Kellevision: Therapy
She's not Bipolar, She Has PTSD
She's crying uncontrollably. "They say I'm Bipolar, but I just don't think I am."
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Posted at 08:30 AM in Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Medications, Mood Stabilizers, PTSD, Substance Abuse, Therapy, Trauma | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)
Tags: anxiety, bipolar, depression, disorder, medications, mental health, mental illness, mood swings, psychiatry, ptsd, self care, self esteem, therapy, trauma
The "Problem Child", Scapegoating and the Family System
Another family brings by the "problem child" and drops them off for me to fix. She* is the oldest child of five and has been exposed to severe domestic violence, physical abuse and substance abuse. And she is responding to it as any teenager would - by acting it out.
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Posted at 07:58 AM in Abuse, Bipolar Disorder, Caretaker Role, Children, Domestic Violence, Families, Family Roles, Parenting, Scapegoat Role, Therapy | Permalink | Comments (7) | TrackBack (0)
Tags: adhd, bipolar disorder, children, conflict, depression, family, family roles, hero, parenting, scapegoat
The Jung at Heart blog has a wonderful article on therapists getting therapy, "Therapist Heal Thyself". I couldn't agree more that therapists taking responsibility for their own issues and doing their own work is absolutely essential. This is the first question I recommend asking a potential therapist, "How do you work through your own issues?" (See the full article, "10 Questions to Ask Your Next Therapist".)
Continue reading "Healing the Healer" »
Posted at 01:49 PM in Mental Health, Self Care, Therapy | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Choosing a therapist is a very tricky business. Personalities must mesh and there must be some agreement on the purpose of the process and how to proceed.
Continue reading "10 Questions to Ask Your Next Therapist (or Your Current Therapist)" »
Posted at 02:43 PM in Therapy | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)
Tags: counseling, counselor, mental health, therapist, therapy
The Most Important Thing for Mental Health
When considering the most important elements for mental health, a really basic one is often overlooked. It's not stress reduction, a healthy diet, exercise, healthy relationships, or taking your medications. What is it?
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Posted at 08:31 AM in Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Insomnia, Mental Health, Panic Attacks, PTSD, Relaxation, Schizophrenia, Self Care, Sexual Abuse, Sleep, Stress, Therapy, Trauma | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Tags: anxiety, counseling, depression, insomnia, mental health, psychology, sleep, therapy
Continue reading "Treat Your Own Depression - Naturally" »
Posted at 12:11 PM in Antidepressants, Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Exercise, Happiness, Medications, Mental Health, Mood Stabilizers, Nutrition, Self Care, Sleep, Stress, Therapy, Water, Work | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)
Insomnia and Melatonin and Mental Health
Working with a lot of clients who are struggling with trauma and histories of abuse, anxiety and insomnia are constant problems. Many people have been prescribed medications such as Ambien, Sereoquel or one of the other mood stabilizers for sleep. Many of these medications have been found to have serious side effects. I am not a medical doctor, but a therapist, so I do not make medication recommendations. However, there is a natural, over-the-counter (OTC) medication which I often recommend that people look up and consider: melatonin. What is it and why do I recommend it?
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Posted at 01:22 PM in Abuse, Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Insomnia, Mental Health, PTSD, Relaxation, Self Care, Sexual Abuse, Sleep, Stress, Therapy, Trauma | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Tags: anxiety, counseling, depression, insomnia, mental health, ptsd, therapy, trauma
A Case Comparison of Antidepressant Administration to Two Grieving Clients
A few years ago I was simultaneously working with two middle aged men whose wives had left them. Both of them were completely devastated by the loss of their marriage and family. Both of them showed serious signs of grieving. Both of them went to their doctors, were diagnosed with "depression" and placed on medication. It was interesting to see side by side two different ways this could play out. For one client this was a major factor in his process of healing while for the other it significally complicated the grieving process. What was the difference?
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Posted at 02:38 PM in Antidepressants, Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Learned Helplessness, Medications, Mental Health, Psychiatry, Psychology, Relationships, Therapy | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
Tags: antidepressant, counseling, depression, mental health, psychiatry, SSRI