Bay Area Mental Health

The acronym "IMPROVE" stands for Imagery, Meaning, Prayer, Relaxation, One Thing, Vacation and Encouragement. These skills can be used to reduce distressing emotions and bring back a sense of calm. To learn more about DBT Program,  click here .

Everybody has good and bad days. Everybody has highs and lows. Perhaps you woke up today wondering which monkey was going to be on your back. Would it be a rabid, frenetic monkey pulling you from idea to idea, task to task? Or would the monkey be one of self-destruction, determined to drag you down into the depths of a dark, lonely forest. Part of you may half-hope it’s that frantic monkey, because at least he seems to lead toward life and adventure. At the same time, that monkey is hard to trust. Is it true joy and inspiration? Or is it mania? Will this hope last or will I wake up tomorrow to realize that the excitable monkey was self-destructive too? Some people feel their moods swing wildly between extremes: from immobilizing depression to energetic elation. Ups and downs are a normal part of life. However, when those swings become dramatic they may indicate that something is wrong. What is Bipolar Disorder? Bipolar Disorder is a condition defined by the experience of these extremes...

Living through a pandemic and a Shelter-In-Place order is stressful. Listen to our founder share some tips on how to navigate this tough time with grace and relative calm. Tip 1- _________ As we shelter in place or self-quarantine, you may notice that the world has become a bit "smaller". If you live with others - partners, parents, children - then what used to be a comfortable home can feel overcrowded. When to many people are in a small space together, there will inevitably be irritability and tension. Creating your own little space can really help. Tip 3 - As we isolate at home and watch the news unfold, many people found themselves struggling with uncertainty and a loss of control over their world. This is an uncertain time, but you are not helpless. There are things you can do to bring a sense of control and agency back into your life. Watch this video for another tip on how to deal with COVID-19 Tip 4- Nature is important. Getting outsi...

The teenage years are years of tremendous change in the brains and bodies of our children. These changes are essential and enable them to begin the important job of separating from parents and becoming their own person. It is, and should be, a time of creative exploration, craving for novelty and new experiences, emotional intensity, and social connection. Even in the best of cases, teens can struggle understanding the new emotional intensity and meeting the demands we and the rest of the world place on them. They can experience deep self-doubt and/or crippling self-consciousness, resulting in chronic anxiety and depression. These pressures are magnified by social media and other narrowly focused sources of information. Your teen may struggle with: Risky behavior, including drugs, alcohol, or promiscuity Willful behavior, such as rudeness, disrespect, or outright defiance Drop in grades or lack of interest in activities previously enjoyed Isolating or other compulsive escape strategies...

Low self esteem seems to be almost an epidemic in our society, yet we play the part of feeling strong and acting confident by what I call “putting on the face”. This is also referred to as “Imposter Syndrome”. With Imposter Syndrome you present yourself as the perfect employee, spouse, parent, friend, etc but inside you feel like a fraud, weak and falling apart at the seams. It takes tremendous energy to  keep up appearances   when you are in emotional pain, so the growing weariness burdens you even more and you end up in a repeating cycle: perform – berate yourself collapse – suck it up – perform. Building self esteem takes time and it occurs in little steps, little wins. Every time you follow one of the steps below  (pay attention to number 3!)  your self esteem grows a little bit more, and every time you do the opposite your self esteem takes a step backward. Building self esteem is all about living in congruence with your values and treating yourself and ot...

It’s Not Your Fault Something bad happened to you, and now you’re having a hard time sleeping, you startle easily, you get triggered by the smallest things. This isn’t your fault. It’s a normal reaction to something bad that happened to you. We are experts in trauma therapy and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and can help you heal safely. What is trauma anyway? Traumatic experience isn’t defined by the experience itself, but rather on how you perceive the experience. Trauma happens when you feel that your life or well-being, or that of someone else, is threatened. Two different people can experience the same thing. While one person is unaffected, the other has a deep impact. Getting lost in a large store can be traumatizing for a child, if they are scared that they will never see their mother again. Virtually all of us have some kind of trauma in our lives, though at varying degrees. Is trauma the same thing as PTSD? Not necessarily. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (...

The Need for Support Has Never Been Greater As we shelter in place to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our community tensions can rise. Isolation and loneliness, family tension, fears and worries, feeling overwhelmed, re-emergence of old problems… Our mental health is just as important as physical health. We are in a new world with a new normal. Online therapy (telehealth) allows us to reach more people and to do so safely and at your convenience. We use a secure, encrypted platform so your sessions are protected. Our world is evolving and we are adapting. Come along with us! We made it simple – one click and you’re in! You don’t need to be a tech genius – all you need is a computer or a smart phone and a quiet space. But does it work? YES! Research shows that online therapy is as effective as traditional in person therapy. Change is uncomfortable, we get it. We invite you to  schedule a brief video consultation   to get used to how it feels to connect w...