Behavioral Health Clinic

  The struggles of having an eating disorder, or a dysfunctional relationship with food is very real. In my therapeutic work with teens and adults, I have been an intimate observer, supporter, challenger, educator, advocate, and firm believer in the ability to regain a positive sense of self and true appreciation for the human body. I never cease to be excited (and relieved) when one of my clients reaches a point in their recovery when they “get and accept” themselves for who they are, as they are. When they embrace the understanding of food as fuel to sustain a healthy body, nourishment becomes an integral part of their everyday life. Certainly, in the beginning stage of recovery, it feels like a fleeting acceptance, but when nurtured, it grows into a lifestyle change. I have had the privilege of working with a wonderful young woman, Jennifer, for the past several months who wrote a beautiful story of her “Journey to Love My Body”. I have her permission to share some of what she h...

  Written By: Amy Gray, LPC So often people struggle to meet with a counselor, and on top of that it can often take more than one try to find a counselor that you connect well with. Research shows that your relationship you have with your counselor is a strong predictor of whether or not counseling has a positive outcome (Ardito & Rabellino, 2011). This means that it is especially important to find a counselor that really understands you and meets your needs. Knowing that finding the right counselor is a common task shared many, these are some points to consider when you are seeking a counselor: Does your personality work well with their personality? Counselors are human, and just like you have some people that you naturally connect with and some you don’t, sometimes connections just don’t happen. This doesn’t mean that your personality is flawed or any one counselor’s personality is better or worse in performing counseling, it simply means that it might take more than one try ...

  According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), about 24% of men in the United States engage in heavy drinking. Heavy alcohol use in men is defined as consuming more than 4 drinks on a single occasion or more than 3 drinks on a single occasion for women. It’s important to note that while this statistic represents a significant portion of the population, it does not mean that all of these individuals have an alcohol use disorder or that they will necessarily experience negative consequences as a result of their drinking. However, heavy drinking can increase the risk of developing a range of negative health consequences, including alcohol use disorder and various types of cancer. It’s also important to note that the risks associated with heavy drinking are not limited to men and can affect women as well. However, men are generally at a higher risk for negative consequences due to heavy alcohol use, due to differences in body size and metabolism. There ...

  The Importance of Early Assessment to Aid in Early Intervention Early childhood assessment is the process of gathering information about a child, reviewing the information, and then using that information to plan goals and interventions as well as determining needs and supports. For specific learning disabilities, children are typically identified during elementary school sometimes past the 4th grade. By this time, however, children are likely to have significant learning difficulties and may have a decrease in motivation and self-esteem. Learning difficulties can then continue to have an impact throughout adulthood. Early assessment and identification is crucial in identifying children with learning difficulties at an early age to try to prevent any further learning concerns or obstacles. The focus should be on finding children “at risk” as early as possible (Pesova, Sivevska, & Runceva, 2014). Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Regarding Attention-Deficit Hyper...