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From Shame to Science: How Sexual Connection Regulates the Nervous System and Supports Mental Health
Oxytocin/Dopamine released through sex has many health benefits What if I could give you one prescription that could cure, or drastically improve, any mental illness. What if I told you that you’d have a lot of fun doing it. You’d improve all the connections in your life, including your connection with yourself. What if I told you that there are no side effects and it’s non-pharmaceutical. Would you do it? What if I told you that the prescription was sex. Most of my patients

Rachel Ward, PMHNP-BC
4 days ago5 min read


Holistic Mental Health Practitioners and Integrative Mental Health Experts: What to Expect
Mental health care is evolving, and if you’ve been curious about a more whole-person approach, you’re not alone. Imagine mental health support that doesn’t just focus on symptoms but embraces your mind, body, and spirit. That’s where integrative mental health experts come in. They blend traditional therapy with complementary practices to help you find balance and thrive. If you’re wondering what it’s like to work with these professionals, you’re in the right place. Let’s div

Rachel Ward, PMHNP-BC
4 days ago4 min read


Season of hibernation
My favorite sentence that comes out of my patient’s mouth is “I’ve been sleeping 14 hours a day and I’m still tired.” And no, they are not overmedicated. It’s usually after we have been working together for several months to a year, they have made excellent progress and are beginning to stabilize. A few weeks later they will return and say that they’ve never slept so much in their life and still felt tired. This tells me something vital about where they are in their healing.

Rachel Ward, PMHNP-BC
Feb 253 min read


Cannabis use during Pregnancy or Breastfeeding
A quick comprehensive look on the effects of cannabis during pregnancy

Tammy Johnson, PMHNP-BC
Feb 102 min read


Yoga, Stillness, and the Mind–Body Connection
Yoga is often viewed today as a form of physical exercise or stress relief, but its origins tell a much deeper story. For thousands of years, yoga has existed as a holistic practice designed to support the connection between mind, body, and breath. Long before modern mental health language existed, yoga offered tools for working with stress, suffering, and emotional imbalance—many of the same challenges people continue to face today. Yoga originated in ancient India over 5,00

Tammy Johnson, PMHNP-BC
Feb 103 min read


The Dopamine Reset Techniques: Reset Your Mind
Have you ever felt like your brain is constantly chasing the next hit of excitement? Whether it’s scrolling endlessly on social media, binge-watching shows, or grabbing that extra cup of coffee, our minds are wired to seek dopamine—the feel-good chemical that rewards us for pleasurable activities. But what happens when this constant stimulation starts to wear us down? That’s where dopamine reset techniques come into play. Today, I want to share some insights and practical tip

Rachel Ward, PMHNP-BC
Feb 104 min read


Neptune’s Shift and This Moment We’re In
Society is grieving in the wake of a tragedy. Explore the movements of the sky and come make meaning of a meaningless situation with us.

Tammy Johnson, PMHNP-BC
Feb 102 min read


Medicine Needs a Divorce
This blog post, "Medicine Needs a Divorce," argues that the current medical system, governed by "wounded patriarchy and capitalism," fundamentally undermines the true, slow, and sacred nature of healing.

Rachel Ward, PMHNP-BC
Jan 234 min read


A Guide to Coping with Seasonal Depression
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.

Tammy Johnson, PMHNP-BC
Jan 143 min read


An Ode to Rage Cleaning: True holiday magic comes from embracing imperfection and showing up as yourself
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.

Rachel Ward, PMHNP-BC
Dec 24, 20258 min read


Can Genetic Testing Improve Your Mental Health Treatment?
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

Tammy Johnson, PMHNP-BC
Dec 10, 20253 min read


Stimulants: Just Taking Legal Meth?
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

Rachel Ward, PMHNP-BC
Nov 3, 20254 min read


Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders
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,

Tammy Johnson, PMHNP-BC
Oct 29, 20253 min read


Breaking Through Trauma and Depression: How Glutamate May Hold the Key
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

Tammy Johnson, PMHNP-BC
Oct 14, 20253 min read


Psychedelics in Psychiatry: Is the ‘Trip’ Essential?
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?

Tammy Johnson, PMHNP-BC
Sep 23, 20255 min read


Inflamed Body, Distressed Mind: The Mast Cell–Mental Health Link
Explore the mechanisms behind and connection between mast cell activation, inflammation, and mental health.

Rachel Ward, PMHNP-BC
Sep 10, 20255 min read


Inflammation and Depression: What’s the Connection?
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.

Tammy Johnson, PMHNP-BC
Sep 4, 20252 min read


The Dopamine Detox
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.

Tammy Johnson, PMHNP-BC
Aug 27, 20253 min read


When Hormones Stir the Mind: Navigating Hormonal Transitions (Part 2)
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.

Rachel Ward, PMHNP-BC
Aug 18, 20254 min read


When Hormones Stir the Mind: Navigating Hormonal Transitions
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.

Tammy Johnson, PMHNP-BC
Aug 7, 20253 min read
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