Category: Uncategorized

Summer time brings with it several activities for kids to take part in. With so much free time, kids normally go all out during the summer heat and often need to be calmed down. As important as activity is for them, the moments of relaxation in between are just as relevant to their growth. Activity needs to be followed by periods of rest. To help you and your kids this summer, especially the ones that are very activity, Neurofeedback and Counseling of Utah has devised a number of exercises aimed to help you relax. The first one happens to be the most popular relaxation technique prescribed all over the world, the practice of belly breathing.

What is Belly Breathing

Belly breathing is an exercise that requires you to take a larger and longer breath than normal. Also known as diaphragmatic breathing, belly breathing is basically what its name suggests since it requires the use of one’s belly in breathing. It can also be known as deep breathing, with the term diaphragmatic being used since the diaphragm contracts and relaxes extensively in this type of breathing.

The way we normally breathe is known as shallow breathing. It simply involves the lungs and only the area above the diaphragm is utilized for it. On the other hand, belly breathing goes far more down and involves the belly as well. It’s a breathing exercise that makes use of the muscles starting from your head right down to your belly. The belly muscles are used to get more force behind the breathing action and inhale more air inside your body.

How to do Diaphragmatic Breathing

Since belly breathing, involves the belly, it requires some extra force. While inhaling, you need to suck in as much air as possible to the point that your belly extends and is shaped like a balloon, an example is shown in our Belly Breathing Facebook Live video. Once your belly is filled with air and has reached its maximum stretching point, you need to hold the air inside you for two seconds. After the two seconds have passed, the air should be exhaled out slowly, with more time being spent on exhaling than inhaling. A good example for kids to follow when inhaling is to imagine a cupcake in their hand and smelling the aroma it gives and then imagining blowing out a hundred candles with a slow and long breath.

The Benefits of Belly Breathing

Belly breathing gives the body a larger amount of oxygen to consume and send to each and every cell in the body. This greater amount of oxygen helps to remove the strain and stress the cells feel and thus extends to the entire body later on. It’s a fantastic way to relax your brain, spinal cord, and the entire nervous system, making it the apex relaxing exercise for people of all ages.

Resource for Parents – DIAPHRAGMATIC BREATHING and Calming Methods handout

Kristian “Kit” Baker, one of our exceptional therapists, wrote a description of what we do.  It is eloquently written, I thought it should be shared with you.  Thank you Kit!

I’m with Neurofeedback and Counseling of Utah located in Clinton. The address is1407 N 2000 W, Ste J, Clinton, UT, 84015. The phone number is (801) 855-7999.

We provide individual and family therapy for children, teens, and adults using a variety of methods such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma focused-cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), play therapy, solution focused therapy, systemic family therapy, to name a few.

We also provide neurofeedback, either with or without psychotherapy, and we are one of only four providers in the state of Utah who are nationally board certified with neurofeedback. Neurofeedback trains the brain to regulate it’s electrical activity through positive reinforcement. It is used to help treat conditions such as ADHD, OCD, mood and anxiety disorders, impulse control and emotional regulation, trauma, learning problems, etc. Neurofeedback is non-invasive, non-pharmaceutical with few, if any side effects.

We begin neurofeedback, or neurotherapy by doing a brain scan, or quantitative EEG (QEEG) which records the brain’s electrical activity at all 19 site locations of the scalp; we are one of only two providers in the state to provide the full 19-point QEEG. The results are displayed in what are called brain maps, graphical representations showing which areas of the brain are over- and under-functioning. Research and clinical experience show that particular patterns of over- and under-functioning manifest as symptoms seen with the aforementioned conditions. Clients receive copies of the summaries.

The neurofeedback protocols for the particular client are then determined by the patterns shown on the brain maps, thus creating very personalized, accurate protocols. Since neurofeedback is a form of operant conditioning and intermittent reinforcement, we require that our clients come in at least twice a week for best results. Research shows the typical treatment time is between 25-40 sessions (sometimes more) depending on the severity of the problems. Our clinical experience supports this. We then provide a followup QEEG at around the 20th session to help measure progress with before-and-after comparisons. Upon completion, the results remain more or less permanent. There are occasions in which symptoms may start to return a year or two after completing treatment. In those cases, two or three booster sessions using the same protocols are usually enough to quiet symptoms.

