Resources & Blogs
Research strongly supports the use of agonist medications, such as Suboxone or buprenorphine, to reduce opioid use and help clients stay in therapy (Connery, H. S., 2015). When someone becomes physically dependent on opioids, excruciating withdrawal symptoms can keep them stuck in the cycle of addiction. Medications, such as Suboxone, block the receptor cites eliminating drug cravings and painful withdrawal symptoms, allowing that person the freedom to return to normal functioning.
I am writing to spark a critical conversation on the topic of childhood sexual trauma. I care very deeply about the lives I am fortunate enough to be a part of through my therapy profession. After many interactions with clients, colleagues, and individuals in my personal life, it became clear that the conversation needs amplifying.
“Anxiety” can refer to many experiences. Nervousness before taking an exam or going to a job interview. Worrying about whether you made a good impression on your date. A general feeling of dread and ‘what-ifs’ not attached to any specific event. A sudden surge of fear, with a trigger or without, that can’t be reasoned out of. With so much falling under the heading of ‘anxiety,’ it’s no wonder that generalized statements such as ‘everyone gets anxious, don’t worry!’ or ‘anxiety should always be medicated!’ can produce misunderstandings, frustration, and the sense that you’re not being listened to.
Katrina believes each client has the potential for transformation and growth. Her approach to counseling is holistic, collaborative and client centered taking into consideration that the mind, body and spirit influence an individual’s view of the world. Her areas of focus are working with adults and adolescents experiencing anxiety and depression and individuals who need guidance with life transitions (i.e., divorce, midlife changes, parenthood). Clients can expect a non-judgmental and warm environment that seeks to promote empowerment and meaningful change.
We can’t judge, criticize or be angry at others as we are not all experiencing the same crisis. This is not the time to politicize this issue, pass judgement, condemn or ridicule anyone. This is the time to be caring, helpful, mindful, thoughtful, and most importantly understanding. We may all be navigating through the same rough waters, our destination may be the same, but we are all traveling a different journey.
During this unique global moment, it is evermore clear we cannot control external forces – what happens out there. Never has it been more evident that what we do for ourselves, we do for one another. While we collaborate, as a human race - by home sheltering and making healthy choices - the onus is on every person to engage in self-care. It is important to remember that wellness is a holistic state of being which calls upon mind-body synergy. Simple daily choices genuinely impact what is going on inside each of us. Immune systems can be bolstered with a three-prong approach focusing on gut health, mood stability and overall mindfulness.
It’s said that absence makes the heart grow fonder. When hearing that said, one immediately thinks of a sweetheart, a spouse, family member, loved one or lifelong friend. But during this extended period of time when we have to be isolated from one another, we’re also hearing about similar feelings from sports fans who are saying that they can’t wait for things like baseball, hockey and football to start up once again. Many say that they are having withdrawal pains without March Madness, The Kentucky Derby or The Masters Golf Tournament.
To begin, I’d like to state that “Parent Guilt” is real and it often stems from institutional and societal pressures conveyed to us all. This phenomenon can manifest into torturous, cruel thoughts and beliefs, often accompanied by high-stress levels. Parent guilt is defined as the strong emotions one experiences when feeling inadequate in the lives of our children.
It is amazing to me how quickly our perspectives can change. While I still prefer face to face therapy, telebehavioral health has literally been lifesaving. I am able to continue to serve my clients while we remain safely quarantined so our community can be a part of the solution…stopping the transmission of the Corona Virus.
Many clients who come to therapy are hesitant to explore family of origin issues that impact their current level of functioning. Many therapists use theory that is forward-focused and does not have an emphasis on past issues, but it is important to get a clear history of adverse childhood experiences (ACE’s) to know how best to help our patients.
Anxiety is the number one mental health issue affecting children and adolescents today. Children suffering from anxiety have persistent fears or worries that significantly impact their personal, academic, and social lives, and if left untreated, can hinder their adult lives as well. While some fears and worries in children are natural, others can develop into diagnosable disorders, including but not limited to, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, agoraphobia, separation anxiety disorder, illness anxiety disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
When looking for a therapist, the letters after the counselor’s name can be confusing and it may be difficult to discern exactly which type of therapist you are looking for. LMFT is an important part of the mental health profession, and that acronym stands for Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.
Yolanda has a special interest in working with anxiety, victims of trauma, individuals who work in traumatic situations and emotional suffering. She believes that it is important for clients to feel that they have a safe space to open up and trust her with their needs and feelings. She strives to help her clients move beyond the stigma that society has placed on seeking mental health.
Robyn provides support and guidance to clients of all ages and cultural backgrounds. A graduate student in the Clinical Mental Health program at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, Robyn is educated in a variety of therapeutic methods and theories all rooted in providing a judgement-free space for exploration and healing.
Gala Milosavljevic takes a client-centered and collaborative approach to the therapeutic relationship. She believes that people have a vast potential for understanding themselves and resolving their own problems. Through a relationship built on honesty, acceptance and support, she empowers her clients to discover personal strengths they may use to navigate transitions, overcome challenges and heal themselves.
Lisa believes that healing begins with the self. Emotions can be scary and she will help guide you through exploring them in a safe environment. Lisa will work with you to sort through your relationship challenges, parenting challenges, and any personal challenges that you may be experiencing. Lisa specializes in working with grief and loss, couples who are experiencing infertility, challenges in parenthood , and individuals who struggle with depression and/or anxiety. Additionally, Lisa also practices EMDR to help heal trauma, anxiety, and phobias. Lisa looks forward to working with you to achieve the goals you have for yourself and your life.
Professionals often struggle to balance the demands of work and home life, juggling obligations to meet the needs of others and leading to stress and burnout. The impact of stress on physical and psychological well-being can be detrimental, including decreased work performance and increased health risks (headaches, fatigue, etc.).
Let’s face it...the decision to make that call for your first couple therapy appointment is difficult. So difficult, in fact, most couples wait way too long while reinforcing unhelpful interactional patterns that might have been easier to fix had they started therapy sooner. This is one of the reasons I like to tackle the perceived barriers to therapy and help people feel more comfortable accessing mental health services as soon as they are aware of the need. After all, if you had a diagnosis of cancer, would you wait until it was stage four cancer before seeing an oncologist? Of course not. Don’t let your relationship get to stage four toxicity before calling a couple and family therapist for treatment.
