today's fast-paced and ever-changing world here in Flower Mound and Southlake, it's no wonder that anxiety has become an all-too-familiar companion for many people. The constant pressure to excel, the uncertainty of the future, and the daily challenges we face...

Embracing the Light Within: Therapy for Depression Depression is a pervasive and complex mental health condition that affects millions of people all over the world. It can manifest in various forms, ranging from mild to severe, and can significantly impact an individual's emotional, cognitive, and physical well-being. Fortunately, there is...

Who Can Benefit from EMDR Therapy? While originally designed to address Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), EMDR's adaptability and success have led to its application in various contexts. Developed by Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, EMDR therapy has gained widespread recognition and support in the mental health community due to...

Strengthening Connections: Couples Counseling In the intricate tapestry of human relationships, couples in Flower Mound and Southlake face a myriad of challenges that can strain their connection and harmony. However, seeking professional help through couples counseling can be the key to overcoming these obstacles and building enduring and fulfilling partnerships....

The Transformative Power of Therapy Therapy is a transformative process that offers individuals a safe and supportive space to explore their thoughts, emotions, and experiences. In this comprehensive blog post, we delve into the world of therapy in Southlake and Flower Mound, shedding light on its benefits, different modalities, the...

Counseling & The Path to Healing Counseling is a transformative process that provides individuals with a safe and supportive environment to explore their emotions, challenges, and personal growth. In this comprehensive blog post, we delve into the world of counseling available in Flower Mound and Southlake, examining its benefits, different...

Unveiling the Power of Psychological Testing Psychological testing plays a crucial role in the field of psychology, providing valuable insights into human behavior, cognitive abilities, personality traits, and mental health. These tests offer a systematic approach to evaluate and measure various psychological constructs, helping professionals diagnose disorders, design effective treatment...

Balance Complexities: Psychiatric Medication Management Psychiatric medication management is a critical aspect of mental health treatment, providing individuals with relief from distressing symptoms and improving their overall well-being. However, effective and safe medication usage requires comprehensive management. In this extensive blog post, we delve deeply into the complexities of psychiatric...

EMDR: Unlocking Healing and Transformation  In the realm of psychotherapy, various approaches have emerged to address and heal the deep wounds of trauma. One such powerful therapy is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Developed by psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro in the late 1980s, EMDR has gained recognition and popularity...

Therapy and Mindfulness: Cultivating Mental Well-being In today's fast-paced and demanding world, maintaining mental well-being has become a significant challenge for many residents of Flower Mound and Southlake. Fortunately, there are effective approaches that can help us navigate the complexities of our minds and promote mental well-being. Two powerful practices...

The Role of Therapy in Personal Growth Therapy has long been recognized in Flower Mound as a powerful tool for personal growth and emotional well-being. Whether you are navigating challenging life transitions, overcoming past traumas, or seeking self-discovery, therapy offers a supportive and transformative space for individuals to explore, heal,...

Understanding PTSD: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment June 27th is recognized as National PTSD Awareness Day, a time to shed important light on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the impact it has on individuals and our community of Flower Mound. PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing...

Overcoming the Stigma: Breaking Down Misconceptions About Therapy Here in Southlake and Flower Mound, mental health awareness is gaining momentum, yet the stigma surrounding therapy remains pervasive. Misconceptions and stereotypes about therapy prevent many individuals from seeking the help they need. It's crucial to challenge these misconceptions and break down...

The Power of Therapy: Journey of Self-Discovery & Healing In today's fast-paced and demanding world, we can find ourselves often grappling with a wide range of emotional, psychological, and relational challenges. In such times, therapy emerges as a powerful tool that offers solace, guidance, and profound personal growth. Therapy provides...

Prioritizing Parents' Mental Health Summer break in Flower Mound and Southlake is a time eagerly anticipated by children and parents alike. It offers a break from the routine of school, the opportunity for family adventures, and a chance to create lasting memories. However, amidst the excitement and busyness of summer...

Promoting Men's Mental Health In recent years, there's been a growing recognition of the importance of mental health. While encouraging progress has been made in breaking the stigma surrounding mental health, there is still much work to be done, particularly in men's mental health. Traditional gender norms and societal expectations...

Nurturing Healthy Relationships with Your College-Age Children During Their Summer Break As parents, one of the most enriching aspects of life is the ongoing journey of maintaining and cultivating healthy relationships with your children. This process, however, might become somewhat more complex when your kids reach their college years. The...

Understanding Mental Health: Emphasizing Awareness and Acceptance 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. Each year, millions of people worldwide grapple with mental health conditions, from anxiety...

Mental Health for Moms A Comprehensive Guide to Self-Care and Well-being This Mother's Day, let's come together to honor and celebrate the incredible moms who have shaped our lives with their unconditional love, strength, and wisdom. Mother's Day is an opportunity to express our gratitude for the countless sacrifices they've...

Celebrate the Emotional Resiliency of Teachers Introduction The teaching profession is known for its challenges and high demands, requiring teachers to adapt to different situations daily. Emotional resilience is a vital quality that enables individuals to bounce back from adversity, stress, or change. In the world of education, teachers often...

Mental Health: Overcoming the Stigma and Debunking Common Myths In today's fast-paced world, mental health has become an increasingly important concern. Despite advances in our understanding of mental illness, there still exists a pervasive stigma surrounding these conditions. This article aims to address this stigma by debunking common myths about...

The Power of Pets in Mental Health In today's fast-paced world, mental health has become a growing concern for many individuals. As we search for ways to alleviate stress, anxiety, and depression, the remarkable bond between humans and pets has proven to be a powerful remedy. In this article, we...

Recognizing the Signs of Mental Illness and How to Offer Help   Mental illness is a growing concern worldwide, affecting millions of people and their families. According to the World Health Organization, one in four people will experience a mental health issue at some point in their lives. As such,...

Autism Awareness Month   April is Autism Awareness Month, a time dedicated to spreading awareness about autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a developmental disorder that affects communication, social interaction, and behavior. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 1 in 54 children in the United States has...

Child Psychological Testing and Evaluation Childhood is a critical phase of development, and it is important for parents and caregivers to ensure that children receive proper psychological care. One of the ways to do this is through psychological testing and evaluation. In this article, we will discuss what child psychological...