We provide “homework”, i.e. skills to practice between sessions, relaxation techniques, etc, to help maximize the effectiveness of neurofeedback. As previously stated, we provide neurofeedback for a variety of conditions such as ADHD, OCD, mood and anxiety disorders, impulse control and emotional regulation, trauma, learning problems, etc. Our methods are research based, and we are one of only four providers in the state who are nationally board certified in neurofeedback. Feel free to visit our website at https://ntcutah.com/. To learn more about the principles of neurofeedback, the research, and certification, feel free to visit https://www.bcia.org/ and https://www.isnr.org/. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at the office at 801-855-7999.

Kristian “Kit” Baker, LMFT
Neurofeedback and Counseling of Utah

At some point in our lives, we all experience stress, anxiety and feelings of depression. When these states become difficult to shift, we might consider turning to medication to manage them. However, natural remedies for stress, anxiety and depression can be just as helpful for managing these emotional conditions and have the benefits of fewer side effects. Below we take a look at some of the best natural remedies for stress, depression and anxiety.

Beneficial Activities for Mental Wellbeing

Rather than reaching for medication, exercise, mediation and relaxation exercises have all been shown to have a positive impact on how we deal with stress, feelings of anxiety and even depression.

Exercise benefits our minds just as much as it does our bodies. Increasing our heart rate through exercise is a great way to burn off anxious energy. Being active boosts the production of our feel-good neurotransmitters, endorphins. Endorphins are responsible for boosting feelings of well-being, happiness and help us to manage stress, feelings of anxiety and reduce depression.

Similarly, meditation and relaxation exercises can teach us to slow racing thoughts and make it easier to manage stress and anxiety. The better management of stress and anxiety in turn reduces the triggers of depression. Furthermore, meditation can break the link between the brain centers – the prefrontal cortex and amygdala – that can cause depression.

Natural Remedies for Reducing Stress

When anxiety, stress and depression become debilitating, making changes to the foods and drinks we consume can help. Chamomile has been used as a medication since ancient times. Great for mild skin irritations such as sunburn, chamomile is also an excellent remedy for anxiety, sleep problems and stress, thanks to the two chemicals it contains – apigenin and luteolin. Three cups of chamomile tea on anxious days can provide a high enough dose to noticeably decrease symptoms of anxiety.

Another centuries old remedy for anxiety, depression and stress is lavender oil. The terpenes and other active constituents of lavender have both psychological and physiological affects when the fragrance is inhaled. These include a reduction in pain perception, feelings of anxiety and depression, and improved mood.

L-lysine, an amino acid important for creating and repairing neurotransmitters, can be found in meat, fish and some beans, it is also sold as a supplement. Studies show that people who take L-lysine either in food or as supplements have reduced anxiety symptoms and levels of stress hormones.

A relative newcomer to treatments for depression and anxiety is CBD oil. Cannabidiol has grown in popularity in recent years as a growing body of research exposes its potential as a treatment for a variety of mental health problems. As the non-psychoactive component of cannabis, CBD has a positive reaction with serotonin receptors in the brain along with indirectly activating the brain’s endocannabinoid receptors. This indicates minimal risk of becoming addicted to the substance while also showing how it supports the endocannabinoid system that helps our bodies and minds maintain balance. It’s not just depression that CBD has been shown to have a positive impact upon; panic disorders, anxiety and chronic stress can also be alleviated with this remedy.

In some cases, medication is the best treatment for the management of chronic stress, anxiety and depression. However, changes to diet, taking up an exercise routine, and trying natural remedies can also be beneficial, often without the long list of side-effects some medications come with. This alone can cause them to be a preferred option, particularly if you are looking for natural ways to manage your own stress or are supporting a child through anxiety or depression.

Written by: Elise Morgan

It feels lonely. It feels empty. It’s uncomfortable and I want to run to something familiar, something supporting. The feeling of ‘insecurity’ or ‘inadequacy’ is a human emotion.  It’s a feeling that hits us when we don’t expect it and when we recognize it, it’s something we don’t quite understand. From young to old, insecurity hits in the center of the heart. Where does it come from? Is it something I must experience? Does it have to knock me down so low?

You are not alone in feeling insecure. It’s an experience that is felt by you, me, and all of us. It feels debilitating at the time, but it doesn’t have to keep us down. It’s a feeling that can teach us more about our self and reminds us of the growth that we can fulfill.

Insecurity, for me, occurs when my mind starts comparing my skills, inadequacies, character with someone else who I perceive as more adequate and skilled. ‘Perceived’ is a key word. Insecurity is generated by the thought of comparison. Perceptions, assumptions, comparison is at the root.  These are roots that don’t need to be pulled, they need some nourishment instead so they bloom to become of a beautiful garden. The roots are in all of us, no matter how confident we feel, the success we have experienced, or the wealth that follows us.

