Month: November 2018

How to Talk to Loved Ones About Substance Use

Post author By therapeuticsolutions
Post date November 30, 2018

When we are concerned about the people we care about, starting a conversation may be necessary – but that doesn’t make it easy. It is normal to feel anxiety about addressing a sensitive topic that may not be well-received. It is also important to remember that for many, hearing the concerns and worries of people they know and trust is often the first step toward recovery. It takes courage to bring up difficult topics, and we are here to support you in starting a productive conversation.

3 Tips for Talking with Your Loved One About Their Substance Use Disorder

Talk to other family members and friends before approaching your loved one about their substance use problem. It is almost always a good idea for people struggling with substance use disorders or dependence to hear from multiple people who care about them and know them well. Consulting with other people may make any efforts to intervene more productive and helpful for your loved one.
Pick a convenient time to engage in what could become an emotional, open-ended conversation. Trying to bring up your loved one’s struggle with drugs or alcohol may end poorly if you attempt to bring it up at a social gathering or at a time when they may not be able to engage or listen to your concerns. If other family members are going to be involved in the conversation, it may be wise to speak to your loved one together in the comfort and privacy of a home, where all parties can speak freely and distractions are minimal.
Decide in advance what you are going to say and how you are going to say it. Nothing can derail a conversation on a touchy subject quite like an accidentally hurtful comment or unintentionally offensive explanation. On the other hand, people are much more likely to accept “tough love” in situations where they feel others accept, listen to, and care for them. Be sure to use empathetic, gentle body language and use a soft, gentle tone of voice. Also decide ahead of time how you plan to confront your loved one, so as to avoid being misunderstood or giving them an opportunity to disregard your input based on inaccurate or unfair statements.

Behavioral Health Treatment & Addiction Recovery Programs in Chico

At Therapeutic Solutions, we are here to help you care for your loved ones by offering compassionate, attentive, relational support throughout their recovery. We may be able to help you connect your loved one to the resources they need to achieve lasting sobriety, stability, and holistic wellness through our behavioral health programs in Chico. Connect with a member of our team as soon as possible to learn how we can help you support your loved one as they seek to overcome substance use issues.

Call (530) 899-3150 today to speak to a member of our team or send us a message to tell us how we can help.

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Healing from Trauma After a Natural Disaster

Post author By therapeuticsolutions
Post date November 27, 2018

In recent weeks, Butte County has seen what natural disasters can do to the lives, livelihood, and well-being of entire communities. The Camp Fire has devastated human lives, homes, and businesses, and is the deadliest wildland fire in the history of California. We at Therapeutic Solutions have been saddened to witness the impacts this disaster has had on members of our community.

Given the heavy and multifaceted toll this catastrophic fire has taken on people in Chico, Paradise, and other communities in the Sierra Nevada foothills, there are likely to be lingering mental health consequences for survivors and those who support them. Persons affected by the fire (as well as those who are closely connected to the damage) may begin to experience post-traumatic stress and other mental and emotional reactions to trauma in the days, weeks, and months to come. In times like these, reaching out for mental health support may be an important step toward long-term recovery.

Symptoms of Mental and Emotional Trauma

If you or someone you love has been affected by a natural disaster like the recent wildfires in Butte County or the surrounding areas, watch out for the following potential signs of post-traumatic stress:

Anxiety
Changes in eating habits
Changes in personality
Confusion and disorientation
Depression
Difficulty making decisions
Difficulty sleeping
Flashbacks that involve vivid memories and physical distress, including quickened heartbeat, shaking, sweating, etc.
Headaches
High blood pressure
Intense, unpredictable mood swings
New aches and pains
Nightmares
Social withdrawal

People who are involved in traumatizing events such as wildfires might not begin to recognize the above symptoms right away. Sometimes it can take weeks for symptoms to set in or produce negative, notable consequences in the lives of affected persons. It is important to remember that these symptoms are legitimate responses to traumatic experiences that require compassionate and supportive intervention.

What Causes Mental and Emotional Trauma After Natural Disasters

Many people are traumatized by natural disasters due to the major life changes they endure through the devastation of property and human and animal life. Many throughout North State have lost loved ones in the recent Camp Fire. Others have permanently lost their homes and livelihoods, forcing them into new life conditions they did not want or anticipate. A large number of those affected will feel the direct short and long-term emotional impacts of these changes, which may include grief, anger, regret, and other overwhelming emotions.

In addition to the direct impacts of grief and loss, people who have survived the recent fires in Northern California may also experience mental and emotional trauma related to the following, even if they have not lost property or loved ones:

A sense of helplessness
Depression and anxiety
Conflict regarding worldview and shifts in existential perspective
Denial or numbness
Survivor’s guilt

Trauma Therapy & Mental Health Care in Chico & Butte County

At Therapeutic Solutions, we can provide compassionate guidance and mental health care for people who have been affected by crises such as the Camp Fire. We treat adults and adolescents who experience varying kinds of emotional trauma, including depression, anxiety, grief, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and more. We provide high-quality care in a comfortable, safe environment, and all of our programs are focused on helping people like you achieve whole-person wellness and stability. If you or someone you love is experiencing a behavioral health crisis in the aftermath of the recent wildfires or other natural disasters, we are prepared to provide empathetic and effective mental health care.

