The whole month of January has a feeling of starting over. Sure, some of us get hung up on having to start new habits on January 1st, but really the whole month, in general, is a good time to focus on goals and change. Personally, I find the whole concept of starting the year with […]
Our Latest Blogs
08
Jan
Jan
Our intestines play an important role. They not only digest food but also extract nutrients from it. Bowels are a protective barrier between internal organs and the outside world but they have one weak spot. The intestinal mucosa consists of a thin layer of epithelial cells that are interconnected by special proteins. These proteins don’t […]
03
Jan
Jan
As per a recent report published by Mental Health First Aid, mental health issues affect about 47 per cent of the adult population, 13 percent of children and 46 percent of teenagers each year. But unfortunately, only half of the affected people receive appropriate treatment, often due to the stigma attached to it. Researchers are […]
01
Jan
Jan
You had heard it all before. While still in active addiction, well-meaning friends and family members tried to assure you that your life would be immensely better if you would just get some help. They promised you repeatedly that if you got sober, and stayed that way, you would enjoy a fulfilling and prosperous life. […]
30
Dec
Dec
It’s no secret that binge drinking is a cultural problem in the U.S. and around the world. The behavior is primarily associated with young people, but increasingly, senior citizens are drinking alcohol excessively. In fact, a 2019 study found that more than 10% of Americans aged 65 and over engage in binge drinking on a […]
26
Dec
Dec
Bryan Balaban, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker who works with adolescents, adults, and families.
20
Dec
Dec
RtoR Family-Endorsed Provider Profile Mountain Lake Academy Lake Placid, NY Mountain Lake Academy is a therapeutic residential school for adolescent boys and young men, ages 12 to 21, with emotional and learning difficulties that have impacted their ability to be successful in home or school. Student challenges may include anxiety, school avoidance, lack of […]
18
Dec
Dec
Westport Day School is a therapeutic day school that serves children and teens, from sixth through twelfth grade, with internalizing disorders, such as anxiety and depression, and learning disabilities.
18
Dec
Dec
Mental health issues are a global epidemic. Nobody in the world is alone in this struggle. As per the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 1 in 5 Americans suffer from one mental health issue or another each year. That’s 47.6 million people. The numbers representing the global rates are naturally higher. As per WHO, a […]
09
Dec
Dec
Did you know that 70% of your immune system is located in your gut? Your digestive system is often referred to as the second brain. This is due to the recent discovery of brain-like nerves that are located in the digestive tract. Today we will look at how the gut affects mood and cognitive function. […]
06
Dec
Dec
Eating disorders can happen among people of all ages, genders and social backgrounds. However, they develop most commonly in early adulthood and adolescence. In fact, eating disorders in adolescence are so common that around 5.4 percent of kids between the ages of 13 and 18 will develop anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa or binge eating disorder […]
04
Dec
Dec
Depression Misconceptions Depression is a brain dysfunction that affects mood and emotions. It is a mood disorder characterized by strong and persistent negative emotions. These emotions can have a negative impact on people’s lives, causing social, educational, personal and family discord. Depression is different from sadness or feeling “down.” Clinical depression is a medical condition […]
03
Dec
Dec
Bob Milich, PhD, is a clinical psychologist who specializes in group therapy and works with children age 6 and up, adolescents, and adults. In addition to offering 7 weekly groups, Dr. Milich provides individual and family therapy
02
Dec
Dec
When two people make the decision to get married and start a family, their intentions are likely to spend a life of bliss together. Unfortunately, love isn’t always the utopia we’d like it to be — marriage sometimes ends in divorce. When you make the decision to get divorced and you have teenagers, this can […]
25
Nov
Nov
Nearly every time there’s a public conversation about homelessness, the topic of mental health becomes a major talking point. For instance, the California Policy Lab released data in October 2019 on the prevalence of health problems among homeless populations in Los Angeles, and concluded that mental illness is a key cause of homelessness. Further, unsheltered […]
22
Nov
Nov
Recovery from addiction is said to be simple, but not easy. I have no doubt that for many people this holds true. But for some, like myself, there is more than one illness of the mind to fight. Going through recovery with a dual diagnosis adds an extra layer to addiction recovery and can make […]
18
Nov
Nov
College can be a hard time for some students. In addition to the anxiety that comes with leaving home and forming new friendships, they face academic stress and worry over their future. Many students struggle to keep up with their classes while handling personal mental health conditions. How can campus officials do more to promote […]
