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Sometimes referred to as “sleep terrors,” night terrors are a type of parasomnia that can cause someone to scream, cry, breathe heavily, have an increased heart rate, sweat, stare, sit up in bed, thrash around, or wave their arms and legs. It can be difficult to wake someone who’s experiencing night terrors, and they may […]
Sometimes referred to as “sleep terrors,” night terrors are a type of parasomnia that can cause someone to scream, cry, breathe heavily, have an increased heart rate, sweat, stare, sit up in bed, thrash around, or wave their arms and legs. It can be difficult to wake someone who’s experiencing night terrors, and they may be confused and hard to comfort when they do wake up. Although night terrors typically resolve within a few minutes, they can sometimes last longer, and the person often has no memory of the episode the following morning.
Treatment for night terrors often focuses on resolving the underlying issue:
In rare cases, night terror treatment may require taking medication to help you sleep. An experienced provider can recommend the approach that’s best suited to your needs.
If night terrors have become a common occurrence in your life, we may be able to help. Our team has extensive experience treating night terrors, and we understand the heavy toll that they can take on a person’s life. We also know that every situation is different, and once we’ve learned about your specific circumstances, we’ll develop a treatment plan that’s customized to your individual needs. Contact us today to learn more about our practice and schedule a consultation.
In many cases, yes, depression can be considered a disability. According to Section 12102(1)(A) of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a person can be disabled if they have “a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.” Under this standard, depression will generally be considered a disability if it […]
In many cases, yes, depression can be considered a disability. According to Section 12102(1)(A) of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a person can be disabled if they have “a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.” Under this standard, depression will generally be considered a disability if it substantially affects a person’s daily life. This is determined on a case-by-case basis.
Depression symptoms can vary from one person to another but often include:
When someone is in a depressive episode, they typically experience symptoms like these most of the day, almost every day. While some individuals only go through depression once, many people have numerous episodes throughout the course of their lives.
If you’ve been diagnosed with depression or you’re experiencing the symptoms described above, we can help. Our therapists are highly experienced in treating depression and can provide you with the customized, compassionate care you deserve. Contact us today to get started—one of our knowledgeable team members will tell you more about our approach to treating depression, answer your questions, and arrange a time for you to attend an initial consultation.
Words have power, and the way we talk to and about ourselves can have a significant impact on our thoughts and behaviors. That’s where affirmations come in—repeating certain phrases to yourself can boost your self-esteem, reduce your stress, create a more positive mindset, motivate you to take certain actions, and improve your overall well-being. So, […]
Words have power, and the way we talk to and about ourselves can have a significant impact on our thoughts and behaviors. That’s where affirmations come in—repeating certain phrases to yourself can boost your self-esteem, reduce your stress, create a more positive mindset, motivate you to take certain actions, and improve your overall well-being.
So, how can you start taking advantage of all the benefits that affirmations can offer? Begin by choosing the phrases that will best serve your needs. Here are 10 ideas:
Once you’ve selected the affirmations you want to use, decide how you want to incorporate them into your routine—maybe you can say them as you’re getting ready in the morning, commuting to work, or winding down before bed. Many people find it helpful to recite their affirmations out loud, but you can also say them to yourself, if preferred. No matter what, it’s important that you repeat them daily, since doing so makes it easier for your brain to adapt and create new thinking habits.
If you’d like to learn more about affirmations and the effect they can have on your well-being, contact us today and request an initial consultation. Our therapists believe in the power of affirmations and can recommend some options that will serve your specific needs.
Oftentimes, when we think about what could harm our mental health, our minds go to major life events—the loss of a job, the end of a relationship, or the death of a loved one. But small habits that often go unnoticed can also play a major role. Below are three common habits that could be […]
Oftentimes, when we think about what could harm our mental health, our minds go to major life events—the loss of a job, the end of a relationship, or the death of a loved one. But small habits that often go unnoticed can also play a major role. Below are three common habits that could be negatively affecting your mental health:
Sleep impacts your mental health in numerous ways—it can affect your cognitive skills, mood, and behavior. As such, failing to get enough sleep can increase your risk of anxiety and depression and make it more difficult for you to focus, solve problems, make decisions, remember things, and control your emotions and impulses. Try sticking to the same sleep schedule, keeping your bedroom cool and dark, and performing a relaxing activity before bed (e.g., taking a warm bath or reading).
