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7 Tips for Parenting Teens Based on DBT Therapy

by Nicole Roder | Jun 24, 2024 | Blog

If you are parenting teens with intense emotions–that is, teenagers who frequently yell, fight, run away, self-harm, or engage in other risky behaviors–you might have heard of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Many therapists and medical providers refer emotionally dysregulated adolescents to DBT programs because they know that it is an evidence-based treatment that has been proven to help people get their emotions and behaviors under control.

Comprehensive DBT therapy includes individual sessions, skills group sessions, and between-session phone coaching. DBT for Adolescents (DBT-A) includes the parents in this process as well. Parents join the multifamily skills group along with their teens. They often participate in family sessions with their teen and the individual therapist. And many times they have a DBT parent coach who meets with them individually and offers phone coaching as well.

Naturally, parents who are considering DBT therapy for their teens want to know what they’re signing up for. How will DBT help your kids feel better, and how can the therapist help you know what to do when your teen feels upset or acts out? Here are 7 tips that illustrate some of the advice that DBT therapists offer for parenting teens with big emotions.

LGBTQ Communities and Mental Health

by Nicole Roder | Jun 17, 2024 | Blog

The mental health needs of the LGBTQ community are quite unique. People who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer are by and large a resilient group. According to a large body of research, they are, on average, likely to prepare for adverse events, practice radical acceptance, and provide support to their communities. And on the other hand, it is also true that LGBTQ individuals are more likely than their heterosexual peers to experience depression, suicidal thoughts, and other mental health problems. The portrait of this community includes a distinctive mix of strength and vulnerability. So let’s take a look at LGBTQ mental health.

Statistics on LGBTQ Mental Health

According to a recent Gallup poll, 7.6% of American adults said they identified as LGBTQ in 2023. That number has been steadily increasing every year since Gallup began polling on that question in 2012, when the number was 3.5%. Women and younger generations are more likely to identify as LGBTQ than men and older generations.

To be perfectly clear, being queer is not a mental illness. That being said, people from this community are more likely to experience certain mental illnesses than their heterosexual peers. Let’s take a look at the data on LGBTQ mental health:

When to See a Psychiatrist or a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

by Nicole Roder | Jun 10, 2024 | Blog

When you are looking for help with a mental health problem, it’s important to understand the roles that various mental health professionals play. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in psychiatry–the branch of medicine dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental disorders. A psychiatric nurse practitioner is a registered nurse who blends medical and psychiatric expertise to provide comprehensive psychiatric mental health care for patients suffering from various mental health disorders.

As trained medical professionals, both psychiatrists and psychiatric NP’s hold a unique position in mental healthcare, possessing both medical expertise and the specialized knowledge to address psychological issues. Their comprehensive approach encompasses various aspects of mental well-being.

Both psychiatrists and psychiatric NP’s have the expertise to diagnose mental health disorders. They can identify and differentiate between various conditions, including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, PTSD, substance abuse, ADHD, and more. This is important because, in mental health care, your diagnosis informs your treatment plan. It allows you to receive evidence-based care that is tailored to your needs. Additionally, these professionals have the authority to prescribe medication, allowing them to address biochemical imbalances in the brain that contribute to psychiatric symptoms. Medication combined with other therapeutic modalities can significantly alleviate symptoms and improve overall functioning.

Finally, many psychiatrists and psychiatric NP’s offer psychotherapy, a crucial component of mental health treatment. They can employ evidence-based therapeutic techniques to help people explore their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in a supportive environment.

Ask The Therapist: How to Make Friends

by Nicole Roder | May 27, 2024 | Blog

As mental health providers, we receive a lot of questions from our clients and patients about solving problems in day to day life. So we are launching a new series on our mental health blog called “Ask the Therapist.” This month’s topic is “How to Make Friends.”

It’s hard to make friends as an adult. When you were a kid, things might have seemed simpler. You walked up to another kid on the playground at recess and said “Wanna be friends?” Or maybe you just joined in on their game of kickball. As an adult, this can feel pretty awkward and intimidating, especially if you have high anxiety. Sadly, many adults today report feeling lonely and socially isolated. According to a 2023 poll, nearly 1 in 10 American adults report having no close friends, and another 13 percent have only one friend.

This can lead to severe loneliness and poor health outcomes. Time and again, research has shown that loneliness and social isolation can lead to low well-being and high psychological distress, especially among people with disabilities and older adults.

Close friends are a balm for loneliness and a gateway to fulfilling relationships and a happier life. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the social landscape with confidence.

How to Stop Worrying: 5 Tools to Calm Those Ruminating Thoughts

by Nicole Roder | May 20, 2024 | Blog

Worrying is a natural part of the human experience, but when it becomes constant, it can interfere with our daily lives. Our clients frequently ask us how to stop worrying because it produces such painful anxiety. At Gladstone Psychiatry and Wellness, we understand that managing worry is not about eliminating it entirely but learning to control it.

Here are five tools that can help you stop worrying and start living more peacefully.

How to Stop Worrying: 5 Tools to Stop Worry Thoughts

1. Solve the Problem If You Can

The first step in managing worry is to identify if there’s a practical solution to the problem at hand. If there is, take actionable steps to address it. This proactive approach empowers you to tackle challenges head-on, reducing the space for worry to grow.

This is particularly useful when you are worrying about a task that needs to be completed. How many times have you felt paralyzed with anxiety, worrying that you won’t finish a project on time or complete all of the items on your to-do list? In those moments, taking action toward solving the problem can reduce your anxiety fast.

Children’s Mental Health: Why It’s Important to Validate Feelings

by Nicole Roder | May 13, 2024 | Blog

Welcome to our latest blog post on a topic close to our hearts: Children’s Mental Health. As a dedicated mental health care practice, we understand the profound impact that emotional well-being has on our young ones’ development. Validating children’s feelings isn’t just about acknowledging their emotions; it’s about empowering them to understand and express themselves in a healthy, constructive way. It’s the cornerstone of building resilience, fostering empathy, and nurturing a positive self-image. Join us as we delve into the reasons why emotional validation is not only beneficial but essential for a child’s mental health journey.

Validation Definition

When we say the words “emotional validation,” we mean the act of communicating to a person that we understand how they feel, and that their feelings make sense.

For children, emotional validation is a powerful way to help them understand and manage their feelings. It involves noticing whatever emotions your child is expressing–through words, actions, or tone of voice–and reflecting them back. Validating statements are non-judgmental and accepting by definition. They let the child know that their feelings are important and it’s OK to have them.