15
Nov
Nov
Imagine being trapped in the vicious cycle of both a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder. On a daily basis, one condition continually aggravates and fuels the other, regardless of which one happened to emerge first. The co-occurring disorders, often referred to as a dual diagnosis or comorbidity, can lead to major impairment […]
08
Nov
Nov
By Ken Seeley, Founder and CEO, Ken Seeley Communities You know the signs of the trailblazing workaholic. He seems to have unlimited reserves of energy, remaining laser-focused on his work for hours on end while his mortal colleagues are fading fast. You may scratch your head in awe of his unique ability to plow through […]
06
Nov
Nov
When it comes to substance abuse or mental health problems, you may have looked into the benefits that therapy can have for you. However, you may have overlooked the positive impact group counseling can have on your situation and your psyche When you are looking for help for a substance abuse or mental health problem, […]
04
Nov
Nov
The Stressed Years of Their Lives: Helping Your Kid Survive and Thrive During Their College Years A review of the book by Janet Hibbs, PhD, MFT and Anthony Rostain, MD, MA A depressed young adult named Nick lives at home with his parents, playing video games all night and rarely venturing outside of the house. […]
01
Nov
Nov
Nothing was working. Nothing could seem to break depression’s hold on me. Its fingers gripped my neck, choking me at every turn — invisible hands pulling me even deeper down into despair. Eleven years. That’s how long I had already suffered at the hands of depression. By this point, I had already tried seven medications, […]
28
Oct
Oct
This article focuses on two distinct psychological approaches to human behavior: behavioral psychology and cognitive psychology. Although the disciplines are widely considered irreconcilable, there is much to be learned if we can understand the everyday implications of the differences between these disciplinary perspectives. In other words, this article focuses on how we can understand ourselves […]
25
Oct
Oct
It is an oft-used phrase that “relapse is a normal part of recovery.” No one ever wants to relapse back into substance use. Not really. They may romance the past or desire the buzz, but anyone who has devoted so much time, attention, and treasure to overcoming addiction surely doesn’t desire to fall down. Regardless […]
21
Oct
Oct
The term ‘substance abuse’ refers to harmful or noxious consumption of psychoactive substances, such as alcohol, illegal drugs and other prescribed medications in amounts or quantities that are harmful to a person. Drug addiction or substance use disorders often lead to alteration in thinking, judgment, perception, attention, behavioral and cognitive impairment, physical and psychological dependence, […]
14
Oct
Oct
Striving for perfection is a good thing—isn’t it? Turns out, the answer may not be that simple. According to experts, the response to perfectionist tendencies is what matters most. With all the pressures they face, college students are especially vulnerable to the hazards of perfectionism and the effects it can have on mental health and […]
10
Oct
Oct
Dr. Martin Kutscher is a board certified pediatric neurologist with over 25 years of experience diagnosing and treating children affected by attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autistic spectrum disorders, learning disabilities (LD), tics, and other neurobehavioral disorders.
07
Oct
Oct
Being happy and healthy can be extremely difficult when you’re in a toxic environment. A toxic environment can be a result of anything from an unhealthy relationship or negative work environment to self-esteem issues or a lack of self-care. Whatever the cause, toxicity is hard to cope with. It can sometimes be hard to recognize […]
02
Oct
Oct
Many people are battling to recover from past traumatic events. Commonly, these people will struggle with abandonment issues, jealousy, fear of not being good enough, and an overall mistrust in others. These lasting effects can make having intimate relationships with significant others or close friends very difficult, causing a lot of emotional turmoil; especially when […]
27
Sep
Sep
Most people who struggle with an addiction problem have also experienced significant past trauma. By the same token, 50-66% of individuals diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) also live with co-occurring addiction disorders. The presence of one or more mental health and substance use disorders (SUDs) in the same person is referred to as co-occurring […]
25
Sep
Sep
Sleep research is steadily establishing itself as an important field, and scientists have been trying to unravel the mystery of sleep for quite some time now. It is believed that having enough sleep helps us to deal with adversity and demands in our busy lives. Sleep is, in many regards, a built-in biological source of […]
23
Sep
Sep
If you’re heading off to college, no doubt you feel a mixture of excitement and nervousness. However, if you live with a mental health disorder, you may experience greater anxiety than other students. You probably have a host of questions, too. Where can you turn if you find yourself in crisis while on campus? How […]
20
Sep
Sep
