Overview: Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is a disorder often times found in children, however if undiagnosed teenagers and even adults can be diagnosed with this. Everyone can be rebellious and at times challenge authority however persistent defiant behaviors can be an indicator of ODD. The DSM lists numerous characteristics in which at least four must […]

  What are personal Boundaries? Boundaries determine acceptable behavior. Safety cannot exist without boundaries. Imagine driving without any traffics rules, signs or lights! Boundaries simply exist to keep ourselves protected from harm. Personal boundaries work the same way. They are the emotional, physical and mental parameters we set for ourselves. Love and healthy relationships cannot […]

What is disassociating? Most of us have had moments driving where we end up home and have no recollection or idea of how we got there. This is one example of disassociating. To put it simply, disassociating is detaching from reality to some degree. This mental process varies from a mild detachment from external surroundings […]

Chronic Impulsivity It’s impossible to be in in complete control of yourself 100% of the time. Most of us lack some self control in areas of our lives. It’s part of the human condition to act out of impulse from time to time. Examples include an angry outburst, or overly indulging during dessert, or even […]

What is Family Systems Theory? Family systems theory is a theory of human behavior and was developed to better understand individuals and the complex relationships and dynamics within families. In the 1950’s an American psychiatrist, Murray Bowen came up with the Family Systems Theory. After a long time of observing and analyzing patterns and relationships […]

  What is it and why does it happen?   Learned helplessness occurs when someone is continuously exposed to aversive environments and negative outcomes. Individuals develop learned helplessness when they feel they have no control over their life which leads to acting in a helpless manner because in their eyes there is no use in […]

 Young adults are having a harder time moving out their childhood homes and are continuing to live with their parents well after high school and college. Now the average age to move out is 27! In fact, out of the 10 million millennials in the U.S., about 32% live with their parents. This phenomenon is […]

The Benefits of Therapy During 12 Steps   Mental health services like therapy helps people function better daily, live well and cope with daily stressors. In the world of mental health, therapy is defined as any technique that helps improve and change one’s behaviors, feelings and thoughts and is guided by theory. Mental health therapy comes […]

  Am I Suffering From Insomnia? Most people experience periods of time when they have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, however for those with insomnia this is an ongoing struggle. Insomnia affects 30-40% of Americans a year and can have detrimental affects.   What is insomnia?   Insomnia is on going and includes a […]