Nourishing the roots of insecurity requires nourishment from an inward process, not outward. It’s the outward process or comparison that seeds the roots in the first place. So its turning inward to the self that we nourish the roots to eventual grow the beautiful landscape that we desire.

Turning inward doesn’t mean putting on blinders to the outside, it means changing our focus to what is important. Distraction is all around us.  Our joy, our purpose, our accomplishments don’t come from the distraction. Instead, the value of our life is always brought back to the attention of our heart and soul, our Being.

Changing the roots of insecurities can be done in various ways.  Again, we are unique, we are individuals. You and I have different experiences, but the work required for growth and security is universal.

When I am feeling insecure, these gentle reminders realign my perspective and my focus of inner growth is strengthened.

1) Spend 5 minutes and list your personal strengths on paper. See the amazing qualities you have with your relationships, work, life skills, and individual characteristics. There are many things you do for yourself and others that make you an amazing person.

2) Sit, close your eyes, and visualize being in the shoes of someone who cares for you. A parent, partner, friend, teacher, God.  Imagine what they would tell you are your strengths. Hear their praise of you. Focus on the positive words that they say about you, then smile.

3) Create a plan for growth. List two things you will do this week that promotes growth for you. It doesn’t have to relate to the reason of feeling insecure.  It can be any activity that will bring you more knowledge, experience, or strength in your individual being.

4) Acknowledge that you are human, imperfect, but continue to grow and develop in ways that are indescribable. Remind yourself that each person is on their own journey of growth. Every person is unique and together we all complement each other.  Imagine having love for the other person we have compared ourselves to. Express love to them and express love to yourself.

Reality is that there is someone who is jealous of you. Who feels insecure because of the qualities or experiences you have.  I don’t say this with intent to make you feel better or for you to boast. Thinking that someone else may feel insecure because of what they see in you can shift your perception.  Our experience of life is based on our perception. Allow this shift in perception bring you comfort that all of us are experiencing the same feelings and you now have an opportunity to redirect your focus inward to find the garden that is waiting to blossom.

As novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to impact our community, we want to share what actions Neurofeedback and Counseling of Utah is taking to protect our team and clients. Our passion is to help those who need support to make change in their lives. It is a difficult time in the world and we all have been impacted in some way with the changes that are occurring to protect our health. The following list outlines the actions we are taking to keep you and us safe:

• Our office remains open for clients who want in-person support through counseling and neurofeedback training. We have improved our virtual technology and now provide counseling services via online (telehealth). If you would like to temporarily move your counseling appointments to online sessions, please let us know and we will check with your insurance benefits to see if telehealth is a covered service. Most insurance companies are now allowing telehealth for counseling.
• We have increased our cleaning standards within our office. It is our priority to keep you and our staff healthy and safe while visiting our office. Our cleaning standards include using disinfectants several times each day on door handles, tables, chairs, desks, and our neurofeedback equipment. We also provide protectant gloves and masks to anyone who choose to wear them. We ask everyone that comes into the office to please use hand sanitizer upon arrival and before leaving.
• We have instructed our staff to stay at home if they are not feeling well, have any symptoms of illness, or if they have been around people who have tested positive with COVID-19.
• All scheduled appointments will continue as usual, at this time.
• We are closely monitoring information from the CDC and the Utah Health Department and will continue to follow their recommendations.
• For questions or concerns please call us at 801-855-7999, email info@ncutah.com, or visit us online at www.ncutah.com.

Friends,
We are taking further precautions to restrict the spread of COVID-19 in our community.  We want to ensure you that when you come to our office, you will feel safe and comfortable as you seek support.  Our office is still open for in-person counseling and neurofeedback appointments, but you will notice a few changes.

• We have restricted our staff in the office.  You will see our receptionists less often when you come to the office.  We have approved some of our staff to do telework from home.  Your phone calls will still be answered as they are re-routed to some of our staff at home.  Our hope is that you will not see any disruption in phone and/or email correspondence from us.
• We have removed all of the books, games, and toys from our lobby area.  We want to maintain a clean lobby for your comfort.
• We ask that a limited amount of people are in our lobby at the same time.  If you arrive early to an appointment, we ask that you please wait in your car until your scheduled appointment time.  Also, if someone is accompanying you for your appointment, we ask that they please wait in their vehicle instead of waiting in the lobby.
• Our young clients may bring one toy or favorite stuffed animal with them from home to use while in session, unfortunately all of our toys and games will be locked up until the threat of spreading COVID-19 starts to diminish.
• Virtual health (telehealth) is now available for all of our counseling clients.  If you would like to schedule your next appointment for an online session, please email or call us and we will set it up for you.  We know that this is a time of worry and high anxiety for most of us.  Your health is important to us, we want to continue to help you.  Please let us know how we can be a good support to you and your family.  801-855-7999.