Over the last few years, depression has become much more widespread. We’ve all heard it before, “mental health issues don’t discriminate,” and that quote couldn’t be more accurate. Depression impacts people in the suburbs and on farms, in inner cities and refugee camps, in boardrooms and in classrooms. It is estimated that over 300 million […]
19
Sep
Sep
Major depressive disorder (MDD) affects millions of people globally. Meanwhile, managing MDD is sometimes difficult — even for those who use medication. How Is Medication Used to Treat Depression? Antidepressant medications are among the most common depression treatments. They are prescribed by doctors and help patients alleviate depression symptoms, such as: Anxiety Irritability Lack of concentration […]
16
Sep
Sep
During the month of September www.rtor.org will be observing National Recovery Month with a guest blog series on addiction and substance use disorders. For our second article in this series, we are featuring a guest post from Elizabeth Driscoll Jorgensen, owner of Insight Counseling, LLC, in Ridgefield, CT, and Consultant to Family-Endorsed Provider Newport Academy at its […]
13
Sep
Sep
When I was young, my parents raised me to be what they thought was strong and resilient. They themselves are strong, hard-working individuals, and they only wanted the best for me. However, if I was upset, crying was frowned upon, and I would get punished further. Strength, at the time, was defined by not showing […]
11
Sep
Sep
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) impacts military veterans all over the country. The Vietnam War alone caused nearly 500,000 cases of PTSD. More recently, the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan have caused 12.5% of vets serving in the war to develop symptoms of PTSD. This mental health condition is common among military members. Unfortunately, it’s also […]
06
Sep
Sep
Years of research show that cannabidiol (CBD), an active ingredient in marijuana, can treat a variety of conditions including chronic pain, glaucoma, and seizures. Also, there is evidence that cannabis has chemicals that prevent the spread of cancer and the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. But… Even with the rampant decriminalization of cannabis and documentation of […]
02
Sep
Sep
This September, www.rtor.org is observing National Recovery Month with a guest blog series on addiction and substance use disorders. To kick-off the special series on addiction and co-occurring disorders we open with a guest blog post from Ken Seeley, an internationally acclaimed interventionist and founder and C.E.O. of Ken Seeley Communities. Imagine waking up one […]
30
Aug
Aug
During a typical week, we experience a lot of stress and anxiety, whether it comes from an intense work environment, social pressures, or any similar source. These feelings can stick with us for quite some time, and slowly jeopardize our ability to fall asleep and stay asleep. It’s a sadly normalized aspect of adult life, […]
28
Aug
Aug
When parents decide to dissolve their marriage, the children can feel as if their universe has been turned upside down. So, what are the impacts of divorce on children’s mental, emotional, and physical health? While divorce is stressful to all kids, some children rebound or recover faster than others. The level of upset can vary […]
26
Aug
Aug
Westchester Cognitive and Dialectical Behavior Therapy Group (CDBT) offers psychotherapy services to adults, adolescents, pre-teens, and families.
23
Aug
Aug
When I got into the mental health field and became a therapist, I knew that it would be hard. I have bipolar disorder II and PTSD, and I was aware that working with people with similar diagnoses might be difficult for me to handle. I wasn’t prepared for working in a psychiatric hospital. In the […]
22
Aug
Aug
Sharon Shea, LCSW, LADC, MAC, CCTP is a licensed clinical social worker and a nationally certified master addiction counselor. She specializes in marital and family counseling, mood disorders, addictions, and trauma.
21
Aug
Aug
Looking for 2019’s hottest new depression treatments, but tired of one-off non-reproduced experiments, industry-biased interpretations, and overstatement from tenure-chasing university faculty? Then bring some meta-science into your life. Below, a list of 6 biological treatments for major depressive disorder, and the systematic reviews & meta-analyses that (kinda) tell us whether they work. SSRI’s Psychiatry’s go-to […]
16
Aug
Aug
Rape and sexual assault are never the victim’s fault. It can feel that way, though. If your teen has been through sexual assault, this is an incredibly confusing and painful time for both of you. Victims often feel alone, ashamed, and scared. They may get flashbacks or nightmares, or feel haunted by the memory of […]
14
Aug
Aug
Glen Brooks, MD is the found and Medical Director of NY Ketamine Infusions, one of the first therapy centers dedicated to exclusively providing ketamine infusions.
12
Aug
Aug
The idea of spirituality and its connection to sobriety is common. Addiction programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) often start or end with the serenity prayer which says, “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom […]
08
Aug
Aug
Colleen Fawcett, LCSW, provides individual and family therapy and works with children of all ages, parents, adults, and couples.
