Mental Health Topics

The behavioral health industry is rightly shifting toward measurement-informed care as a standard. We started measuring clinical outcomes at Thriveworks not because the industry expected it of us, but because we believe clinicians can make better decisions when they can track patient progress by the hard numbers, rather than solely…

When you’re burned out, the usual mental health advice can start to feel almost insulting. Prioritize self-care? Set more boundaries? Sure, if you were able to do that, you probably wouldn’t be burned out in the first place. While going to therapy for burnout can certainly help, it can also…

Racing heart, sweaty palms, shallow breathing. If you’ve ever felt anxiety in your body like this, you know how debilitating it can be—and how great it would be to dial down those symptoms in a pinch. You’ve probably heard that taking propranolol for anxiety can do exactly that. Beta blockers…

There’s a version of the future where you never wait for a therapist again. Feeling low at midnight? A chatbot is standing by—endlessly patient, free, and fluent in every coping skill ever published. It sounds like an appealing pitch, but most Americans aren’t so sure they want AI in their…

So your child told you they’re questioning their gender, or they’re having a strong reaction to being called a boy or girl. Maybe they asked you to use different pronouns or they refuse to wear gendered clothes. What do you do? First and most importantly: Don’t panic. It’s understandable that…

So, you made the decision to seek mental health support. That’s great! Now what? You may be wondering if medication or therapy is the right first step for you. Even if you’re interested in both, you might not know where to start: Does it matter which appointment you make first?…

For a lot of people, starting mental health medication and finally feeling like yourself again can be a huge relief. Such a relief, in fact, that you might wonder if you should stop going to therapy—or not bother starting if you haven’t already. “Do I need therapy, too?” is a…

Sometimes your therapist asks you a question that stops you in your tracks and completely shifts your perspective on a situation. For me, it was when my therapist asked me to picture my current situation as if it was a movie scene. Then came the breakthrough question: “What do you…

Vyvanse and Adderall are both popular stimulant medications used to treat ADHD. So if your provider recommended one over the other, or if you’re just starting to look into options, it’s fair to wonder what the difference is. The short answer: They’re pretty similar, but the differences that do exist…

Whether the vibes were off from the start or you decided after a few sessions that you’re not feeling this approach, it’s never ideal when the realization hits: I don’t like my therapist. So, what now? Do you bring it up, give it a few more sessions, or just stop…

As a divorced mom of two boys, I’ve realized how common it is to feel lonely even when you’re rarely (if ever) alone. Like that time I got the stomach flu right before bedtime. I held a trash can in one arm while feeding my baby a bottle in the…

If you’ve ever found yourself pausing a session to explain terminology, correcting a provider on your pronouns, or hesitating to talk about last night’s date, you know the importance of an LGBTQ+affirming therapist. Opening up to a near stranger can be difficult enough without questioning whether the person across from…