Mental Health of Miami Inc.

10/23/2023

10/22/2023

To legally be considered an emotional support animal (ESA), the pet needs to be prescribed by a licensed mental health professional to a person with a disabling mental illness. A therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist must determine that the presence of the animal is needed for the mental health of the patient. For example, owning a pet might ease a person’s anxiety or give them a focus in life.

Individuals who use ESAs are provided certain accommodations under federal law in the areas of housing and air travel. The Fair Housing Act includes ESAs in its definition of assistance animals. Under the act, people cannot be discriminated against due to a disability when obtaining housing. Rules such as pet bans or restrictions are waived for people who have a prescription for an ESA, and they cannot be charged a pet deposit for having their ESA live with them.

10/21/2023

A new study published in Nature Mental Health found that a healthy lifestyle can prevent depression, even in those who have a genetic predisposition.

While pharmaceutical advertisements have led many to believe that major depressive disorder is caused by a lack of neurotransmitters, it has become increasingly clear that depression is much more than a chemical imbalance.

What is clear is how daily habits can boost mental health. Researchers examined data from almost 290,000 people—of whom 13,000 had depression—over a nine-year period, and identified seven healthy lifestyle behaviors linked with a lower risk of depression:

1. Prioritize sleep from 7-9 hours a night
2. Cultivate connections with others
3. Drink less
4. Eat well (nutritious less processed foods)
5. Move regularly (even at the office)
6. Don’t smoke
7. Get up, stand up, less sedentary lifestyle

10/20/2023

When balanced, aligned, and unblocked, energy flows freely through the chakras, harmonizing your body, mind, and spirit. These energy centers can do the opposite when blocked or out of balance. The interrupted energy flow sows discord and can cause specific mental, physical, and spiritual problems.

10/18/2023

We cannot make others change, even when their behavior is harmful, mean, passive-aggressive, or racist. This is particularly devastating for those hoping that their parent, sibling, or extended family member will listen to reason and do better. Our clients sit with the reality of unchanging family members, recounting the times they have begged for change, to no avail. And so we begin the slow work of healing around the difficult family member rather than with them.

1. Mourn the lost fantasy of what that change would have meant

2. Change how you respond to the behavior

3. Stay grounded in your reality by staying true to you

4. Build other family connections where you can

5. Build relationships outside of the family

None of these steps is as satisfying as seeing a family member realize the harm of their actions and change. But since we cannot control others, we can do the next best thing. We can find ways to heal our own pain around it and focus on things we can control. Done well, these measures help a person with a challenging family member move forward in peace.

10/17/2023

Problems with s*xual function can come from a variety of factors affecting the mind and body. Psychological influences may be related to anxiety, depression, stress, low self-confidence, and concerns regarding s*xual performance or body image.

Poor relationship quality and lack of communication, as well as adverse partner characteristics, can also impact s*xual function. Physical contributors include anatomy malformations, injury or illness, current medication use, and age.

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10/16/2023

Many people across the world are feeling the impact of the new onset of war in Israel, along with those affected by the ongoing war in Ukraine. It is hard enough for adults to process such violence and vitriol, but it may be especially difficult to explain to children.

First and foremost, take time, even if can only be a few minutes in your busy day, to check in with your own reactions. What are your feelings about what is happening? What are your concerns about talking with your child? What do you need for comfort? Sorting out your own reactions helps you to be steady and sturdy when talking with your child, able to focus on what they are saying — and not saying. Your child feels comforted by your inner centeredness even if you're expressing that you are feeling anger or other difficult emotions.

Be only truthful but be aware of the impace the information can have on your child. This entails giving information step by step and listening for reaction, asking if there are questions, and then proceeding to answer only what your child asks and not more. If you create a space where your child feels able to speak freely, they will ask follow-up questions as they occur to them. It may be hard to fathom a message of calm and safety in a world in which safety is hard to guarantee but to your child, you are the most important source of safety. If you are sturdy, they will feel safer.

