The neuroscience helps us to understand the distal mechanism of action of the medications we use in psychiatry.  What is important to understand from the neuroscience is that the final result for individuals with any psychiatric disorder is that there are changes in the connectivity and function of various brain circuits that correlate with the symptoms of their respective illness

There are now two well-researched neuromodulation therapies that are specifically designed to alter activity in brain circuits that exhibit abnormal activity in specific psychiatric disorders.   Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) were developed specifically with an understanding of neuroanatomy and the physiology of neural networks as a guide. 

The science also provides some explanatory power as to why certain therapies may be effective.  For example, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps patients to identify how certain errors in their thinking and certain maladaptive behaviors they exhibit helped generate and/or help perpetuate their disorders, as well as the interconnection between these cognitive distortions and the behavioral manifestations of their disorder. 

Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) with Dr. Galia Schechter:

Learn:

• EFT’s philosophy and general theory

• The guiding therapeutic principles of EFT

• How to practice basic emotion-focused techniques and interventions

Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD Treatment

This two-hour presentation on Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) introduces participants to the 12-session format of this empirically supported treatment for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. The theoretical framework of CPT be reviewed and key concepts of CPT will be defined. Participants will engage in experiential exercises to contextualize and practice CPT techniques. 10 SPACES AVAILABLE.

Clinician, please join Mind Therapy Clinic staff and Patricia Zurita Oña, PsyD for ACT for Emotion Regulation training event.

• Presenter:  Patricia Zurita Oña, PsyD
• When:  Wednesday, May 9, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
• Where:  Mind Therapy Clinic, 240 Tamal Vista Drive, Corte Madera CA 94925, Upstairs Classroom

This training introduces clinicians to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and will provide a brief history of this powerful approach, ACT’s goals and components and experiential activities.

Objectives:

1. Gain a basic understanding of the components of the Hexaflex
2. Identify when to use the six components of ACT 
3. Take away at least one tool to use in therapy

FREE with no CEs. $25 for 2 CEs.  Tea and light snacks will be offered.

Please join Mind Therapy Clinic’s staff at our April 4 training with Dr. Hassert.

The Training

This training will focus on updates made to the DSM-5. We will cover how the DSM-5 is organized by familiarizing ourselves with the overall layout and assessment measures.  We will use an applied model of learning in which case vignettes will be presented to better understand common DSM-5 criteria and rule out diagnoses. Practical diagnostic tools to use within a standard clinical setting will be reviewed, as will the importance of accurate diagnoses and the implications that making diagnoses have on our clinical practice and clients’ lives

Participants will:

• Identify significant changes made to the DSM-5 from the DSM-IV
• Apply DSM-5 diagnostic criteria through the use of clinical vignettes to accurately assess common psychiatric conditions

Join Neil S. Kobrin, PhD, LCSW, MFT of  Mind Therapy Clinic & Founder, Academy  of Mindful Psychology for 2 CE training seminar alongside Mind Therapy clinicians to explore explore the integration of the ancient practice of mindfulness within psychotherapy.

When:  Wednesday, December 13, 11:15 AM – 1:15 PM

Where:  Mind Therapy Clinic, 240 Tamal Vista, Corte Madera CA – Upstairs Classroom

The winter holidays, with the promise of joy and togetherness, also carry the shadow of stress and tension. Our culture has cleverly molded the very human rituals of banishing the dark and spiritual celebration into a non-stop whirlwind of buying, eating, drinking and events. However, if your plate is full and if you also struggle with mental illness or addiction, these extra demands will inevitably create stress and tension. 

Below are a few tips for balance that we offer to our clients (and to ourselves!) via individual and family therapy and in our wonderful array of groups, including Mindfulness in Action, Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), DBT, CBT, Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy and Seeking Safety.

Most of us go through some level of mental instability throughout our lives but for some, it’s devastatingly paralyzing and can affect our physical health, relationships and careers. Traditional thought is that only medication can treat the symptoms of anxiety, depression, etc. but that’s no longer true thanks to a new breakthrough in diagnosing and treating the brain in a non-pharmaceutical manner. Think of it as a technology based approach and it’s appropriate for both short-term and long-term treatment of a varietal of mental health issues. These treatments are non-invasive (no surgery), non-systemic (nothing is ingested and circulating into the blood stream), and do not require any anesthesia or sedation.

MTC Training Update on Biology & Medications for Addiction Treatment 2 CEs

Friday, November 17, 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM

This training will provide an update on the neurobiological model of addiction. With this model as foundation, the role of medications for addiction treatment will be discussed, with particular emphasis on medications for opioid use disorders.

Individuals with mental illness can become trapped in a destructive cycle of self-recrimination, which impairs their ability to live a balanced life.  This presentation on Monday, October 23rd, introduces the application of experiential methods to stimulate creativity and flexibility via exercises that prompt spontaneity, trust, emotional expression and the development of an observing self.  Focus will be on utilizing creative practices to assist clients with separating from their disorder and integrating a compassionate voice of recovery. Emphasis will be placed on the use of masks and role-playing to facilitate integration.

