For abuse survivors, seeking therapy can often be a difficult decision, and may not be a conscious, chosen path to coping until years afterward. Throughout a person’s life, abuse can come in many forms—including physical, sexual, emotional, verbal, psychological and financial mistreatment—and unfortunately, the list...
For those suffering from chronic pain, learning how to manage the physical symptoms is often just the beginning of a complex journey toward healthy living. Persistent bodily pain can easily take a toll on your mental health, leading to unpleasant changes in mood, behavior and...
As we mentioned in an earlier blog, online therapy (also known as teletherapy, virtual therapy, and telehealth therapy) is therapy provided by a licensed Colorado therapist to a client who also may be located anywhere in Colorado. This type of therapy is delivered through a...
Postpartum depression (also known as postnatal depression or PPD) is a mood disorder that arises after childbirth. While postpartum depression can occur at any time within the first year, symptoms typically appear between two weeks to a month after delivery. Symptoms can include anxiety, lack...
The choice to seek individual therapy is a significant moment in a person’s life. When someone decides to see a therapist, it is often a reaction to troubling thoughts and behaviors (such as anxiety/depression), a recent trauma/life event or other ongoing issues that make it...
Colorado online therapy (also referred to as teletherapy, virtual therapy, telemedicine therapy, and E-Therapy) is already available. Colorado online therapy is the delivery of online services - from a licensed Colorado therapist to a client located anywhere in Colorado. This type of therapy is delivered through a...
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a commonly used, evidence-based practice that’s employed to treat mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. While perhaps not for everyone, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (or “CBT”) treatment has proven effective for a number of individuals who wish to change irrational...
Post-Partum Depression Giving birth signifies the start of a woman's journey into motherhood. The first cries of her baby awaken all the motherly instincts in a mother. But, every so often, childbirth can prove to be a harrowing experience which puts the new mother under a...
Therapy for Managing Stress and Trauma: Adjustment Disorder Many times, people have trouble adjusting to a difficult or stressful event such as the loss of a loved one or a natural disaster such as a storm or flood, or a violation of their individual rights. These events...
Biofeedback Therapy Biofeedback therapy is a form of treatment that is used to help patients suffering from attention deficit disorder (ADD), depression, anxiety, addiction, and other conditions by controlling involuntary mental processes which may be contributing to these problems. Through biofeedback, patients may learn to control their...
Play Therapy for Children Play therapy is a technique used in therapy for children. In play therapy, a therapist interacts with the child by interpreting play behavior and communication. Play therapy also uses a child's play to help him or her manage the emotional and behavioral difficulties...
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Or EMDR Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing or EMDR is a therapy technique that is used to treat patients who are troubled by traumatic memories. The technique focuses on the emotions and negative feelings triggered by trauma. EMDR is most commonly used...
Signs of Emotional Difficulty in Adolescents Mental health issues can strike anyone, irrespective of their age, nationality, gender and physical location. But emotional or mental problems in adolescents can be especially concerning. Adolescence is not an easy time of life, and as a result it's common for...
Anxiety issues typically respond well to treatment, and there are a number of competent therapists in the Denver area who treat this condition. The specific therapy strategy used will depend on the kind of anxiety disorder, its severity, and personal preferences. Usually, most anxiety disorders are...
You'll find various kinds of depression signs and symptoms each with distinctive qualities, triggers, and results. Being aware of which kind of depression you are coping with will go a long way toward managing signs and symptoms in addition to choosing the best treatment plan....
There are a number of fine, highly qualified therapists in and around the Denver area who are trained to recognize and treat depression. The severity and time period of depressive symptoms will be different for every person. However, you will find some common symptoms across most...
Unless you live in the Denver area, it's not always easy to locate a good therapist who is conveniently located, is accepting new patients, accepts your insurance, and has expertise with the issues that are troubling you. Panoply engages several patients in cognitive behavior therapy, a...
Here are some signs that aid in recognition of a serious drug or alcohol problem that may be developing in self or others: 1) Needing more and more of the addicting substance (drugs or alcohol). 2) Keeping the company of addicts. 3) Using the substance all day long. 4)...
Before care can be given, the client will be examined to find out when the signs and symptoms of interest are triggered by depression or some other medical problem (e.g., hypothyroidism, side effect of a medication). Other possible accompanying ailments, including anxiety, anger management, trauma, relationship...
People with panic attacks have multiple and often unpredictable episodes of intense fear which may be accompanied by sweating, chest discomfort, rapid heart beat, nausea, rapid breathing, dissociation, tingling, numbness, feeling "unreal," and/or other responses associated with a heightened state of the sympathetic nervous system. Panic...
