The Mental Health Collective

11/26/2025

"Explore and identify boundaries relating to holiday expectations, familial relationships, and conversation topics." - Dr. Nazneen Nizami, PsyD, LMFT :: Assistant Clinical Director
Read Dr. Nizami's post 'MANAGING STRESS THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS' at https://bit.ly/3Rpew5d or click Sprout 🔗 in bio

11/25/2025

THE OCD CLINIC AT THE COLLECTIVE TREATMENT PROGRAMS :: "Over the past few years, The Collective has established itself as a leader in neurodivergent care, creating innovative, identity-affirming, and evidence-based programming. Expanding this commitment, our new OCD clinic recognizes OCD as part of the neurodivergent umbrella and brings the same depth of care, expertise, and innovation we provide across all of our services. We are excited to take this important step forward in expanding our specialized offerings and providing high-quality, tailored care for the OCD community." - Sarah Verrelli, VP of Clinical Outreach
Please join Sarah Verrelli and The Collective’s clinical experts, Sarah Schall, PsyD, Grace Fraser, ACSW, Ashley Brumett, PhD, and Marina Yacoub, PsyD, for a virtual informational hour on the new program. RSVP for The OCD Clinic Virtual Talk December 2nd, 2025 :: 12 PM PST at the Eventbrite RSVP 🔗 in bio.
To learn more about The OCD Clinic at The Mental Health Collective, visit https://bit.ly/3MoDRfx or click Sprout 🔗 in bio

11/20/2025

MINDFUL HOLIDAY PLANS :: Dr. Elliot Handler, MD :: Staff Psychiatrist
Dr. Elliot Handler emphasizes that there is no single, prescribed way to engage in spiritual or holiday celebrations, and that it is important to align one's behavior with their personal values. He notes that finding and honoring what is truly important to oneself, rather than simply following traditions, is the key to happiness. Dr. Handler suggests that it is okay to experiment and try new things year-to-year, as long as one remains true to their own needs and beliefs. He acknowledges that this may sometimes mean having firm boundaries or going against family traditions, if those do not align with one's values. Overall, Dr. Handler emphasizes the need for individual, authentic expression of spirituality and meaning-making, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
To learn more about Dr. Handler, visit https://bit.ly/4oe581D or click Sprout 🔗 in bio

11/13/2025

PRIORITIZE SELF-CARE: Attuning to your body through physical and emotional self-care is crucial. Incorporate mindfulness practices such as yoga, meditation, deep breathing, or an activity to help calm the mind and alleviate stress. Mindfulness activities are helpful in grounding your body when approaching stressful situations, coping with anxiety, and increasing positive mood. Remember, it’s important to replenish your wellness resources before and after holiday social events.
Featuring Dr. John Huang, PhD, on his didgeridoo. Dr. Huang's clinical specialties include: Trauma, Anxiety, Depression, Insomnia, Spirituality, Combat Veterans, Meditative Didgeridoo, Ceremony + Community, Mind + Body Connection.
To prepare for the holiday season, revisit Dr. Nizami's post 'Managing Stress Through the Holidays' at https://bit.ly/3Rpew5d or click Sprout 🔗 in bio

11/12/2025

EXPOSURE RESPONSE PREVENTION :: Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy (ERP) is a type of Cognitive-Behavioral therapy that has been shown to be effective in the treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). When you engage in ERP, your therapist coaches you through the situations that cause you anxiety, while learning not to engage in compulsive behaviors. Patients who undergo ERP therapy have successfully achieved symptom reduction and, in some cases, recovery from OCD.
To learn more, read 'Exposure Response Prevention for OCD' at https://bit.ly/4nT6RcB or click Sprout 🔗 in bio

11/06/2025

WHAT WE TREAT :: MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDERS :: One measurement commonly used to distinguish a depressive episode from simply feeling “low” is the duration and severity of symptoms. In a major depressive episode, individuals experience persistent feelings of depression and/or hopelessness for two weeks or longer. This serious depression is often accompanied by other symptoms, such as:
▫️ Sleeplessness or increased sleep
▫️ Change in appetite
▫️ Decreased energy
▫️ Inability to concentrate
▫️ Low self-esteem
▫️ Suicidal thoughts
The symptoms of depressive disorders can cause serious impairment and difficulty functioning in day-to-day life. Routine activities like school, work, socializing, exercise, and regularly enjoyed pastimes become difficult or impossible.
To learn more about Major Depressive Disorders, visit https://bit.ly/3ROdjmX or click Sprout 🔗 in bio

11/06/2025

NATIONAL STRESS AWARENESS DAY :: "What are your limitations? What boundaries do you want to have in place? And what is being asked of you, is that within your boundary?" - Sarah Douglas, LMFT
For Sarah's full interview 'MANAGING STRESS AFTER TRAUMA', visit https://bit.ly/41ysNl8 or click Sprout 🔗 in bio

11/04/2025

THE BENEFITS OF TITRATING OFF MEDICATIONS IN RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT :: DR. DAVID SAFANI, MD, MBA, FAPA :: MEDICAL DIRECTOR
"One of the benefits of working in a PHP or residential facility is that you can talk to the patient on a daily basis. You could check on them frequently as needed. They know that if they're not doing well, they could come ask you about it." - Dr. Safani
To watch Dr. Safani's interview, visit https://bit.ly/47XuZWA

Dr. David Safani, Medical Director and Psychiatrist at The Mental Health Collective, discusses the benefits of titrating off medications in...

10/30/2025

"People who have experienced developmental trauma have had to find ways to survive in unhealthy environments where they had no option to leave." - Sarah Douglas, LMFT :: Trauma Program Manager
To learn more about Developmental Trauma, read Sarah's post 'DO I HAVE DEVELOPMENTAL TRAUMA?' at https://bit.ly/4k5l7gf or click Sprout 🔗 in bio

10/29/2025

"Memory and concentration can also be affected by stress. Stress hormones such as cortisol can interfere with the hippocampus, a part of the brain responsible for memory and learning. This can make it hard to focus and remember things, which can be frustrating and make it harder to complete tasks." - Dr. Kristen Zaleski, PhD, LCSW
To learn more, read Dr. Zaleski's post 'SEVEN TIPS TO TREAT STRESS AND BURNOUT' at https://bit.ly/3ZGyd9I or click Sprout 🔗 in bio

10/28/2025

Integrating Safe + Sound Protocol with EMDR :: Featuring Dr. Nazneen Nizami, PsyD, LMFT :: Assistant Clinical Direstor
"Integrating SSP with EMDR sessions has been a helpful tool here at The Mental Health Collective. SSP provides a structured intervention that becomes a secondary support for the nervous system after reprocessing a traumatic event. Activating the present-day sensory system helps the client return to their window of tolerance and strengthens their capacity for distress tolerance. So, when you combine SSP’s nervous system regulation focus with EMDR’s strong evidence base for trauma recovery, you’re offering clients a robust pathway: regulation + resolution.” - Dr. Nizami
Read the full post at https://bit.ly/4nwhnq7

Dr. Nazneen Nizami, PsyD, LMFT is featured in 'Integrating Safe + Sound Protocol with EMDR' stating how The Mental Health Collective...

10/23/2025

"I think communication is probably the strongest aspect of our team, and our dedication to a patient getting better. We love challenges." - Dr. David Safani, MD, MBA, FAPA | Medical Director
To hear more from The Mental Health Collective team, visit https://bit.ly/3XJ6bKj or click Sprout 🔗 in bio