Southern Behavioral Medicine Associates PLLC

10/11/2025

09/25/2025

Happening today!

Very happy to be part of Su***de Awareness Education

09/19/2025

What are the signs of su***de?

This is a tough question.

Sometimes there are signs and sometimes there are not.

There are many shocking examples of people who were seemingly "happy" who also died by su***de.

Anthony Bourdain. Robin Williams. Steven tWitch Boss. Chelsie Kryst.

Other times there are signs that are understood to be red flags for suicidal thoughts or actions.

Dr. Datz discusses some of the subtle, and not so subtle, signs of suicidal thinking.

If you hear something... say something. It could make a real difference in someone's life.

Su***de Awareness Month.

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09/15/2025

September is Pain Awareness Month.

Why do we need Pain Awareness?

Because pain is an INVISIBLE illness.

Many people suffer from it, and our treatment of it is inadequate.

Pain Awareness Month draws attention to the many consequences of chronic pain in addition to the treatments for it.

Pain affects your mood, your sleep, your energy levels, your relationships, your ability to work, and all of these things take a large emotional toll.

We know that pain treatment is not one-size-fits-all.

Different types of pain, and different types of people need different types of treatment.

Treatments for pain include movement therapies, mental health support, medications, mind-body treatments, implantable therapies, acupuncture, dry needling, topical treatments, massage, water therapy and many more.

Thank you WDAM 7 for the opportunity to talk about chronic pain during this important month! is a passionate advocate for patients with pain!

Watch the full video --) https://www.wdam.com/2025/09/13/psychologist-explains-toll-chronic-pain/ #

Psychology practice providing psychological testing, assessment, therapy/counseling services ages 14 to 90. We also offer pain psychology, presurgical clearances, weight loss support and forensic assessments.

09/15/2025

Movement therapies and physical therapy are one approach to treating chronic pain that help some people.

Movement is made difficult by pain and people with pain are sometimes afraid to move due to increases in pain, pain flare ups, or reduced range of motion caused by pain.

The challenge becomes that the less movement there is, the more pain may be exacerbated as our bodies were designed for movements.

Pain can produce guarding, weakness, tension, tightness and muscle spasms .... resulting on a negative cycle.

Using physical rehabilitation is a crucial part of pain recovery for many pain sufferers. This can include PT, exercise, slow movement, tai chi, chair yoga, stretching and other modalities.

Movements can begin a sophisticated and biological healing process that can bring relief.

That being said.....

No one approach helps EVERY person with pain - for some people physical therapy or other movement therapies have made their pain worse. This can be due to a variety of factors but is nonetheless something very real that happens.

The important message is try as many treatments as you can to treat pain until you find the right solutions that work for YOU.

Thank you to British Pain Society for this interesting infographic.

09/15/2025

September is Pain Awareness Month.

Why do we need Pain Awareness?

Because pain is an invisible illness.

Many people suffer from it, and our treatment of it is inadequate.

Pain Awareness Month draws attention to the many consequences of chronic pain in addition to the treatments for it.

Pain affects your mood, your sleep, your energy levels, your relationships, your ability to work, and all of these things take a large emotional toll.

We know that pain treatment is not one-size-fits-all. Different types of pain, and different types of people need different types of treatment.

Pain recovery can include movement therapies, mental health support, medications, mind-body treatments, implantable therapies, acupuncture, dry needling, topical treatments, massage, physical therapy, pain psychology, and many more treatments!

Thabk you WDAM 7 for the opportunity to talk about chronic pain during this important month!

https://www.wdam.com/2025/09/13/psychologist-explains-toll-chronic-pain/

Dr. Gaelyn Datz tells us that chronic pain is something that can take a toll on physical and mental health.

09/10/2025

September is Su***de Awareness Month.

Su***de is everywhere. Sadly.

The news of Adam Raine’s death by su***de after confiding in ChatGPT is still sending shockwaves through us and the mental health community as a whole.

Our hearts go out to his family and loved ones.

It's a devastating story, a grim reminder of the urgent need for accessible mental health care and the profound danger of relying on artificial intelligence for therapeutic support. 💔

In our practice, we often hear from individuals who have sought help from AI chatbots.

It's a sign of how desperately people are looking for someone to listen, especially when they feel isolated, dont have insurance, or face barriers to traditional therapy.

We understand the appeal—an always-on, non-judgmental presence.

In our work, we've seen firsthand how people in distress are turning to AI for support.

In a world where access to mental health care is often a struggle, the appeal of a free, 24/7 "listener" is understandable. It's a symptom of a larger systemic problem that we must all work to address.

However, as Adam's story tragically shows, the risks can be high.

A chatbot can mimic conversation, but it can never offer true empathy, compassion, or professional expertise.

It lacks the ability to recognize subtle cues, how to protect a client, and, most importantly, the human connection that is at the heart of healing.

The reality is that a chatbot, no matter how advanced, is not a substitute for human-centered care.

While AI can be a powerful tool for good—and we use it ourselves and with clients for education, tracking (moods/sleep/eating/health/goals), understanding therapy approaches and more! -- it lacks the capacity for true empathy, understanding, trained insights, and ethical judgment.

A human being can see past the words on a screen to the person behind them.

As we mark Su***de Awareness Month, we are compelled to share this message:

*AI is not the same as a human and trained therapist.

*While technology can play a positive role in mental health—it is not a replacement for a trained human professional.

Nothing can replicate the power of a one-on-one, in-person therapeutic relationship.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out. We are here to help, and there are resources available that offer real human support.

* 📞 **Crisis Support:** If you're in immediate danger, please call or text the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline at **988**. It is free, confidential, and available 24/7.

* 🤝 **Our Practice:** www.southernbmed.com

Your well-being is our priority.

If you use AI for mental health, be aware of the risks and don't mistake its feedback as coming from an informed human being.

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09/02/2025

September is Su***de Awareness Month!

Every year, millions around the world struggle with thoughts of su***de, and the statistics are a stark reminder of the urgent need for open conversations and support.

Did you know?

Globally, nearly 800,000 people die by su***de each year, which is one person every 40 seconds.

Su***de is a leading cause of death worldwide for people aged 15-29 years.

For every su***de, there are many more people who attempt su***de or have serious thoughts of it.

These numbers aren't just statistics; they represent individuals, families, and communities impacted by immense pain. But here's the powerful truth: su***de is preventable.

Awareness is our first step. Let's break the silence and stigma surrounding mental health. Talking about su***de doesn't plant the idea; it opens the door for help, understanding, and healing. It lets those struggling know they are not alone.

***deawarenessmonth ***deprevention ***de

08/21/2025

Do you know the "weight" of your cognitive bias?

Cognitive biases are natural shortcuts our brains take when we are trying to save time in decision making.
They can really backfire, however! Dr Datz shares her thoughts on this important topic.

08/20/2025

Our Clinical Director, Dr Datz, was invited to speak on Cognitive Bias at an industry conference of attorneys, adjusters ad claims managers this week. Such an important topic!

We all have cognitive bias, it's the mental shortcuts our brains take in order to save time. But often these biases work against us and others in our decisions.

There are many ways to combat cognitive bias, including education and training. As always, we are happy to be part of the solution in healthcare!