Polyvagal theory is a leading model for understanding the role of the nervous system in trauma. Developed in 1994, polyvagal theory explains how the vagus nerve, which connects the brain to the body, influences our emotion regulation, social connection, and fear response. The theory proposes that the vagus nerve has three branches that correspond to […]
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BRAIN CHEMISTRY + HEARTBREAK :: INTERVIEW WITH IRIS G-THRASH, LCSW WHAT ARE THE GOOD BRAIN CHEMICALS? So when we are connected, when we are bonded with somebody, all the good chemicals get released. So for example, the chemicals that make us feel happy, the serotonin gets released, the chemicals that makes us feel attracted to
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NARRATIVE THERAPY :: HOW TO REAUTHOR YOUR STORY When you think of stories, what comes to mind? Maybe you thought of a funny memory with a friend from childhood, or maybe you remember your father telling you about his childhood. Often, one thinks of stories as an account of imaginary or real people and events
DR. MEINERS, AS STAFF PSYCHOLOGIST, WHAT ARE YOUR THERAPEUTIC STRENGTHS AT THE COLLECTIVE? “Two things, I think collaboration and curiosity are the most important things for me when it comes to my work with an individual.” – Dr. Tony Meiners, PsyD COLLABORATION I never want to assume that I know someone else’s experience. I think
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THE IMPACT OF GRIEF Written by: Dr. Dawn Joosten-Hagye, PhD, LCSW, GC-C Loss, a universal experience, involves adjustment and adaptation to changes and transitions that arise throughout each person’s life course. Such adaptations and adjustments occur most often when individuals experience either normative developmental losses or non-normative losses that may be unexpected, anticipated, ambiguous, complicated,
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BIPOLAR DISORDER + MOOD SWINGS :: HOW CAN YOU KNOW THE DIFFERENCE? Some legitimate mental health disorders have become layman’s terms and thrown around to describe traits and expressions of people. Bipolar disorder is one that is often uttered when someone sees emotional mood swings in an individual. Emotional ups and downs are not the
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Breathing techniques focus on activating the parasympathetic nervous system to signal to the brain that the body is safe. Deep breathing incorporates a slow and steady inhalation to exhalation ratio, which automatically regulates our body’s natural anxiety and hyperarousal response systems. Here are 4 breathing techniques proven to be effective in the management of mental
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We can conceptualize post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a tug-of-war between intrusions and avoidance. Intrusions are things like nightmares, flashbacks and thoughts that arise in relation to past trauma(s). AVOIDING TRAUMA There is also a component of avoidance. This can be avoidance of talking about trauma, thinking about it or simply avoiding anything that
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The Collective is so proud our very own Sound and Meditation Teacher, Sophie Pyne, MSW, LCSW who was recently featured on NBC’s The Kelly Clarkson Show for her surf therapy work through Waves of Recovery. SURF THERAPY Waves of Recovery is a Los Angeles-based nonprofit that helps people get sober and overcome mental health struggles
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Dr. Nazneen Nizami reflects on leading the narrative writing and exploration group at The Mental Health Collective. Dr. Nizami believes that creativity can oftentimes unlock the change individuals struggling with mental illness are hoping for. Clinical Team Programs Functional Recovery DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION? Send our team a message or call 888.717.9355
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