Psychological Testing for Autism Spectrum Disorder Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects communication, social interaction, and behavior. It is a complex condition that varies widely in its presentation and severity. There is no single test to diagnose ASD, and it can be challenging for professionals to...

Psychological Testing for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that affects about 5-10% of school-aged children and up to 4% of adults. The symptoms of ADHD include inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, which can significantly impair a person's functioning in multiple domains of life, such as...

Achieving Your Goals The beginning of a new year is a common time to set goals and make resolutions for the coming months. Unfortunately, many people struggle to stick to their New Year's goals and find themselves giving up after just a few weeks. However, sticking to your goals can...

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 skills are critical for success in academic, professional, and social domains. Research has demonstrated that executive functioning skills...

Screen Time and Mental Health Screen time refers to the amount of time an individual spends using electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, computers, and televisions. Screen time has increased significantly in recent years, especially during the pandemic, as people have had to work, learn, and socialize from home. While...

Gardening & Mental Health Spring is an exciting time for gardening enthusiasts. After a long winter, gardeners are eager to get outside and start working on their gardens. The warmer weather and longer days of spring provide ideal conditions for planting, growing, and maintaining a variety of plants. Gardening has...

Women’s Mental Health During March, we celebrate Women’s History Month. The purpose of Women's History Month is to recognize and celebrate the contributions of women to history, culture, and society. The origins of Women's History Month can be traced back to the early 1900s when women's history began to be...

Hobbies & Mental Health Hobbies are often considered a luxury that we can only afford to indulge in after we have taken care of our other obligations. However, engaging in hobbies is much more than just a way to pass the time. It is a way to nourish our mental...

Parenting Through Adolescence The change in a parent and child’s relationship in adolescence is one that actually starts in the toddler stages, when they develop the ability to move. Toddlers begin to experience the world around them with all of their new senses and are keen to explore it. As...

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (Odd): Understanding the Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is a behavioral disorder that affects children and adolescents and is characterized by persistent patterns of anger, irritability, argumentativeness, and defiance towards authority figures such as parents, teachers, and other adults. According to the DSM-5, ODD...

Valentine’s Day Self-Care Valentine's Day is a time to celebrate love and affection with your significant other, family, and friends. However, for many people, the holiday can bring feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression. Mental health is a critical aspect of overall well-being, and it is essential to understand how...

Big feelings, big changes. We are excited to present a special event at the Flower Mound Public Library on Tuesday, 02/28/2023 From 7-8 pm.  This program will be focused on helping children in grades 2-6 and their parents. Growing and adapting in social settings can be challenging for children. Especially,...

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. Mental health is a critical aspect of overall well-being, and taking...

The Importance of Emotional Intimacy We all know communication is the key to a healthy and lasting relationship, but what about Emotional Intimacy? Emotional Intimacy is just as important, if not more so, to the success of a relationship. The Gottman Institute, after observing thousands of their couples in their...

Navigating Social Media and Mental Health Social media has become an integral part of our daily lives. From staying connected with friends and family, to keeping up with the latest news and trends, social media platforms have transformed the way we communicate and consume information. However, with the increasing use...

We have a newly design website! We are excited about the new features for requesting appointments, helping you find us on social media, and giving you the opportunity to share your feedback directly with us.  Check it out today!  https://www.drmessina.com/  

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. Fortunately, there are some simple steps...

New Year, New Mindset With the New Year, many are looking at making resolutions related to health and wellness. This is the perfect time to do a mental health reset and make some meaningful commitments to our overall wellness.  Dr. Messina's Tips for Beginning a Healthy New Year New Year’s...

Mental Wellness Goals for New Years As we enter the new year, thinking about resolutions is typically at the forefront of our minds. If you are thinking about setting a goal to improve your mental health in the new year, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to find...

Managing Seasonal Depression As the seasons change, the days become darker and shorter. During the fall and winter, about 5% of adults in the United States experience seasonal depression, also known as seasonal affective disorder. Seasonal depression is a form of depression in which symptoms last through the fall and...

Managing Mid-Year Mental Burnout (For Students) If you feel trapped in a cycle of mental exhaustion and feel emotionally drained since you completed the fall/winter semester, you may be experiencing mental burnout. Sometimes, mental burnout may feel like it is slowly becoming increasingly worse until it is unmanageable. Other times, the...

Healing Childhood Trauma in Adults For a long time now, the way our environment shapes us as people has been highly underestimated by society. It may come as a surprise that one of the most common reasons that adults suffer from mental health issues today is a result of unresolved...

A New Way to Look At ADHD We all deserve to be recognized and celebrated for our differences. ADHD is one of those differences. Living with ADHD is undoubtedly difficult and exhausting but let me remind you – you’re not broken. It is possible to discover a new perspective on...

Giving Is Good for Your Mental Health There’s nothing quite like the joy of watching someone we love open a gift we know they’d love. Or the warmth that settles over us when we can provide someone who has very little with the stuff everyone deserves. As humans, it’s in...

Exposure Therapy for Anxiety Does your anxiety limit your ability to fully enjoy your life? You wouldn’t be the only one. Every day, someone out there loses to the incessant fears that plague their daily peace of mind. Unmanaged anxiety often only gets worse when it goes unaddressed. It can...

Navigating The Holidays Without Strong Family Relationships The holiday season is near and dear to millions of people around the world. I mean, some people can hardly wait to put the Christmas tree up until after Halloween! Besides the festive traditions, the holidays are typically viewed as a time to...

Therapy for Bipolar Disorder Bipolar disorder is still a highly stigmatized condition, and many people living with it battle with this stigma. Characterized by mood fluctuations that range from high to low, people with bipolar are often misunderstood and labeled “crazy” or “unstable”. For someone living with this disorder, these...

Gratitude and Mental Health It’s that time of the year for bonfires and cozy gatherings with family and friends. Without the heat of the sun to warm us, we look to fuzzy slippers and hot soup. In this season where things tend to slow down, we get a chance to...

