What inspired you to pursue a career as a therapist? In the spirit of authenticity, I will speak my truth. An important factor in understanding what led me down this path is having the knowledge that I grew up in a small town. Growing up, I had little to no exposure to any conversations or psycho-education on mental illness, or...[ read more ]
It’s hard to believe that it’s been over a year since the world was rocked by the arrival of COVID-19 and the life changes that came with it. Seemingly overnight, our lives came to a screeching halt, causing fear, anxiety, panic, isolation, and a feeling of loneliness that many people had never felt before. For those individuals already dealing with...[ read more ]
The world is opening up and we’re moving closer and closer to the day when the Covid 19 pandemic is a memory. But that doesn’t mean that everything has to go back to the way it was before. That’s also true with online therapy & counseling. Online therapy has existed for many years and goes by many names. It's also...[ read more ]
The Basics of Online EMDR Therapy Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) uses Therapist directed lateral eye movements to ease stressful, traumatic memories. If you’re considering EMDR therapy, it’s important to know that online EMDR therapy is as effective as in-person therapy. Since the pandemic, many therapists who did not offer virtual EMDR therapy have started with great success....[ read more ]
By: Yashira Oropeza-Diaz, Psy.D, MSCP, LMHC, CTMH Licensed Psychologist What is Online EMDR? To understand how Remote/Online EMDR works, first, we need to understand the basics of EMDR. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy is an evidence-based integrative approach. EMDR works to help you process information that has been "unprocessed" in your brain. The way your brain takes information and...[ read more ]
Wondering if Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is right for you? You’ve come to the right place. A relatively new type of therapy, EMDR therapy is generally used to treat trauma and relieve psychological stress, as well as PTSD. How Does EMDR Therapy Work? EMDR therapy allows the patient to recall trauma-triggering memories in small doses. At the...[ read more ]
After some time has passed following a traumatic event, it is natural to assume your mind and body have healed. But, unfortunately, the reality can be much different. Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder can show themselves months, even years after the event itself. Our bodies and minds have a way of trying to protect ourselves by pushing traumatic events deep...[ read more ]
When getting to know and understand my patients, I always ask the following: When life becomes stressful and difficult, do you tend to ignore your emotional pain, or do you stop to care for and nurture your pain? Most of my patients admit to ignoring their emotional pain, or the thoughts and feelings that are uncomfortable and distressing. For many...[ read more ]
What inspired you to pursue a career as a therapist? I guess the most honest answer is that I was a sensitive young man early in life! Growing up in my generation, it seemed that boys were caught in the middle of being taught to be open to their emotions, while simultaneously being taught to disconnect from those emotions. As...[ read more ]
Teen mental health is an important component of raising your teen. Since 2001, the the number of young people that die by suicide has been on the rise, increasing each year. As more and more teens struggle with depression and anxiety, it’s more important than ever that we, as parents, are aware of their struggle, and that we know what...[ read more ]