Therapy & Mental Health Insights

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder, is a complex mental health condition linked to severe childhood trauma. It involves the presence of two or more distinct personalities, each with unique behaviors and memories, as a coping mechanism to manage overwhelming experiences.

The holiday season is meant to be joyful, but for many, it can be an incredibly difficult time for our mental health. Grief, stress, and complicated family dynamics can make it hard to feel the happiness we think we’re supposed to have. If you’re struggling with the loss of a loved one, dealing with challenges at home, or just feeling overwhelmed, you’re not alone.

Working towards being healthy or being in recovery from a substance or  behavioral addiction involves treating the mind, body, and spirit everyday. 

Living through and surviving a hurricane can be a traumatic experience. These are the unscientific stages I have witnessed during six storms in St Augustine, FL.

“I don’t want to take an antidepressant, “ is something I hear often in my office.  I agree with this.  When I see people who are moderately depressed or anxious but don’t want to take a medication to treat it, I highly recommend working on healthier lifestyle with exercise being a key ingredient.

Have you head that meditating can be beneficial for you?  For years I also heard this but was skeptical.    My family has a history of anxiety.  My Mom has it, my brother has it, and my daughter has it.  So why wouldn’t I also have it?  I do.  I’ve experienced anxiety off and on for years.  Yes, because I am a mental health counselor I should know how to manage it and have found different things that work for me over the years.  But, what I have found works best to manage my anxiety is meditation!