Veterans Day - Support Your Veterans On this Veterans Day and each one that comes before and after, we take a moment to remember what our veterans have sacrificed for us over the years. They are some of the bravest people to walk among us, and they deserve a lifetime...

Life with Unresolved Trauma What Is a Trauma Response? 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. A trauma response...

Thankful Thursdays Journal Prompts Every Thursday in November, we will be posting a Thankful Thursday journal prompt. We encourage you to take a moment to reflect on each prompt, either by writing in your journal, discussing with a friend or family member, or even just taking some time to meditate...

Overcome Your Fears This Halloween Ghosts and goblins are fun and exciting to see on Halloween. There’s something magical about letting imagination come to life. But no one throws a party for the ghosts that haunt our peace of mind each day. If you’re someone who allows fear and anxiety...

Mental and Physical Health are Connected Through years of conditioning and the norms of society, it’s become an automatic human response to push “bad” feelings aside. You might be familiar with terms like “man up” or “you’ll get over it”. Phrases and thought processes like these have become etched into...

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. It can even feel wrong and...

Breast Cancer and Mental Health October is the month of the pink ribbon – a symbol of support to those who have fought or are currently fighting through breast cancer. 1 in 8 women receive a breast cancer diagnosis at some point in their life – making it the most...

What Can Therapy Teach You? There are several reasons why people finally choose therapy. One person loses their child, and their loss is too great to bear alone. Another person goes because they need accountability, while someone else struggles with severe anxiety. These are all vastly different reasons to choose...

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. This year for World Mental Health Day, the goal is to make mental...

Good Sleep Matters 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. The ironic part of it all is that good, quality...

Stress Management Techniques It seems that with the rise of modern life comes the stress of it, too. We’re constantly connected through our phones, life is more complicated than it once was, and it’s all happening so fast. While we can’t go back in time to a world without technology...

Understanding ADHD ADHD is a complex neurological disorder that presents special challenges to those diagnosed with it. In the past, it was only considered a condition that affected children, but ADHD can present itself at any point of your life. It is commonly marked by inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. The...

World Gratitude Day It’s gratitude day, and yes, we could all use a little gratitude every day, but this day serves as a good reminder of just how important it is to express it. Gratitude helps us lead happier, more fulfilling lives. Expressing gratitude can reduce stress and even lessen...

Therapy is for Everyone The stigmas of mental health have come a long way over the years. Conversations surrounding mental wellness are expressed more openly and many are catching on to the importance of its impact on daily life. Even with all this progress, there is room for improvement. It’s...

Children’s Mental Health Did you know that over half of mental illnesses start before the age of 14? As children, our first experiences of the world shape us the most. That means it’s never too soon to start a conversation about mental health with our kids. Doing so early can...

Mental Health and Relationships The state of our mental health and ability to cope when things get rough can play a big role in the way we show up in our relationships. Experiencing periods of poor mental health is mentally, emotionally, and physically taxing. It’s no wonder that it can...

Healing Through Trauma What is Trauma? Trauma is a nearly universal experience. Over half of the US population will experience at least one traumatic event in their lifetime. Full of nuance and always evolving in meaning, one thing remains the same – trauma leaves a mess in its wake. Most...

Recognizing and Managing Social Anxiety How often do you try to avoid situations that require being around people? Does it feel like you’re constantly being watched and criticized? While we all have days where we just don’t want to be around people, social anxiety goes beyond that. It’s not just...

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective forms of treatment for many common mental health issues, including depression and anxiety. Our team of providers at Dr. Messina & Associates in Southlake, Texas, and Flower Mound, Texas, have seen how much this form of therapy...

Depressive Episodes Depression is a common and often debilitating mental health disorder that affects the way we feel, think, and act. It’s not just a feeling of sadness, and it can last for weeks and even months. There are several mental health disorders that can lead to depressive episodes. If...

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. As parents, we’re mostly prepared for what’s coming. However, our kids...

Healthy and Effective Communication Communication is a key part of our everyday life. When we do it effectively, we deepen our connections with others and establish a greater sense of wellbeing. Despite the importance of healthy and strong communication skills, it remains undeveloped for many people.   Communicating effectively and...

Heatwaves and Mental Health In many parts of the US, including Texas, the summer weather has been brutal and unforgiving. Our AC’s stop working, electric bills skyrocket, and sweat is everywhere. It’s just plain hot out there! While summer is usually thought of as a time for vacations, barbeques and...

Cultivating Self-Esteem If you have a habit of being overly critical about yourself and struggle with accepting compliments, chances are you battle with low self-esteem. Low self-esteem isn’t considered a mental health condition, but they are closely linked. It’s all too easy to fall into anxious or depressive episodes if...

Coping Strategies for Children As a parent, we want the very best for our kids. We want them to be happy, loved, and fulfilled. That’s a reasonable desire. We often think of childhood as that easy, carefree time in our life, but children aren’t exempt from their own unique challenges....

Recognizing and Overcoming Cognitive Distortions As a collective, we’ve become increasingly prone to overthinking. It makes sense, considering the increased social isolation in recent years. Combine that with the overflow of information on social media, and we’re met with a surge of cognitive distortions. Cognitive distortions are negatively biased thought...

Mental Health For Men 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. This unfortunate statistic makes sense, considering the traditional gender roles presented...

Understanding The Nervous System The nervous system plays a fascinating and crucial role on our road to mental wellbeing. It is our own personal instruction manual for navigating the world. Our nervous system affects the way we think, feel, and act. You could think of it as a sophisticated supercomputer...

Coping With Bad Days No matter how successful, confident, and happy you are, there are still those days where life feels like a punishment and getting out of bed is the last thing we want to do. What typically follows is a series of unfortunate events: You spill hot coffee...

Understanding Bipolar Disorder Bipolar disorder, previously labeled as manic depression, is one of the most misunderstood mental health disorders. Those diagnosed with it are commonly stereotyped as unstable and moody. These descriptions of this disorder are dismissive and stigmatizing – and the only purpose they serve is making it harder...

How to Effectively Manage Anger Do you see red when you’re cut off in traffic? Do small, insignificant events bring on a feeling of rage? Just like any emotion, anger is a normal and valid part of life. For the most part, we’ve been conditioned to believe anger is a...

