Today, it feels like everything has changed?it?s either been closed, postponed, or canceled. Some states have officially shut down. You?re working from home, while watching your kids (and trying to teach them). You haven?t seen or hugged your loved ones in weeks.
If you?re struggling with all of this, know you?re not alone. And know that there are concrete (small) steps you can take to feel better. Below are three mental health concerns you might be currently struggling with?and how you can effectively navigate them. During such a painful, unprecedented time, it?s natural to get sucked into worst-case-scenario thinking. And it doesn?t matter how many times you reassure yourself that everything will be fine, you only end up feeling worse.
It also can help to remind yourself that these catastrophic thoughts aren?t ?expressions of facts,? Rajaee said. Rather, they?re ?expressions of fear??our brain?s way of trying to protect us, she said.
This makes sense. ?We are in a catastrophic situation, so some level of catastrophic thinking feels appropriate,? said Jenn Hardy, Ph.D, a psychologist with a private practice in Maryville, Tenn. ?The last thing that our anxiety needs to hear is some type of patronizing and dismissive reassurance.? Instead, Hardy suggested acknowledging that your concerns have validity in our current climate.
Concern: You feel disconnected and lonely.
You miss seeing your parents, taking walks with your best friend, and eating lunch with your coworkers. Whatever travel plans you had?like visiting your family in the spring?are now canceled. And you?re (understandably) devastated. The good news is that we can bust loneliness by getting creative.
Maybe even deeper ways. For example, tap into technology by using Zoom, Skype, or FaceTime to virtually play games together, said Sheva Rajaee, MFT, founder of The Center for Anxiety and OCD in Irvine, Calif.Or try these additional connection boosters with your loved ones, which come from Clinton Power:
I know this is an unpopular opinion.
But can we stop buying plants from Costco? Or any other windowless wholesale club
Consider buying plants that are sold outdoors, that are not wrapped in plastic/kept
New York City psychotherapist and coach Kate Crocco, MSW, LCSW, suggested being the first person to reach out. ?Often the best medicine for fear and sadness is being there for someone else.?
Drunkorexia Drunkorexia is a slang term for a person that avoids eating food or reduces the amount of food they eat so they can drink or drink more.1 Doctors consider this a risky behavior because it can lead to other harmful disorders, including binge drinking and anorexia, or restrictive eating. Some people may even purposefully … Read more
Just like gender-specific rehab may be critical in achieving the best outcomes for men and women, the same can be said for the LGBTQ community. It stands to reason that receiving treatment at a facility that truly gets you can make all the difference in the world in laying the proper groundwork for sustained sobriety. … Read more
The headline only brings up more questions, doesn’t it? What exactly is binge drinking? Is it technically even a problem? Before answering that main question of, “how can I stop binge drinking alcohol?”, let’s sort out what binging itself really entails. What Does It Mean to Binge Drink Alcohol? Definitions are always critical. Everything is … Read more
Nicholas Lodge Bio
Kim Kaiser Bio
My name is Kim Kaiser and I am a Case Manager for Safe Harbor Treatment Center. I have been working in the recovery industry since 2018. I personally have been through a recovery treatment program and have over 20 years of sobriety. Through my own experience in treatment and recovery, I have been able to grow and heal and I hope to help as many people as I can, do the same. I am passionate about each person who comes through our doors at Safe Harbor and am grateful to be a small part of their recovery journey. I have two adult children and four grandchildren, and I am grateful for my sobriety today which allows me to be a part of each of their lives. For fun, I like to go to hockey games, read crime novels, read my bible, and spend time with my family: just some of the many gifts that God and sobriety have brought me. If you are reading this and are interested in Safe Harbor, please know that I understand the weight on your heart as you contemplate these next steps, and though it may feel like one of the hardest decisions of your life, it is also one of the most important, and you don’t have to do it alone.
Rev. Arlene Hylton - Spiritual Director
Rev. Arlene Hylton is the Spiritual Director for Safe Harbor Treatment Center for women. She is a licensed non-denominational Minister based in the State of California. Rev. Arlene supports individuals in realizing their highest potential. Her support of individuals in recovery is based on each person realizing a Higher Power that is active and fully available in and as their life. Through prayer and spiritual counsel clients are given tools to remember the connection they have with their Higher Power. Clients are also given spiritual principles to support them in living a life of recovery and fulfillment. Rev. Arlene sees the potential in each client and identifies the God given potential within them. Rev. acknowledges the pain of the past within each client yet encourages each one to start creating a future with their higher power as their support. Rev. Arlene believes “Our higher power is greater than any past miss-takes and healing is available to everyone”.
Rev. Arlene Hylton Bio
Rev. Arlene Hylton is the Spiritual Director for Safe Harbor Treatment Center for women. She is a licensed non-denominational Minister based in the State of California. Rev. Arlene supports individuals in realizing their highest potential. Her support of individuals in recovery is based on each person realizing a Higher Power that is active and fully available in and as their life. Through prayer and spiritual counsel clients are given tools to remember the connection they have with their Higher Power. Clients are also given spiritual principles to support them in living a life of recovery and fulfillment. Rev. Arlene sees the potential in each client and identifies the God given potential within them. Rev. acknowledges the pain of the past within each client yet encourages each one to start creating a future with their higher power as their support. Rev. Arlene believes “Our higher power is greater than any past miss-takes and healing is available to everyone”.
