Flourish Psychology & Wellness

09/01/2023

PTSD is a mental health condition that develops when a person is exposed to an actual or threatened distressing event. ⚠️

Trauma can leave lasting imprints on our lives. Modifying the lense we use to see ourselves and the world around us. 🔎

Trauma manifests in different ways – it could be the lingering anxiety that keeps you up at night, the flashbacks that transport you to painful moments, avoidance of others, or emotional numbness that masks your true self. 💔

But trauma doesn't have to define us. It's a chapter in our story, not the whole book. With support and evidence-based treatment strategies, we can rewrite our narrative and find strength in our resilience. 💪✨

05/18/2023

08/10/2022

Returning to school brings feelings of excitement for many students but may also cause stress and anxiety for other youth and their families. Here are some tips whether your child is starting kindergarten or returning to college:
✏️ Help your child establish a consistent schedule for sleep, homework, exercise, extracurriculars, and downtime.
✏️ Review relevant school information. Such as the campus layout, rules, and academic and mental health resources on campus.
✏️ Help your child develop an organization system for managing academic tasks and school materials.
✏️ Remind your child that mistakes mean they are learning. Aim for growth, not perfection.

Wishing all students a successful school year! – Dr. Amanda

04/21/2022

April is World Autism Month! The prevalence of autism in the United States has risen from 1 in 125 children in 2004 to 1 in 44 in 2021. World Autism Month aims to:
💙 Raise awareness of the signs of autism
💙 Encourage others to become more inclusive of individuals with autism
💙 Celebrate the many gifts associated with neurodiversity

April 21st is particularly relevant as we recognize the abilities and contributions adults with autism have made to our lives and our communities. When we provide space for neurodiversity 🧠 we create a better tomorrow for all.

See the following resources for more information on autism and advocacy.
💥 https://autismsociety.org/
💥 https://autisticadvocacy.org/

02/25/2022

https://www.flourish-psychology.com/post/talking-about-difficult-topics-with-children-and-teens

Your news feed may be filled with horrifying stories regarding the invasion of Ukraine. It is our impulse to shield our children from difficult topics, but often children learn about topics from overhearing adults conversing, observing adults’ reactions, watching snippets of news stories playing i...

02/24/2022

Do you struggle with managing excessive worry?

Many individuals who are high functioning mask their anxiety and distress from loved ones by developing compensatory strategies such as
☀ Frequently seeking reassurance
☀ Rechecking and redoing
☀ Constantly striving for productivity and planning to give a sense of control

Dealing with the distress is exhausting! There is no need to suffer in silence. Connecting with a mental health professional can help you develop strategies to cope with discomfort, modify worrying cognitions, and reduce compensatory behaviors.

10/20/2021

October is ADHD Awareness Month.

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder 🧠 characterized by a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with an individual's academic, occupational, and social functioning.

ADHD is an explanation of symptoms and challenges, not an excuse. A diagnosis can help direct individuals to interventions and services.

If you or your child experiences some of these challenges Dr. Amanda can help with diagnosis and treatment. Call today at 📱727-543-3235

10/07/2021

Today is National Depression Screening Day. Feeling sad, disappointed, or unworthy are normal human experiences. However, when these feelings persist and they impact our ability to participate fully in life it may be because we have a depressive disorder. According to the CDC, depression affects 1.9 million children and teens. And in 2019, 18.5% of adults reported they experienced symptoms of depression that ranged from mild to severe over a two week period. Swipe to learn about symptoms and how to access a screener for you or your child.

10/06/2021

Dealing with uncertainty is an unavoidable part of the human experience. The extent to which an individual can tolerate uncertainty can impact our mental health. Reassurance seeking, checking, and avoidance are common strategies to alleviate the distress elicited by uncertainty, but these strategies can be problematic long-term. Read on to see how to manage without a crystal ball 🔮. https://www.flourish-psychology.com/post/tolerating-uncertainty

10/05/2021

📣Calling all parents of teens. I am offering a 6-week therapeutic group for teens in grades 8th-11th who reside in Florida. This 6-week group uses empirically supported methods to teach teens strategies:
✔ To cope with stress and reduce negative thinking patterns
✔ Build self-confidence and resilience
✔ Improve time-management and organization
✔ Foster healthy relationships
✔ Set and reach goals
Interested caregivers can call (727)543-3235 or email me, Dr. Amanda, at amanda@flourish-psychology.com to enroll their teen today. This group will be limited to 8 teens.

Dr. Amanda Thalji-Raitano is a licensed psychologist dedicated to helping children, teens, and emerging adults overcome setbacks and experience life more fully. She provides evidence-based counseling services and conducts comprehensive evaluations.

09/10/2021

In 2019, su***de was responsible for more than 47,500 deaths. Su***de is the 2nd leading cause of death for US children and adults ages 10-34 years old, and the 10th leading cause of death for Americans overall. In a 2019 study, 18% of US high school teens reported thinking seriously about su***de in the past 12 months. People who contemplate su***de are often experiencing intense emotional pain and they believe that su***de is the only option for relief. On World Su***de Prevention Day, we are reminded that we can all work to together to help prevent su***de. Swipe to learn how or click https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/su***de-prevention

***deprevention ***depreventionday