Polyvagal Theory
Polyvagal theory is an approach to understanding the mind and body that highlights the autonomic nervous system. As background, our autonomic nervous systems are composed of two parts, the sympathetic nervous system (responsible for our fight-or-flight response) and the parasympathetic...Continue reading→
Summer Reads
Many enjoy a good read over the summer months, and the Gatewell staff is no exception. Here are a few mental health titles that our staff members have curated recently: Finding Me: A Memoir – We know her as a talented...Continue reading→
Gottman’s Four Horsemen
In relationships, conflict is inevitable. How we handle conflict, though, can have a profound impact on the trajectory of our relationships. Dr. John Gottman, an esteemed psychologist and relationship expert, has studied couples around the world for decades. His research...Continue reading→
I-CBT for OCD
I-CBT (Inference-Based Cognitive Behavior Therapy) is an evidence-based treatment for OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). I-CBT is an alternative to ERP (Exposure Plus Response Prevention), typically referred to as the “gold standard” of OCD treatment. I-CBT, while newer, has demonstrated some...Continue reading→
Healing from Grief with DBT Skills
Grief is a natural response to loss that affects nearly everyone. Grief can be defined as any type of loss that disrupts our lives, such as the loss of a relationship, health, financial stability, or the death of a loved...Continue reading→
The Psychology of Watching Love Is Blind
The sixth season of Love Is Blind just wrapped, and so many people are talking about it. Aren’t Amy and Johnny cute? Can you believe Jeramy? Was Chelsea or Jimmy more to blame for their relationship demise? What really happened...Continue reading→
Asylum Evalulations
Ola is a 28-year-old Black man who came to the United States seeking asylum due to the conditions in his home country, Mauritania (officially, the Islamic Republic of Mauritania). Mauritania, a country in West Africa, is largely discriminatory against their...Continue reading→
Perimenopause: Let’s Talk About It
Perimenopause isn’t a term we hear often, but it’s something we should be talking about. It refers to the time in life when one’s body begins transitioning to menopause. Menopause is defined as when an individual has gone one full...Continue reading→
Shame Resilience: A DBT Approach
Shame can be one of the most uncomfortable emotions we experience. It can be triggered by a host of events or internal experiences, including rejection (or fear of rejection); being belittled, made fun of, criticized, or betrayed;Â comparing ourselves to...Continue reading→
Therapeutic Benefits of Creativity
Introduction In a world that often feels chaotic and demanding, it is common to seek solace and respite from the stresses of daily life. For many, a highly relieving factor lies in creativity. Engaging in creative endeavors, through any form...Continue reading→
Insomnia: Coping with Sleep Troubles
It’s late, and you can’t seem to fall asleep. Your mind doesn’t want to quiet, and one of the thoughts that you’re having on repeat is that you’re not going to get enough sleep, even if you were to fall...Continue reading→
Validate with Ease: A Step-by-Step Guide
As discussed in our prior blog, validation is a significant component to interpersonal functioning. Learning how to validate others is one thing we can do to improve our relationships across the board. Here, we’ll take a look at how to...Continue reading→