Emery Jones Bio
Jennifer Woolsey Bio
Jennifer has been working in the Mental Health field since 2013 as an associate marriage family therapist. She earned her bachelor’s degree in History from California State University Dominguez Hills and holds a master’s degree in Psychology with an emphasis in marriage and family therapy from Brandman University. Jennifer has worked with transitional age youth (TAY) with severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) with dual diagnosis. She was a behavioral health clinician with the County of Orange for seven years working with adults of all ages with SPMI, dual diagnosis, as well as homelessness issues. Jennifer’s passion is to support folks in their recovery through self-discovery and self-empowerment, which leads to beautiful transformational changes in one’s life. Jennifer has had close family and friends affected by addiction, which fuels her passion to help people live the meaningful life they desire. Jennifer sees hope in every person and is proud to be a part of the Safe Harbor family in helping others seek out the life they want.
Trenton Barton Bio
Wendy Galvan Bio
Wendy Galvan graduated Nursing School as an LVN in 2014. She has been working in the field of mental health and substance abuse since her graduation. Wendy’s enthusiasm in helping others to recover from addiction issues has led her to becoming one of the best in her field. In her time working in substance abuse treatment she has worked in detox and residential healthcare and knows the ins and outs of doing treatment safely and efficiently from a medical perspective. Her experience in medical compliance and passion for helping other individuals has led her to having a unique perspective. She leads through integrity and believes that all individuals seeking treatment should be provided exceptional care.
Arin Larson Bio
Arin is from Los Angeles and a graduate of UCLA with a degree in Sociology. As an alumnus of Safe Harbor, Arin knows the client’s experience firsthand and works hard to ensure each client feels safe and cared for throughout their stay in treatment. Arin started her career in the Real Estate business. After going through the Safe Harbor program, she decided to put her passion for helping others towards aiding them to reach their goals in recovery. Arin joined the Safe Harbor team in 2019 and is proud to take part in the first step to bringing healing from addiction to many individuals and their families.
Taylor Jones Bio
Jenny Morey Bio
Jenny Morey, Psy.D is a licensed clinical psychologist with 13 years of professional experience in treating diverse populations. Jenny earned her Masters degree in clinical psychology in 2008 and doctorate in 2010 from Alliant International University, California School of the Professional Psychology, Los Angeles and has been passionate about working with those diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness.
Jenny began her career working in inpatient acute hospitals and outpatient programs and shortly became an administrator of variety of program types over the next 5 years including a mental health urgent care, sub-acute facility and a community-based outpatient program which included a court collaborative sect. Jenny was also in private practice before returning to her love of program operations. Jenny specializes in anxiety disorders, depression, stress and crisis management as well as co-morbid diagnosis such as substance use and personality disorders.
She believes in a whole person interconnectedness, taking a holistic approach including all facets of mind, body and spirit. She is passionate about serving others and incorporates a variety of treatment modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Positive Psychology and Mindfulness, taking a humanistic and trauma informed approach. Dr. Morey finds immense value in adjunctive approaches such yoga, meditation, pet therapy and faith-based perspectives. Her focus is to make each individual feel supported, build trust and to create a safe space to experience the ups and downs of life together. She fosters a patient-centered approach and tailors treatment to meet the needs of each person.
Jenny lives in Orange County with her husband, daughter and giant Newfoundland, Darla. In her spare time, you can find Jenny with her family at Disneyland or volunteering at a local equine therapy ranch.
Brandi Jordan Bio
Brandi was born and raised in Fresno, California. She is married and has two children. Brandi and her family recently moved to Southern California in 2021.
Brandi earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from California State University Fresno, earned her master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary and earned her Ph.D. in general psychology from Grand Canyon University. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, a Licensed Advanced Alcohol Drug Counselor (LAADC), and is certified in animal-assisted therapy (CAATP). She currently sits on the board of directors for the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP). Brandi has a passion for working with those struggling with mental health and addiction-related disorders as she has seen both affect those closest to her since a young age. Brandi has experience working in a variety of mental health and substance use disorder settings both in public and private communities. She has worked in battered women’s and children’s shelters, children’s youth services, the Salvation Army, and provided co-occurring services within the educational system. Brandi worked in the private treatment industry both as a therapist and as a clinical director overseeing all levels of care in the SUD field. Brandi was deputized as a conservator working with serious mental illness within the County of Fresno and was a utilization review specialist for the County of Fresno, conducting audits for all substance use programs under Medi-Cal. Brandi was the liaison for the Fresno County Jail ensuring those on conservatorship and incarcerated were able to get needed mental health and SUD treatment. Brandi also had a private practice where she practiced her specialty in animal-assisted therapy in conjunction with psychotherapy. Her dog Rocket is currently in training to be her new therapy dog. Brandi now is the Chief Operating Officer for Pinnacle Health Group. She oversees all operational and clinical staff and ensures the treatment is of the utmost quality, from the client’s arrival to discharge.
Brandi tries to see beauty and hope everywhere she goes and believes everything happens for a reason. Brandi’s passion is advocating for those who can’t advocate for themselves and helping people start a new life and journey in recovery.
Christian Small Bio
Christian Small, MD is board certified in addiction psychiatry, general psychiatry and family medicine. He is one of a handful of doctors in the US who have the experience and training to treat full spectrum medical and psychiatric illness. Dr. Small has become a leader in delivering evidence based addiction practices, medical and psychiatric care to addiction treatment programs. He is the founder of Headlands Addiction Treatment Services, an innovative company bringing the highest level of patient care to substance treatment and mental health programs. Dr. Small was previously employed by the Veterans Administration in La Jolla as an addiction psychiatrist and at the University of California San Diego. He is a graduate of the University of Hawaii John A Burns School of Medicine and completed a residency in Psychiatry and Family Medicine at UCSD.