Our hearts are with our North State community members and neighbors who have suffered as a result of the Camp Fire. We are with you, and we are here to help.

Call (530) 899-3150 today to speak to a member of our team and request an assessment.

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How to Support a Grieving Friend

Post author By therapeuticsolutions
Post date November 21, 2018

You may feel powerless and unsure what to do if someone you love is walking through a season of grief, but you have the power to extend meaningful encouragement and support. However, our best attempts to make people feel better are often discouraging and ineffective. Next time you are with a loved one who is grieving, there are a few things you must keep in mind in order to help, rather than hurt, them.

Avoid the common mistake of trying to “cheer them up.”

“Cheering people up” doesn’t actually work, and telling them to move on and be strong doesn’t give them the power to do so.

Normally, when someone is grieving or upset, the people around them aren’t sure how to handle that person’s pain. Most people are uncomfortable with the prospect of letting someone remain in an upset state, so they respond by giving advice, bringing up their own sadness, and recommending ways to cope or “get over it.” This often leads people who are hurting to feel misunderstood and unsupported, which also frustrates well-meaning friends and family members who are trying to help.

However, the truth is that we cannot heal others’ pain by trying to take it away from them and make them happy, and trying to talk someone out of their pain is rarely effective. As a result, encouragements to “look on the bright side” are often more harmful than helpful, and positive thinking is never enough to help someone cope with a major loss in their life, such as the loss of a spouse, child, pet, or home. In some cases, this often causes grieving people to shut down and stop talking about their pain.

Practice acknowledgement and acceptance.

Acknowledgement and acceptance, on the other hand, are far more helpful for people who are experiencing sadness and loss. No matter what sort of hurt your loved one is experiencing, one of the best things you can do to help them is to acknowledge their pain and allow it. Being present with people in their pain and giving them the freedom to grieve, express their disappointment, or just be sad is much more helpful than trying to talk them out of it.

People who have experienced tragic loss or major life disappointment are much more likely to heal in a healthy way if they can express and feel pain, and you can help your loved ones achieve true healing by being present, kind, and accepting during this process.

Mental Health Care in Chico & Throughout Northern California

When the people you care about experience grief and loss, there are things you can do to help them move through that process. It is also important to refer them to support if their pain has become unmanageable. Mental health treatment can be effective in helping a grieving person process their experience in a safe, structured environment.

At Therapeutic Solutions, we provide compassionate support for people who are experiencing trauma, loss, grief, depression, and other forms of emotional or psychological distress. We are always here to offer skills, guidance, and tools when necessary—but we also recognize the importance of listening. Whether your experience of grief and trauma is recent or longstanding, when you come to our behavioral health care treatment center in Butte County you will be heard, accepted, and allowed to take your time during the healing process.

For mental health care in Northern California, call Therapeutic Solutions today at (530) 899-3150.

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Signs and Signals of Borderline Personality Disorder

Post author By therapeuticsolutions
Post date November 15, 2018

What to Do if You Identify The Signs of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

Before reading any further, be advised that borderline personality disorder is a condition that can only be diagnosed and treated by a mental health professional. If you recognize the signs of borderline personality disorder in yourself or others, the safest, most beneficial course of action always begins with an official assessment from an experienced, qualified care provider. When you call Therapeutic Solutions for help, we will provide you with a program assessment and help you determine the most fitting treatment.

Call (530) 899-3150 today to speak with a member of our team and get the compassionate, attentive help you need.

What Is Borderline Personality Disorder?

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is comprised of symptoms that change the way affected individuals think about themselves, other people, and the world around them in such a way that it negatively impacts interpersonal relationships, fosters impulsiveness and chronic instability, and creates an unhealthy self-image. Most people with borderline personality disorder experience onset of symptoms in young adulthood and see a progression throughout the rest of their adult life. BPD often occurs as the result of unstable attachment in childhood or adulthood, traumatic experiences, and the lack of learned coping mechanisms to promote resilience.

Potential Indicators of Borderline Personality Disorder

You or someone you love may be struggling with borderline personality disorder if they display one or more of the following symptoms:

Dangerous, impulsive, and/or self-destructive behavior
Fear of abandonment which leads to extreme attempts to prevent rejection and/or separation
Inappropriate displays of negative emotion, such as anger, violence, etc.
Intense changes in self-image and life goals
Intense, unstable relationships characterized by rapid, dramatically shifting perspectives about other people
Periods of powerful anxiety and paranoia combined with detachment from reality
Threatening to harm or kill themselves in order to prevent separation or rejection by others

Due to many of the stigmas related to mental health, many individuals who are struggling with these symptoms may be resistant to acknowledging their symptoms or seeking help to treat those symptoms. It is important to recognize that a large number of people experience mental health issues, and that it takes courage to seek help. Therapeutic Solutions is dedicated to supporting resilience, providing our patients with compassionate care, and walking alongside individuals we serve throughout their journey toward wellness.

