If you have ever been in counseling, you may have heard your counselor refer to the “DSM” during a session. Or, even better, perhaps they have pulled out the DSM during session and have gone through specific material with you. DSM is the acronym for The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. It is... Continue Reading →
It was December of 2020. The first Christmas we would all experience during the Covid-19 pandemic was approaching. My best friend of twenty-five years, Kelly, had moved in with me earlier in the year. She had been teaching art in Quito, Ecuador for the past 3 years, but was forced to make a final decision... Continue Reading →
Let me set the scene. You are out with your friends for happy hour on a Friday night. Everyone has worked hard and is eager to relax and let loose. One of your friends, on top of having a rough work week, has also recently experienced some personal stress. Perhaps they went through a breakup... Continue Reading →
Have you ever come across the term "IOP" and wondered what it means? I was in the same boat until recently. IOP, or Intensive Outpatient Program, is a type of treatment option for individuals struggling with mental health or substance abuse issues. Intrigued by this concept, I embarked on a journey to understand what an... Continue Reading →
I enjoy my beer. However, as I am approaching my mid-thirties, my body has started to let me know it does not share my enthusiasm. I usually must pop a Pepcid AC prior to the event. And heaven forbid I have more than two drinks. If I do, I will surely feel bloated, tired, and... Continue Reading →
Recently, I completed a grad class on the topic of trauma counseling and crisis intervention. What I have learned is only the tip of the iceberg in providing trauma informed care. However, everything that I have learned has been so impactful on how I interact with and conceptualize all my clients, not only those that... Continue Reading →
I am the older sister of two brothers. Unfortunately, my middle brother has struggled with his mental health for the past decade. The experience of Covid, without a doubt, extremely exaggerated his symptoms. He could no longer go to classes at the community college he was attending, he could no longer go to the gym... Continue Reading →
If you are a parent and your teenager has recently been put on medication, you may face several hurdles. It is likely a very difficult time in your teenager’s life, and because of that, also a very difficult time in your life as well. If your teenager’s psychiatrist or physician has determined that medication would... Continue Reading →
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a term used to describe the behavior of an intimate partner or an intimate ex-partner that promotes or causes sexual, physical, or psychological harm. IPV can include, but is not limited to sexual coercion, controlling practices, physical aggressiveness, and psychological abuse. Sexual IPV can be specified as enforced sexual acts... Continue Reading →
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