Mentalyc Blog

  • 10 Fun and Effective Substance Abuse Group Activities for Adult Recovery

    Substance abuse group activities are essential to the recovery process, providing a supportive, structured space for individuals to connect with others who have faced similar challenges. Research shows that group therapy activities for addiction can be as effective as individual treatment for substance use disorders (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2005). Support groups […]
    Angela M. Doel, Psychotherapist Avatar
    Angela M. Doel, Psychotherapist
  • Owl Practice Vs SimplePractice

    Owl Practice and SimplePractice are useful for mental health professionals in running a successful practice. They are electronic health record systems with features to help you provide excellent client services. Are you concerned about choosing the right EHR system for your mental health practice? Finding the best one can be challenging, but understanding your options […]
    Adesuwa Olajire, LCP Avatar
    Adesuwa Olajire, LCP
  • Can You Be Double Licensed In LMHC and LMFT

    Can You Be Double Licensed In LMHC and LMFT?

    Can you be double licensed in LMHC and LMFT? By: Silvi Saxena, MBA, MSW, LSW, CCTP, OSW-C Providers can be licensed as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). There can be many advantages to this however it comes with additional work to maintain both credentials. Working with […]
    Silvi Saxena, MBA, LSW Avatar
    Silvi Saxena, MBA, LSW
  • What is Psychodynamic Psychotherapy & How Does It Work

    What is Psychodynamic Psychotherapy & How Does It Work

    Psychodynamic psychotherapy is based on psychoanalytic theory, which explores unconscious processes and past experiences to understand present behavior. Psychodynamic psychotherapy emphasizes self-reflection, emotional insight, and the therapeutic relationship as tools for change. The Origins of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Psychodynamic psychotherapy emerged from Sigmund Freud’s theories and has evolved over the last century to become a more […]
    Angela M. Doel, Psychotherapist Avatar
    Angela M. Doel, Psychotherapist
  • How to Write a Stress Management Treatment Plan

    How to Write a Stress Management Treatment Plan (With examples)

    Coping with stress is a routine problem for clients, it is therefore common for therapists to create structured stress management treatment plans. This article outlines the process of writing an effective stress management treatment plan, including key components, goals, objectives, and evidence-based strategies with practical examples. What is a Stress Management Treatment Plan? The treatment […]
    Angela M. Doel, Psychotherapist Avatar
    Angela M. Doel, Psychotherapist
  • Stress Therapy

    Stress Therapy: Techniques, Examples & How It Works

    Stress therapy, also known as stress management therapy, is a set of techniques to help clients reduce stress and better cope with stressful life events. Instead of eliminating stressors, this approach teaches clients to change how they respond. This approach provides clients many practical tools to manage life’s inevitable pressures. Who Benefits from Stress Therapy? […]
    Angela M. Doel, Psychotherapist Avatar
    Angela M. Doel, Psychotherapist
  • How to do strengths-based therapy & interventions

    How to do strengths-based therapy & interventions (With Examples)

    Strengths-based therapy prioritizes clients’ strengths, talents, and resources. Instead of focusing on problems, therapists help clients feel empowered by identifying what’s already working and building on that. This approach helps clients strengthen resilience and increase self-efficacy, allowing them to cope with challenges using their own talents, skills, and abilities. Strengths-based therapy is a positive, client-centered […]
    Angela M. Doel, Psychotherapist Avatar
    Angela M. Doel, Psychotherapist
  • How to Write a Treatment Plan for Bipolar Disorder

    How to Write a Treatment Plan for Bipolar Disorder (With Examples)

    Bipolar disorder is a complex mental health condition characterized by extreme mood swings, ranging from depressive lows to manic or hypomanic highs. Writing an effective treatment plan for clients diagnosed with bipolar disorder requires managing symptoms, sharing psychoeducational materials, monitoring medication adherence, and suggesting lifestyle changes. This article provides a guide to developing a comprehensive […]
    Angela M. Doel, Psychotherapist Avatar
    Angela M. Doel, Psychotherapist
  • Treating Test Anxiety

    Treating Test Anxiety (Best Practices for Therapists)

    Picture this: your client is sitting in a classroom, staring at a test paper, and suddenly their mind goes completely blank. Their heart starts racing, palms are sweaty, and it feels like the walls are closing in. This, dear therapists, is the dreaded test anxiety—an all-too-common issue that affects students of all ages (and let’s […]
    Nuria Higuero Flores, Psychologist Avatar
    Nuria Higuero Flores, Psychologist
  • What is Interpersonal Psychotherapy

    What is Interpersonal Psychotherapy & How Does It Work

    Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) helps clients understand how their relationships impact their emotional well-being and how their emotions affect their relationships. Unlike other therapeutic modalities, IPT is present-focused and targets the interpersonal issues and conflicts that contribute to distress. IPT reduces mental health symptoms by improving interpersonal functioning (Weissman et. al., 2000). IPT is currently used […]
    Angela M. Doel, Psychotherapist Avatar
    Angela M. Doel, Psychotherapist
  • Why is it Important to Individualize an Integrative Treatment Plan?

