By: Dr. V. John Nguyen One of the first questions I usually get when I meet with a patient suffering from chronic pain for the first time is, “Why am I here?” Certainly, a fair question given the fact that most pain conditions can be treated medically with interventions meant to reduce pain and promote healing. … Read more
Written by Margaret Elle Wiggins, Ph.D. As we age, it is normal to experience some memory loss. The most common complaints of normal aging include general forgetfulness, feeling slower, and having a hard time coming up with a specific word (feeling as if it is on the “tip of the tongue”). However, sometimes memory loss … Read more
Written by: Beverly Sharifian, LPCC Neurodivergence has recently become a well-known term, as more and more people recognize that their brains may be wired distinctively. Those who are diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can often feel relief after understanding why they may have felt different or faced particular challenges throughout their life. In this article, … Read more
Written by: Beverly Sharifian, LPCC Many of us have heard of the immense benefits of meditation. There are great strides in neuroplasticity research indicating that our brains are malleable and have the ability to restructure themselves (Kabat-Zinn, 2013; Shapiro, 2022). What we often forget is that mindfulness, which is the ability to be aware … Read more
Written by V. John Nguyen, Ph.D. Men, you can feel more than anger. You don’t have to ignore the lump in your throat during the chorus of “Tears In Heaven.” You don’t have to try to think of something funny to ward off tears when Spiderman gets turned into dust. And you don’t have to … Read more
By Margaret Elle Wiggins, Ph.D. Stress and anxiety are common reactions to challenges that come up throughout our lives. However, when stress is experienced frequently or for extended periods of time, it can start to negatively impact our physical and mental health. Cortisol is a hormone that is released when the body experiences stress. In … Read more
Written By: Beverly Sharifian, LPCC The jump into parenthood is recognized as a significant, life-altering event. New parents are often warned about the inevitable sleep deprivation and limited alone time, as well as encouraged with stories about the remarkably rewarding aspects of the experience. From the moment they become pregnant, mothers are advised about … Read more
Written by: Margaret Elle Wiggins, Ph.D. As we step into the new year, many of us set resolutions with the hope of improving our lives – whether it’s increased physical fitness, learning something new, or making healthier choices. The challenge, however, is that these resolutions are often so lofty or specific that they can feel overwhelming … Read more
What is a TBI? A traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when external forces (for example, from falling, car accident, or assault) cause an injury to the brain. The injury itself can be penetration to the brain, bruising, bleeding, or stretching of the connections between the neurons (brain cells), called axons. The severity of the TBI … Read more
Many people have asked, “what is mindfulness, and can it really help me?” The answers to those questions are simple and developing a mindfulness practice can be relatively easy. Many mindfulness resources are accessible for free on websites and mobile apps, while other resources are available on a subscription basis or by enrolling in a … Read more