If you or a loved one is engaging in any of the behaviors listed above or showing any of these potential signs of borderline personality disorder, the best course of action is to get connected with a mental health professional right away in order to regain stability and control in a safe, professional, and nurturing environment. Therapeutic Solutions provides a range of behavioral health treatment options for individuals struggling with BPD and other mental health concerns, including Partial Hospitalization, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and more.

Call Therapeutic Solutions today at (530) 899-3150 or click to learn how we can help.

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Benefits of Partial Hospitalization

Post author By therapeuticsolutions
Post date November 12, 2018

What Is Partial Hospitalization?

Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP) provide intensive care for people experiencing acute behavioral health issues. As the name suggests, recipients receive care for several hours during their day while continuing to live at home. This allows them to gradually transition out of intensive care with the skills and resources to live independently.

Partial hospitalization can be helpful for people who are experiencing or have recently experienced the following:

Erratic or destructive behavior due to medication imbalances
Symptoms that are difficult to manage alone
Suicidal thoughts or tendencies
Discharge from an inpatient hospital as a result of suicidal thoughts or actions
Debilitating behavioral health issues, such as depression, anxiety, personality disorders, etc.
Addiction and other substance use disorders
Personal or emotional crises resulting from divorce, abuse, grief, or other negative life circumstances

Partial Hospitalization vs. Full Hospitalization

Some people in need of behavioral health treatment require full-time, inpatient care to stabilize their symptoms, receive access 24-hour support, and reduce their risk of harm. However, those whose symptoms do not rise to the level of inpatient hospitalization or those who have recently completed treatment in an inpatient facility may benefit from receiving focused attention in an outpatient setting through Partial Hospitalization.

In addition to being able to spend evenings and weekends at home in a familiar environment, patients who participate in PHP enjoy several unique benefits, such as:

Regular interactions with medical and behavioral health professionals
Personalized behavioral health care
Individual and group therapy
Affordable treatment without costly overnight hospital stays
Easier transition back into everyday life and independence

Partial Hospitalization Program in Butte County

At Therapeutic Solutions, we are certified by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JACHO), and we provide high quality care for people struggling with behavioral health challenges of all kinds. Our Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) allows patients to receive the attentive, stabilizing care they need between the hours of 9:00 AM and 3:20 PM, Monday through Friday. Patients who are already hospitalized may wish to enroll in our program directly from their current hospital setting and use our PHP as a means of safe, stable transition back into a normal routine.

Local patients in the Chico and Butte County areas may also enjoy our complimentary transportation options.

Call (530) 899-3150 today to request a program assessment and find out if our PHP is right for you.

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Benefits of Gratitude for Your Mental Health

Post author By therapeuticsolutions
Post date November 2, 2018

Gratitude Changes the Way You Relate to the World Around You

Gratitude is an often-undervalued component of a positive worldview and a greater degree of mental and emotional health. Choosing to actively give thanks has a way of drawing your focus away from the struggles you face and allowing you to concentrate on the good things in your life.

In addition to improving your overall outlook on life, gratitude has a number of benefits for your mental health, including:

Enhanced empathy and minimized aggression—Gratitude changes the way you interact with other people. When you are grateful for what you have, you are less likely to place unhealthy or unrealistic expectations on other people and more likely to treat others with kindness and sensitivity.
Better sleep—Actively naming and verbalizing thanks for the good things in your life tends to foster a sense of calm and contentment, which can reduce the amount of time you spend tossing and turning at night.
Canceling out negative emotions—Practicing gratitude gives you the power to override strong negative emotions in a healthy way. Rather than trying to merely force out anger, depression, frustration, or other bad feelings, expressing gratitude for what you have provides you with an opportunity to replace negative feelings with something better.

Behavioral Health Care Program in Chico

At Therapeutic Solutions, we provide personalized, practical, and relational support for people seeking to improve their mental health and overall wellness. We are a group of trained professionals motivated by empathy, compassion, and a desire to see people reclaim a sense of balance and health. When you call us for help, we are committed to delivering the treatment you need to heal and helping you get well, stay well, and be well.

Call (530) 899-3150 to learn about our behavioral health programs in Northern California.

3 Tips for Talking with Your Loved One About Their Substance Use Disorder

Behavioral Health Treatment & Addiction Recovery Programs in Chico

Symptoms of Mental and Emotional Trauma

What Causes Mental and Emotional Trauma After Natural Disasters

Trauma Therapy & Mental Health Care in Chico & Butte County

Avoid the common mistake of trying to “cheer them up.”

Practice acknowledgement and acceptance.

Mental Health Care in Chico & Throughout Northern California

What to Do if You Identify The Signs of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

What Is Borderline Personality Disorder?

Potential Indicators of Borderline Personality Disorder

What Is Partial Hospitalization?

Partial Hospitalization vs. Full Hospitalization

Partial Hospitalization Program in Butte County

Gratitude Changes the Way You Relate to the World Around You

Behavioral Health Care Program in Chico

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