Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after a person has experienced or witnessed a traumatic event. This can include situations such as combat, sexual assault, natural disasters, accidents, or any other event that is life-threatening or causes feelings of intense fear or helplessness. June is National PTSD Awareness Month,...Read More

Each May, we recognize National Maternal Depression Awareness Month and Women’s Health Month. Entering motherhood is a life-changing experience. New moms may feel a range of emotions from joy, fear, and anxiety to anger, sadness, and guilt. These emotions may feel intense and may vary drastically. In this period, it can be challenging to manage...Read More

Mental health is a vital aspect of our overall well-being, yet it is often stigmatized and not given the attention it deserves. This is where Mental Health Awareness Month comes into play. Observed in the month of May since 1949, it is an opportunity for organizations, groups, and individuals to raise awareness and educate the...Read More

April is National Autism Awareness Month, with World Autism Awareness Day occurring on April 2nd. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that affects an individual’s behavior and communication. Since autism is a developmental disorder, symptoms typically surface within the first few years of life. However, autism is a “spectrum disorder” because symptoms vary...Read More

While physical illnesses are readily acknowledged and addressed, mental health concerns often go overlooked or unaddressed. This is despite the undeniable connection between our mental and physical health. Mental health conditions, which can encompass disorders affecting behavior, mood, and thoughts, often share a common thread: stress. And stress doesn’t simply affect the mind, it can...Read More

Claudia Schwenzer, LLMSW: Chronic diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, stroke and heart disease challenge many families daily. According to the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP), six in ten adults in America have a chronic disease, and four in ten have two or more. Chances are each of us is...Read More

How do we help people motivate themselves on a cold dark winter morning? by Christine Lyon, LPC, BHTG co-owner and clinical manager This stage in winter can be particularly challenging for Michiganders. January and February are the most overcast months of the year, with skies historically covered with heavy gloomy clouds  63-66% of the time....Read More

According to researchers at the University of Illinois, how you express your emotions can reduce or increase anxiety. According to their study, people who suppress or avoid expressing their feelings had more social anxiety and anxiety in general than people who focused on the positives in situations. Similar studies found that suppressing emotions increased stress...Read More

We are deep into winter when the dreary, dark days seem to never end. Many people who experience symptoms of worry or sadness during this time have trouble understanding the root of their negative emotions. You may need to check-in on your mental hygiene practices when you cannot explain your feelings of dysphoria (feelings of...Read More

It’s a time for family and cheer, but keeping the house clean, cooking, and wrapping presents can be overwhelming. In a time meant for happiness, these factors can cause stress and depression. You can minimize holiday stress with some important, practical tips. You may even enjoy the holidays more than you thought. During the endless...Read More