Brandon P. Romano, Psy.D. & Associates, LLC

04/30/2026

Constant exposure to negative information, especially through news and social media, can result in anxiety and feeling overwhelmed & emotionally drained. Repeated viewing of traumatic content increases stress and prolongs a person's distress. Suggestions:
1️⃣ Create a thoughts and feelings “container.” Set aside a specific number of mins to think, journal, or talk about your negative thoughts & feelings. When time's up, focus on redirecting your mind to other things.
2️⃣ Shift from passive viewing of negative content to intentional awareness. Instead of doomscrolling, choose one reliable update source and allow yourself to check it only once or twice per day.
3️⃣ Anchor yourself in the present by using grounding techniques (naming 5 things you see, 4 you feel, 3 you hear, etc.) This calms your nervous system.
4️⃣ Do something contructive, even if its small. This reduces feelings of helplessness.
5️⃣ Accept that you are human. A wide range of emotions are common following traumatic events, and these typically lessen over time.

Remember to protect your peacefulness while staying informed. 💙

Source: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/coping-with-traumatic-events

04/27/2026

🚸 Reminder that it's Child Abuse Prevention Month

Protecting children is a shared responsibility. Child abuse and neglect can happen in any family, community, or setting. Staying informed is important, and open conversations should occur regularly. Every child is precious & deserves to feel safe. 💙

To learn more about prevention and practical ways to support children and families, visit this resource from the CDC.

👉TO REPORT CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT IN LOUISIANA, call 855-4LA-KIDS

This page explains how everyone can help prevent child abuse and neglect.

04/24/2026

Yesterday’s shooting at the Mall of Louisiana has left many in our community shaken. Events like this can have a deep impact even for those who weren't there.

Anger, sadness, numbness, insomnia, or feeling "on edge" are common responses to traumatic events. Your body and mind are trying to make sense of something that was senseless, and it's overwhelming. If you're struggling...
• Limit overexposure to media. Repeated images and updates can intensify distress.
• Stay connected. Talk with someone you trust about what you’re feeling.
• Ground yourself. Focus on your surroundings, take slow breaths, and/or hold something comforting to settle yourself down.
• Keep your normal routines. Predictability helps restore a sense of safety and control.
• Give yourself a break. There is no “right” reaction to something like this.
• Parents, pay attention to changes in the behaviors of your children and teens because they may not have the words to express what they’re experiencing.

If your reactions feel intense, persist without getting better, and/or interfere with your daily life, it may be helpful to speak with a mental health professional.

Our hearts are with everyone affected. 💙

04/22/2026

🌎 Happy Earth Day!

Human health and Earth's health are interconnected. Nature doesn’t just support ecosystems, it actively improves human mental health, resilience, and well-being.

Studies show green spaces are associated with better mental health outcomes and reduced stress. Simply spending time in nature can improve mood and well-being, and long-term exposure to natural environments can lower risk of psychiatric disorders.

04/20/2026

National Counseling Awareness Month continues...
Pretty much everyone has heard of psychology and psychiatry, but did you know that licensed Masters-level counselors can also effectively aid those with mental health concerns? Professional counseling provides practical, evidence-based ways to manage anxiety, depression, and numerous other symptoms and stressors. Results rival medication for some conditions, with counseling often providing long-lasting benefits. 💙
Read more from Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/psychotherapy/about/pac-20384616

04/17/2026

😩“I get enough sleep, but I’m still tired.” Or “I work out, but my energy is still low.” Sound familiar?
Without the right kinds of rest, our nervous system stays in survival mode, keeping cortisol high and contributing to chronic inflammation. Rest isn’t just about stopping—it’s about Restoration. Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith has identified 7 different types of rest we need to feel restored:
😴 Physical
🧠 Mental
❤️ Emotional
👥 Social
🌿 Sensory
🎨 Creative
🙏 Spiritual
You don’t necessarily need a long vacation—just “micro-rests” woven into your everyday routine. A few mindful breaths, a silent drive home, or 10 minutes appreciating the sunset can make a difference.
Take a moment to consider which type of rest you're missing the most right now.
Source: https://tinyurl.com/NiceNews-7-rest-types

04/15/2026

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month — a time to raise awareness, strengthen families, and work together to protect children from maltreatment.
Education can a powerful tool against abuse. This article explains what constitutes child abuse and neglect, identifies key risk and protective factors, and outlines practical prevention strategies. It’s an excellent read for parents, caregivers, educators, and others who interact with children. 💙

👉TO REPORT CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT IN LOUISIANA, call 855-4LA-KIDS

Acts or failures to act that result in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation, or that present an imminent risk of serious harm.

04/13/2026

🌸Try living life like the Japanese🌸
Common tenets valued within Japanese culture include purpose-driven living, continually improving, preventing waste, avoiding comparisons to others, accepting what is out of one's control, keeping a beginner's mind, pursuing harmony, and embracing imperfections.

From ikigai to wabi-sabi, explore eight Japanese philosophies we can all apply in pursuit of a more intentional existence.

04/10/2026

The living loss of sibling estrangement is a silent grief that many carry. 💔

The ramifications of losing a sibling relationship are like losing a piece of your own history. Estrangement is rarely caused by a single event—it’s usually a slow erosion due to long-standing family roles, inheritance disputes, or "parental favoritism."

If you are navigating sibling estrangement, know that...
- Ambiguous loss is real. You are grieving someone who is still alive, which can make closure feel impossible.
- Ripple effects are normal. It’s rarely just about two people; sibling estrangement forces you to renegotiate your relationship with your entire extended family.
- Whether you are seeking reconciliation or maintaining a necessary boundary, the goal is Chronic Sorrow Management—learning to live well even when a piece of the puzzle is missing.

If you can't get out from under the emotional weight of a family fracture, consider reaching out for professional help to deal with the grief. 💙

04/08/2026

April is National Counseling Awareness Month—a time dedicated to raising awareness about the counseling profession and the importance of accessible mental health support.
Professional counseling offers a confidential space to address life's challenges, develop practical coping skills, and successfully make changes. Professional counseling uses evidence-based methods. There should be no stigma associated with pursuing counseling, as mental health support is no different from seeking medical care for physical symptoms.
If you’ve been thinking about counseling, know that help is available. No judgment. 💙

04/06/2026

🐰 We reopen tomorrow (Tue, 4/7) at 7:30A 🐰

04/04/2026

Forgiveness can be a hard habit to establish, but it's consistently linked to better psychological well-being. 💙

A new global study found that forgiving others may lead to a variety of well-being outcomes, including higher optimism.