The Power of Positive Affirmations The words we use each day are important and hold a great deal of power over our lives. The same way it hurts to hear someone say something mean about us, it is just as painful to hear the same phrases from ourselves. Thankfully, practicing...

Recognizing and Overcoming Loneliness To be a human is to need other people. But what about when you’re in a room full of people and feel more alone than ever? A life full of people or not, loneliness affects just about everyone at some point. When chronic or long-lasting, it...

The Benefits of Practicing Meditation Meditation is an ancient practice, and thanks to social media, it met its’ peak in mainstream popularity over recent years. Increasing amounts of statistical evidence have also aided in its claim to fame. Multiple studies point to the fact that meditation – while a seemingly...

Challenging Negative Thoughts and Beliefs How do you feel about the world around you? Do you believe life is full of disappointment and good things only happen by luck? Do you believe you create your reality or do things only happen by chance? The beliefs we hold are shaped by...

The Importance of Setting Boundaries What Are Boundaries? Boundaries are the rules and limits we set for ourselves in relationships, whether it’s friends, family, or romantic interests. Where our boundaries lie will look different from person to person, but the purpose of them is all the same – to protect...

Subtle Symptoms of Depression What is Depression? Depression is one of the most widely misunderstood mental health conditions. If you’ve ever suffered from it, you likely understand why. The term is casually thrown around in everyday conversation as a catch-all for sadness, which waters it down for those who are...

Get The Most Out of Therapy Whether you’re currently in therapy or new to the process, it’s never too late to consider taking steps that will maximize your therapeutic experience. When your mental health is suffering, it a challenging step to take the leap into therapy. The challenge doesn’t stop...

Mental Health: 101 May is mental health awareness month, and while our mental health matters every day of the year, it’s as good a reminder as any to check in with ourselves and those close to us. The theme this year is “Back to Basics”, and the goal is to...

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. Anxiety is a complex condition and while there are some shared characteristics, it often doesn’t look...

What is Burnout? How often do you check the clock or your phone while you’re at work? Does it feel like you’re constantly waiting for the day to be over? We all have those days, but if this is an everyday routine for you, you could be experiencing burnout. Burnout...

How Social Media Can Affect Our Mental Well-Being Do you ever have a hard time putting your phone down? Do you make promises to put it down and then find it in your hands 5 minutes later without even realizing it? You aren’t the only one. Our phones are now...

Mental Health Myth Busting Battling with your mental health is often a lonely road for those who go through it. This is because mental health has been misunderstood since the beginning of time. With the rise of the pandemic and isolation, the prevalence of anxiety and depression has increased by...

The Importance of Social Interaction After all that’s transpired since the pandemic, socializing and maintaining relationships has turned into a sore spot for many of us. It makes sense – with online services from grocery shopping to remote work and so much more – it’s easier than ever to live...

Mental Health Awareness Month There has often been a stigma attached to seeking help for mental health needs. Although the general discourse regarding mental health has changed drastically in our society, we still need to bring awareness to the importance of mental health. The fact is - 1 in 4...

The Key to Embracing Change What comes to mind when you hear the word “change”? Do you feel nervous? Uncertain? Does it make you excited? Or did you just roll your eyes? Many of us have a complicated relationship with this word, and it’s not uncommon for a lot of...

Understanding and Managing Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder A term that sometimes gets thrown around loosely, “OCD” or obsessive-compulsive disorder, is defined by a pattern of unwanted thoughts or fears that lead to repetitive behaviors. Although many mistakenly think over organizing or over-cleaning are signs of OCD, true OCD is much more complicated...

Nurturing Your Mind with Nature Going outside isn’t exclusive to kids. The days are getting warmer and longer, and the heat of the sun is the perfect reminder to venture outside. That goes for all of us. Life can already be stressful, yet according to the World Health Organization, the...

Spring Refresh: Reset and Recenter your Mental Health Right around March, many of us turn our focus to a spring refresh in our homes. Tasks often include ridding homes of excess clutter, scrubbing crevices that don’t often get attention, and organizing what we do choose to keep. We do this...

Autism Awareness Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder Autism spectrum disorder currently affects about 1 in every 68 children in the United States. The signs and symptoms of autism of often visible in infancy and diagnosed around the age of two. Children who are diagnosed and receive treatment earlier have a greater chance of...

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. Then, once they understand your symptoms, they can make a diagnosis of a mental illness or disorder and then create...

Telepsychiatry: Virtual Psychiatric Services Are you struggling with your mental health and do not have the time or energy to make an appointment to see a psychologist in their office? Do you ever wonder what it would be like to receive help for your mental health without going to an...

Spring Cleaning and Mental Health Spring has arrived! How are you feeling? With longer days and warmer weather approaching, we typically desire to freshen up our homes and clear out the clutter. Not only does cleaning refresh the environment of our homes, but research shows that spring cleaning has many...

Signs of Emotional Abuse in a Relationship When you say the words “abusive relationship,” most immediately assume a physically abusive and life-threatening relationship. Although this is a great cause for concern, physical harm is not the only type of abuse affecting individuals in long-term relationships and marriages. Emotionally abusive relationships...

Women’s Mental Health: How to Recognize Anxiety and Depression and Where to Get Help  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...

Psychological Benefits of Exercise Sometimes you just need to get moving! Stress takes a massive toll on our bodies but exercise is a great way to decrease stress levels! Exercise pump ups your endorphins and it is essential to overall physical, mental and emotional health. Do not think of exercise...

The Impact of Social Media on Relationships According to Forbes, Americans spent on average 1,300 hours on social media in 2020 alone! Although you might think the pandemic most likely spiked these numbers, the previous year’s average was relatively the same. Social media is used to stay in contact with...

When a loved one struggles with a mental illness, it can affect the relationships of those closest to them. Relationships are meant to be a support system especially during the times of need. Watching a loved one struggle with mental illness may be difficult for you and you may not...

Tips to Achieve your Health and Wellness Goals We always start the year so eagerly and are determined to get it right this time. New year's resolutions are set on the first day of the year to start fresh and new. Although we are now two months into this new...

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. This not only helps reduce stress in your life,...

