Trauma can be acute (short lasting), chronic (long lasting) or complex (multiple and long lasting), but it always leaves a mark. All of us have experienced emotional wounds. Whether it’s a bad break up, a divorce, the loss of a loved one, having survived a natural disaster, or verbal and emotional abuse, we carry scars
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Five Ways To Be More Mindful
When we learn to be more mindful, we form deeper connections with ourselves, our environment, and others. There are a number of ways to incorporate mindfulness techniques into your day. Breathing Mindfulness, or being mindful of what you’re sensing and feeling in the moment, may involve breathing methods, guided imagery, and other practices
Read MoreDepression and Kidney Disease
What is Kidney Disease? Kidney disease, or kidney failure, is the gradual loss of your body’s kidney function. Over 200,000 Americans are diagnosed with chronic kidney disease every year. According to the NIH, people with CKD are three times more likely to suffer from depression than the rest of the general population. Even so, depression
Read MoreDr. Dana Wang Talks with CBS News NY About Mental Health Matters in the Asian American Community
RIVIA’s own Dr. Dana Wang talked with Jessica Moore at CBS NY Ch.2 about how the current climate is affecting the mental health of the Asian American community. Dr. Wang is an affiliated faculty member of the MGH Center for Cross-Cultural Student Emotional Wellness. Here’s a list of resources in the community for those that
Read MoreSleep and Your Mental Health: What are the five most common sleep disorders?
When we lay down to sleep, we wish each other a “good night,” and look forward to the opportunity to rest our bodies and recharge. However, it’s during sleep that our brains jump into action. While we sleep, our brain is busy processing new information, memories, and emotions. When we don’t sleep well, we can
Read MoreTrust Your Gut: What is the link between your gut and your mental health
We’ve all heard the saying “you are what you eat,” but did you know that what you eat can also affect your mood? What is the link between your gut and mental health? The Gut-Brain Axis Recent studies of the psychobiodome, the bacteria in your gut that affects how you think and act, have found
Read MoreDo I Have OCD? All About Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
All About Obsessive Compulsive Disorder According to the National Institute of Mental Health, an estimated 1.3% of U.S. adults had Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, or OCD, in the last year. OCD is a common disorder that affects adults, adolescents, and children all over the world. Do I Have OCD? If you have uncontrolled obsessive thoughts and/or
Read MoreUsing Dialectal Behavioral Therapy for Eating Disorders
Dialectal Behavior Therapy, or DBT, is one of a number of treatments available for eating disorders, and one of the most successful. We asked RIVIA clinician Alexandra Kagan, LMSW, how she uses DBT and why it works. Thanks for sitting down with us, Alexandra! Explain to us what Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, or DBT, is? Dialectical
Read MoreDr. Dana Wang on the Benefits of Journaling
Why Journal? I have kept a journal since college, and they have been my trusted companions through my tears and joys. It’s a safe space that is personal and can make you feel completely free. My advice to first time journal-ers (if that’s a word), is to write whatever comes to mind for at least
Read MoreLearning To Enjoy Your Own Company
It might seem odd to talk about learning to enjoy your own company after a year where many of us have felt isolated and alone. We’re more than anxious to get out and socialize, but now that there’s hope on the horizon, it’s the perfect time to use this opportunity to reconnect with yourself before
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