Panic attacks are overwhelming and can make anyone feel that they are trapped in a vortex of fear, physical sensations, and racing thoughts. In those intense moments, regaining control seems impossible. But grounding techniques are an effective way to refocus your attention away from anxiety and back to the present moment.

Teenage years are critical for growth, learning, and self-discovery, but they are often fraught with academic stress. Many teenagers struggle to find the balance between schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and social expectations, which causes stress and can have a negative impact on their academic performance and emotional well-being. As a parent or guardian, it can be difficult at times to know how to best support your teenager with academic stress. In this blog, we will discuss practical strategies for reducing academic stress and promoting success. From developing effective study habits to creating a supportive home environment, these suggestions will help you confidently and carefully support your teenager through the ups and downs of their academic journey.

We all experience numerous emotions each day but we can’t always pinpoint how or what we are feeling. Some emotions may be fleeting, while others may impact the rest of our day. While we may be able to acknowledge an unpleasant mood or feeling, we oftentimes have trouble identifying the source of this feeling. Fortunately, our thoughts are fueled by emotions, and vice versa. For each thought ask yourself, what is the emotion? When you can practice this, you can connect more deeply with yourself.

When speaking about eating disorders we usually hear about Anorexia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder and Bulimia, but what is ARFID? ARFID stands for Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder. ARFID most commonly develops in early childhood, however, an individual can experience onset at any point over the course of their life. ARFID can share a few characteristics with other eating disorders such as nutritional deficiencies and low weight, however, it has some differences as well. How is ARFID different from other eating disorders?

While life can be full of joyful moments, we will inevitably face difficult times. Job losses, health issues, break ups, illness, the list goes on. As we go through life, we can expect to encounter adversity, and this can take a toll on our mental health. That’s why it’s important to build resilience in one’s life. Resilience enables us to endure difficult life events and hopefully grow stronger. Developing resilience, by definition, is challenging but not impossible. If you are looking to establish resilience in your life, see below for a few suggestions:

In today's fast-paced world, finding constructive ways to take care of our mental health is critical. While traditional therapy has an important role, people are discovering the healing power of creativity as part of their journey toward a sense of wellbeing. Engaging in creative activities can help reduce stress, encourage mindfulness, process emotions, and improve overall health. There are endless ways to tap into your creative side — visual art, music, writing, dancing, photography and many other modalities. When you pursue a creative activity, your brain functions similarly to how it would during meditation or yoga. The state of ‘creative flow’ allows us to relax, press pause and momentarily melt into a moment of relaxation and calm.

In the age of adolescence, teenagers normally face impressionable and formidable life transitions. As a parent, you might be wondering how you can support your teenager in the face of these transitions. Whether it’s leaving for college or going to a new school, losing a friend or going through a breakup, change is an inevitable condition your teenager will face. Transitions are both predictable and unexpected, but one thing remains constant: the crucial role a parent plays in providing a solid support system. If you are wondering how you can help your teenager through big transitions, see below for a few suggestions:

So you’ve done the grueling research and chosen a therapist with whom you’d like to schedule an introductory session. You can expect your therapist to ask you some questions in an attempt to get to know you better, assess your issues and learn more about your therapeutic goals. Often, your first therapy session will be a continuation of an initial intake call, where you are still getting to know one another. Many people feel anxious about their first therapy appointment – and that is totally understandable. You might not know what to expect and it may seem odd and uncomfortable to disclose personal information to someone you have just met. Be assured that your therapist knows the initial session is for preliminary information and not about diving deep into your darkest thoughts right off the bat, so there is no need to worry. If you are wondering what types of questions your therapist may ask you during the first appointment, here are a few examples: 

For many of us, work can be a major source of stress, anxiety, and pressure. Mental health is often negatively impacted by long work hours, strict deadlines, interpersonal conflicts, and/or ongoing pressure to perform at one's best. Compromised mental health inevitably leads to a variety of issues, such as lack of engagement, limited productivity and poor performance, as well as compromised communication. Studies have shown that depression can interfere with one’s ability to complete physical job tasks about 20% of the time and reduce cognitive performance about 35% of the time. See below for a few suggestions on managing mental health in the workplace:

Life can get stressful! Whether it’s work, dating, family or just trying not to sweat through your new shirt in the hot subway on the way to your office, stress often creeps into our lives and our bodies. Have you ever been going through a rough patch and started to cry in your pigeon pose or maybe even warrior two? Most of our stress and negative emotions are stored in our hips. By doing hip openers we’re letting go physically and emotionally. Below are four great yoga poses to slide into on days when life is feeling extra tense. You may want to have a box of tissues handy, just in case.

