Mentalyc Blog
-
Trauma-informed therapy is a key intervention in mental health treatment that allows therapists to deliver safe, empathetic, and effective therapy to clients with trauma. Being a trauma therapist, keeping up with the finest training programs can make your job better and enhance your knowledge further on how trauma affects the body and mind. Below are […]
Silvi Saxena, MBA, LSW -
Working through your struggles with the support of people facing similar issues can be a real game-changer. The whole give-and-take of help can really bring out the best in us. After all, humans have been tackling life’s challenges together in squads since the dawn of walking on two legs. Penning progress notes in group therapy, however, is a […]
Dr. Salwa Zeineddine -
As a mental health professional, do you struggle to keep track of your client’s treatment progress? Do you have difficulty remembering the details of your last session when a client asks about their progress? Look no further than SOAP notes! They are the perfect solution to your documentation woes. SOAP notes provide a quick and […]
Courtney Gardner, MSW -
Therapy sessions don’t always flow smoothly. There are moments when the conversation suddenly halts. A client who was actively engaged just seconds ago now stares at the floor, answers in monosyllables, or seems to have mentally left the room entirely. These shutdowns aren’t roadblocks but doorways that, when approached with care, often lead to the […]
Gargi Singh, Psychologist -
Clinical supervision models provide various approaches based on our stage of development as therapists, the challenges we encounter, and the feedback that best supports our growth. Clinical supervision isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. In fact, the type of supervision that helps a brand-new therapist build confidence isn’t necessarily what a seasoned clinician needs to refine their […]
Nuria Higuero Flores, Psychologist -
Stigma affects individuals that need mental health support in many ways. It creates shame and makes them feel judged. This prevents clients from seeking mental health treatment. Some avoid treatment altogether. Others withhold important information that is necessary for diagnosis and treatment. Clinical communication play a vital part in shaping client’s therapy experience. The way […]
Adesuwa Olajire, LCP -
Therapists play an important role in helping clients manage mental health challenges but their role goes beyond holding sessions with clients. Note-taking is one of their most essential yet time-consuming tasks. Clear and organized notes enable the tracking of clients progress after each session. It also ensures continuity of care. Still, many therapists find documentation […]Adesuwa Olajire, LCP -
Psychological trauma in children doesn’t always show up in the ways we would expect. Sometimes, children may have typical responses, like nightmares, panic attacks, or mood swings. Other times, they appear to be just fine, but a noticeable shift follows. They start isolating themselves from their friends; their academic performance declines, and the little things that used to be shrugged off quickly […]Courtney Gardner, MSW -
The connection built in the first therapy session can shape the entire therapeutic journey. Research consistently shows that the quality of the initial interaction significantly impacts treatment outcomes. It’s a delicate blend of professional skill and raw human empathy—where every word, every pause, and every shift in body language plays a role. There’s a moment—right […]Nuria Higuero Flores, Psychologist -
There is often an underlying issue when people come to therapy battling depression, relationship issues, or job stress. Creating a self-esteem treatment plan is supporting clients through the nagging inner voice saying, “You’re not good enough.” Not only does it hurt them, but it builds walls around them, impacts their relationships, and keeps unhealthy patterns […]Nuria Higuero Flores, Psychologist -
Depression assessment tools have come a long way since the early days of psychiatry, and one that has stood the test of time is the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). As therapists, having reliable measurement tools in our clinical arsenal is not only helpful but essential for tracking progress, making treatment decisions, and communicating effectively […]Nuria Higuero Flores, Psychologist -
Client resistance means unwillingness or opposition to change and growth in therapy sessions. This could be conscious or unconscious. Resistance can cause ruptures in the therapeutic alliance and hence it is important to be aware of the kinds of resistance that there are and how a therapist can work with a resistant client. This article […]Gargi Singh, Psychologist -
