Mission Harbor Behavioral Health

10/23/2025

Unlock Emotional Balance with DBT

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based treatment that helps people manage intense emotions, reduce self-harm, and improve relationships. DBT teaches practical life skills in four key areas:

Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Emotional Regulation, and Interpersonal Effectiveness – helping you stay present, handle stress, regulate emotions, and communicate effectively.

Treatment includes individual therapy, group skills training, and phone or video coaching, so you can apply these skills in real life. Research shows DBT reduces suicidal thoughts, improves coping, and strengthens relationships—often within six months.

If overwhelming emotions are affecting your life, DBT can help you take control. Click the link in our bio to learn more about our treatment options at Mission Harbor Behavioral Health.

This article will define Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, who benefits from it, how sessions work, and the qualifications needed to administer treatment.

10/15/2025

Halloween is mostly a fun time but for many, this season brings excitement and creativity. It can stir up anxiety, loneliness, or depression, especially among teens and those managing mental health challenges. The pressure to socialize or live up to expectations can feel overwhelming.

According to the CDC (2025), nearly 20% of teens report anxiety or depressive symptoms. That’s a powerful reminder that it’s okay to celebrate Halloween your way, whether that means hosting a small get-together, volunteering, or spending a cozy night in.

This year, let’s make mental health part of the Halloween conversation. Take care of yourself, set boundaries, and reach out if you need support or share this post to remind someone else that they’re not alone.

Mission Harbor is here to help you find balance and peace this season.
👉 Click the link below for insights and tips on having a mentally healthy Halloween:
https://sbtreatment.com/blog/mentally-healthy-halloween/

Planning for a Safe and Memorable Celebration Cooler weather starts to peek through, every food or drink item comes in a seasonal “pumpkin spice” variant, and sunset comes ever-earlier: it’s October, almost time for America’s...

10/07/2025

October is National Depression Education & Awareness Month, a time to break stigma, share resources, and start real conversations about mental health.

It’s not always easy to tell the difference between normal teen mood swings and depression. Slamming doors, moodiness, and time alone can be a natural part of adolescence. But depression is different, it lasts longer, impacts daily life, and doesn’t just “pass with time.”

Teens may also show depression differently than adults: eating more instead of less, struggling to sleep instead of oversleeping, or acting out with risky behavior instead of withdrawing.

Therapy works! Studies show psychotherapy helps the majority of people with depression, and early support can make a huge difference for teens.

This month, you can:

Learn the signs of depression

Share reliable resources

Support mental health organizations

Show kindness to yourself and others

Awareness is the first step to healing. Read more about teen depression below and connect with us today for help.

Depression can happen at any age, and this is why you need to be able to spot childhood depression because it can have long-lasting effects.

10/01/2025

Mental health struggles are rising as stressors pile up. Recent studies show:

50% of Americans feel economic stress from housing, debt, and bills

77% are worried about the nation’s future due to politics

45% feel overwhelmed weekly by news and social media

Panic attacks are sudden and intense—racing heart, shortness of breath, dizziness, or feeling detached. Anxiety is more ongoing—worry, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep issues. (Always check with a clinician for diagnosis.)

Here are 5 simple ways to manage anxiety or panic:

Breathe & Ground yourself

Progressive muscle relaxation

Mindful observation

Reframe anxious thoughts

Reach out for support

Small steps can make a big difference.

Click the link below for more tips on how to manage stress and anxiety and reach out to one of our mental health professionals for more support.

***dePreventionMonth

With the goal of starting the New Year off on the right foot, January serves as Mental Wellness Month. The hustle and bustle of the Holiday season can bring additional stressors and take its toll...

09/23/2025

Addiction treatment isn’t one-size-fits-all.

Choosing between inpatient and outpatient rehab is an important step in the recovery journey.

Inpatient rehab provides a structured, residential program with 24/7 support, including detox, therapy, and holistic practices. It’s best for severe addiction, co-occurring mental health challenges, or those needing medical supervision and distance from triggers.

Outpatient rehab lets you live at home while attending therapy, counseling, and educational sessions. Its flexibility makes it easier to balance recovery with work, school, or family responsibilities.

Read more below to learn which program might be right for you.

Addiction treatment is a personalized journey, with various levels of care available to meet individual needs, including inpatient and outpatient services.

09/16/2025

September is National Su***de Prevention Month , a reminder that awareness, support, and help are always available.

🚨 Warning Signs to Watch For:

Talking about wanting to die or feeling hopeless

Withdrawing from friends, family, or activities

Extreme mood swings or rage

Increased substance use

Giving away prized possessions

Sudden calmness after depression

How to Help:
1️⃣ Ask directly if they’re thinking about su***de
2️⃣ Listen without judgment
3️⃣ Keep them safe by removing means of self-harm
4️⃣ Connect them to professional help
5️⃣ Follow up and check in

Click the link in our bio for more tips, advice and help.

***dePrevention ***dePreventionMonth

09/08/2025

This week is Su***de Prevention Week, a time to remember that every conversation, act of compassion, and moment of awareness can save lives.