Winter Blues: Seasonal Depression, Symptoms, and Tips for Coping 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...

Celebrating Valentine's Day at Home Home Date Nights for Couples with Kids With tight work schedules and limited time on the weekends, sometimes family time is what we crave. Maybe there is a solution to this issue, and you do not have to sacrifice date nights. Date nights at home...

How to Overcome Negative Self-Talk  There is a difference between a healthy, constructive self-reflection talk vs. picking yourself apart. Constant belittling is not motivational, encouraging, or helpful, this action will only wire your brain to view yourself as such. If you constantly tell yourself you are worthless, useless, and all...

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression Anyone who suffers from depression understands it is tough to enjoy life to the fullest every day. Some days are brighter than others, but on those dark days, everything seems to feel extra heavy. And with the pandemic still on the loom, some might be...

What is anxiety disorder? There are many types of anxiety disorders, but each one includes overwhelming worry and fear that interfere with day-to-day life. Some of the most common anxiety disorders are generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Anxiety can also...

Healing From Cheating and Betrayal | Infidelity PTSD Learning that your partner has been unfaithful is incredibly debilitating. The shock of this discovery may feel like a rug has been pulled out from underneath you and knocked you flat on your back. This can cause everyday life to be consumed...

How Animal Interactions Can Support Mental Health and Well-being Animal companionship has served human beings long throughout our history. Although these relationships were conceived for functional purposes and survival, our inter-species bonds have evolved into complex and tightly knit symbiotic relationships. Dogs, cats, and many other species have become an...

How to Handle Temper Tantrums  Does your child scream, cry, kick, and hit when they don't get what they want? The solution may be simpler, and gentler, than you think. Daniel J. Siegel is a researcher and clinical professor of psychiatry at the UCLA School of Medicine as well as...

Treat Insomnia Naturally with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy  Quality sleep is one of the main pillars that make up the foundation of our well-being. Sleep is one of our body’s main sources of energy, as well as the primary timeframe that our body digests stress hormones. Unfortunately, sleep deprivation and insomnia...

How to Stop Comparing Yourself to Others As the famous saying goes, “Comparison is the thief of all joy.” This innocent cognitive function that encourages us to constantly weigh the scales has been an incredibly beneficial adaptation throughout human evolution. However, in our modern age of globalized social media, the...

Mindful New Year’s Resolutions for Your Mental Health As COVID continues to trail behind us, looking to each new year becomes increasingly optimistic. New Year’s resolutions have never been more impactful or important as they are in the current day and age. New Year’s resolutions help us put our best...

The close of the year tends to generate and unearth a lot of difficult feelings. Many people find that anxiety, depression, and traumatic memories are triggered around the holidays. People who are navigating the grief process are especially vulnerable to these mental health challenges. Grief is defined as great suffering...

It is very easy for our eating habits to swing out of balance during the holidays. This season can cause many people to turn to binge eating for comfort, stimulation, and escape. The holidays are very stressful, and deep emotional processing often accompanies the close of the year. Not to...

How to Navigate the Holidays Without Strong Family Relationships 'Tis the season to be jolly, but it can bring feelings of loneliness, sadness, and stress for a lot of people. Maybe you’ve lost someone. Maybe you have strained relationships with your family. Maybe you just prefer to spend the holidays...

This Holiday Season, Focus on Giving Back, Volunteering, and Charity The holidays can be tough for those struggling with their mental health. It’s important to take a step back amid the peppermint mochas and Black Friday shopping to remember what the holidays are all about: creating fond memories and putting...

How to Effectively Manage Holiday Stress The holidays this year are sure to look different from last year’s. As the COVID age slowly begins to trail behind us and things return to normal, you may find yourself experiencing some stress or anxiety. The holidays are already a stressful time for...

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 in American life.   Veterans Day and...

How to Practice Thankfulness and Gratitude This Holiday Season  The holidays can be a difficult time for a lot of people, especially given the events of the last year. As COVID-19 forever altered life as we know it, your life may look drastically different than it did two years ago....

This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Focus on Your Mental Health  In October, the power of pink is seen everywhere. Being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it’s a time to recognize women around the globe that are actively fighting against breast cancer or have survived or passed from breast cancer. Those affected...

How to Handle Post-Pandemic Social Anxiety As we move into the next chapter of this collective experience of the global pandemic, it probably feels daunting for a good amount of people – especially for those that live with social anxiety. Social anxiety can already be extremely debilitating without the added...

Adapting as a Blended Family Blended families are more and more common, since about half of marriages end in divorce and around 15% of kids are a part of a blended family, according to the US Census Bureau. A blended family is the phrase that has been assigned to family...

Keeping a Well-Maintained and Nurtured Marriage Marriage is a big step for most relationships, since it is the ceremonial joining of your individual lives and a huge commitment that you make to one another. Making the choice to get married can potentially change various things in your relationship and give...

The Relationship Between Creating Art and the Mental Health Finding that activity or hobby that just clicks with you and brings you to a state of peace is something that is so valuable in life. Sometimes it may take some trial and error to discover what meshes well with your...

Taking a Look at Positive Correction Parenting Becoming a parent is a whole new journey that no amount of mental preparation can really set you fully up for. There are so many new challenges and circumstances you will face in this new endeavor that you can’t truly understand until you...

Therapy in the Kitchen If you have ever been inspired to cook up an impressive meal or bake a marvelous pastry or cake, did you feel ultra-accomplished and a noticeable sense of calm? If so, you might have a special connection with spending time in the kitchen that translates into...

Music as Therapy The art form of music is something almost magical, since it has the incredible ability to transcend things like language and to just make a person feel things deep within. Music is something that nearly every single person can relate to in one way or another, and...

Handling the End of Summer Blues As the summer days wind down and the shift into the autumn months occurs, you might notice that you routinely start to feel down when this time of year rolls around. The month of August is generally considered to be the final month of...

Mental Health Benefits of Reading Have you ever become so ridiculously lost in a captivating book – so much so that it was nearly impossible to put down? Maybe you are someone that considers themselves to be a bookworm that always has a book you are in the progress of...