The American Psychological Association defines Gender Dysphoria as severe distress that occurs when an individual’s gender identity is not the same as the sex they were assigned at birth. Dysphoria can cause a substantial effect on transgender and non-binary people’s mental and social well-being, which is why it is so crucial for mental health treatment professionals to create customized, comprehensive treatment plans aimed at addressing each client’s individual needs. Whether you have been working with gender-diverse clients throughout your career or are new to this practice, […]Courtney Gardner, MSW -
Building clients’ self-esteem is more than sharing their experiences during therapy. In many circumstances, therapists must take action to improve their client’s self-confidence. This article aims to guide therapists who seek to improve clients self-esteem. Clients with healthy self-esteem have better mental health outcomes. They also have reduced levels of anxiety and can handle difficult […]Adesuwa Olajire, LCP -
Clients in therapy display a wide variety of emotions and behaviors, and some may even pose particular “difficulties”. “Difficult” can refer to a variety of things. These are clients who remain aloof and quiet in the sessions, overly chatty, unwilling to participate, or even hostile and aggressive might be considered challenging. Such behaviors presented by […]Gargi Singh, Psychologist -
Podcasts for therapists can be a valuable resource offering insights, strategies, and professional growth opportunities. For the longest time I did not understand podcasts. Listening to podcasts was never a part of my ‘to do’. Not until the time when my supervisor recommended “When Therapy Stalls” for a case I was having a tough time […]Gargi Singh, Psychologist -
For a long time, therapists have taken notes by hand during therapy sessions. However, this traditional method can be overwhelming and time-consuming. To address this, AI clinical note generators were introduced to help therapists save time and improve productivity. These tools assist therapists in writing progress notes and managing their documentation more efficiently. Some therapists […]Adesuwa Olajire, LCP -
At some point or another, therapists learn how difficult it can be to work with manipulative clients who test limits, distort language, and use guilt as a weapon. When this happens, therapists must gracefully walk the thin line between engaging with clients through empathic listening while resisting their client’s attempts at control and manipulation. This article will delve into how to effectively work with clients with manipulative tendencies, why these behaviors occur […]Courtney Gardner, MSW -
Supporting the mental health of children and adolescents often feels like piecing together a complex and ever-changing puzzle. The Conners Comprehensive Behavior Rating Scale (CBRS) serves as a vital component, offering therapists, parents, and teachers a reliable framework to understand and address behavioral, emotional, and academic challenges in individuals aged 6 to 18. Whether identifying […]Nuria Higuero Flores, Psychologist -
Progress notes are vital aspects of mental health care. They keep track of the therapeutic process and provide a record of the client’s progress. However, therapists can make mistakes during the documentation, which compromises the effectiveness of client treatment. This can subject clinicians to vulnerabilities related to professional liability. These errors include using unclear language […]Adesuwa Olajire, LCP -
As psychologists and therapists, we’re in the business of helping others manage their mental health, relationships, and life challenges. Yet one of the most common struggles I encounter among my clients—and frankly, among colleagues as well—is the seemingly simple yet profoundly challenging task of managing time effectively. In my practice, I’ve found that time management […]Nuria Higuero Flores, Psychologist -
In Case You Are Wondering About “What Are Progress Notes in Mental Health and How to Write Them?”, This Blog Is for You! When interviewing new clients, most therapists insist on delving deep into the famous question: “What were the effects and upshots of previous counseling, if any?” This is one of the smartest ways […]Dr. Salwa Zeineddine -
Whether you’re an Registered Behavior Technician or any other kind of therapist, you’ve probably been jotting down notes ever since you started practicing. However, you may not have received proper guidance on how to efficiently craft them to provide maximum value to your client’s interdisciplinary team. Or, you might be an expert when it comes […]Dr. Salwa Zeineddine -
Eating disorders are often very complex and affect multiple parts of a person’s life. For many, food is not just food; it is security, punishment, or even a means of self-expression. It is a complex interplay of psychological, biological, and social factors, making recovery a difficult but achievable process.That’s why a structured treatment plan for […]Nuria Higuero Flores, Psychologist