    Do you often encounter clients who are dissatisfied with generic mental health treatments that fail to address their unique needs? Many individuals seeking mental health care feel disheartened by one-size-fits-all approaches that overlook their personal experiences and challenges. This frustration can lead to disengagement and ineffective treatment outcomes. But there’s a solution: individualized integrative treatment plans. […]
    Courtney Gardner, MSW Avatar
    Courtney Gardner, MSW
  • How to start a private practice as an unlicensed therapist

    Starting a private practice can be a challenging endeavor to take on, and as an unlicensed therapist, it may take a few extra steps. In many states, you do not have to wait until you are fully licensed start a private practice as long as you have supervision. Many unlicensed therapists decide to start their […]
    Silvi Saxena, MBA, LSW Avatar
    Silvi Saxena, MBA, LSW
  • Private Practice vs Group Practice

    Private Practice vs Group Practice: Which is Best for You?

    As a mental health professional, deciding between launching a private practice and joining a group practice can feel like standing at a crossroads. Each path offers unique rewards and challenges, influencing your career journey, lifestyle, and financial stability. The question is:  which route aligns best with your goals and aspirations? Let’s dive into the exciting […]
    Nuria Higuero Flores, Psychologist Avatar
    Nuria Higuero Flores, Psychologist
  • How to Find Client Strengths In Therapy (with Examples)?

    Do you ever feel stuck in a pattern with your clients, constantly feeling like you are concentrating on what's wrong instead of right? This is a common challenge in therapy, but there's a powerful alternative! Transform your therapeutic approach and outcomes by shifting your focus to client strengths. This article will discuss effectively identifying and […]
    Courtney Gardner, MSW Avatar
    Courtney Gardner, MSW
  • Sessions Health vs Simplepractice

    Sessions Health and SimplePractice are popular EHRs and practice management softwares. They are specifically designed to improve work processes for healthcare professionals. With these EHRs, mental health therapists can connect better with their clients. Although some therapists find it difficult to choose the right EHR for the easy management of their practices. Therapist concerns can […]
    Adesuwa Olajire, LCP Avatar
    Adesuwa Olajire, LCP
  • SimplePractice Vs Theranest

    Starting a private practice requires careful planning and several important considerations. One crucial decision you’ll need to make is choosing the right practice management software (PMS). This choice affects your daily efficiency and your ability to provide exceptional care to your clients. With so many PMS options available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. You want […]
    Adesuwa Olajire, LCP Avatar
    Adesuwa Olajire, LCP
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy vs. Dialectical Behavior Therapy

    Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) are two popular types of psychotherapy. They help individuals going through mental health challenges live healthier and more balanced lives. However, they have different treatment approaches. CBT works by helping people deal with unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors. DBT, on the other hand, focuses on managing […]
    Adesuwa Olajire, LCP Avatar
    Adesuwa Olajire, LCP
  • DSM-5 Criteria for Substance Use Disorders

    The term ‘Substance Use Disorder’ has become a buzzword on social media. From influencers to laymen, people attribute Substance Use disorder to mean different things. However, The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), categorically highlights that a substance use disorder is a combination of several symptoms which affect thinking or reasoning, behavior and […]
    Adesuwa Olajire, LCP Avatar
    Adesuwa Olajire, LCP
  • DSM 5 Diagnostic Criteria for Eating Disorders

    Eating disorder is much more than a loss of appetite or an unwillingness to eat. It is an abnormal eating behavior that affects an individual’s physical and mental health. Eating disorders often involve extreme behaviors related to food, such as severe restriction, binge eating, or purging. They can affect individuals across all cultural backgrounds, genders, […]
    Adesuwa Olajire, LCP Avatar
    Adesuwa Olajire, LCP
  • How to Write a Family Therapy Treatment Plan (With Examples)

    As a therapist wishing to write an effective family therapy treatment plan, you must first understand the family dynamics, identifying relevant issues while developing structured, collaborative goals to address the problems initially identified by the family members. Follow these steps to create a tailored, clear, and comprehensive family therapy treatment plan: Elements of a family […]
    Angela M. Doel, Psychotherapist Avatar
    Angela M. Doel, Psychotherapist
  • How to Become a Private Practice Therapist?

    Though it may seem like an overwhelming goal, becoming a private practice therapist is more than realistic with proper planning, taking appropriate action, and cultivating an entrepreneur’s mindset. This article was written for you if you want to transition from an agency or clinic or if you’ve recently completed a degree or certification program and […]
    Angela M. Doel, Psychotherapist Avatar
    Angela M. Doel, Psychotherapist
  • Best Laptop for Therapists in 2025

    Are you a therapist on the hunt for the perfect laptop to help with your therapy practice? Whether you're jotting down therapy progress notes, scheduling appointments, or conducting theletherapy sessions, the right laptop can make all the difference. Now a days, having a reliable, efficient, and secure device isn't just a convenience—it’s a necessity. In […]
    Ehab Youssef, Psychologist Avatar
    Ehab Youssef, Psychologist
  • How to Use Behavioral Activation for Depression Treatment?

    Depression is a pervasive mental health condition that affects millions of individuals worldwide, leading to significant distress and impairing the ability to live a fulfilling life. As the incidence of depression continues to rise, the need for effective, evidence-based treatments has never been more critical. Among these treatments, Behavioral Activation Therapy (BAT) has emerged as […]
    Nuria Higuero Flores, Psychologist Avatar
    Nuria Higuero Flores, Psychologist
  • How To Use Exercise Therapy for Mental Health Treatment?

    Are you looking for an effective mental wellness strategy for your clients? Then, this guide on how to use exercise therapy for mental health treatment is for you. Research shows a strong link between exercise and mental health. People with sedentary or inactive lifestyles have higher risks of mental illnesses. As a mental health therapist,  […]
    Adesuwa Olajire, LCP Avatar
    Adesuwa Olajire, LCP