Conflict Resolution in Interpersonal Relationships Throughout our day-to-day lives, we have a wide array of different interactions with both people in our everyday lives and with those we just come across briefly or in passing. Interpersonal relationships are the relationships we have with one or more people on any level,...

Parenting as a Team Becoming a parent is a whole new adventure that is impossible to fully understand until you are experiencing it firsthand. It has been said many times that as a parent you are constantly learning and evolving, which certainly seems to be true. Everyone has their own...

Understanding Emotional Health When you think about the word “health” is the state of your physical health the first thing that comes to mind? To be fair, physical health is usually what people are referring to when this term is used, but there are more factors that make up our...

Using Movement to Heal In the world of psychology and mental health, there is an abundance of ways to treat various disorders since every individual has their own specific needs and unique ways of healing. We’ve previously discussed how group therapy can be highly beneficial to many – primarily for...

Keys to a Successful Transition to College You have finally graduated high school and you’re thrilled to move off to college and officially start this next chapter of your life – this can be an extremely exciting time, but it can also be a time that brings about a level...

Back to School Stress Management Stress affects anyone and everyone at one point or another in life, and it does not discriminate against age or where one may be at with their life situation. The beginning of the school year can be an especially stressful time for parents and particularly...

Adjusting to the Stress of Entering Middle or High School With the new school year coming up, this means that a new group of students are making their way into middle or high school to start this new chapter. Any major transition such as this can easily trigger feelings of...

Benefits of Group Therapy When you therapy comes to mind, the image of one-on-one meetings in an office might be what instantly comes to mind. There are a lot of different forms of therapy, and group therapy is one of the styles that is highly beneficial and effective for many....

Parenting and Smartphones Parenting looks a lot different to us today than it did even just a few decades ago, and a huge reason for that is due to the introduction of the internet and smartphones within our daily lives. This introduction of technology has been an incredible thing that...

Simple Daily Habits to Improve Mental Wellness One of the many beautiful things about life is the opportunity to start each day on a fresh foot and to make the most out of it however you see fit, and the daily habits that you enact certainly play a huge role...

Yoga for Anxiety Yoga is a powerful practice that many of us now know about due to the immense amplification of popularity that has occurred over the last decade or so. Yoga dates back to at least 5,000 years ago in India, so it is safe to say that this...

Coping with Lifelong Illness Receiving a diagnosis for some chronic illness is understandably life-altering news to hear, and in a lot of cases a chronic illness is unfortunately something that will be present for the remainder of one’s life. There are often viable treatment options that are able to manage...

Practicing Mindful Self-Compassion When you think about self-compassion, what comes to mind? Is this just another term for self-care or self-esteem, or is it something more than that? The topic of self-compassion has been studied quite thoroughly, and a doctor by the name of Kristin Neff has pioneered a lot...

The Most Common Types of Depression It is frequently misunderstood that there is only one type of depression that manifests, when in actuality there are quite a few. Depression is unfortunately rampant in our society, with it affecting around 16 million adults in the US each year alone according to...

Beating the Summertime Blues Warm days, endless sunshine, no school – it’s not hard to understand why so many love the summer season and the qualities that are associated with it. Although there are a ton of aspects to adore about the summer, this can be a difficult or overwhelming...

5 Simple Ways to Build Good Habits Regardless of how different some people might seem to be from one another, one thing is practically always guaranteed – everyone has their own habits that they’ve created over the course of their lives, whether or not they realize that they have done...

Handling Behavioral Concerns During Summer Vacation If you are a parent, particularly to younger kids that showcase some behavioral issues, you might begin to feel extra levels of stress and uncertainty as we progress closer to summertime. Feeling this way is completely valid, especially if you are accustomed to your...

Family Vacations: The Importance of Bonding & Creating Memories  Summer is one of the best times of year to plan a trip since there’s beautiful weather and no school, and it’s common for people to save up any paid time off and use it for an exciting vacation for a...

Main Types of Bipolar Disorder When we talk about mood disorders, this is a general umbrella term that refers to a few different conditions that we can recognize and diagnose after enough proper appointments with a mental health professional. You have likely heard of the condition known as bipolar disorder,...

Tips for Parenting Over Summer Vacation The school year will be quickly coming to a halt soon, which means that the slow and sunny days of summer vacation are about to begin. For those with school-age children, summer means that your kids will have a few months without having school...

Signs of Oppositional Defiant Disorder & Overcoming it If you have a one or more children of your own, then you of course know that temper tantrums and behavioral challenges inevitably come up from time to time. This is totally normal, and it is even a sign of healthy development...

Identifying Core Beliefs Throughout our lives, we hold ideas and beliefs about ourselves that we feel deep down are a part of our souls. These principles we have about ourselves are known as our core beliefs, and they vary between each unique individual. If you choose to attend therapy, there...

What is the Fear Factor? Fear is something every single person experiences throughout their life at one point or another, even if some cannot admit to it. Fear is a subjective topic, since each unique individual has their own particular things or situations that induce fear, stress, or anxiety. This...

Tips to Overcome Insomnia for Better Mental Health We all know that sleep is crucial to our overall health, and that serious problems can arise from not getting enough regular, quality slumber. Just how crucial is sleep, though, and what effects can it end up having on our state of...

How to Practice CBT at Home Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, is a form of therapy that can be easily integrated into your life and help with a wide range of conditions. At Dr. Messina & Associates, we have a team of psychiatrists and therapists that practice CBT for anything...

Understanding and Overcoming Separation Anxiety Disorder From a young age, anyone can be riddled with anxiety and have it effect their daily lives significantly. Children, teens, and adults alike can all be impacted by the weight that anxiety carries. Separation Anxiety Disorder is a condition that often onsets in early...

Tips on Preventing Burnout The term “burnout” can mean a variety of things to different people, because we all experience it in such vastly diverse ways and degrees of severity. Burnout can manifest in a number of ways, and it often occurs as a result of feeling overworked or weighed...

Understanding Anxiety in Children Anxiety is something that affects all ages. It is a common misconception that only adults or individuals that are commonly in high-stress scenarios deal with anxiety, which could not be further from the truth. The onset of an anxiety disorder can occur at any time or...