In today’s busy world, it can be difficult to find time to exercise, but it’s important to stay active. Not only can exercise improve your physical health, but it can also boost your mental health. In fact, studies have shown that regularly exercising could reduce your risk of depression.
Social media can be beneficial—it can help you stay connected to long-distance family and friends and keep up with current events—but research suggests that spending too much time on it can lead to anxiety and depression. To reduce your screen time, try setting a timer, turning off notifications, or deleting apps from your phone.
In addition to breaking the negative habits described above, one of the best things you can do to boost your mental health is speak to a therapist. Fortunately, you can entrust your care to the skilled team at our practice. Once we’ve learned more about you and any issues you may be experiencing, we’ll be able to provide you with customized advice for how to eliminate negative habits from your life and start implementing more positive ones. Contact us today to schedule your first appointment.
Do you struggle to get a good night’s sleep? If so, you’re not alone. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, about 50 to 70 million Americans have sleep disorders. Unfortunately, failing to get enough high-quality sleep on a regular basis can impact your mood, impair cognitive function, and increase your risk of […]
Do you struggle to get a good night’s sleep? If so, you’re not alone. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, about 50 to 70 million Americans have sleep disorders. Unfortunately, failing to get enough high-quality sleep on a regular basis can impact your mood, impair cognitive function, and increase your risk of developing health conditions like dementia, heart disease, obesity, and strokes.
So, what can you do to help ensure that you get a good night’s rest? Here are eight tips for how to improve the quality of your sleep:
If you’re ready to take the next step with improving the quality of your sleep, contact us today. Our therapists have extensive experience treating anxiety, depression, and other conditions that can interfere with sleep. When you call, we’ll tell you more about our practice, answer your questions, and schedule a consultation at a date and time that’s convenient for you.
Anxiety can greatly impact a person’s overall health and well-being, and if you struggle with this condition, you may be willing to do almost anything to relieve your symptoms. There are numerous lifestyle changes you can make to help manage your anxiety—for example, you could try meditating, exercising, sleeping more, and reducing your caffeine and […]
Anxiety can greatly impact a person’s overall health and well-being, and if you struggle with this condition, you may be willing to do almost anything to relieve your symptoms. There are numerous lifestyle changes you can make to help manage your anxiety—for example, you could try meditating, exercising, sleeping more, and reducing your caffeine and alcohol consumption—but did you know that certain vitamins and supplements also have stress-reducing effects? Research suggests that the following nine vitamins and supplements may help relieve anxiety:
As with any type of medication, it’s important to consult with a medical provider before beginning a new vitamin or supplement regimen. Also be sure to keep in mind that results typically don’t occur immediately.
If you’ve tried to relieve your anxiety with the vitamins and supplements listed above but you’re still struggling with feelings of uneasiness, fear, or dread, contact us today. The therapists at our practice have extensive experience treating patients with anxiety and we’ll be happy to schedule a consultation at a date and time that’s convenient for you. We understand that each patient requires a unique treatment approach, and once we’ve learned about your symptoms and the remedies you’ve tried in the past, we’ll be able to recommend strategies that are customized to your specific needs.
If you’re looking for a way to relieve stress, you’ll want to consider incorporating exercise into your daily routine (with a doctor’s approval). Exercise is renowned for being an excellent stress reliever, but how exactly does it affect stress levels? Exercise can: Increase endorphin production – Your pituitary gland and hypothalamus produce endorphins, hormones that […]
If you’re looking for a way to relieve stress, you’ll want to consider incorporating exercise into your daily routine (with a doctor’s approval). Exercise is renowned for being an excellent stress reliever, but how exactly does it affect stress levels? Exercise can:
If you’re not used to exercising, be sure to start off slow. After all, if you end up injuring yourself, you won’t be able to enjoy any of the stress relief benefits listed above. Also make sure to choose a workout that you’ll enjoy—remember that any physical activity can qualify as exercise, so if you’ll be more likely to stick with a routine that involves dancing rather than jogging, go for it.
If you’ve tried incorporating exercise into your daily routine but you’re still feeling stressed, you may want to consider speaking to a therapist. Luckily, you can rely on the experienced team at our practice. We understand the toll that stress can take on a person’s life, and once we’ve learned about your specific circumstances, we’ll be able to provide you with customized advice. Contact us today to get started.
