“I just want to get it all out,” my client said. Starting to unpack his childhood meant coming to an understanding just how much there was to get out. Clients who come in for trauma treatment often have multiple traumatic experiences or what may feel like a lifetime of trauma going back to childhood. These…
Opioids are basically drugs that are used medically to reduce pain and give pleasure. Both heroin and prescription medications fall under the category of opioids. Another opioid, fentanyl is abused publicly. Over a half million drug overdoses have occurred in America in the previous 20 years because of the opioid crisis, which has been driven…
Addiction changes your personality and can change who you are on the inside as well as from the outside. When you’re addicted to drugs or alcohol, not only does your physical wellness suffer. Your mental health suffers as well. If you’re feeling down and out, some common treatments are effective such as suboxone treatment. These…
I was talking with someone today about self-sabotage. Such a dramatic and violent word. But a reality for some people. There are times in our lives when things are going well and it can be uncomfortable. But, why? Aren’t we supposed to be thrilled for the times that are good? Some people who have experienced…
Anxiety can come in many forms and is considered the most prevalent mental health disorder (Bystritsky et al., 2013). Although anxiety is the most prevalent, it has often been overshadowed by schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorders. However, anxiety is said to be present in approximately 13% of individuals in the United States. That is extremely…
Trauma has been viewed many ways depending on who you talk to. As a therapist that sees things from a trauma informed perspective, my view on this topic is specific. Trauma comes in the form of big “T” traumas and little “t” traumas. You may be thinking, what is Jacob talking about? Before I define…
Pain is a non-negotiable part of life. No matter how blessed or privileged we are, at some point the rollercoaster of life will take a downturn. However, experiencing pain does not mean we need to suffer. If you are in a low point, where the emotional pain feels unbearable, know that you have options to…
Many people live with Depression; some take medications to manage their symptoms, while others refuse the medication route. Before we discuss how to feel happier, let’s discuss what Depression is characterized by persistent depressed mood or loss of interest in activities, causing significant impairment in your daily life. What does that look like? Signs and…
As a therapist, self-care is a topic you are introduced to in grad school when learning about counseling theories and how to take care of yourself as a therapist. In my program, a few professors ingrained in us as students that a self-care routine is essential to well-being. For me, self-care is a no-brainer. I…
Many of us go through the day focusing on our to-dos and tasks we need to complete. At the end of the day, we then will measure our productivity and decide if what we did was enough that day. Sometimes, we’ll bring our work home, answer emails outside of work hours, and blur the lines…