Nick Highland - Mental Health

How to Develop an Internal Locus of Control and Regain Personal Power

Struggling with anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, or a lack of motivation? One key mindset shift can significantly impact your ability to overcome these obstacles: developing an internal locus of control. This powerful psychological concept often comes up in therapy sessions because it plays a central role in how people experience and Read more…

By Nick Highland, 12 hoursApril 28, 2025 ago

person in white shirt with brown wooden frame

Anxiety Mental Health Psychoeducation Values

Understanding the Difference Between Stress and Anxiety

We often use the words “stress” and “anxiety” interchangeably. After all, both can leave us feeling overwhelmed, mentally drained, and physically tense. But while stress and anxiety share similar symptoms, they are not the same—and understanding their differences can be key to knowing when to seek support and how to Read more…

By Nick Highland, 5 daysApril 24, 2025 ago

Adolescent Mental Health Anxiety Caregivers, Family Members, and Friends Coping Skills Depression Mental Health Parenting & Mental Wellness Sleep and Rest Teen & Young Adult Mental Health

Helping Teens Cope with Stress

Stress isn’t always bad—sometimes it helps us rise to the occasion, like practicing extra for a recital or studying hard for a test. But when stress sticks around too long or becomes overwhelming, it can do serious harm. Chronic stress in teens is linked to physical problems like high blood Read more…

By Nick Highland, 6 daysApril 22, 2025 ago

Anxiety Depression Faith & Mental Health Grief & Loss Mental Health Psychoeducation Spirituality Values

What Is Spiritual Bypassing? Healing Beyond the Mask

As a mental health therapist who works with people of all faiths and spiritual paths, I often meet clients who are genuinely committed to their inner growth. They pray, meditate, journal, and attend spiritual gatherings—but still feel stuck. They can’t shake their anxiety. Their relationships feel disconnected. Old traumas keep Read more…

By Nick Highland, 1 weekApril 21, 2025 ago

Adolescent Mental Health Anxiety Depression Mental Health Psychoeducation Substance Abuse Recovery Teen & Young Adult Mental Health

Understanding Substance Use and Mental Health Through Neuroscience

Substance use and mental health struggles don’t arise in a vacuum. They are deeply connected to brain development, early life experiences, and the environments in which young people grow up. While we have recognized this link for quite a while, groundbreaking neuroscience research is shedding light on how adverse experiences Read more…

By Nick Highland, 2 monthsMarch 6, 2025 ago

Notebook in lap, pen in hand writing in notebook.

Mental Health Narrative Therapy Values

Rewriting the Story You Tell Yourself

Imagine a child who believes they can’t draw because someone once laughed at their art. That belief becomes a part of their story, whispered by a voice in their mind: “I’m not creative. I’m just bad at this.” Over time, the story feels true, like a label they can’t shake. Read more…

By Nick Highland, 3 monthsJanuary 23, 2025 ago

person holding a pen and notebook with a swirling black form in front of them

Anxiety Coping Skills Mental Health Narrative Therapy Self-Esteem & Identity Values

What If the Problem Isn’t You?

Imagine this: you’re sitting in a chair across from a big, blobby figure that seems to be made of shadows. It whispers doubts into your ear, fills your chest with tightness, and makes you feel like every choice you’ve made has been the wrong one. That shadowy figure doesn’t have Read more…

By Nick Highland, 3 monthsJanuary 21, 2025 ago

Adolescent Mental Health Anxiety Body Image & Eating Depression Life Transitions Mental Health Teen & Young Adult Mental Health

Mental Health Support for Adolescents and Young Adults

Schedule a Free Consultation Adolescence and young adulthood are full of change, pressure, and confusion—and many young people feel lost in the middle of it all. I specialize in connecting with teens and young adults in a real, non-judgmental way, offering support that’s tailored to who they are and what Read more…

By Nick Highland, 1 yearApril 5, 2024 ago

pencil sketch of an older man with his eyes closed and his chin in his hand

Anxiety Coping Skills Mental Health Mindfulness & Presence Sleep and Rest Spirituality

The Power of Meditation for Mental Well-Being

In our fast-paced, constantly connected world, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, and negative thought patterns. However, an ancient practice is gaining new popularity as an antidote to modern mental health struggles: meditation. By taking time to focus inward and cultivate mindfulness, meditation provides powerful benefits for psychological Read more…

By Nick Highland, 1 yearMarch 23, 2024 ago

Depression Mental Health Psychoeducation Substance Abuse Recovery Values

Part 4 of 4 – Behavioral Manifestations of Addiction: It’s Medical, Not Moral

Behavioral patterns offer crucial insights into the complexities of addiction. While chemical imbalances play a role, behaviors serve as tangible indicators of addiction’s grip on individuals. The DSM-5 delineates addiction based on behavioral criteria, emphasizing impaired control, social consequences, risky usage, and pharmacological factors. Recognizing addiction through behavioral cues is Read more…

