Evidence-Based Individual, Couples, Family, and Group Counseling + Nutrition Therapy in Miami (Coral Gables)
Diagnosing ADHD in Girls and Women It used to be that when we thought of ADHD, we pictured school-aged boys, unable to sit still, unfocused, and disruptive in class. Over time, we’ve learned more about how this neurotype presents in girls and women, which has expanded our understanding of this neurotype. Let’s take a lookContinue reading ADHD in Women
To Rest or Not to Rest? You’re struggling to complete a paper for school or project for work. You notice you’re judging yourself for needing a break, thinking you’re “lazy” or lack drive. And because of this, you have difficulty listening to your body, even when it’s signaling for a break. Of course, our cultureContinue reading The Case for Rest
What Is the Window of Tolerance? The window of tolerance is a psychological concept introduced by renowned psychiatrist, Dr. Dan Siegel. When in our window of tolerance, we can think and act clearly, responding to stressors and life’s demands with balance and control. Here, we feel present and engaged and can function mindfully and effectively.Continue reading Window of Tolerance
Every year, September’s National Suicide Prevention Month gives us the opportunity to shine a light on an issue that touches countless lives. Suicide does not just affect one person; it impact families, friends, and entire communities. Even though this topic can feel heavy and we might want to avoid talking about it, this month servesContinue reading Suicide Prevention is a Community Effort
Have you ever wondered why people who were exposed to extreme stress early in life tend to suffer from physical ailments more than the general population? The ACEs study, a large-scale research endeavor, showed that those who were subjected to childhood trauma were, as expected, significantly more likely to develop mental health symptoms, such asContinue reading Childhood Trauma and the Body: Pain, Autoimmune Functioning, and More
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 nervous system (responsible for calming us/slowing us down, or in life-threatening situations, the freeze response).Continue reading Polyvagal Theory
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 one. It can leave you feeling isolated, anxious, depressed, or overwhelmed. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Continue reading Healing from Grief with DBT Skills
DBT is an evidence-based modality that can help individuals who suffer from depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, trauma/PTSD, substance misuse, disordered eating, self-harm/suicidality, and borderline personality disorder, as well as broader issues with emotional regulation and interpersonal functioning. DBT was founded by psychologist, Dr. Marsha Linehan, and developed from the early part of her career’s focusContinue reading Comprehensive DBT
In our teaching of DBT skills, I always say that radical acceptance is one of the hardest skills to learn. To do. To embody. I feel this way myself. As much as I talk about acceptance, I find my brain constantly wants to err on the change side of the acceptance-change continuum. It wants toContinue reading Radical Body Acceptance
If you think about it, the human condition offers us of an almost infinite number of problems – issues with relationships, jobs, money, health, managing our homes, etc. Despite the wide range of problems we might encounter, there are a limited number of options for solving them. According to DBT, there are four possibilities forContinue reading Options for Solving Any Problem – DBT in Action
Popular psychology and many therapists will tell you that anger is a cover-up or defense for other emotions, namely hurt, sadness, or fear. It is true that, in some cases, we might “lead” with anger, when underneath that, we’re struggling with feelings of sadness, anxiety, or vulnerability. But sometimes, anger is simply anger, and acceptingContinue reading Anger: Accepting and Decoding