Clinical Writer: Nadell Asuru-Acey, MSW Clinical Reviewer: Jenny Ryan, LCSW-C IDENTIFYING THE GAPS The significant gap between mental health needs and the treatments available in the healthcare system is one of the biggest challenges facing the healthcare system today. Mental health disorders affect a substantial portion of the population, with millions of individuals worldwide experiencing conditions such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and more. Despite the prevalence of these conditions, the resources, services, and treatment options p ..read more

Clinical Writer: Imani Craig, LMSW Clinical Reviewer: Jenny Ryan, LCSW-C Juneteenth is a significant occasion for the Black community, marking the commemoration of the end of slavery for African Americans following the Civil War. It serves as a time to celebrate the progress made towards equality and justice in the United States. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that recognizing this progress should not lead to complacency. As June 19th approaches, it is equally vital to recognize the political significance of Juneteenth while also considering its e ..read more

Written by Sillie Mugo Clinical Review by: Jenny Ryan, LCSW-C School avoidant behavior, also called school refusal, is when a school-age child refuses to attend school or has difficulty being in school for the entire day with no reasonable or justifiable circumstances for the absence. This can often look like severe emotional distress about attending school, anxiety, temper tantrums, depression, or somatic symptoms.  School avoidance is not a concrete diagnosis and looks different in every child. It can range from acute, where students miss a couple days of s ..read more

Written by Sillie Mugo Clinical Review by: Jenny Ryan, LCSW-C Online therapy or teletherapy is a form of telehealth that lets you connect with a mental healthcare provider online rather than in person. These virtual visits take place over the internet with a computer, tablet, or smartphone.  Teletherapy has been used for years prior to the 2020 pandemic, as a method of therapy for veterans with PTSD to help them avoid being in public or crowded places and to help them overcome some of the barriers that may come with seeking mental healthcare.1 Since the ..read more

Authored by: Danielle Emerson & Annamarie Obaya The internet has become an important part of today’s society, with at least 3.5 billion of us relying on its benefits. Although the internet has many benefits, one of the biggest drawbacks is the increase in cyberbullying. Cyberbullying takes on many forms, impacts youth and adolescents, and can escalate into mental health implications if left unaddressed. There are key ways to protect yourself and your children/adolescents from this escalating issue to make the use of the internet a positive an ..read more

Clinical Writers:  Danielle Flores, LCPC Tiffany Casey, LCSW-C Jacqueline Mitchell, LMSW Clinical Reviewer:  Jenny Ryan, LCSW-C Social Media has taken the world by storm in its own way throughout the different generations. Through its ability to aid with communicating with others around the world, and keeping up with trends and news; social media has its perks, but also its dangers. If we don’t teach our children and adolescents a safe way to have an online presence, we leave them to learn on their own or by peers.  Something that most of us heard wh ..read more

Importance of Early Information to Clients: Many families see a pediatrician at least once a year for their wellness exam. This makes it an opportune moment to start the conversation about child and adolescent mental health. Starting conversations at an early age to allow the patient and family to get acquainted with the community resources available and also prepare them that there are resources in the community if they need it and to understand what is “normal” as they continue to grow. As the child and adolescent grow, it is normal for the child to experience dif ..read more

During the holiday season, we all decorate our homes, spend time with our families, and watch holiday movies. My personal favorite is The Grinch. It’s a comedic movie that reminds us of the joys of this season. The story of the Grinch is well known. He believed he was wronged and developed an anger towards the people of Whoville, especially around Christmas time. His anger caused him to isolate himself and seek revenge against the individuals that he felt wronged him in the past. As loved as the movie is and although we empathize with him, no one wants to be the ..read more

“Sometimes we should express our gratitude for the small and simple things like the scent of the rain, the taste of your favorite food, or the sound of a loved one’s voice.” – Joseph B. Wirthlin Practicing gratitude seems pretty simple right? Say thank you, be kind and gracious as much as you can. However, practicing daily gratitude is a lifestyle change with many healing benefits to improve physical, social , and emotional well being. There are millions of adults worldwide who have adopted gratitude practices, however, it is also a very powerful tool to share wit ..read more

What is Gratitude? Why is it important? Gratitude is one of the most positive emotions you can feel. Being grateful is about expressing how thankful you are for the things you have and focusing on the good things in your life. This is a practice that can help us across our year, not just at Thanksgiving! When we practice gratitude it causes us to pause and be thankful for the simple things we sometimes take for granted such as; shelter, food, family, friends, and school. Here are (3) reasons why gratitude is important: It improves your mental health. If you’re fe ..read more