Posts tagged education
The Impact of Summer Ending on Mental Health: Navigating the End of Summer Blues
The Impact of Summer Ending on Mental Health: Navigating the End of Summer Blues

As the sun sets on summer and we begin to trade in our swimsuits for sweaters, it’s not uncommon to feel a bit of a mood shift. The transition from the lazy, hazy days of summer to the cooler, more structured days of fall can bring about what many refer to as the "end of summer blues." If you’re feeling a little down as the season changes, you’re not alone! Let’s dive into why the end of summer can mess with your mood and what you can do to keep your mental health in check during this time.

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Nikki Lacherza-DrewDr. Nikki, psychology, psychologist, NJ, NY, FL, VT, summer, fall, new beginnings, transitions, mental health, mental wellness, support, care, education, psychoeducation, routines, serotonin, sleep, melatonin, seasons
Is Diagnosing Helpful?
Is Diagnosing Helpful?

The topic of diagnosing comes up frequently. In fact, I recently helped contribute to an article about diagnosis and how difficult it can be at times. I am big on the idea that I don’t treat the diagnosis, I treat the symptoms. Two people can come to me for treatment and I can provide the same diagnosis, but their symptoms are very different. That’s because the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, which is in its 5th edition (DSM-5) has a list of several criteria for various disorders, and depending on the disorder, not all criteria need to be met.

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Nikki Lacherza-DrewDr. Nikki, psychologist, psychology, mental health, mental health awareness, it's ok to not be ok, reduce the stigma, therapy, therapist, diagnosis, treatment, symptoms, insurance, reimbursement, NJ, NY, FL, VT, evaluations, evals, CBT, DSM, training, education, knowledge, informed, stigma, anxiety, OCD, obsessive compulsive disorder
Back to School (2021 Edition)
Back to School (2021 Edition)

In a previous post, I talked about going back to school. For some schools, Spring 2021 was a time that we saw many students go back into the physical classroom for the first time since COVID-19 hit. This September, many students no longer have the option but to go back to school full time, in-person, and depending on the school districts, masks may not be required. Here are 10 tips to get you and your child(ren) ready!

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Nikki Lacherza-DrewDr. Nikki, psychologist, psychology, mental health, mental health awareness, reduce the stigma, it's ok to not be ok, school, back to school, September, school days, prepare, children, teens, anxiety, depression, routine, schedules, fall, school year, education, NJ, NY, FL, VT, therapy, therapist, teachers, educate, learning