Understanding a Mental Health Diagnosis

Many who have been hiding behind learned hopelessness have come to wear an armor, more so than just a mask.  As a therapist, I first have to let my client know I see the armor and honor it.  I validate that, along the way, they believed they needed it in order to protect themselves from…

  Having a rough or difficult childhood can leave young adults (typically between the ages of 17 and 28) really struggling to find themselves and to get past the pain they have experienced. That pain doesn’t have to be physical — more often, it’s mental or emotional pain that they have to carry with them,…

Even the smallest amount of misinformation (or lack of information) makes a resolvable issue that much harder when it comes to a mental health diagnosis. For example, if a car is in need of a brake repair and only the tires receive attention, the end result can be disastrous. That being said, it is so…

The incidences of disorders such as ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, and Autism continue to rise. Regardless of which one you are dealing with, chances are that you have been misdiagnosed at some point or another along your journey to obtaining the right treatment and diagnosis. Incorrect diagnoses can be extremely frustrating, as well as discouraging when…

When you are diagnosed with a mental health issue, such as Bipolar Disorder, OCD, an eating disorder, or Asperger’s, it can be a challenge to not allow these labels to become part of your identity. After all, they often seem like a huge part of who you are because the symptoms can affect the way…

One of the most common concerns I hear from family members calling to get information about residential care for loved ones is “I don’t want my loved one ( son/daughter/niece/nephew) to spiral further in the mental illness because of other participants.” When I hear this, I often reassure the family member that everyone has strengths…