Co Authored by Cass Biron, LCSW, Valarie Merced, Clinical Intern, and Timothy Bidon, Sex Positive Coordinator As entheogens and consciousness altering practices enter the cultural consciousness of the west, the mental health field is recognizing… Read More »Understanding Psychedelic Prep and Integration
Spravato Considerations by Cass Biron,LCSW, Iris Hood, MA and Timothy Bidon As our psychedelic team grows, we wanted to provide a bit of an overview over how Spravato treatment works and things to consider when… Read More »So you Want to Try Spravato…
Connection is one of the driving forces on the planet. From infancy, we are guided by our nervous systems to seek out another person to care about and for them to reciprocate that care to… Read More »Couples Therapy: learning to love each other better
We looked on in horror at the events that took place in the Capitol, we were filled with anger, sadness, pain, and grief as we witnessed the assault on the building and on the very… Read More »Our Unwavering Commitment To Caring For The Mental Health Of Others
October is ADHD Awareness Month, and to recognize that we are featuring a guest post from ADHD coach Nancy Snell. Nancy often collaborates with us on patient work and has been an adult ADHD coach… Read More »Why Work Isn’t Working: Too Much Information, Too Little Time
At this point in the pandemic, many of us have been in quarantine for over two months and are adjusting to innumerable shifts in almost every part of our daily lives. For those who are… Read More »“Productivity” During a Global Pandemic
The crisis kit is a set of easy to use skills. While they don’t necessarily fix the situation, they do help to not make the situation any worse. By creating the kit in advance, we are able to have skills set up for when a crisis arrives, instead of searching our brains for a way to handle it when we are already overloaded.
Michael Gilberg is a Special Education attorney who is himself on the autism spectrum. His lived experience combined with legal expertise has made him a prominent voice in Disability Rights and Special Education Law. He… Read More »Autism Spectrum Disorder in a Pandemic: Interview with Michael Gilberg, Esq
As a society, we are facing new issues for the first time in living memory; people all over the world are struggling with how these widespread and drastic changes are affecting our lives and our… Read More »Lack of Touch & Mental Health
This is a phrase that I commonly hear from friends, colleagues, and patients during this time. People are having a difficult time motivating themselves to exercise, eat healthy, and continue to maintain a daily routine… Read More »“What’s the Point?” A Lesson from DBT
These are some strange and down-right scary times we live in. For many of us, especially those of us in densely populated urban areas, the concept of “going out” is becoming an increasingly distant memory.… Read More »Together and Apart: Maintaining Human Connection Despite Physical Distance
COVID-19 has upended most of our lives, but with technology we have the power to still connect through phone, email, and video. With so many of us at home feeling overwhelmed, lonely, or stressed, the… Read More »How Does Therapy Work in a Pandemic?
Humans were built for affection, and the evolving guidelines to flatten the curve of COVID-19 present a real challenge. Many people are already struggling with a lack of human contact and asking what it means… Read More »A Sex Positive Approach to Dating During the COVID-19 Pandemic
This is an unusual time for all of us, but the more we stand together, the better off we’ll be. We can be physically distant but emotionally together. Let’s connect virtually! Here is a full list… Read More »Virtual Mental Wellness Events and Online Groups
As you practice “social distancing” and/or self-quarantine, know that your mental health is just as important as your physical health. You may be overwhelmed with your new work-from-home life, or struggling to balance your parenting… Read More »Mental Health Check-In: Key Questions + Tips to Maintain Mental Wellness During Self-Quarantine
Uncertainty is not easy to navigate, but Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) can help you act compassionately instead of irrationally. DBT is a form of therapy that focuses on building skills which can help you deal… Read More »Are You Experiencing Corona Anxiety? Cool Down with the DBT TIPP Skills
Credit: “Hasidic Family Scene” Adam Jones (CC BY 4.0) At my secular psychotherapy office in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, we have moved all staff meetings and client sessions online to help slow down the spread of Covid-19.… Read More »We Need to Follow the CDC Guidelines, From the Perspective of a Hasidic Therapist
The COVID-19 pandemic has led the CDC to advise that we engage in social distancing to slow the spread of the disease and lessen the burden on our healthcare system. However, a lot of people… Read More »Distancing, Not Isolation: Games You Can Play on Video Chat
In the midst of the unprecedented complexity of COVID19 and it’s public health implications, we at Brooklyn Minds realize the crucial role interventional psychiatry plays in the lives of our patients. We also understand it… Read More »Brooklyn Minds COVID19 Response Patient Guide for In-Office Sessions
The message is everywhere. From the CDC and public health officials to memes on social media, we’ve all heard it: Don’t touch your face. It’s one supposedly simple step you can take towards “flattening the… Read More »Don’t Touch Your Face: Tips from a Habit Reversal Therapist!
Before you search “coronavirus” for the tenth time today, take a breath and take a break.
You’ve probably heard of Special K, but have you heard that this “club drug” has a special use? A version of it is now being used to officially — and legally — treat depression. Esketamine… Read More »Could A “Club Drug” Cure Depression? Let’s Talk About Esketamine
For many people, the holidays represent a season of celebration, a sense of togetherness, and quality time with family. The holidays can also be a time of stress and are for a lot of people. However, if you’re LGBTQ+, gender non-conforming or in a non traditional relationship, the holidays can be that much more stressful and can increase feelings of isolation and loneliness.
What is mentalizing, and why is it beneficial? Unlike meditation or mindfulness, which sound similar, Mentalization Based Treatment (MBT) is an evidence-based treatment used most often for patients with personality disorders, substance use disorders, and other mental health disorders.
During pregnancy, a woman’s life is impacted on all levels: biologically, psychologically, and socially. This is why conception, pregnancy, undergoing miscarriages, IVF, or the basic complications of a healthy, naturally-conceived pregnancy can cause significant hormonal changes and mood swings, as well as a decline in mental wellness.
In 2015, the Journal of Sex Research found that searches for terms related to polyamorous, non-monogamous, and open relationships have been rising steadily for the past decade. In a follow-up study, the same group of… Read More »What Are Non-Monogamous Relationships and Is One Right for You?
“With most phobias, it becomes less about the object of phobia and more about avoiding the potential of having the uncomfortable feeling of fear and panic,” says Dr. Rebecca Sinclair, Director of Psychological Services at Brooklyn Minds.
For centuries, there’s been a stigma around “mental health,” which didn’t actually become a political and ideological concept until the 1900’s. Historically, our mental health system has been problematic, to say the least.