Understanding Mood Disorders With any mental illness, misconceptions and stereotypes will unfortunately come with them most of the time. Mood disorders, such as depression, bipolar disorder, and disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, are all met with heavy stigmas because they are often depicted in a negative light in areas like television...

Mental Health Benefits of Travel One of the greatest pleasures in life is having the capability to travel and explore this vast world of ours, and most of us are missing it now more than ever since the pandemic has halted the ability to do so. Getting out there and...

Embracing Change The word “change” can induce fear and anxiety in a lot of people, because the word tends to imply that things that are not in our control, they are shifting into unknown territories, and the peace of what we know and are comfortable with is getting destroyed. Most...

Improving Your Emotional Health We all know about the high importance of maintaining a healthy physical body and mental health state, but what is not talked about as often is how to keep a well-maintained state of emotional health. Emotions are the body and mind’s way of perceiving, communicating, and...

What Are Safety Behaviors in Social Anxiety? Social anxiety is something that affects too many individuals worldwide, and there are different behaviors that individuals might use to cope with these feelings of nervousness and uneasiness. Someone might feel anxiety when around others due to fear of being judged, fear of...

The Uses and Benefits of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, is the broad type of therapy that is often utilized to treat and alleviate a wide variety of different mental health conditions. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a style of talk-therapy that is done with a licensed mental...

Coping with Depression The topic of depression has become much more widely discussed in recent years, likely because so many people around the world are unfortunately living with this harrowing condition. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, nearly 16 million individuals over the age of 18 struggle...

Psychological Benefits of Volunteering When it comes to providing service to our communities and lending a helping hand to others that may need it for no compensation, this is known as volunteering. Many people volunteer because they enjoy assisting their communities, they like to meet others that have similar principles...

Why is Spring Break Important? Spring Break is typically scheduled around the middle or end of the month of March so that students can get a bit of reprieve from hectic school responsibilities before finals and the last half of the school year. Spring break is often idealized as being...

How to Set and Stay True to Boundaries Many of us are guilty of people-pleasing and wanting to be as helpful to those around us as possible. It is difficult for many to set solid boundaries and to put themselves first above others. While being selfless can be wonderful, if...

How to Cope with Loss Losing a loved one, whether it is a family member, friend, spouse, or even pet, is truly never an easy thing to go through and something that no one is ever fully prepared to deal with. Feelings of loss can arise after a breakup or...

Misconceptions Surrounding OCD   The condition known as obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD, affects about 1 in every 100 individuals around the world. The two primary characteristics of OCD are obsessions and compulsions, or repetitive and obsessive thoughts followed by compulsions to act on these thoughts. Unfortunately, a lot of individuals...

The Importance of Self-Care The subject of self-care is a very broad one, and it certainly means something tremendously different to each and every individual. When you think of self-care, relaxing bubble baths, face masks, or going to get a deep tissue massage might come to mind. Self-care is indeed...

Understanding Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Obsessive-compulsive disorder, also known more commonly as OCD, is a condition that is comprised of two main characteristics: obsessions and compulsions. The term “OCD” is thrown around pretty loosely sometimes by certain individuals, but it is a very real disorder that plagues many people all over the...

The Connection Between Food and Mental Health Have you ever heard the phrase “you are what you eat?” This might typically make someone think in the terms of how their body is affected by different foods, but it absolutely applies to how the mind is affected, as well. Food is...

Spring Cleaning and its Effect on Mental Health Spring is quickly approaching, which means several things. It is about time for warmer days, blooming flowers, and to tackle some much-needed spring cleaning. During the winter months, life tends to slow down since it is the holiday season, clutter piles up,...

How to Cope with Valentine’s Day Loneliness Valentine’s Day is a time to take a moment out to express your love to your significant other and other loved ones. While this sounds like it should just be an amazing thing, this holiday can tend to bring up a lot of...

Coping Mechanisms for Anxiety Anxiety is the most common disorder that adults throughout the United States face, with a staggering rate of 18% of the population being affected by it. Anxiety involves intense feelings of nervousness, fear, apprehension, and deep concern. While most individuals of course feel these things here...

Common Misconceptions About Depression It is true that nearly every mental illness is faced with misconceptions, stigmas, and myths surrounding them, and we are still learning each and every day how to best navigate the world of these illnesses and the healing process that works best with them. There is...

Keeping a Healthy & Thriving Relationship Romantic relationships are a beautiful thing that can teach us so much about ourselves and the world in general. Eventually, a lot of couples end up running into a wall where conflicts arise more often than they once did or where one or both...

Video Game Addiction Video game addiction (or dependency) is a complicated issue in our society. It affects both youth and adults. Like social media addiction, it is very easy for us to be engrossed in something that takes us into a different world. This world can give us a false...

Parenting in the Pandemic We all can agree that our current world is facing a plethora of challenges. It seems like every day there is something new that we are learning about the virus and how to keep ourselves safe. But there are still many unanswered questions. This can be...

Sticking to Your New Year’s Resolutions With the approaching New Year, many people all around the world take this as a time to think about what goals they wish to set and what resolutions they would like to implement for the upcoming year. The New Year is the perfect chance...

How to Cope with the Holiday Blues The holidays can be a tough time of year for a lot of individuals around the globe. Holiday blues are a very legitimate phenomenon that affects millions each year, and it even affects people that do love the holidays. You may have also...

Dealing with Family Stress During the Holidays It’s safe to say that everyone loves their family. But sometimes, love isn’t enough to heal toxic patterns within your specific family unit. During the holiday season, you may be forced (or feel obligated) to spend more time with family. But sadly, this...

Maintaining Thankfulness During Pandemic The pandemic has been a life-altering event for all of us in some way. It can be difficult to be thankful during challenging times. When we are under a lot of stress, we tend to focus on all the things going wrong instead of the things...

Understanding PTSD in Veterans Every year on Veteran’s Day, most people have no hesitation when thanking a veteran for their service. But what about asking them how they are doing? Our veterans have been through trying times that many of us could not imagine. It is important that we support...

Falling Out of Bad Habits The fall season is known as a time for changes. The weather changes and creates a new landscape for our world. This gives us a great reason to “fall” out of the bad habits that may be holding us back in our lives, whether we...

