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Proactive Counseling for Blended Families

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blended families

By Ashley Barnes, M.S. About Blended Families. A blended family, also known as a stepfamily, develops when you and your partner make a life together with the children from one or both of your previous relationships; this can simultaneously be a challenging and rewarding experience as you and your family find a new equilibrium. According to the Step Family Foundation, nearly 1,300 new stepfamilies form each day and over 50% of families in the United States are recoupled (2023).  Blended Family Challenges. When families are blended, challenges can arise as differences in parenting, lifestyle, or discipline become apparent, at times becoming a source of frustration for children in the family system. The following are difficulties that many blended families face: Parental inexperience may pose an issue, as one stepparent may have never been a parent before. Therefore, these parents may have little to no experience supporting children through the various …

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The Benefits of Ketamine Treatment for PTSD

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Medically reviewed by Dr. Mark Hrymoc, M.D.
man sitting in park after successful ketamine treatment for ptsd

Ketamine treatment for PTSD may help someone overcome painful mental health symptoms. Ketamine therapy has high efficacy and many benefits, including being safe, non-invasive, and promoting neuroplasticity. When combined with psychotherapy, ketamine can have even more benefit. You can receive the medicine intravenously, intramuscularly, or by nasal spray. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) presents a significant challenge in mental health, necessitating innovative treatments that can offer swift and effective relief.  Ketamine treatment for PTSD addresses this need by providing a rapid response mechanism, reducing symptoms significantly faster than traditional methods.  The benefits of this type of therapy include not only quick symptom alleviation but also the potential for facilitating more profound therapeutic work by enhancing mood and cognitive functions, making it a valuable option for those struggling with PTSD. In this article, we share several benefits of ketamine treatment for PTSD. What is PTSD? Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric …

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Clinician Spotlight 4: Hannah Bystritsky Johnson, LCSW

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Hannah Bystritsky, LCSW

Clinician Spotlight In today’s clinician spotlight we highlight Hannah Bystritsky Johnson, LCSW, a licensed clinical social worker. Hannah has a passion for helping her clients reach their goals, enhance well-being, and maximize their strengths. Hannah received her Bachelor of Arts in Cognitive Science from University of California, Berkeley, and her Master of Social Work from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Hannah supports clients in facilitating personal growth, insight, and expanding their healing capacity. About Hannah Bystritsky Johnson, LCSW During graduate school, Hannah trained at the Harbor-UCLA Dual-Diagnosis Outpatient Psychiatry Clinic where she treated adults and adolescents in individual and group psychotherapy. Hannah previously worked at the Department of Mental Health, Edelman. Her clinical work has focused on treating co-occurring psychiatric, medical, and addictive disorders. Hannah is intensively trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP). She is …

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5 Signs of Drug Addiction in Adults

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Medically reviewed by Dr. Mark Hrymoc, M.D.
woman being comforted after displaying Signs of Drug Addiction in Adults

Addiction is a brain disorder in which a person continues misusing drugs despite encountering harmful consequences. There are at least five signs of drug addiction in adults that make it clear someone has a problem with prescription or illicit drugs. The most common signs include mood or personality, behavior, appearance, relationship, and physical health changes.  If you or someone you know is displaying signs of drug addiction, it may be time to reach out for help and explore the benefits of addiction treatment. Drug addiction is a nationwide problem, with 48.7 Americans over twelve having a substance use disorder (SAMSHA). Some adults have an addiction to prescription or illicit opioids, and others are addicted to alcohol, cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamines, and numerous other products. Addiction negatively impacts someone’s personal, professional, academic, and social life. In this article, we explore five common signs of drug addiction in adults so you can know …

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6 Ways to Help a Loved One with Hoarding Disorder

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blended families

By Ashley Barnes, M.S. What is hoarding disorder? Hoarding disorder (HD) is a mental health disorder where an individual collects a large amount of possessions and experiences difficulty parting with possessions to the point where parting with possessions prompts profound emotional distress. Approximately 2% to 6% of people in the United States have hoarding disorder (Cleveland Clinic, 2022).  The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) previously classified hoarding disorder as a subtype of OCD, “however, healthcare providers were encountering people with hoarding behaviors who didn’t have any other mental health conditions. After more research, hoarding disorder was included as an isolated condition, in the OCD spectrum, in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V), which is the most recent edition” (Cleveland Clinic, 2022).  Similar to many of us, people with hoarding disorder keep objects due to their sentimentality, aesthetics, and usefulness. These …

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