Join us on October 20th to learn how Dialectical Behavior Therapy treatment addresses the symptoms that arise in Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). We’ll review the symptom presentation of BPD and how Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms may occur in conjunction with BPD. The basic tenets of Prolonged Exposure (PE) therapy will be presented and its effectiveness of PTSD treatment. Learn how DBT and PE work together in one combined protocol to address the presentation of trauma symptoms with co-occurring BPD symptoms.

Mind Therapy Clinic can now help people with their severe depression with an outpatient, non-invasive and non-pharmaceutical procedure. TMS gives medical professionals another avenue in treating depression and gives patients a new hope. As one of the few clinics to offer this treatment, we are very excited for our patients.

Mind Therapy Clinic welcomes Dr. Neil Kobrin to the team.  Dr. Kobrin, is a licensed clinical psychologist, LCSW and MFT with decades of experience in human transformation and emotional well-being.   Author of the bestselling book Emotional Well-Being: Embracing the Gift of Life, he is the founder and President of the Academy of Mindful Psychology.   Dr. Kobrin brings to Mind Therapy Clinic deep expertise in designing and leading therapy programs and workshops and training psychologists.

Join Mind Therapy Clinic for 1 CE Law & Ethics Training: Professionalism, Boundaries and Privacy.

When:
Friday, August 11, 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM

Where:
Corte Madera Town Center, Community Room, 200 

Presenter:
Terence Patterson, PhD

RSVP here  (seating is limited).

For questions, please contact Jacqueline Perlmutter, Director of Professional Relations, 415-846-8409.

Join us for a complimentary educational CE luncheon to learn how to help trauma clients develop gratitude and purpose with our guest presenter, Stephen Wright, MA, LCPC, RDDP

Individuals struggling with trauma are hurting and therefore experience the world from an egocentric, self-oriented perspective. This seminar gives practical insight into helping a client move from that self-oriented perspective to a more altruistic and purposeful life which can improve outcomes in recovery. 

Join Kenneth Perlmutter, PhD, Head of the Family Treatment Services at Mind Therapy Clinic, for a delicious lunch and clinical conversation about family systems and developmental trauma on July 12th at our Marin location.

Dr. Kenneth Perlmutter is a nationally recognized behavioral healthcare expert and educator. His family workshops have offered hope and healing to more than 3000 struggling family members, and his lectures and training sessions have been attended by hundreds of clinicians. His recent publication on developmental trauma in Wounded Families is available on Mind Therapy Blog.   

June is PTSD Awareness Month!  Join our efforts to spread the word about the importance of getting effective PTSD treatments during PTSD Awareness Month.  If you are experiencing symptoms of PTSD, but not sure whether you have PTSD, contact David B. Campell, Mind Therapy Clinic’s trauma specialist.  

Here are several recent articles on the linkage between mental disorders and physical problems, highlighting how crucial it is to accurately diagnose and have multi-disciplinary team of medical experts involved in the treatment.

When Anxiety or Depression Masks A Medical Problem

OCD Linked To Inflammation In The Brain

Gut Bacteria Linked to Bipolar Disorder

This illustration helps to visualize, mental illness is unique for each individual.  The specific and intimate nature of this drawing reveals something essential that a list of symptoms simply cannot express.  Process through data visualization and art within a group setting or individually can be a powerful tool for communication and understanding within oneself and with others.

Each year, our clinic provides internship training opportunities for doctoral and postdoctoral candidates in clinical psychology.  The selected interns are trained by expert clinicians in specific areas of treatment such as severe mental illness, eating disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, ADHD, addiction and trauma.  

CAPIC is an association of doctoral academic programs, internships and postdoctoral programs recognized by the California Board of Psychology as a pathway to licensure to practicing clinical psychology.  We are delighted that the organization as selected us as one of their training sites.

After receiving overwhelming requests from our clients and partners,  Mind Therapy IOP groups are now starting at our San Francisco location starting May 30, 2017.  Initially, this program will be available three evenings per week – Tuesdays, Wednesday, and Thursdays from 6pm to 8:50pm at 2299 Post Street, Suite 104B – and is designed to accommodate clients with busy day schedules.  

Join us Monday evening, May 15 in the MindTherapy Clinic classroom for an experiential workshop on healing the core of addiction by Francois Benoist, founder of The Exclusive Hawaii addiction treatment center. 

For clinicians and clients.

This workshop is open to anyone suffering from addiction, an eating disorder, anxiety, or trauma, as well as mental health professionals who want to learn the tools of Experiential Engagement Therapy. 

Harvard Medical School suggests electroencephalography, or EEG can help diagnose attention disorders.  Attention deficit disorder (ADD), with or without hyperactivity, affects up to 5 percent of the population, according to the DSM-5. It can be difficult to diagnose behaviorally, and coexisting conditions like autism spectrum disorder or mood disorders can mask it.

According to an analysis by the Pew Research Center, for the first time in more than 130 years, Americans ages 18-34 are more likely to live with their parents than in any other living situation.

We are pleased to announce, that as part of our continued plan to provide exceptional mental health care to our clients, we have added a new psychiatrist to our team.