Rumination involves obsessively thinking about negative experiences and feelings. Some people replay events that occurred in the past, while others worry about situations that could potentially occur in the future. Rumination tends to have a snowball effect—certain mental health conditions (including generalized anxiety disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder) can cause someone to ruminate, and rumination can […]
Rumination involves obsessively thinking about negative experiences and feelings. Some people replay events that occurred in the past, while others worry about situations that could potentially occur in the future.
Rumination tends to have a snowball effect—certain mental health conditions (including generalized anxiety disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder) can cause someone to ruminate, and rumination can in turn worsen the symptoms of those conditions. Rumination often causes people to feel anxious, stressed, and depressed and makes it difficult for them to think, process their emotions, and sleep.
Rumination often becomes more intense over time, so when you start experiencing negative thoughts, it’s important that you attempt to stop them from progressing. You may want to try:
You should also pay attention to triggers that cause you to start ruminating and take steps to avoid them. For example, if you tend to ruminate late at night, try going to bed earlier or participating in an evening activity that will distract you from your thoughts. And when you do start to ruminate, acknowledge what’s occurring and remind yourself that it’s not healthy.
If you’ve tried the strategies listed above but still find yourself ruminating, you may want to consider reaching out to a professional. The therapists on our team are highly experienced with rumination and can provide you with personalized advice designed to help you stop ruminating and start living a healthier, happier life. Contact us today to schedule an appointment at a date and time that fits into your schedule.
If you’ve been researching self-care practices, you may have come across something known as journaling. But what is journaling, exactly, and what can it do to improve your mental, emotional, and even physical health? Journaling, at its core, is the regular practice of writing down experiences, thoughts, and feelings. However, it can be adapted to […]
If you’ve been researching self-care practices, you may have come across something known as journaling. But what is journaling, exactly, and what can it do to improve your mental, emotional, and even physical health?
Journaling, at its core, is the regular practice of writing down experiences, thoughts, and feelings. However, it can be adapted to whatever your specific needs or goals may be. For example, many people find that listing the people and things that they’re thankful for helps them become happier overall. Another popular approach is bullet journaling, which typically involves listing short- and long-term goals, daily tasks, reminders, and observations.
Journaling offers numerous benefits for your mind and body. For instance, it can help you:
If you’re just getting started with journaling, you’ll want to intentionally set aside time for it each day until it becomes part of your normal routine. You may also want to try various methods—for example, using a paper journal versus a digital journal—to find the one that works best for you.
If you’re interested in journaling and the benefits it can provide for you, contact us today. We’ll be happy to arrange an initial consultation at a date and time that fits into your schedule. We look forward to meeting with you, telling you more about our practice, and providing you with tips for how to incorporate journaling into your daily life.
You’ve probably heard of “self-care Sunday,” a recent trend that involves devoting one day a week to nourishing your mind and body. Whether you want to start practicing self-care on Sundays, Wednesdays, Fridays—or every day—good for you! Depending on the practices you adopt, self-care can boost your mental and emotional health, enhance your physical health, […]
You’ve probably heard of “self-care Sunday,” a recent trend that involves devoting one day a week to nourishing your mind and body. Whether you want to start practicing self-care on Sundays, Wednesdays, Fridays—or every day—good for you! Depending on the practices you adopt, self-care can boost your mental and emotional health, enhance your physical health, strengthen your relationships, and improve your overall quality of life. Here are three tips to consider when starting a self-care routine:
The thought of tackling all areas of your life at once can feel overwhelming, so decide what you’d like to focus on first. Once you’ve identified your goals, consider what activities will help you achieve them and where you can turn for support.
You probably don’t hesitate to set aside time for school, work, and family obligations, but self-care is just as important. Block off a set amount of time—whether it be an hour or a full day—and commit to following through with your plans.
Many people think of self-care as something they do on their own, but speaking to a therapist is one of the best things you can do to improve your mental and emotional health. Luckily, you won’t need to look far to find a qualified therapist near you. Our caring team is highly experienced and can provide you with personalized recommendations that are tailored to your specific goals. Contact us today to schedule an initial consultation.