The term ‘burnout’ has been primarily used to describe the condition of a worker becoming so overwhelmed that their performance on the job is adversely impacted. In recent years, however, it has become apparent that burnout can result from a variety of causes and affect many areas of life--not just work. Burnout During Covid Burnout [...]
Supporting a loved one with a mental illness can be utterly exhausting, and it may also be the only thing keeping the mentally ill family member or friend at home instead of in a hospital. Being the go-to person for someone who is in desperate need of support, advocating for them, and ensuring they stay [...]
Therapy is often done in an individual setting, with just the client and the counselor working together. Though this can be extremely helpful, group therapy is sometimes recommended instead or in addition to individual sessions. Benefits of Group Therapy The idea of sharing private information with a group of strangers can be intimidating, and it [...]
March is Self-Harm Awareness Month. It is not uncommon for people with mental illnesses to intentionally inflict physical pain on themselves. A variety of behaviors can be categorized as self-harm, and while some people only engage in one type, others choose more than one method of injuring themselves. Examples of Self-Harm The United States Department [...]
One of my dearest friends has known me since I was seventeen and another since I was in my early twenties. I have canceled plans with each of them more times than I care to admit, but neither of them ever holds it against me or refuses to make new plans when I feel ready [...]
Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy was developed to help people heal from traumatic events. Trauma & PTSD In prior blogs, we discussed that trauma is a difficult event or series of events that overwhelms a person’s ability to cope and that what is traumatic for one person may not be traumatic for another. Post-traumatic [...]
As adults, we have a tendency to see play as a frivolous, unimportant activity. When I was a case manager in the mental health system, I often heard parents complain that they didn’t feel their children were benefiting from therapy and other mental health services. “All they ever do is play,” parents would tell me [...]
In addition to dealing with struggles presented by mental illnesses themselves, those who have been diagnosed also face the perception that they are not “normal.” In fact, this stigma is based on a myth, as mental illnesses are actually very common. The Stigma of Mental Illness According to the National Institute of Mental Health: Nearly [...]
What Is Dialectical Behavior Therapy? Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a unique type of therapeutic intervention that can be used to treat destructive behaviors and suicidality. DBT sees destructive behaviors as learned responses that can be unlearned and replaced with a more adaptive skill. This requires the therapist to work with the client, without judgment [...]
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), sometimes known as seasonal depression, is a common condition that usually impacts people in the fall and winter months (though some people do struggle with it more in warmer weather). The more mild version of the condition is often referred to as the winter blues. Depression of a Different Type There [...]