By Nick Highland, 1 yearMarch 20, 2024 ago

colorful artistic image of a human brain

Mental Health Psychoeducation Substance Abuse Recovery

Part 3 of 4 – Decision Fatigue: An Unseen Hurdle In The Recovery Journey

Even after restoring healthy dopamine levels, recovering individuals face another neurological challenge – decision fatigue. Research shows the more choices we navigate daily, from mundane to momentous, the harder it becomes to exert willpower and self-control by evening. In recovery, each day brings a deluge of decisions loaded with relapse Read more…

By Nick Highland, 1 yearMarch 5, 2024 ago

brain scans showing that D2 dopamine receptors are significantly lower after cocaine use

Mental Health Psychoeducation Substance Abuse Recovery

Part 2 of 4 – Decoding Dopamine: The Motivation Molecule

Dopamine, often dubbed the “motivation molecule,” plays a pivotal role in human behavior. Essential for functions ranging from forming bonds to driving ambition, dopamine influences our everyday actions. From the moment we wake up to pursuing our goals, dopamine serves as the driving force behind our endeavors. Understanding the significance Read more…

By Nick Highland, 1 yearFebruary 29, 2024 ago

diseased brain. Coloured stipple etching

Mental Health Psychoeducation Substance Abuse Recovery

Part 1 of 4 – The Quiet Epidemic: Understanding Addiction as a Disease

Addiction, a complex and devastating disease, affects millions in the United States alone. With over 21 million individuals grappling with addiction, it’s a crisis that demands our attention. Among these, 15 million suffer from alcohol use disorder, while 3 million battle opioid use disorder, a leading cause of injury-related deaths. Read more…

By Nick Highland, 1 yearFebruary 20, 2024 ago

watercolor painting of a woman with a burst of color over her head

Anxiety Depression Mental Health Psychoeducation PTSD

What Is Trauma?

In my network of mental health counselors, many of us are recognizing a shift in how American culture processes mental health issues. On the positive end, mental health diagnoses and concerns are becoming far less stigmatized, and society as a whole is more accepting, understanding, and accommodating of mental health Read more…

By Nick Highland, 1 yearJanuary 7, 2024 ago

artistic depiction of anxiety, portraying a person experiencing social anxiety while sitting at a table with others, swirling thoughts, rapid breathing, and a person sitting cross-legged while experiencing a panic attack.

Caregivers, Family Members, and Friends Mental Health Values

Supporting a Friend or Loved One through a Mental Health Crisis

Mental health is a vital aspect of our well-being, but it can be affected by many factors, such as stress, trauma, loss, or change. Sometimes, these factors can trigger a mental health crisis, which is a situation where a person has difficulty coping with their emotions, thoughts, or behaviors. A Read more…

By Nick Highland, 1 yearDecember 14, 2023 ago

a woman sitting in an armchair reading a book and sipping a drink from a mug while a cat rests at her feet

Anxiety Depression Mental Health Self-Care Practices Sleep and Rest Values

What is Self-Care?

Self-care is a term that refers to the actions and activities that we do to take care of our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Self-care can help us cope with stress, prevent burnout, and enhance our overall health and happiness. But what does self-care look like in practice, and how Read more…

By Nick Highland, 1 yearNovember 12, 2023 ago

Anxiety Depression Mental Health Psychoeducation Substance Abuse Recovery

The Link Between Substance Abuse and Dopamine

Introduction Substance abuse is a complex issue that affects millions of individuals worldwide, with far-reaching consequences for both physical and mental health. While the reasons behind substance abuse are multifaceted, one critical factor to consider is the role of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that plays a significant role in the brain’s Read more…

By Nick Highland, 2 yearsOctober 27, 2023 ago

Mental Health Substance Abuse Recovery

Navigating the Complex Intersection of Substance Abuse and Mental Health: A Compassionate Perspective

Introduction The intertwined struggles of substance abuse and mental health issues are challenges that millions of individuals face around the world. These two issues are deeply interconnected, and understanding the complex relationship between them is crucial for offering support, compassion, and effective solutions. This article offers a brief exploration of Read more…

By Nick Highland, 2 yearsSeptember 28, 2023 ago

Anxiety Depression Mental Health PTSD

The Connection Between Stress and Cortisol: Unraveling the Body’s Natural Response

Title: The Connection Between Stress and Cortisol: Unraveling the Body’s Natural Response Introduction Stress is an inevitable part of life, and our bodies have evolved intricate mechanisms to deal with it. One key player in our stress response system is the hormone cortisol. Often referred to as the “stress hormone,” Read more…

By Nick Highland, 2 yearsAugust 27, 2023 ago