It’s a time of uncertainty.  COVID-19 spreading across the world is all we hear on the news, social media, and in family/friend conversations.  We are bombarded by information on how to stay physically healthy during this pandemic.  If I had a nickel for every time I heard the words, “cover your cough, don’t touch your face, or wash your hands for at least 20 seconds,” then I would have enough to buy a cheeseburger at McDonalds J.  It’s clear that we need to stay 6 feet away from people while conversing and to only be in groups of two people. Our physical body is one part of our well-being but what about the other major part? Our mind. What is not clear is how we take care of our minds through this time of change and uncertainty.  Your sole focus may be staying physically well with scheduled exercise and eating well. But you and I both know if your mind is full of worry and your body is flooded with anxiety, you may fall into unhealthy living and discouragement no matter how physically fit our body is.

Alongside our physical workout, we need to engage in mental workouts to have peace of mind during times of uncertainty.  And by adding the three following mental workouts one may be led to a more complete sense of well-being.

#1 Be Grateful. Gratitude leads to happiness.  Think about a time when you were happy.  Did you experience gratitude as well?  Did you feel gratitude for your friendships or close relationships?  Gratitude doesn’t just accompany happiness, it leads to happiness. Take time today to write three goods things that recently happened to you. It’s difficult not to crack a smile when you think about good things that have happened to you.  No matter what lemons you were given today, there are usually three things that you can say were good.  Another impactful way to feel gratitude is to first think of a person from your past who did something nice for you and you didn’t adequately thank them.  Take 5-10 minutes today and write them a letter, text, or Facebook message thanking them for helping you. Afterwards, notice how you feel. You may be pleasantly surprised.

#2 Be Mindful. The word ‘mindfulness’ sometimes gets a bad rap.  Mindfulness is not meditation.  Meditation is one way that can lead us to mindfulness, but it’s only one way.  Mindfulness is being fully aware of what is happening in your life right now.  Mindfulness leads to awareness of how you are feeling, how others are feeling, and precedes action. When you are focused on what you see, hear, smell, and feel right now, your mind is not thinking about the past nor worried about the future.  Being fully present, in the here and now, is the key to feeling peace. Take three minutes right now and just note on a piece of paper or in your mind what you currently see (shapes, colors), what you hear (people talking, wind, birds), what you feel (feet on ground, shirt on shoulders, chest moving up and down).  Just observe the items, don’t judge them.  As you focus on your five senses at this moment, your mind will quite down.

#3 Be Intentful. Ever feel like life passes you by? Does time escape from you? This happens to everyone. It can be discouraging to think I just wasted my time by…(lying in bed), (watching 6 episodes of the Big Bang Theory), fill in the blank.  Successful people achieve great things when they plan and do things intentionally.  We break bad habits by intentionally planning to do something different the next time.  We feel accomplishment by intentional completion of small tasks towards a bigger goal.  Take time now to plan a few things you will do differently tonight or tomorrow.  If you are working from home, intentionally plan to get up in the morning at the same time as you typical do on workdays, take a shower, and eat a healthy breakfast.  Your body and mind will thank you for intentionally planning to start the day off right, even if you are staying at home.  Progressive change does not happen without intently planning. Take care of your body and mind. COVID-19 will not last forever. Take this time to be grateful for what you have, be mindful of the things around you, and set the intent to make good change in your life.

Let’s be honest, 2020 has been hard and somewhat crazy.  There was nothing normal about this year.  We were placed in a different element and restricted on where we could go.  It’s hard to pinpoint great memories that occurred during the year.  Yeah, sure, I got to do a little bit of traveling but I cancelled more trips than I was able to go on. We are now wrapping up the year and at the head of the holiday season.  In the past, the holidays meant spending time with a lot of family and hanging out with friends.  December was spent shopping in stores with crowds of people, going out to eat and seeing the Christmas lights around town, and strolling through Christmas bizares.  Again, it feels like this holiday season is going to be just as disappointing as the previous 9 months have been. I really want to feel that magical Christmas spirit but not quite sure if it will be the same as past years.  As I write this blog, I am listening to instrumental Christmas music to help inspire me. It may be working a little, but it kind of feels like I’m grasping for some type of inspiration.  Now what?  How do I make sure I end the year the best way possible with still taking precaution to be safe and healthy?
Tis the season to be grateful, right?  Yes, of course!  Thanksgiving is a reminder to take a step back, look at the big picture of our life, and see the great things in your life.  As my mind goes from one end of the spectrum of being reminded how crappy this year has been to being in a ’tis the season’ joyous mood, it’s a struggle to focus on what really brings me true joy.  I definitely am happy when I am out and about, doing what I traditionally do during this season, but maybe there is a way to still have a great holiday season in a different way.