Jeffrey DeVido, MD joins our growing team of talented clinicians at Mind Therapy Clinic.  Dr. DeVido earned a Masters in Theological Studies at Harvard Divinity School before entering medical school at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.  He went on to complete adult psychiatry and addiction psychiatry training at Massachusetts General and McLean Hospitals at Harvard Medical School.  

In addition to his work at Mind Therapy Clinic, he maintains a teaching faculty appointment at UCSF’s Department of Psychiatry and continues to teach, lecture, and publish on a wide array of psychiatric conditions. 

Starting this month, Mind Therapy Clinic is offering Anxiety Group Therapy on Fridays 10:00 am.  While anxiety is a natural, normal response to threatening situations, more than 40 million US adults suffer anxiety symptoms when there’s no real threat.  

In this group, Mind Therapy Clinic’s  Amelia Howard-Smith will facilitate members to gain a better understanding of the thoughts and behaviors that perpetuate anxiety symptoms and build coping skills and confidence in a comfortable and safe environment.  

Sign up for Anxiety Group.
More on Amelia Howard-Smith.
About Anxiety Treatment at Mind Therapy Clinic.

Every March, Brain Awareness Week (March 13-17) unites the efforts of many organizations worldwide in celebration of the brain for people of all ages. 

We are proud to partner with the Dana Foundation this week in raising awareness for brain research and the importance of staying mentally fit and healthy.

The therapeutic meal group is part nutrition education and part culinary skills development designed around a coached meal and post-meal process group. Even as recovery progresses, many people encounter difficulties at meal time such as trying new foods, preparing their own food, and implementing skills from intuitive and mindful eating. This group intends to bridge that gap and act as a laboratory to learn about and practice new skills and discover the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that show up during meals that may be inhibiting progress in recovery.

To register for this group, contact us at info@mindtherapyclinic.com.

It is with pleasure we welcome Katherine Dittmann, MS, RDN, to Mind Therapy Clinic.  Katherine is a nutrition therapist specializing in eating behaviors and disorders, and has worked the full spectrum of eating disorder treatment for a decade.  Katherine uses a food-positive and pragmatic approach, weaving in concepts from yoga and mindfulness to help people connect with the body and eat with more ease. Katherine is a certified Mindfulness-Based Yoga Therapy for Eating Disorders teacher, certified Mindful Self-Compassion teacher, and former chef.   Learn More About Katherine.

We’ve covered single incidents of trauma exposure in our Trauma Series to date.   But, as we know other kinds of traumas can be repeated and enduring such as domestic violence, military combat, or living in a war zone.  These can have an even more pervasive effect than a single incident trauma since the mind/body may not have time to settle before the next threat occurs.   

An even more insidious form of trauma is that which occurs during the critical developmental years of a child, thought to be 0-6 yrs of age [3].  When an event in childhood is overwhelming it elicits the same survival circuit as in adults.  But for a child, an experience of overwhelm does not require the same magnitude of threat that it would take for an adult to feel overwhelmed, due to their vulnerability and lack of survival resources. 

Visit Mind Therapy Clinic at the California Association of MFT Fall Symposium in the Resource Room, Table 2.  Don’t forget to ask Jacqueline Perlmutter about Mind Therapy Clinic’s IOP, PHP, and Trauma programs.  For more information about the event and Mind Therapy Clinic’s participation, contact Jacqueline.

Recently, we’ve been hearing a lot about “college students flooding the mental health centers” and new clinics popping up near campuses designed to help students cope with anxiety, depression, and related disorders.  According to WSJ,* 17% of college students are diagnosed with or treated for anxiety last year, and as of this Spring, 13.9% were diagnosed and treated for depression.  This is up more than 10% for both disorders.  

While these numbers are alarming, when it comes to your own child, what should you know?Sometimes, it is difficult to decipher whether your student is showing initial signs of serious mental trouble, or he/she is now more comfortable asking for help to cope with the stress of competitive learning environment.  It is especially difficult when you are unable to see the day-to-day episodes of the mental breakdowns.

IPEG, International Pharmaco-EEG Society is hosting its 19th biennial conference from October 26th through 30th in Nijmegen, the Netherlands.  Our very own Dr. Mark Schiller will be presenting on EEG-Based Personalized Medicine on Friday at 11:30am.

When a loved one is experiencing a mental health crisis, it’s natural to feel confused and helpless. Throughout your life, many of us learn how to give first aid in an emergency for all types of situations…. except for those involving mental calamities.  Yet, many of us find ourselves in a situation where help is clearly and eminently required, and you have no idea where to start or who to call.  Here are a few tips and tools that should be included in your psychological ‘first aid kit’…

Today marks World Mental Health Day, which aims to raise public awareness around mental health issues and the importance of mental wellbeing.   World Health Organization (WHO) declared the theme of this year’s World Mental Health Day –  “psychological first aid”.  

Psychological first aid includes support that ensures anyone in acute distress to receive basic support including health, mental health, and social support.  It’s a good reminder for all of us to remember, one out of four of us experience psychiatric problems, and that mental crisis requires a first aid as would any physical injury.  

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