Master of Disguise Tomorrow is Halloween and many of us will take this opportunity to dress up in a costume or disguise. But what about the disguises we feel the need to wear in our daily lives? Oftentimes, we feel like we have to be a different version of ourselves...

Chronic Pain Management Chronic pain is one of the most difficult things we can deal with as humans. It can be much easier to keep your head up when you know the pain will eventually go away. But with chronic pain, you are learning ways to live your life with...

ADHD, Stimulants, & Back-To-School: Thoughts & Tips for Parents As we enter the Fall season, and the last quarter of 2020 (i.e., the year of all-things-bizarre-and-unexpected), kids have returned to school and we’re all trying to get back to some sense of normal. Some will be going back to the...

Young Adult “Failure to Launch” - Tips and Warning Signs for Parents Your teen has shut themselves in their room, skipped work a few times, and didn’t end the school year very well. Is this just a phase, or something more to worry about? Failure to launch is a reality...

Tips For Surviving Your Child’s Transition from High School to College You’ve carried your child’s last bag into their dorm room, and there’s nothing left to do but say goodbye. You’re proud of your child starting college, but you don’t want to let them go. The last thing you feel...

Young Children’s Behavior Problems During the Summer and During the Quarantine As summer is in full swing and many aspects of the quarantine continue around the country, we who are parents have had ample opportunities for good times and challenging times with our children over the last several months. Just...

Missing Milestones & Losses During the Pandemic As the months have passed, social distancing and stay-at-home orders have grown stale to the point of feeling unbearable at times. Boredom set in weeks ago and the process of adjusting to the new normal seems like an ongoing process that many of...

The Benefits of Online Counseling: Enhancing, Expanding, & Progressing Mental Health Advances in technology have transformed every aspect of our lives as consumers and providers of goods and services. The Internet and especially, the smart phone, has increased our connection with technology more than ever before. We can essentially reach...

Quarantining, Social Isolation, and Depression: How to Cope During this Sudden Lifestyle Shift Many of us have remained in our homes for nearly a month now, secluded from others and from the outings and activities we enjoy. To say that what we are experiencing a radical, unexpected, and sudden shift...

Anxiety and Coronavirus: Emotionally Surviving the Pandemic As I write this blog, our nation and world experiences unprecedented, rapidly worsening times, never experienced or even imagined in our generation. It’s all surreal, like a bad dream that is still there when we wake up. And we are not ready for...

Relationships and Negative Thought Patterns Do relationships leave you anxious or depressed? Does the lack of a significant relationship cause distress? Do your unmet expectations of a relationship leave you feeling lost, anxious, or questioning yourself? Do you depend on relationships to define your self-worth? The Hollywood Ideal As a...

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a psychotherapeutic treatment approach that teaches people how negative thoughts and beliefs about the self, others, and the world can impact feelings and behaviors. CBT is one of the most widely used treatment methods for numerous disorders, from mental health concerns to...

Does Social Media Use Put You at Greater Risk for Experiencing Depression? Social media use has become a daily activity for more and more people, especially within the past decade and due to the rise in people who own a smart phone. Whether you’re still using Facebook, the old-but-still-popular YouTube,...

Insomnia Insomnia, also known as Insomnia Disorder, is a sleep disorder that causes the affected person to have problems with quantity or quality of sleep. People with insomnia might take hours to fall asleep, leaving them with only a few hours of sleep every night followed by daytime drowsiness and...

Mindfulness in Mental Health Mindfulness practices have been incorporated into mental health treatments for many years; however, for the past decade, there has been an increase in interest and popularity of this approach. Maybe we can blame this on our increasingly fast-paced society and/or the fact that technology has now...

Job Burnout Burnout is extremely common in present day society. It is believed that disability and co-occurring conditions due to burnout will become increasingly widespread as technology continues to advance at such a rapid rate. Developments in technology within the past decade alone have allowed us to essentially take our...

The Fear Factor Many of you will remember the reality TV show, “Fear Factor” that aired on NBC several years ago. On this show, contestants would compete by completing dangerous stunts or experiences that would make most people cringe in fear! The show gained popularity at that time for presenting...

The Problem of Avoidance Face your fears, because if you don’t you may always have them. It has been known for decades that the avoidance of confronting feared situations will only prolong or even exacerbate fear symptoms over the given situation. A feared situation, unconfronted, will leave an individual afraid...

Symptoms & Presentation Social Anxiety Disorder, also known as Social Phobia, is a mental health disorder where the affected person has fear of, or anxiety about, various social situations. Social situations can include interactions with one person or a group of people in settings such as a social gathering, a...

Changing Your Thoughts with Cognitive Restructuring In the last post, we talked about how Bob began to think and interpret the situation at the group meeting at his college. I mentioned that in this current post, we would begin to discuss how Bob can change the thought-feeling-behavior process by first identifying and becoming...

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) was created based on Cognitive Behavioral Theory, which describes that anxiety and depression develop because of negative, distorted, or irrational thoughts and beliefs. This theory explains that there is a link between the way you think, the way you feel, and your behaviors and actions. So, if you’re thoughts are sad, negative,...

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most widely used therapy techniques to treat anxiety, depression, and many other emotional and even physical issues. CBT has been researched and tested for decades with people from different ages and backgrounds and has been found to not only...

What is depression? Depression is a feeling of intense sadness, hopelessness, helplessness, and worthlessness that persists for weeks and significantly interferes with day to day functioning. What does depression look like? Depression can look different for different people. Some people are mildly depressed, while some experience severe depression. Common symptoms of...

What is anxiety? Anxiety is another word for fear or worry. It is a feeling of uneasiness or distress about some real or perceived threat. Is anxiety ever good? The feeling of anxiety is caused by a tiny structure deep in the brain which warns us when danger is present...

Anxiety and Depression It has been said that depression is distress about the past and anxiety is distress about the future. When difficulties happen, it’s not uncommon to experience both. We are going to look at a difficult situation with “Kate”, and see how to help her. You may have...

How We Think How we think about a situation often determines how we feel. For example, if we think something is going to turn out great, we will likely feel confident and optimistic. If, on the other hand, we think something is going to fail miserably or cause problems, we...