People with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) experience excessive, intrusive and undesirable ideas (obsessions) supported by compulsive actions whose purpose is to superstitiously reduce fear, anxiety,or the chances of catastrophe. These sufferers frequently recognize that their obsessive ideas and compulsive actions are exaggerated and even irrational, but nonetheless they feel at...
OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) sufferers normally have both obsessions and compulsions, although some people may experience obsessions alone. The seriousness of symptomotology tends to vary, but it often gets worse over time, especially throughout occasions of stress. Here are some examples of OCD variations: • Excessive Washing (e.g., washing hands...
Ready to schedule an appointment? Schedule online or call 303-986-4197. At some time in our lives, all of us really feel overwhelmed and might need skilled assistance to cope with our problems in life. In accordance with the National Institute of Mental Health, more than 50 million people...
Title VI provides new state and federal powers to reduce and prevent insurance abuse, including Medicare and Medicaid. Drug and medical product companies will have report most gifts. The Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute will study and support clinical outcomes on new therapies. Nursing homes...
Substance abuse is a disease. Without professional help, your loved one may not recover. Due to the sensitive nature of this issue, never take it upon yourself to tell your loved one to stop abusing alcohol or drugs. Instead, calmly tell your loved one why you believe...
America’s inadequate mental health care was thrust into the spotlight in 2013 following the stabbing of Virginia State Sen. Creigh Deeds by his mentally ill son. The younger Deeds, who committed suicide after the attack, had undergone a psychiatric evaluation but was turned away by...
Prescription drugs are playing an increasingly larger role in U.S. life, with nearly half of all Americans taking one or more medications. On one hand, more people than ever are receiving effective treatment for chronic conditions and chronic pain. But doctors and pharmacists also find...
Despite great strides in our understanding of mental illness and vast improvements in the dialogue surrounding it, too many still suffer in silence. Tens of millions of Americans face mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). National Mental...
In yet another effort by the Affordable Care Act to help regular Americans, this section establishes a National Healthcare Workforce Commission to plan for the needs of workers and to expand the healthcare workforce. Major expansions for community health centers are also supported. An exceptionally good source of information...
I am trained in family systems and I have learned to see individuals through the lens of their family, community and culture. None of us was born in a vacuum. We influence and are influenced by those around us. Some of us belong to one...
Part One: Does the Institution of Marriage Stand a Chance in Today’s World? I believe in marriage, as an institution, as a concept, as a lifestyle choice. I think lasting lifelong marriage between two people is possible, even in this time where one of two...
According to a study just published by an international team of researchers, people who have suffered childhood abuse are more likely to be diagnosed with major depression after reaching adulthood, even more likely if they have inherited genes which cause a predisposition to the disorder. Adult patients who...
The beliefs you will have about yourself often appear to be statements of truth, although truly they're really only opinions. They tend to be based on the experiences we've had in life and the messages that these experiences have given us about the type of...
There are some common foods which can help boost energy and emotion quite a bit. To determine which of these are especially right for you: 1) Eat one of these foods at a time, going methodically down the following list; 2) Journal what your reactions are one...
In the history of our nation, Title IV is the most purposeful and aspiring legislation ever written to prevent illness and disability. Data-based clinical prevention will be provided in many insurance policies without consumer cost. Chain restaurants must post the calorie content of their selections. An exceptionally good...
Title III: Improving the cost, quality, effectiveness, and compassion of health and mental health care in the US. This title improves the effectiveness, level of compassion, and quality of health and mental health care in the US. Medicare enrollees receive lower drug costs and preventive health...
Title II addresses Medicaid. Low income people are now eligible, not just those who are disabled or who are parents or are children. Medicaid grows as a national program with improved standards for eligibility, enrollment, and quality. An exceptionally good source of information on the Affordable...
Title I. Quality, Affordable Health Care for All Americans This title prevents health insurers from imposing pre-existing, annual benefit limits and lifetime benefit limits upon coverage. Most Americans are required to obtain coverage, and low income Americans will have subsidies to help the afford these policies. An...
Obamacare is the latest in a long history of attempts to address and repair the nation's health care problems. For example, the Nixon administration in the 1970s introduced the Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) as a proposed solution to the continued rise in the nation's health...
As a public service, Westside Behavioral Care in Denver, CO, is providing a series of blog posts explaining several important aspects of the Affordable Care Act (known colloquially as Obamacare). The primary source for these summaries is a seminar recorded on DVD and recently published by...
Movies as homework. With any couple, if there is willingness from the start to work on the issues mentioned in Part I and Part II—unmet expectations and related resentment, difficulty communicating, not being able to argue like adults, waning romantic connection and many others—then that willingness...
Saving the Relationship or Not? Reasons Why Couples Enter Treatment So the marriage begins and the two people in it might realize that they are not as committed as they thought, or they realize the other person doesn’t love them as much as they thought, or...