The Trauma for Suicide Loss Survivors

Sometimes life and mental health can become just too much for someone. Losing this person to suicide is a tragedy, and that tragedy creates ripples of pain and trauma for the loved ones they left behind. For these suicide loss survivors, the story doesn’t have to end. You can learn more about suicide, find support, and begin to heal yourself and your family Read More

Unconscious Ways We Ask for Help

By Christa Banister Whether it’s the charge led by professional athletes like Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, Dallas Cowboys’ Dak Prescott, or NBA star Kevin Love — or the recent television and social media messages reminding everyone that “mental health is health” — the deliberate effort to… Read More

How Traditions Build Self-Esteem and Belonging

By Anna McKenzie We all have traditions that we take part in year after year. We may be more aware of them at the holidays — they’re often what we look forward to as we celebrate the season­ — but we actually observe rituals year-round. They can be common, like decorating… Read More

Being Thankful: The Effect of Gratitude on Our Emotional and Mental Health

By Anna McKenzie It’s natural that Thanksgiving inspires an attitude of thankfulness. But can this attitude actually improve our well-being? What is the longstanding effect of gratitude on our emotional and mental health, and is it significant? Is it worth practicing gratitude throughout the year versus just the holiday… Read More

Accepting the Past as an Asset in Recovery

What if I were to tell you that all aspects of your past would be used as an asset? Would you believe it or would you instantly regret and want to change it? I have a love/hate relationship with the word “acceptance.” As a stubborn addict, I am not… Read More

Facing Family Togetherness

By Jessica Smith, BSN, RN As the holiday season approaches, I am reminded of the oft-quoted line in A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” Holidays have a way of bringing out both the best and worst in people. We… Read More

The Subtle Cues of Communication

“You cannot ‘not’ communicate.” Read More

Partners of Sex Addicts Struggle with Loneliness and Isolation

By: Dr. Georgia Fourlas, LCSW, LISAC, CSAT, Clinical Director of Rio Retreat Center Workshops Partners of sex addicts often find themselves feeling alone and isolated. First, the feelings of loneliness come when the addicted partner is acting out. Although the partner of the sex addict is not always able to… Read More

Sex and Love Addiction: Help for Family Members

By: Jerry Law D.Min, MDAAC, CIP, Program Director of Family Education and Leadership Training for Meadows Behavioral Healthcare Dave and Sue were immediately hit with that sinking feeling in the gut, having received a call that their son was arrested for solicitation of a sex worker. Tammy found a suspicious… Read More

Codependency: What’s It All About?

By Tian Dayton, Ph.D. The word codependency touched a nerve when it first plowed its way into our everyday vernacular. Initially, it grew out of the twelve-step term co-addict, which was a way of describing the spouse of the addict; however, as it didn’t tell the right story, it… Read More