COVID brought on a powerful shift.  I think most of us experienced this shift, but realize that there are others who have no idea what I am talking about.  COVID kept us down, it kept us present, in the moment.  There were days when we couldn’t ‘be’ or ‘do’ something else.  We were forced to just ‘be’ with ourself, with nothing to do.  How did you do with that?  For me, it was a little nice for a while.  It was a nice break from the daily grind…for a while.  But then I started to get a little stir crazy and said to myself “okay, that was great, now I am ready to get back to normal life”.  Unfortunately, “normal” hasn’t found me yet.  I still have times when I am stopped, restricted, and not able to go where I want to go.  So I am forced to stop and just ‘be in the moment’, with nothing else to do.

Maybe this holiday season will be more moments of “just being” instead of “doing”.  Maybe that is exactly what we need!  Maybe that is what will bring about true joy! This holiday season is going to be different, but different is not necessarily bad, right?  Different doesn’t always feel right, but it can lead to good things.  So this holiday season I am going to learn to appreciate the time I have to ‘just be’ and ‘not do’.  It actually might be nice to have a Christmas void of the hustle and bustle of things to do.  If all people had more time to ‘just be’ and think about those essential things that bring them true joy, I wonder how the world would change?  I guess there is only one way to find out.

Have a wonderful, thoughtful Thanksgiving, and a very Merry Holiday Season.  May you have time…to just ‘be’ with yourself and ponder the amazing life that you have.

It’s strange, I don’t feel anything.  I’m numb. I’m not quite sure what to think about it.  Every New Years that I can remember has been a happy memory.  There has always been a sliver of excitement as I think about what the new year will bring and what I want to accomplish.  This new year is different. There is no excitement.  There are no thoughts of what I want to achieve, nor goals set.  I just feel emptiness.

2020 was such an odd year.  It was a difficult year.  Imagine living in a beautiful country for the first time and being stuck at home, every day, most of the year.  When I first moved to Germany, it was like a fantasy land, almost like a fairy tale coming to life.  I saw medieval villages, spectacular castles, and traveled through the birthplace place of Grimm’s fairy tales, the Black Forest.  My first year and half was spent traveling throughout France, Austria, and Belgium.  It was why I decided to move to Germany for a few years in the first place.  I felt like my dreams were literally coming true.  Well, some of my dreams were coming true anyways.

Now I feel stuck and the fairy tale has faded.  Maybe it’s the dark clouds that fill the sky 90% of the time during the months of November thru March.  I’m not sure what the cause is of my feeling empty, down, and blah.  I do know that I am not the only person that feels the way I do.  All of our social communities have changed.  We have been forced into separation, secluded to stay in our own homes.    We have been forced to use more of the same thing that has made it difficult for Generation X to sit in a room and have a one-on-one conversation with someone else; more social media and more keystrokes on the www.

I am trying not to be bitter against social media; I see myself as one of the first people to stand up to defend the awesome convenience’s technology has brought to us.  I love being able to talk and see my family in real time even when they are over 3,000 miles away.  I appreciate the ability to have any question I have be instantly answered by Alexa in the comforts of my own home. Humankind has been blessed with technology.  We are lucky to be living in a time of such advancements in science and technology.  There will be even more great discoveries in yours and my lifetime.

But at the same time, I can’t help to think how physical and social restrictions will affect how we relate and communicate together as a community, as a global society.  One year ago, it was typical and expected to greet a person with a smile and handshake.  Shaking someone’s hand was a formality, but it was also personal.  Something like shaking one’s hand can go a long way for a person that is hurting.  Touch has always been a way to console a heartbroken child or a weeping mother.  It’s been about twelve months since we have been “instructed” to not touch each other.  Now we have the elbow bump, which feels so impersonal. The changes we saw in 2020 with how we socialize with each other is not a temporary change it’s going to have a long-term global impact.

