CST Recommendation: Film, "Depression: Out of the Shadows"

During my time working at an inpatient treatment facility for substance-using teens, I spent a lot of time looking for videos to show them. One particular day, I found this film at a local library, "Depression: Out of the Shadows" and I was so happy I did! It's a very informative film, but despite its educational format, most of the teens were glued to the screen.

Create a Healthy Support System to Reduce Depression Symptoms and More

Sometimes the best thing for our mental health is our support system. What does yours look like? 

Having an adequate support system can help maintain good mental health in many ways, to name a few:

- having a healthy social life gives you options for things to do, rather than sitting home ruminating on negativity and reinforcing depressive thoughts 

- being responsible to a group of people who will be contacting you, looking for you, or in physical contact with you keeps you motivated to take care of yourself (something that depression can take away)

- your support system is a resource network: you never know what helpful resources your friends and family may connect you to, unless you ask. Whether it be financial, emotional, etc 

- and, we all need someone to talk to! 

Holding in emotions and thoughts leads to a destructive cycle, escalating the level of depression or anxiety. 

- written by Nakya Reeves, LMFT. I am a therapist and owner of a private practice where my main focus is working with families on communication issues, especially the parent-teen relationship. I also utilize PhotoTherapy techniques in my practice, which integrates bringing in photos that the client has taken or collected as a part of the therapy process. I can be contacted any time at csolutionstherapy@gmail.com

PhotoTherapy Mindfulness Group Session for Substance Abusing Teens

Pictures from a photography-outing today. I conducted a group therapy exercise focused on mindfulness. The group walked to a local park and had the opportunity to capture photos on our walk, as well as at the park. It was a great experience seeing who really connected with the exercise, the differences in each teen's interpretation of the assignment, and the differences in perception. I'm very passionate about this topic, so I made sure to capture a few of my own.

#Selfies - Using the Self-Portrait in the Therapy Room

If you are not aware, "selfie" is a term used in popular media to describe a picture that is taken by a person of that person. Selfies are fun - we see pictures of people holding their phones in just the right position to capture a new outfit, an exciting moment, new hairstyle, or whatever. Selfies show the world what we are doing, and how good we look doing it! It's probably the most common way of sharing photos on Instagram, Facebook, SnapChat - you name it. You see the word everywhere - articles, blogs...I think there is even a show called Selfie (though I'm not sure if the same definition applies). So how can this phenomenon, commonly used for entertainment, be helpful in a therapeutic way?