Topic:  Describe how COVID 19 has affected your mental health and/﻿or your educational experience. COVID-19 has had a significant impact on each individual. It not only has affected our systematic way of living, but it has also affected our mental well-being. As human beings, we are made to desire personal connection and a lack of it can deplete us in more ways than one. While the experience of the pandemic is unique to each individual, comfort can be found in knowing that you are not alone in these new challenges. As a graduate student in a new city, I personally have been exposed to the hardships of being in an isolating environment. Isolation can result in anxious thinking and erratic behavior, or it can serve as an opportunity for growth. I consider myself to be an introvert and I enjoy my time alone. But, once I lost the daily interactions I was accustomed to, I noticed that I became more pessimistic and antisocial. It took a conscious effort in practicing a change of perspective in order to develop new habits and ways of thinking that led to a more positive lifestyle. Reflecting back on this season, I am now able to have an appreciation for the moments I was struggling because it forced me to reevaluate values, habits, and my decision-making process. Now that I have developed these new skills, I feel equipped to overcome any potential challenges.  The pressure of being a young adult who is making life-altering decisions is enough on its own, but to be a young adult in the midst of a pandemic adds another layer of confusion. According to the CDC, younger Americans reported the highest rates of anxiety and depression symptoms over the course of the pandemic. This statistic has the potential to change by growing young adult’s awareness of the mental health resources that are available. To have someone help you navigate your feelings during this time can be extremely resourceful in developing new coping skills. The Therapy Group of NYC believes that resilience in collaboration with supportive relationships is crucial in fighting symptoms of depression and anxiety. Resilience and genuine connections allows people to adapt to new sources of stress and significant traumatic events. That being said, as a community we need to strive toward raising the awareness of mental health resources in order to combat symptoms of loneliness or depression.  With the help and support from a trained clinician at Heritage Counseling you can find more joy in living. For more information regarding COVID-19 impact on mental health, see the links below. References and resources: https://www.heart.org/en/news/2021/03/05/covid-19-mental-health-crisis-is-hitting-young-adults https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/03/210322112907.htm https://usafacts.org/articles/anxiety-and-depression-levels-are-the-lowest-since-the-pandemic-began/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=ND-COVID&gclid=Cj0KCQjwwY-LBhD6ARIsACvT72MAvqM90dgkyMQd0Bxr8mGDb-GkQY6eVZctqYXr1ThS8mYUVw5JXUQaAqXxEALw_wcB https://nyctherapy.com/therapists-nyc-blog/the-importance-of-mental-wellbeing-in-young-adults/ 

Intern Insight - COVID 19

A non-invasive therapy you should know about that can help children and adults with ADHD, Attention, focus, and learning difficulties:  Neurofeedback (also known as EEG Biofeedback) is recognized as a useful intervention to help adults and children learn how to manage their day to day tasks with optimum functioning. Neurofeedback is brain training intended to teaching the brain how to allocate resources differently so that you can face day-to-day challenges with your best foot forward.  Using an operant conditioning model, trained practitioners measure and assess the electrical functioning of the brain and discover how maladaptive patterns could be contributing to attention deficits, behavioral issues at home and at school or work, and learning difficulties. Neurofeedback is best known for its efficacy in the focus and attention field. In 2012, the American Academy of Pediatrics elevated Neurofeedback therapy to a Level One intervention for the treatment of ADHD.  Neurofeedback has demonstrated its effectiveness in the reduction of ADHD symptoms in conjunction with psychotherapy in several peer-reviewed research studies.  Heritage Counseling is pioneering Neurofeedback in North Texas to meet the needs of our clients. From the C-Suite to the football field, our unique approach combines the best practices of neurofeedback and biofeedback to retrain reactions, fine-tune decision-making processes, boost your performance, and improve your mental wellness. We invite you to reach out for a free Neurofeedback consultation today. Linked below are several articles that substantiate Neurofeedback as an effective option for ADHD:  Arns, M., de Ridder, S., Strehl, U., Breteler, M., & Coenen, A. (2009). Efficacy of neurofeedback treatment in ADHD: The effects on inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity: A meta-analysis. Clinical EEG and Neuroscience, 40(3), 180-189.  	 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19715181 Micoulaud-Franchi, J-A., Geoffroy, P. A., Fond, G., Lopez, R., Bioulac, S., Philip, P. (2014). EEG neurofeedback treatments in children with ADHD: An update meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 8(906), 1-7. Steiner, N. J., Frenette, E. C., Rene K. M., Brennan, R. T., & Perrin, E. C. (2014). In-school neurofeedback training for ADHD: Sustained improvements from a randomized control trial. Pediatrics, 133(3), 483-492. doi: 10.1542/peds.2013-2059.  	 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25431555 Wigton, N. L., & Krigbaum, G. (2015). Attention, executive function, behavior, and electrocortical function, significantly improved with 19-channel z-score neurofeedback in a clinical setting: A pilot study. Journal of Attention Disorders, [e-pub ahead of print]. 	 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25823743 Coben, R., Wright, E. K., Decker, S. L., & Morgan, T. (2015). The impact of coherence neurofeedback on reading delays in learning disabled children: A Randomized controlled study. NeuroRegulation, 2(4), 168-178. doi:10.15540/nr.2.4.168 	 http://www.neuroregulation.org/article/view/15893/10087 Wigton, N. L., & Krigbaum, G. (2015). Attention, executive function, behavior, and electrocortical function, significantly improved with 19-channel z-score neurofeedback in a clinical setting: A pilot study. Journal of Attention Disorders, [e-pub ahead of print].

Neurofeedback: An innovative treatment for ADHD

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is an empirically validated psychotherapy we have added to our clinical offerings at Heritage Counseling. EMDR helps people recover from trauma and other distressing life experiences, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and panic disorders. EMDR may be a great treatment option for you or your loved one if distressing memories, emotions, or behaviors interrupt your daily life. It is possible to heal and experience relief from these types of symptoms.  In his book “The Body Keeps the Score” Bessel Van Der Kolk identifies that “Traumatized people chronically feel unsafe inside their bodies: The past is alive in the form of gnawing interior discomfort. Their bodies are constantly bombarded by visceral warning signs, and, in an attempt to control these processes, they often become expert at ignoring their gut feelings and in numbing awareness of what is played out inside. They learn to hide from their selves.” (p.97)”  ―  Bessel A. van der Kolk,  The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma With the help and support of an EMDR trained clinician at Heritage Counseling you can find freedom. For more information about trauma  follow the link below to the American Psychological Association :  https://www.apa.org/topics/trauma For more information about EMDR and for links to recent peer reviewed articles regarding EMDR:  https://www.emdria.org/about-emdr-therapy/recent-research-about-emdr/   The following national and international organizations acknowledge EMDR as an effective treatment:  American Psychiatric Association American Psychological Association International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies National Alliance on Mental Illness The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs/Department of Defense The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews  The World Health Organization 

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