Last month was National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Studies from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that suicide rates continue to rise each year. In 2016 alone approximately 45,000 lives were lost to suicide in the United States. Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the

It is natural to experience anxiety or fear about safety in the wake of violence. Whether we experience trauma directly or hear about it in the news, there can be an impact on our well-being. Here are a few ideas to keep in mind in the aftermath of a tragedy,

Many of us have been impacted by a large-scale disaster or traumatic event at some point in our lives. These events include natural disasters, terroristic acts, or community violence. These events have an impact on those who are direct witnesses/victims of these events, those who are close to someone who

Some parents are aware when something seems unusual with their child’s development. However, some parents may not have concerns until a provider notices potential developmental delays or inconsistencies with their child during a routine appointment. The current recommendation is for children to be screened for autism spectrum disorder during regular

Where does anxiety come from? While there are still limitations to our understanding, we know that anxiety is not caused by one specific factor, but rather is the result of a dynamic interaction between multiple factors. Many factors influence childhood development of anxiety including: Genetics: There is strong research support

Stimming is a term that refers to stereotyped or repetitive motor movements, which are often seen in people on the autism spectrum. But why do people on the autism spectrum do this? In a recent UK study, adults on the autism spectrum were interviewed about their experiences with stimming. Many

According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 322 million people throughout the world are living with depression, which is 4.4% of the global population! Exercise is known to be associated with reduced risk of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and diabetes. Over the past decade, the association between exercise

The result of a traumatic experience can be both negative and positive. Cognitive processing therapy involves looking at previously held beliefs about self and the world and how the experience of a trauma has impacted those beliefs. Negative beliefs may be formulated or maintained following a traumatic event and could

Irritability is an experience most people can relate with. Everyone has had a day after not getting enough sleep where traffic was just more annoying and our threshold for tolerating frustration was a bit lower. Irritability in a mental health treatment setting is often addressed in adolescents but can be

Some believe that meditation or mindfulness practices involve going into a deep trance or being able to completely shut out our stress and the world around us. However, this is the opposite of what mindfulness is all about! It is not a special state you need to reach or specific