The Growing Evidence: Understanding Marijuana’s Impact on Public Health
Recent research is shedding new light on marijuana’s effects on public health, particularly concerning young people’s brain development and mental health. As cannabis becomes increasingly accessible...
View ArticleUnderstanding and Coping with Depression in Challenging Times
As someone who has weathered six sudden deaths in my lifetime and experienced the impact of natural and personal disasters firsthand, I understand the depth of pain and the weight of depression. Yet I...
View ArticleThe Joy Formula: Sassy Guide To Spreading Happiness (No Perfect Meditation...
Let’s become Joy Seekers. Let’s get real about happiness. Not the picture-perfect Instagram version, but the messy, authentic, sometimes-you’re-dancing-in-your-kitchen kind of joy. I’ve been thinking a...
View ArticleFinding Light in Darkness: Reflections from the Winter Leadership Symposium
The Winter Leadership Conference in Breckenridge, Colorado is known throughout our professional community as something special. Unlike typical industry gatherings, it balances rigorous professional...
View ArticleRevisiting Treatment Without Walls: A Revolutionary Approach to Complex...
In the evolving landscape of mental health treatment, certain innovative approaches deserve a fresh examination. Treatment Without Walls (TWW) stands as one of these revolutionary frameworks that...
View ArticleWalking on Eggshells: Understanding Borderline Personality Disorder
You never know who you’ll encounter from one moment to the next. One minute, your loved one is warm, engaging, and affectionate—the next, they’re engulfed in rage, despair, or coldness that leaves you...
View ArticleBeyond Loss: Insights from a Lifetime of Working with Widows
As someone who has walked the path of widowhood myself and interviewed countless women on their journeys through grief, I’ve gained unique insights into this life-altering transition. This September,...
View ArticleWhen Someone You Love Has an Alcohol Problem: Insights for Families from...
In my decades of work with families affected by substance use disorders, I’ve witnessed firsthand the profound impact that a loved one’s alcohol problem can have on the entire family system. As a...
View ArticleThe Hidden Struggle of XANAX: Navigating Benzodiazepine Withdrawal
In my years as an addiction specialist, I’ve witnessed countless patients battle substance dependencies. Yet few journeys are as misunderstood and treacherous as withdrawing from benzodiazepines like...
View ArticleMy Journey as a Clinician: Inspiring Recovery Stories from Addiction and...
Throughout my career as a clinician specializing in addiction and mental health recovery, I’ve witnessed firsthand how alcohol addiction doesn’t discriminate. It affects people from all walks of...
View ArticleThe Enduring Impact: How Childhood Trauma Shapes Adult Lives
When I was seven years old, playing hopscotch on my third-grade playground, anxiety first introduced itself to me. My long black hair flopped in the wind as I tried to pretend I was invisible, equipped...
View ArticleA Love Letter to a Weekend of Wellness
“Reflections on Aging From The Sunset Marquis” at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe & The Grand Del Mar This past weekend was truly extraordinary and rejuvenating, filled with inspiring moments at two...
View ArticleUnmasking Generalized Anxiety Disorder: 7 Real-Life Manifestations &...
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a common mental health condition characterized by persistent, excessive worry about various aspects of life. Unlike normal anxiety that comes and goes, GAD...
View ArticleStock Market Anxiety: When Financial Volatility Becomes Personal
Market fluctuations have sent many investors on an emotional rollercoaster. The constant ups and downs trigger a specific type of stress response that differs significantly from generalized anxiety...
View ArticleReflections on Aging From the Sunset Marquis: Book Signing Event Celebrates...
A Magical Evening at an Iconic Location Friday, April 11th marked a truly memorable evening as I celebrated the signing of my book “Reflections on Aging From the Sunset Marquis” at the very location...
View ArticleHigh-Functioning Depression – Let’s Talk About The Tough Stuff
I’ll be real with you—as a clinician, educator, and interventionist who has spent years helping others navigate mental health challenges, I never thought I’d find myself on the other side of the...
View ArticleGoing No Contact: The Complete Guide to Family Estrangement, Healing, and...
Family estrangement — the process by which family members become strangers to one another—is far more common than many realize. According to research by Cornell sociologist Karl Pillemer, approximately...
View ArticleThe Timing of Departure: Pope Francis’s Death after Easter and the Science of...
In a moment rich with spiritual symbolism, Pope Francis passed away on April 8, 2025 — the day after Easter Sunday, Christianity’s most sacred celebration of resurrection and renewal. This profound...
View ArticleBeyond the Healing Space: Understanding and Overcoming Treatment Trauma
Introduction When we enter treatment for mental health concerns, eating disorders, addiction, or other conditions, we expect to find safety, understanding, and healing. However, for many individuals,...
View ArticleA Day at Grata Ranch: Where Rescue Animals Help Heal Humans
It’s a rare gift to witness someone’s dream manifested into reality. That’s exactly what I experienced during my visit to Grata Ranch, the vision of Jason Moriarty brought to life in the serene...
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