Treatment and Therapy

A level of care assessment, often abbreviated LOCA, is an introduction to a mental health practice where you’ll share about your struggles, so that your healthcare provider will know how to best meet your needs. The assessment is the best way for an organization to know where you’re at and how to help you. During the assessment, you’ll learn a little bit about the organization as they learn about you and the program that best matches your needs. Based on the assessment, an individualized treatment plan will be created that will most effectively help you on your way to a [...]

If you’re considering seeking counseling help for any mental health challenges, you’ve already taken a major step toward managing the challenges you face. It’s natural to be nervous before your counseling session. To help mitigate your nerves ahead of time, it can be helpful to know what kind of questions you might be asked during your first session.  How to prepare for a mental health appointment There are a number of ways to prepare for a session with a therapist, including knowing some of the general questions you may be asked, prepping your answers ahead of time and performing a [...]

The COVID-19 pandemic changed how we as a society navigate the world, interact with others and seek medical services. While many of the mandates have disappeared, many of the changes that were made during the pandemic turned out to be favorable alternatives and have become permanent fixtures in our daily lives. One of the adjustments we had to make that has stuck is teletherapy. Teletherapy is when mental health professionals (including counselors, therapists, social workers, psychiatrists, addiction specialists and others) deliver services virtually rather than in person. Visits that were formerly only conducted in offices can now be done from [...]

This year has introduced a new definition of normal, for so many individuals around the world. From social distancing protocols to quarantining to contactless food delivery, 2020 has certainly made its presence felt. In the midst of a pandemic, many businesses have transitioned to an at-home environment, replacing in-person interaction with virtual meetings, digital workspaces and video conferencing. This transition to online interaction has also affected the mental and behavioral health space. In-person therapy, counseling and treatment modalities have been largely replaced by online counseling practices, allowing you to connect with licensed healthcare providers from the comfort of your [...]

Over the past few years, teletherapy has become an increasingly popular method of therapy as it provides mental health treatment to those who previously were unable to receive it. Obstacles like distance, transportation and scheduling conflicts no longer interfere when a counseling session is as simple as a video call on your computer in your own living room.   With specific regard to mental health, teletherapy offers many of the same benefits as traditional therapy, while at the same time benefiting those individuals who prefer, or require, distance.   How does mental health teletherapy help me?   Recent years [...]

Anxiety during the pandemic was, and still is, a hot topic. The fear and tension that came along with the unprecedented nature of the COVID-19 outbreak and individual and political responses has carried a lot of weight and continues to do so even years after the start of the global pandemic. From social distancing to stay-at-home orders, government mandates and vaccination opportunities, the past two years have ushered in plenty of causes for anxiety. In this article, we'll explore the ways that anxiety and COVID-19 are related and where to go from here. Anxiety disorder causes and COVID-19 COVID-19 has [...]

COVID-19 is causing additional stress and also forcing many people to stay in their homes. Given these circumstances, online therapy is becoming more popular. If you’re considering virtual therapy sessions, you may have questions about how they’re different from traditional in-person sessions. Here are some things to consider. Methods of Communication The method of communication is the main difference between online therapy and in-person therapy. In-person sessions take place in a therapist’s office where you and the therapist can see each other face-to-face. This is helpful for picking up on body language and other nonverbal cues. Teletherapy can be conducted [...]

Telemental health refers to online counseling, in which a therapist provides behavioral therapy via phone, computer, video conferencing, or other digital means. Clients may choose to participate in teletherapy if they cannot leave their home, live in rural areas, or have an unconventional job or working hours. With the COVID-19 pandemic, this type of care plays a critical role in treating clients with mental health disorders. Current patients who rely on therapy need to be able to continue treatment while in isolation. And those with COVID-19 anxiety need access to effective treatment and resources. Learn more about telehealth and get [...]

With the number of people seeking therapy growing in popularity in recent years, you may have wondered to yourself, "do I need therapy?" and "what type of therapy do I need?" You may wonder whether you need a diagnosis of a mental health disorder or more serious symptoms to warrant therapy. Asking whether therapy is appropriate for you is a highly personalized question. Ultimately, the best decision can be made after an intake assessment or level of care assessment by a mental health professional. These assessments explore your personal and family health history, your presenting concerns, symptoms you've experienced, environmental [...]

We all have thoughts that replay themselves in our heads. We might think to ourselves, "don't forget your keys," or "I have so much to do." We might have more self-demeaning thoughts, too, like "I can never do anything right," or "if I just lost some weight everything would be OK." Having reoccurring ideas that pass through our minds isn't a bad thing. Sometimes it can be helpful and this kind of self-talk can aid us in regulating our emotions, remembering things or creating useful patterns in behavior. Positive or neutral thoughts that repeat are normal. Negative repeating thoughts, however, [...]

Insomnia — a sleeping disorder where you have difficulty falling and/or staying asleep — is not an uncommon reality for many. In fact, approximately 70 million Americans struggle with insomnia. And while not getting a good night's sleep is uncomfortable, frequently waking up in the middle of the night can quickly become unbearable. The good news is that developments in mental health treatment have come to include the use of cognitive behavioral therapy in helping treat insomnia. This is especially beneficial for those who are seeking relief from chronic insomnia without the use of sleep aids like medication. What causes [...]

What is grounding? Grounding is a technique used to cope with distressing emotions. In grounding, a person will seek to reconnect with the present moment so they can temporarily remove themself from a distressing headspace and look at their circumstances objectively and logically. It can also be used to distract oneself in a moment of emotional anguish for temporary relief. Grounding is a form of mindfulness and involves growing awareness of your immediate environment, its relationship to the big picture of your life and the universe and emotional self-awareness. Grounding uses the five senses of sight, touch, sound, scent and [...]