Posts

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 shape the brain and how early intervention can change the trajectory of a young person’s life. By focusing on prevention, fostering empathetic responses, and recognizing Read more…

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. But what if that wasn’t the whole story? What if we could find the moments that were left out—moments where creativity still shone through—and write Read more…

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 a name yet, but it’s been following you around for a long time, shaping how you see yourself and the world. What if, instead of Read more…

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 well-being. Reduces Stress and Anxiety One of the primary advantages of meditation is its ability to lower levels of stress and anxiety. When we meditate, Read more…

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 needs.  Certainly, there are still significant limitations to this rule, but when I walk into a children’s museum with my kids and see that they Read more…

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 mental health crisis can take many forms, such as self-harm, panic attacks, suicidal thoughts, or aggression. It can be scary and overwhelming for both the Read more…

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 can we make it a part of our daily routine? The term “self-care” often gets conflated with “selfishness.” And certainly, it is possible to behave Read more…

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,” cortisol plays a crucial role in our body’s ability to cope with the demands of modern life. In this article, we will explore the relationship Read more…