The act of practicing psychotherapy is one that deals with the darker parts of the human experience. Showing up to do the hard work of psychotherapy in the current climate can feel like offering a spray bottle to our patients as they become engulfed in flames, while we try to stave off our own fires. So what else can we do?
In smaller communities, it is not uncommon for therapists and clients to cross paths in mundane spaces like the drug store. What is the best way to handle these encounters outside of the therapy room? Can an unexpected meeting alter the course of treatment?
Seasonal Affective Disorder is one of the most widespread manifestations of depression symptoms, with millions of people affected each year in the United States. Even so, SAD, as it is abbreviated, is often written off as "winter blues" or sadness around the holidays. Seasonal Affective Disorder is serious, common, and treatable. Why is it so misunderstood?
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology is rapidly expanding, including mental health therapy. From the rollout of AI-powered administrative software to the rise in clients turning to Chat GPT for reassurance, its presence in the therapy room is undeniable.
With its compelling storyline, powerful soundtrack, big name actors and sheer magnetism, it's no surprise that 2024's Wicked has set box office records and become a pop culture phenomenon.
You have probably heard the name Dialectical Behavior Therapy in your time as a therapist. It is one of the most ubiquitous therapeutic modalities out there, and with good reason: it's also one of the most effective.
Mental health clinicians are trained to thoroughly assess clients using a biopsychosocial perspective. Doing so helps us to recognize patterns, in terms of both diagnosing and treating different conditions as well as overall trends in our client population.
It seems like our culture cannot stop talking about gender-affirming care these days. From conservative commentators decrying it in the media to the hundreds of proposed bills banning access for patients under 18, gender-affirming care is a hot topic.
If you're like me, you are hearing about "the mental load" in sessions a lot lately. Seasoned therapists know that whatever is in the zeitgeist will make its way into our work eventually, for better or for worse. But the mental load isn't just pop psychology – it's a real thing, and the people carrying it are exhausted.
One of the most common complaints of new social work graduates is that their program did not teach them how to do therapy. Over 530,000 social workers were in the behavioral health workforce in 2022. Ironically, social work grad programs focus on generalist curricula, teaching you how to practice in a broad range of settings. Psychotherapy is just one of the jobs that a social worker can do.
As a sex therapist, I find that my clients often bring in topics that carry stigma. Whether it's pelvic floor dysfunction, reconnecting with your postpartum body, or exploring ethical non-monogamy, clients report a sense of relief that they can finally talk about that thing. The thing that they have been carrying around like a heavy, shameful secret in their back pocket.
Many of us were taught in our graduate therapy programs to be a tabula rasa – a blank canvas for our clients to project upon (Bergkamp et al., 2023). Historically, our profession has emphasized the importance of separating ourselves from our work as a means of preserving professional boundaries. But the therapeutic relationship is widely thought to be the most important factor in effective treatment. If that is true, how can therapists who hold politicized identities remain "blank slates"?
At a recent case consultation with a group of respected therapists in my clinic, I presented a patient case causing me some frustration. I have been working with said patient for several years. Despite good rapport, consistency of appointments and stated desire to make changes...
The notion that ADHD is a diagnosis reserved for hyperactive, fidgety boys prevails. But research demonstrates that ADHD can present differently across gender, age, and individual circumstances.
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