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Winter can feel heavy, but it doesn’t have to take you down with it. Discover how bright light therapy and simple daily shifts can make a meaningful difference in managing seasonal depression.

The author shares their journey of letting go of holiday perfection, inherited from their mother, which led to stress and burnout. A turning point came when they embraced imperfection, focusing on connection instead of performance. The key message is that true healing and joy come from being authentic and resting, not striving for perfection. By embracing messiness and love, we create healing spaces for ourselves and others, allowing real magic to happen in our homes.

Traditionally, psychiatric medications have been prescribed based on a trial-and-error approach. If a patient starts sertraline (Zoloft) but experiences persistent nausea, their provider might switch them to escitalopram (Lexapro). This process can feel extremely daunting to patients, but the truth is it’s really hard to predict a response to medication, so providers have to rely on their best judgment. I remember a patient who felt completely defeated after trying multiple m

It comes up in clinical practice all the time. I assess for ADHD or Autism, complete the assessment, and then go to prescribe a stimulant. Through the course of the conversation, the next question is often: “But isn’t taking a stimulant just like taking legal meth?” I can see why people ask this. The sentiment is thrown around online frequently, and stimulants used in psychiatry do have potential for misuse—much like the street drug they’re compared to. But there are some key

Supporting Parents Through the Perinatal Journey: A New Chapter in My Practice I’m excited to share that I have earned my Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMH-C) through Postpartum Support International (PSI)! This certification recognizes professionals who have demonstrated advanced competency in helping mothers, fathers, and families experiencing perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs)—conditions that can occur during pregnancy and the postpartum period. For me,

We’ve known for a long time that standard antidepressants, like SSRIs, don’t work for everyone. For many people, depression treatment can feel like trial and error, with long waits to see if a medication might help. Meanwhile, depression continues to drain energy, cloud focus, and strain relationships, often taking a toll on physical health as well. Take a look at new theories and ideas surrounding depression and the effects of trauma on your symptoms

When people think of psychedelics, the first images that come to mind are colorful visions, mystical moments, or even cosmic journeys. The trip refers to the hallucinogenic experience—intense shifts in perception, emotion, and self-awareness. But here’s a question that researchers have been pondering: do you need to have that “trip” for the medicine to work?

Explore the mechanisms behind and connection between mast cell activation, inflammation, and mental health.

When we think about depression, we often focus on brain chemistry, emotions, or life stress. But in recent years, research has shown that inflammation in the body may also play an important role in mood and mental health. For some people, depression is not just “in the mind”—it may also be connected to the immune system.

Find the differences between fast and slow dopamine. Explore what the popular term "dopamine detox" is, and why we are interested in it as a corner stone to care in 2025.

The second in the series: Navigating Hormonal Transitions. This installment covers treatment planning and other considerations in the management of psychiatric changes associated with hormonal changes in brains exposed to estrogen and progesterone.

From the first signs of womanhood to the deep shifts of pregnancy and the quiet power of perimenopause, women move through profound hormonal transitions across a lifetime. But how we choose to navigate those changes, whether through natural support, medical intervention, or a blend of both, is deeply personal. This series explores each of these thresholds with honesty, compassion, and the reminder that there is no one right way to walk through transformation.