Show your child that while there are dangers in the world, in this moment, they are safe with you. You are together. It helps your child to let them know about the things that you do to help keep them and yourself safe.

These are difficult times. There are no easy answers for how to understand or what to do in the face of cruelty. We hope that these few tips can be of help. The way through is connection to loved ones. Your ability to be present, honest and calm will go a long way toward helping your child feel safer.

10/15/2023

Happy Birthday to our Vice-President, Dr. Castro!

10/14/2023

Viktor Frankl wrote an incredible book, Man's Search for Meaning, which everyone should read. He not only chronicled his experience of surviving World War II concentration camps, he came up with a form of therapy to help individuals find purpose in any situation and, ultimately, choose how to cope with their suffering.

Frankl's theory—known as logotherapy, from the Greek word logos ("meaning")—states that "our primary drive in life is not pleasure, as Freud maintained, but the discovery and pursuit of what we personally find meaningful."

The book is a great lesson in truly understanding the power of choice from an individual who went through one of the most horrific experiences a person can go through.

10/13/2023

Life can be stressful at times. You may face financial challenges, loss of a job or relationships, or instability in other areas. When things feel chaotic, overwhelming and out of control, it’s common to focus on the one thing you do have power over – your body.

Unfortunately, this idea can lead to food restriction as a coping mechanism. It provides a distraction from all the chaos and creates a feeling of control, alleviating stress and worry. But when taken to extremes, you could get trapped in a cycle of counting calories, restricting food intake, exercising, and checking your weight. Over time, this pattern of behavior can become ingrained and develop into an eating disorder. Fortunately, it’s possible to recover and focus on getting your health – and life – back under your control.

10/12/2023

Child/Adolescent therapy is of utmost importance for enhancing their well-being because it provides a safe and supportive environment to address emotional, behavioral, and psychological challenges. It is a valuable resource that empowers children to navigate life’s challenges, improve their emotional well-being, and build a foundation for a healthier and happier future.

It is important to consider therapy as a viable option whenever a child is experiencing difficulties that affect their overall well-being and functioning. Below are some key reasons why child therapy matters:

Emotional support: Children may face various emotional difficulties due to family issues, trauma, school pressures, or developmental changes. Therapy allows them to express their feelings and emotions freely, helping them process and cope with these experiences.

Healthy coping strategies: Child therapists help children develop healthy coping mechanisms to deal with stress and anxiety. By learning how to manage their emotions, children can handle challenges more effectively and build resilience.

Behavioral improvement: Children who are struggling with behavioral issues, such as anger outbursts or social withdrawal, can benefit from therapy. Therapists work with them to understand the underlying reasons for their behaviors and teach appropriate ways to interact with others.

Academic performance: Mental health can significantly impact a child’s academic performance. When children receive therapy to address psychological challenges, they are better equipped to focus on their studies and excel in their educational pursuits.

Trauma and grief processing: Children who have experienced traumatic events or loss often need professional support to process their feelings and emotions. Therapy can help them navigate through these difficult experiences and facilitate healing.

Social skills development: Some children struggle with social interactions, making it challenging for them to build friendships or handle social situations. Child therapy can teach social skills and boost their confidence in social settings.

Enhanced communication: Children may find it difficult to communicate their thoughts and feelings effectively. Therapy provides a safe space for them to express themselves, improving their communication skills and reducing frustration.

Self-esteem and self-confidence: Child therapy fosters a positive self-image and helps children develop self-confidence. This, in turn, enables them to explore their abilities and pursue personal growth.

Early intervention: Addressing emotional and psychological issues early in a child’s life can prevent the development of more serious problems later on. Therapy can mitigate the risk of long-term mental health difficulties.

Family dynamics: Child therapy can also involve family counseling, allowing parents and caregivers to understand and support their child’s emotional needs better. Positive changes in family dynamics can have a significant impact on a child’s well-being.

Reduced stigma: Encouraging children to seek therapy when needed helps reduce the stigma surrounding mental health. It normalizes the idea that seeking professional help for emotional struggles is essential and can be beneficial.