Steffanie Alexander, LCSW

09/02/2025

26/12/2024

When I moved back to Portland, Maine from Santa Fe, many years ago I had a profound experience of Seasonal Affective Disorder. Growing up in New England, I experienced more subtle SAD symptoms but the dramatic drop in light moving from Santa Fe to Portland led me to search for help. I tried many of the light boxes available at the time (huge metal boxes evolved into smaller lighter boxes that were easier to use). In 2020 the researchers at the University of Washington discovered the healthiest light "for synchronizing circadian rhythms, managing Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), promoting overall health, and enhancing sleep quality is characterized by specific violet and orange hues, reminiscent of the colors observed at dawn. This represents a significant departure from the conventional approach that relied on blue-enriched white lights or high-intensity 10,000 lux white light therapy lamps for decades." The Tuo Light is more sophisticated, customizable for individual use (age, schedule, etc) and less expensive!

We also know getting regular exercise (preferably in the morning), supplementing with Vitamin D (if your levels are low) and maintaining a consistent sleep/wake cycle is important.

TUO Circadian Smart Products are the most effective light therapy on the market. TUO's patented, laboratory-tested technology has been proven to be more effective than today's industry-leading light therapy solutions, and it works at room brightness. Sharper focus, more energy, better sleep. Get sta...

26/12/2024

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/feeling-blue-holiday-lights-might-be-cure-2024a1000nh9?ecd=mkm_ret_241226_mscpmrk_broad_holidays_etid7116642&uac=209022MR&impID=7116642

Research has shown that just looking at twinkling lights outside of people’s homes evokes feelings of friendliness and warmth.

30/08/2024

The Life Course Model supports students with ADHD with evidence-based behavioral interventions and promotes better collaboration between parents and teachers.

30/08/2024

“If you can acknowledge it and you can relax with it a little bit, very often it shortens its duration.”

27/08/2024

The link between ADHD and chronic fatigue is illuminated by a new study that suggests higher levels of inflammation in neurodivergent kids may be to blame.

27/08/2024

“A healthy mind knows how to hope; it identifies and then hangs on tenaciously to a few reasons to keep going.”

27/08/2024

https://ppc.sas.upenn.edu/services/penn-resilience-training

27/08/2024

Emotions are the body’s way of communicating with you, providing vital messages to help you navigate your life. But they can't help you if you refuse to listen, so you may want to develop these skills.

27/08/2024

Answering bipolar questions that often get ignored

11/09/2023

Powerful opinion piece in the NYT by Dr Jamieson Webster, PhD on how current mental health challenges, particularly in teens are a response to America's increasingly precarious future. Well worth reading!

"But truth be told, we all have these questions about how precarious life has to be in this country, how to live with the hopelessness about the future that is emerging and how all of this is coming up against the pursuit of self and freedom so celebrated in America. Adolescence, then, is not only an attempt at a cure. It is the chance we have for finding one, not only for them, but for all of us."

Adolescents live at the fault lines of a culture, exposing our weak spots.