Now it’s 2021, where do we go from here?  Where is the hope going to come from?  For me, a glimmer of hope came from receiving the covid vaccine.  I took it, had an allergic reaction to it, and now can’t have the second dose.  So, that hope is gone for me, what else is there?

This is when it gets really personal for me.  In my career I have always sought satisfaction and fulfillment from outside of me.  I have been heavily reliant on praise from my boss and co-workers.  I have strived to excel at projects and provide positive outcomes in the workplace.  You can ask my wife, about every two to three years, I get this itch that I need a change in my life (probably the main reason why we live in Germany right now).  I become dissatisfied with where and what I am doing, so I seek something else.  Again and again relying on my outside experience to bring me satisfaction and happiness.  When I make the change, I’m content for a little while because it’s a new experience and there are new things to learn, but then the work becomes old and monotonous.

Yeah, 2020 was a crazy year for sure, but as I do more reflection on the past year, I realized that I have had a lot of growth.  It’s not been growth observed by other people, but the growth has occurred inside of me.  I have had amazing discoveries of the self. It’s possible the discoveries wouldn’t have occurred if I wasn’t quarantined in my home for weeks at a time.  I have contemplated a lot about the origin of true happiness.  2020 is the year that I fully understood that happiness does not come to a person from any one person or from any one thing, it only comes from within the self.  It’s a journey that starts with the person and stays with the person.

I ask myself again, if I made such a great discovery of where happiness comes from, then why do I not feel excited and happy this New Years?  My best guess is that I have already forgotten what I have learned from months earlier of self-reflection.  I am not doing things daily to remind myself that happiness, peace, and satisfaction comes from within me.  I’ve gotten caught up in the world again, like so many of us do, I’ve been seeking happiness outside of me.  Wow, life is a hard journey.  Just when we think we got some of it figured out, we get caught in old thinking pattern again and end up back where we started a year earlier.

When I first started writing this, my intention was to share some inspiration with you, some hope that 2021 will be better.  I think my writing has morphed into a different purpose.  I can’t tell you that 2021 will be better for you.  Life is unpredictable and it is always changing.  Of course, tragedy will still occur and hardship will continue to mold you.  It’s the small things in your path that will make the biggest difference for you.  Our path may be rocky, falling apart underneath us, or slick as a sheet of ice.  The path itself doesn’t really matter; the destination is also not as essential as how we hold ourselves up along the journey.  Your strength to continue taking one step after another comes from within.  It’s time to refocus on the power that is within and stop letting the outside direct where you go.

It’s continued hope that connects you and me, that connects all of us.  Hope is knowing that even though we are each on different path’s we all have the same source within us that keeps us going. From this hope is where we can start to rebuild ourselves and our community again.

You are never alone.  Find the hope within.

April is National Counseling Awareness Month, and so I thought it would be a good idea to take this time to talk a little about mental health and the benefits of seeking treatment for whatever issues you may be facing.

When we talk about mental health, we are talking about our emotional, psychological and social well-being. Our mental health not only affects how we feel but also how we think and behave as well as handle stress and make decisions.

Mental Health Statistics

Just how common are mental illnesses in the United States? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• More than 50% of American adults will be diagnosed with a mental illness at some point in their life.
• In any given year, one in five people in this country will experience a mental illness.
• Children are not immune to mental health challenges, in fact, one in five will experience a serious mental illness at some point.

Causes of Mental Illness

While there is no single cause of mental illness, there are some common factors that are believed to contribute to the risk of developing mental health issues. These include:

• Trauma or a history of abuse.
• Stress-related to ongoing chronic diseases such as cancer or heart disease.
• Chemical imbalances such as hormonal imbalances.
• Use of drugs and alcohol.
• Feeling lonely and/or isolated.

Therapy Can Help

Living with a mental illness can be incredibly painful. This is why National Counseling Awareness Month was started, to help those in need recognize there are people and resources available to them. A professionally trained therapist can help you uncover the cause of your mental illness as well as offer tools and coping mechanisms to turn your life around.

To find a therapist near you, you can use this directory, which lists therapists by state and specialty. Keep in mind that many therapists are now offering sessions over the internet, so it may be best to pick someone you feel more comfortable with instead of someone who is geographically close.

I do offer telehealth services and would be more than happy to speak to you about what is going on. Please feel free to reach out to me.

Resources:

• https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/learn/index.htm
• https://counselingcenter.com/blog/4-surprising-benefits-individual-therapy/
• https://psychcentral.com/lib/choosing-the-therapy-thats-right-for-you#1