In the US, roughly one person dies by su***de every 11 minutes. Among veterans, the numbers are even more alarming. The overall veteran su***de rate is 1.5 times higher than the general population, and female veterans are 2.1 times more likely to die by su***de. (NAMI)

These aren’t just numbers—they are our friends, neighbors, and fellow service members. Awareness, open conversations, and early intervention can truly make a difference.

What you can do:
✅ Check in with people in your life and listen without judgment
✅ Encourage professional support through counselors or VA resources
✅ Watch for warning signs like withdrawal, mood changes, or talk of hopelessness
✅ Help create a safety plan and keep crisis numbers handy

If you or a veteran you know is struggling, click the link in our bio to connect with our team and access resources.

Together, we can turn awareness into action and make sure no veteran faces these struggles alone.

09/02/2025

Back from a long weekend? Many workplaces experience a surge in call volume early in the week, especially on “Telephone Tuesday”, which can contribute to heightened stress and mental fatigue.

Some industries like healthcare and insurance see up to 80% more calls than usual on Telephone Tuesday—driven by tasks like scheduling appointments or sorting weekend follow-ups.
60% of employees feel emotionally detached at work, and only 13% feel comfortable discussing mental health issues at all. (spill.chat)

** Why this matters:**
Telephone Tuesday can feel like a productivity squeeze, constant calls, shifting priorities, and the pressure to keep up can chip away at focus, emotional reserves, and overall wellbeing.

Wellness Tips:

Batch your calls: Group similar topics or contacts to minimize context switching and give your brain a breather.

Take micro–breaks between calls: Even 2–3 minutes of deep breathing, a stretch, or stepping outside can ease stress and reset focus.

Acknowledge the volume spike: Sharing with your team that today feels especially busy can reduce internal pressure and foster mutual support.

Set soft boundaries: Let others know when you’ll be available for calls, and stick to that window to protect your workflow.

Prioritize tasks: Handle high-impact or energized ones first. Less pressing items? Move them to a quieter part of the week.

Connect intentionally: After a call-heavy morning, check in with a colleague, friend, or even a mental health resource for a moment of emotional recharging.

08/26/2025

Back-to-school season is here! For many college students, it’s an exciting time—but it can also come with real mental health challenges.

Did you know?
Nearly 40% of students experience a substance use disorder within a year, yet fewer than 5% receive treatment.
64.7% of students feel lonely, and those students are more than 4x as likely to experience severe psychological distress.

The good news?
Support is available. Insurance often covers behavioral health and addiction treatment, and students under 26 can stay on their parents’ plans. Plus, 151 campuses nationwide offer Collegiate Recovery Programs with housing, peer mentorship, and supportive communities.

At Mission Harbor Behavioral Health, we help students in Southern California balance recovery and college life through outpatient rehab and mental health services.

👉 Learn more by clicking the link below: “Does Insurance Cover Rehab for College Students? What You Need to Know.”
https://sbtreatment.com/blog/does-insurance-cover-rehab-for-college-students-what-you-need-to-know/

College is an exciting time of life for many students. For the first time, they’re away from parents, and they’re learning what it’s like to make their own decisions, which can include taking some responsibility...

08/19/2025

Mission Harbor is proud to sponsor Understanding the PersonBrain™ Model: A Neuro-Relational Approach to Trauma-Informed Care with Paul Baker, PhD.

This continuing education session introduces the PersonBrain™ Model, a neuroscience-based, trauma-informed framework helping youth heal through safety, connection, and growth. Dr. Baker will share practical tools for clinicians, educators, and caregivers to better support youth across six key areas of development.

📅 Friday, Sept. 26 | 9:00 AM–12:30 PM
📍 Casa Pacifica | 3 CE credits available

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn directly from the creator of the PersonBrain™ Model.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/understanding-the-personbraintm-model-a-neuro-relational-approach-to-trauma-registration-1505240828839?aff=erelexpmlt

Join us for our next Continuing Education presentation with Paul Baker, PhD, creator of the PersonBrain™ Model

08/12/2025

Social media shapes mental health, especially for young and vulnerable people. While it connects us, it can also increase anxiety, depression, loneliness, and stress.

Research shows that online negativity hits the brain like real emotional pain (ScienceDirect, 2025). Constant exposure to unrealistic lifestyles fuels self-doubt and inadequacy.
The conversation about representation and unrealistic standards is more important than ever.

What can we do?
• Champion diverse, authentic voices in media
• Raise mental health awareness and share resources
• Encourage mindful social media use and real-world connections

Together, let’s build a safer, healthier digital space for all. Click the link in our bio to connect with one of our mental health professionals to learn more.

08/12/2025

What if healing trauma meant reimbursing youth for the developmental experiences they missed?

Join us Friday, September 26, for our next Continuing Education presentation with Dr. Paul Baker, creator of the PersonBrain™ Model, a trauma-informed framework grounded in neuroscience, developmental theory and relational practice.

"Understanding the PersonBrain™ Model: A Neuro-Relational Approach to Trauma-Informed Care" is sponsored by the Tri-County Collaborative, Betty Ford Center, Engage, and Mission Harbor Behavioral Health, a full continuum of care serving the behavioral health needs of children, adolescents, and adults in Ventura, Santa Barbara, and Los Angeles Counties.

Register here: https://bit.ly/4lY64a4