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Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that carry electrical signals between neurons in the brain. Dopamine and serotonin are two important neurotransmitters for mental health. They affect your mood, memory, sleep, libido, appetite, and more. Imbalances can contribute to addictions, mood conditions, memory issues, and attention difficulties. Over the past several decades, the world has seen an increase in medications for serotonin and dopamine imbalances. These prescriptions can treat symptoms of many mental health conditions. Yet they have a long list of potential side effects, from dizziness to insomnia. Also, their effectiveness varies from person to person. Some people want to try some non-drug treatments before committing to medication. Others take medication [...]

Ecotherapy, also known as nature therapy or green therapy, is the applied practice of the emergent field of ecopsychology, which was developed by Theodore Roszak. Ecotherapy, in many cases, stems from the belief that people are part of the web of life and that our psyches are not isolated or separate from our environment. Ecopsychology is informed by systems theory and provides individuals with an opportunity to explore their relationship with nature—an area that may be overlooked in many other types of psychotherapy. While some professionals teach and practice ecopsychology exclusively, other mental health practitioners incorporate aspects of ecotherapy into their existing practices. CONNECTION WITH EARTH: THE CORE [...]

Dr. Shawn Miller, inspired by his lifelong love of skiing, has created an individualized and integrative holistic process which combines elements of western psychology and applies it in a natural setting played out on the ski slopes of Utah. Participants will engage in a 3-part personal growth process: Assess and Plan (Materials will be emailed to you) 1-hour Individual Session (in person or Telehealth) 3-hour on Snow Experience (at a pre-determined location in the Northern Wasatch Range) By engaging in this process, participants will expand their conscious level of awareness to assist them in improving their general wellness [...]

by Dan Buettner Life expectancy of an American born today averages 78.2 years. But this year, over 70,000 Americans have reached their 100th birthday. What are they doing that the average American isn’t? To answer the question, we teamed up with National Geographic to find the world’s longest-lived people and study them.  We knew most of the answers lied within their lifestyle and environment (The Danish Twin Study established that only about 20% of how long the average person lives is determined by genes). Then we worked with a team of demographers to find pockets of people around the [...]

Solstice Counseling and Wellness is recruiting a Postdoctoral fellow to join their small and growing group practice. "Building and supporting a community of psychology professionals to strengthen the community" is one of the central missions of Solstice. This is advanced by the importance placed upon supporting all employees in the organization. By doing all we can to create a flexible and supportive environment, staff are better equipped to effectively respond to the unique needs of the rural community in which it operates. Our office philosophy strongly encourages providers and staff to set schedules that meet the needs of the [...]

Informational charts from January Stress Snapshot Retrieved from the American Psychology Association

This is the season the link between a happy family life and the ability to thrive in your career may be most clear. After a bruising year many of us are spending the holidays retreating (as much as the pandemic allows) to our loved ones to reset, recharge, and be reminded of why we work so hard the rest of the year. The chaos of 2020 has really brought the importance of family home. If you need science to confirm this, there are a bunch of studies that show a happy and stable partnership, in particular, is likely [...]

New research has found that nearly 1 person in 5 diagnosed with COVID-19 is diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder like anxiety, depression or insomnia within three months. The analysis was conducted by researchers at the University of Oxford, using electronic health records for 69.8 million patients in the U.S. — including more than 62,000 diagnosed with COVID-19. Compared with patients who had experienced certain other health events this year — such as influenza, kidney stones or a major bone fracture – those diagnosed with COVID-19 were more likely to have a subsequent psychiatric diagnosis in the following 14 [...]

2020 has been a year full of unpredictable events and unprecedented stressors – and we’ve still got a couple months to go.One thing we can predict for these final months, however, is the likelihood that we’re going to see an increase in Election Stress Disorder. While this phenomenon may not be included in the DSM, it is recognized by mental health professionals as a common and documented experience, characterized by lack of focus/distraction, depressive symptoms, increased anxiety, and exhaustion. In fact, in 2016, about 52% of folks described the election cycle as being a significant source of stress. As [...]

I have experienced sadness and depression, and I know there is a big difference between the two. Even though I live with a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder, sometimes I feel sad, and I recently began taking medication for depression. When I experience sadness, I drink more coffee, cruise the social network for something to inspire me, and I wish I had someone to ask, “What would you like to do on this lovely, Saturday?” The last time I experience some depression, I was experiencing some suicide ideation for which, luckily, I did not have to be hospitalized. My psychiatrist, [...]