Center For Wellness

“Adapted from Albert Ellis’ Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT) and SMART Recovery” -Travis Manrique MA, LPC, NCC, ACS 1. Self-Rating (Labeling/Downing):  People sometimes choose to rate themselves and others based on accomplishment and performance and are often trying to measure up or prove themselves. This can be dangerous when paired with perceived or real failure/making a mistake as it can often create feelings of guilt, shame, worthlessness and urges to engage in self-punishment/condemnation. 2. Avoidance (Procrastination):  People may choose to avoid taking healthy risks and fear people, places and things that are perceived as dangerous or fearsome. This will often promote feelings of anxiety that can often lead to even greater compounded problems and thus further avoidance/further problems in the future. Extreme avoidance can lead to crippling phobias and possibly even agoraphobia (fear of leaving the home). 3. Utopian Expectations (Demandingness):  People w...

There is a tragic irony in the fact that this article was written before the passing of Robin Williams. If we learn anything from his passing, it is that we must be vocal and outspoken about mental health and substance abuse issues. What is Addiction? Addiction is a complex brain disease. It is characterized by compulsive, at times uncontrollable, drug/alcohol craving, seeking, and use that persists even in the face of extremely negative consequences. For many, addiction becomes chronic, and the progression of symptoms occurs over time. Relapse is often a common occurrence, even after long periods of abstinence. Treatment works, and recovery is possible. How quickly does someone become addicted to a substance? There is no easy answer to this for several reasons. If and how quickly you might become addicted to a drug depends on many factors, including your genetic make up, the biology of your body, the type of substance used, and other variables. All drugs are potentially harmful and so...

Meet Gagandeep Singh ,  MD, Executive Director/Medical Director Dr. Singh is a double board-certified psychiatrist, and has specialty training in General Psychiatry and Child/Adolescent Psychiatry. His interests include working with adolescents and young adults in the context of addressing their depression and anxiety concerns. Dr. Singh prescribes medication judiciously and conservatively, and is a strong believer in talk therapy. He has an additional interest in addressing the mental health needs of the South Asian community, given his experience with the cultural stigma surrounding mental health and his personal experience having grown up as a practicing Sikh American after immigrating from India as a toddler. Dr. Singh founded the company after recognizing the scarcity of such programs throughout his training and career. Having worked in several similar contexts, he focused his energy and attention on cultivating and realizing his goal to make these services more available to t...

As we continue to adjust to the ‘new normal’ of living through a pandemic, there can be a toll on our emotional well being. Public health decisions, such as wearing masks and social distancing, can cause people to feel isolated, depressed, and lonely. This can also lead to an increase in stress and anxiety. The unknowns about the future spread of the virus can also impact the same things. It can be difficult to cope with fear and anxiety, changing daily routines, and a general sense of uncertainty. It can be ‘normal’ to have these feelings. Learning to cope with them in a healthy way can help make you and your loved ones come out stronger in the long run. It is also important to remember, however, that people with pre-existing mental health conditions may be more vulnerable in an emergency, such as this pandemic. Mental health conditions (such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia) affect a person’s thinking, mood or behavior in a way that influences their ability ...

Personality disorders  represent “an enduring pattern of inner experience and behavior that deviates markedly from the expectations of the individual’s culture” per the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual on Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). These patterns tend to be fixed and consistent across situations and leads to distress or impairment. Additional data on borderline personality disorder is included on this page. Borderline personality disorder  is a serious mental disorder marked by a pattern of instability in moods, behavior, self-image, and functioning. These experiences often result in impulsive actions and unstable relationships. A person with borderline personality disorder may experience intense episodes of anger, depression, and anxiety that may last from only a few hours to days. Treatment for Personality Disorders in Adults Based on diagnostic interview data from the NCS-R, Table 2 shows the past year treatment of personality disorders among U.S. adults 18 a...

The Mental Health Partial Care (PC) and Intensive Outpatient (IOP) Programs are state-licensed programs which are centered around group and individual therapy to address the needs of clients struggling with mental health concerns in a safe, judgment-free environment. These issues include depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, other mood disorders, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and Schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders. The clinical model is empirical and evidence-based, and employs a variety of therapeutic techniques in order to best serve the consumer. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy Skills Groups, Process Groups, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Skills, and other modalities are utilized in our many group and individual sessions. As with all our programs, family involvement is strongly encouraged. Clients are placed in the appropriate program setting based on their clinical presentation and needs. Those...

Therapy more than just sessions with your therapist. It is a relationship built on commitment and trust that grows ‘beyond the surface’ – beyond the limitations of non-therapeutic relationships. A client can be ‘committed’ to therapy and come to every session, but without applying what was learned in sessions to life outside of sessions, there will often be limited to no change. Why? Because a client’s life does not stop when they leave therapy, and vice versa. Once they leave their therapist’s office, their life continues. What was discussed during the session must now be played out ‘in the real world’. A good therapist has the right experience with how to bring up the concept of accountability with a client. Being able to discuss accountability with a client allows for clear expectations to be determined. “If a client is not committed to therapy, the chances of getting the required results are slim to none” (Douglas, 2019). Change does come from within – as cliche as it sounds, it is...