07
Aug
Aug
Depression is a major disorder that affects a person negatively and causes impairment in daily life. Many people have undergone depression at some point in their lives. Depression can be identified and treated. However, there are severe stages of depression that change a person’s life completely. Catatonic depression is one of the severe kinds of […]
06
Aug
Aug
Dr. Hassan Minhas provides comprehensive psychiatric care and addiction treatment for children, adolescents and adults.
06
Aug
Aug
Linnie Pickering, LMSW, specializes in complicated grief, domestic and dating violence, sexual assault and harassment, and suicide prevention.
06
Aug
Aug
Dr. Shelby Harris is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for anxiety and depression in adolescents and adults, and behavioral sleep medicine (BSM).
29
Jul
Jul
When I first read Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig, it was last year at the end of a long summer. Some sudden life changes had caused a dip in my mental health, and so like a moth to a flame, I was drawn once again to literature that could stand by me in […]
26
Jul
Jul
Addiction is a powerful thing. Beyond the impact to the person struggling with addiction, it can damage family relationships and lead to estrangement. Here we discuss how addiction can hurt families, how to support someone in recovery, the dynamics of family estrangement, and how to reconnect — if that’s a healthy option for your situation. […]
23
Jul
Jul
Caron Renaissance is an extended-stay residential treatment program for adults ages 18 and up with substance misuse and co-occurring mental health disorders.
22
Jul
Jul
When some people picture self-harm, they may envision a teenage girl cutting herself. This sort of scenario certainly does occur, but it’s important to recognize that self-harm in adults and among males happens too and is more common than you might realize. Self-harm also takes a variety of forms, not just cutting. It can be […]
18
Jul
Jul
Dr. Scafidi is a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), an evidence-based talk therapy treatment.
17
Jul
Jul
Seniors tend to have chronic illnesses that can lead to mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety. Then there are mental health disorders that are chronic illnesses, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, which also affect young adults and people in middle age. According to the World Health Organization, fifteen percent of Americans who […]
15
Jul
Jul
By Ken Seeley, Founder and CEO, Ken Seeley Communities As a seasoned interventionist, I have been involved in facilitating a wide array of groups of people who desired to motivate a loved one to seek treatment for a substance use disorder. Managing an intervention effectively takes planning, practice, and knowledge of the features associated […]
12
Jul
Jul
No matter what substance you use, if you do it regularly, some changes leading to addiction inevitably occur in your brain. To rewire an addicted brain, you need to undergo a treatment process that will heal not only body but mind as well. Reaching abstinence is a big victory. But the struggle will continue as […]
10
Jul
Jul
My drug and alcohol addiction put me through the worst of times, especially when it came to personal relationships. My addiction, however, taught me a lot about enabling, codependent relationships, and toxic relationships. What I once thought of as fairytale romances were really just a rollercoaster ride of emotional manipulation and enabling. I realized that […]
05
Jul
Jul
Cannabidiol (CBD) has recently gained a lot of traction for its many purported mental and physical health benefits. And anecdotal evidence to support these claims is strong. People tout the products for helping with pain, sleep, and even skin conditions. The issue is that scientific proof is hard to come by. Clinical research is limited […]
28
Jun
Jun
While most of us assume that intimacy is something we only experience physically, intimacy also depends on, and greatly impacts, our brains. In fact, mental wellbeing and intimacy are so closely related that each can affect the other. What is intimacy? Intimacy can be both emotional or physical, oftentimes both. Emotional intimacy refers to a […]
26
Jun
Jun
Dr. Willis specializes in treating adults with eating disorders, who may also have co-occurring mental health issues such as mood, anxiety, and trauma disorders.
26
Jun
Jun
With the college years being one of the busiest, and probably, the most stressful part of a young adult’s life, there definitely is a lot of risk for college students to experience a number of health issues. But aside from physical afflictions, there is also a possibility of experiencing mental and emotional health problems, if […]
24
Jun
Jun
Sleep and mental health go hand in hand, especially when it comes to the mental and physical well-being of teenagers. Unfortunately, not enough teens across the country are getting the sleep they need. It’s recommended that teens get nine hours of restful sleep each night, but between 60% to 70% of teenagers in the United […]
21
Jun
Jun
Most seniors don’t seek treatment or even help because they view their mental changes as a natural part of aging or partly because they are ashamed of their condition. While it’s normal for elderly people to experience some level of forgetfulness, it’s important to seek professional help if they show obvious changes in behavior or […]
17
Jun
Jun
“2:48 am” My body lay still as a doll as I dully gazed at the clock on my desk. My slow, sad, depressing music reverberated and echoed off the walls in my bedroom. I could not sleep. I did not want to get up, move, or feel anything at all. These long restless nights had […]