If you are currently reading this, you are likely looking for tips to find the right therapist. With so many therapists out there, finding the right person to work with can feel like a needle in a haystack. However, it’s not impossible to find a suitable therapist for yourself. Here are a few things to be thoughtful about when seeking a therapist:

For many young people, going to sleep-away camp is a memorable rite of passage. It's an opportunity to make friends, seek out new and fun activities, and live in a different environment away from home. Going to sleep-away camp might be your first time away for an extended period and this can provoke anxiety. While pre-camp jitters are normal, there are some ways to create a smooth transition to sleep-away camp and have a rewarding and positive experience.

Starting therapy can be intimidating, especially if you've never done so before. Even if you are aware it's something you want or need to do, that first session can bring up a lot of uncertainty about what the process will actually be like. If your first therapy appointment is coming up soon, here's a quick rundown of some things you can expect:

Living in New York City can be exciting, but the fast-paced lifestyle can also bring increased stress and anxiety for many residents. From busy, noisy streets to crammed subways and endless to-do lists, the constant stimulation of the city that never sleeps can take its toll. According to the American Psychological Association, 87% of New Yorkers say that stress has a strong impact on their personal health. It's true that even the most resilient New Yorkers can find themselves overwhelmed in this environment at times. Consider the following when managing the bustling New York City lifestyle:

Supporting someone close to you who struggles with mental health issues can at times be challenging and complicated. Many people worry that they don’t know how to go about it or that they will exacerbate the issue. These are normal concerns, but supporting someone–be it a friend, a partner, a child or a parent– on their mental health journey, may benefit the both of you. Your loved one will likely appreciate the support during a time that they may feel confused, isolated and alone.

Body image is a combination of feelings and thoughts that you may have about your body. A person's subjective perception of their body can range from positive to negative, and they can feel both positive and negative emotions at different times. Both internal (inner life/personality) and external (social environment) elements impact one’s body image. Having a more positive view of your physical body includes self-acceptance and self-appreciation, while also focusing on self-care. In our world of relentless comparisons and unrealistic beauty standards, it can be difficult to feel good about the way we look. Working towards that goal is a process, but it is not impossible. Here are some helpful suggestions to start creating a positive body image:

Feeling anxious or overwhelmed is a common human experience, and many of us are feeling it. For some, anxiety becomes excessive, persistent, and disruptive to daily life. If you struggle with anxiety, you are not alone. The good news is that there are many practical methods for managing anxiety and encouraging a feeling of well-being. Here are some viable tips for managing anxiety and promoting a calmer mind:

New York City is one of the most crowded and bustling cities in the US. It is a great place to meet new people, try different things, eat unique food, and explore the many opportunities the city offers. However, it can also be overwhelming, especially for folks with social anxiety. Social Anxiety Disorder can be defined as an intense and persistent fear of being judged by others. Social Anxiety Disorder can interfere with basic daily life activities, like going to the grocery store or filling up your gas tank. With its constant sirens, jackhammers and relentless honking horns, New York City can seem like the most intimidating place in the world. Whether you are a newcomer to the city or a longtime resident, here are some helpful strategies for managing social anxiety: 

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increase in the need for mental health services, particularly among young adults. Despite this uptick in demand for mental health support, the supply of providers in New York has not kept pace with greater need. Teletherapy helps bridge this gap by giving New Yorkers more options to access care quickly, comfortably and efficiently.

When the weather is cold and the days are darker, it can be challenging to keep up a happy and upbeat mindset. The ‘winter blues’ are quite normal and many people experience feelings of sadness and loneliness during the chillier months. A more severe form of the ‘winter blues’ is known as Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) with seasonal patterns. MDD with seasonal patterns is a well-defined clinical diagnosis that can occur in the darker, colder months. According to the American Psychiatric Association, about 5% of US adults experience MDD with seasonal patterns. Symptoms can include fatigue, excessive sleep and lack of interest in normal activities. Here are a few effective tips to manage both winter blues and MDD with seasonal patterns: