Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Department of Psychiatry

08/27/2025

Lynn Jennings, Ph.D., has been treating child sexual abuse, physical abuse and neglect for over 20 years. She is the TTUHSC School of Health Professions Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program assistant program director/instructor in the Department of Clinical Counseling and Mental Health. In a recent episode of the Texas Tech Health Check podcast, Dr. Jennings emphasizes the need for early intervention and outlines the long-term consequences of abuse and the role of friends, family and mandated reporters in identifying and reporting cases. To hear more, grab your headphones and listen here >> https://loom.ly/x0bnHjU.

08/25/2025

33% of patients suffering with MDD are resistant to medication. 50% of patients suffering with OCD are resistant to current first-line treatment methods. Patients suffering with MDD or OCD often need more than medication and psychotherapy to achieve remission. Deep TMS therapy is well-tolerated, with no systemic side effects.

Deep TMS treatment is locally available at Texas Tech Physicians and completed in an outpatient setting, in short sessions, providing flexibility to patients’ schedules. Find out more and submit your interest form here >> https://loom.ly/SsPXgAc.

08/22/2025

✨ Feature Friday ✨
Hailing from Booker, TX, Amy McWhorter has spent over 26 years in mental health. She earned her BA in Psychology and Master of Education in Community Counseling from Texas Tech University and proudly received her 10-year TTU pin last year!

She serves as a Mental Health Clinician Supervisor in Amarillo with the TCHATT program, leading a team of eight and providing virtual therapy for students from pre-K through high school. Amy finds the most reward in seeing students meet their therapy goals and in the growth of TCHATT over the past four years. “Since COVID, TCHATT has stepped up to provide virtual mental health services to local schools, families, and students,” she says. “TCHATT embodies ‘The Future of Health’ by ensuring rural communities have access to mental health services that were previously very limited.”

Outside of work, Amy is a wife and mom to Erin and Logan and two Yorkies, Teddy and Trixie. She loves quilting, cross-stitching, refinishing furniture and Halloween.

Her family includes four generations of Texas Tech female students, including her grandmother, mother, herself and her daughter. That 10-year TTU pin must make her family beam with Red Raider pride!

08/21/2025

According to the National Center for PTSD, a meta-analytic review found that older adults were 2.11 times more likely to experience PTSD symptoms and 1.73 times more likely to develop adjustment disorder when exposed to natural disasters as compared to younger adults. In the wake of the recent floods in Texas and New Mexico, our clinicians are here to help. ♥️

If you or a loved one is seeking treatment or has questions about our Geriatric Psychiatry services, you can find a doctor here >> https://loom.ly/ObjYdrY.

08/19/2025

Many people begin to notice improvements in symptoms after about 5-6 treatments of Electroconvulsive Therapy. ECT is a safe and low-risk procedure helpful in the treatment of severe depression.

Many aspects of brain function are changed during and after seizure activity. These changes may build upon one another, reducing symptoms of depression or other mental health conditions. That is why ECT is most effective in people who receive a full course of multiple treatments. After your symptoms improve, ongoing psychiatric treatment is still encouraged. To find out if ECT is right for you, visit >> https://loom.ly/saFDg6U.

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) causes changes in brain chemistry that can quickly reverse symptoms of certain mental health conditions.

08/13/2025

Wishing many children in our local area a happy first day of school for many children in the area! ✏️🎒 We know it can be easy to get overwhelmed by busier schedules. It's important not to let your child's mental health fall to the bottom of your list. Dr. Sarah Wakefield, adolescent psychiatrist and chair of the Department of Psychiatry at TTUHSC School of Medicine, offers helpful tips to prepare your family. From taking brain breaks to getting a full night's sleep, read more on her suggestions here >> https://loom.ly/_lXL_8s.

08/11/2025

Over the last few months, there have been many heavy topics covered on news outlets and across social media platforms. We wanted to provide an important reminder on the impact these images can have on one's mental health. Grab those headphones! 🎧 You'll want to hear this before you keep scrolling.

Natalie Scanlon, Ph.D., a Clinical Psychologist in the TTUHSC School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry, explains what impact "doom scrolling" can have on our mental health and on young, developing brains. She also recommends helpful ways to start setting boundaries for yourself before getting back online.

Listen here >> https://loom.ly/g1_h_V0

08/07/2025

As the first day of school nears for many children, it's important to keep their mental health top of mind! 🧠 We're sharing some valuable mental health resources available for your children. To learn more about these resources, visit the links below:

CPAN >> https://loom.ly/CP3Kzzk
TCHATT >> https://loom.ly/GlDbiXM

08/05/2025

The Perinatal Psychiatry Access Network, PeriPAN, can enhance your capacity to provide the perinatal mental health standard of care your patients need. There is no cost to you or your patients for this evidence-based, clinician-to-clinician program. PeriPAN is for a variety of clinicians serving pregnant and postpartum women, including:
♥️ OB/GYNs
♥️ Pediatricians
♥️ Family Practice Clinicians
♥️ Psychiatrists
♥️ Psychologists
♥️ Midwives
♥️ Other Primary Care Physicians
♥️ Nurses and Other Clinicians

To find out more about PeriPAN, visit >> https://loom.ly/dcZIJK0.

07/29/2025

Using FDA-approved breakthrough technology, Deep TMS therapy is a non-invasive treatment for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Performed under a health careprovider’s supervision, it does not require anesthesia or sedation. Patients are awake and alert during treatment sessions and are able to continue their activites as normal during treatment. You can fill out the Deep TMS Interest Form here >> https://loom.ly/SsPXgAc

07/23/2025

On a recent episode of the TTU Health Check podcast, David Pfaff, Ph.D., Clinical Mental Health Therapist with the School of Health Professions Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, shares how you can identify and set boundaries with these relationships, practice mindfulness techniques to manage emotional reactions, and treat yourself with compassion in order to conquer energy draining situations. He also gives tips on how to be more self-aware and avoid draining other people's energy. Listen here >> https://loom.ly/IPMvUp4.

07/21/2025

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a safe and effective procedure, performed under general anesthesia. ECT causes changes in brain chemistry that can quickly reverse symptoms of certain mental health conditions. It can provide rapid and significant improvements in severe symptoms of several mental health conditions:

- Severe depression
- Treatment-resistant depression
- Mania associated with bipolar disorder
- Catatonia
- Agitation and aggression associated with dementia

To find out if ECT is right for you, visit >> https://loom.ly/saFDg6U