Double Trouble

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The fact that so many adolescents struggle with depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns is fairly well known. The fact that substance use is so prevalent amongst adolescents is not exactly news, either. However, much lesser known is what happens when someone with depression or anxiety also has a substance abuse problem. This is…

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A DBT Refresher

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Part of learning is to review, and particularly when you have had a chance to put something into practice, a review is very helpful. In treatment, you learned about DBT, or Dialectical Behavior Therapy. These were some of the skills that helped you to heal the most and to learn to manage your mental health.…

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Why Should I Enroll in an Outpatient Program?

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When a mental crisis hits, and symptoms are severe, such as severe depression, suicidality, or extreme or psychotic symptoms, then hospitalization or a residential program is necessary. In those cases, you need 24-hour medical care. But what if you know you need help, but you don’t need 24-hour care? What if you don’t want to…

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What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)?

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One of the reasons people avoid getting help for mental health or substance use issues is because of the terminology. For some reason, that doesn’t stand in the way of us getting medical help, which has just as many strange terms. Okay, so perhaps it is the stigma, but one would have to agree that…

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Treatment with DBT

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Acronyms and abbreviations are flying at you, and to be honest, flying past you at the speed of light. It’s not enough that you are just trying to keep your head above water. Now everyone that is trying to help you are using all of these letters, and you don’t know what they mean. But…

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An Experiential Family Approach to Healing BPD

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We were huddled around a bonfire during a heat wave in July. Julie’s mother was holding an empty bottle of painkillers in her hand. She raised the bottle and held it over the flames. I had led scores of burning ceremonies for students over the years, but I’d never had a parent spontaneously participate before.…

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The Adventure of Your Life

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Chances are that if you suffer from any kind of mental illness, including anxiety or depression, you may feel as if your life has already been an adventure. Managing your mental illness can become more difficult if you have been using substances. Think of your treatment plan as the next adventure in your life. There…

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