Understanding signs of depression in your teen might be a little challenging sometimes. After all, being in a bad mood or acting a bit surly is pretty typical behavior for a teen, even on a relatively “normal” day. But sometimes, you have an idea that maybe things are a little...
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can really disrupt your life. You may not sleep as well because the memories of your traumatic experience keep you awake and prevent you from truly relaxing. Nightmares and insomnia are common among people with PTSD. But medication doesn’t seem to help relieve the problem as...
Therapy is always beneficial to you and your relationships. When you’re strong in your faith, having a faith-based clinical expert likely means quite a bit. Life as a Christian doesn’t exempt you from dealing with the problems of this world, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you want secular solutions. Dr....
Living with bipolar disorder can sometimes feel challenging. The disorder is marked by both highs and lows, both of which can be difficult. There are a couple of different types of bipolar disorder, but all can be hard to handle. However, there are many reasons you can feel hopeful, even despite your...
Marijuana is legal in many states, including New York. But just because it’s legal doesn’t mean that it’s completely harmless. In the same way that there’s a difference between occasional alcohol use and alcoholism, there’s also a difference between occasional use of marijuana and a marijuana use disorder. Substance abuse happens...
If you’ve never sought out wellness coaching before, you may have some questions about it. What is it, exactly? And how can it help you? Wellness coaching is different from therapy for mental health concerns, although many people find it a helpful adjunct to therapy. Many people, including teens and...
You’ve worked hard to get into college, and now you’re beginning a totally new phase of your life. Going to college is exciting, whether you’ve moved thousands of miles away or attending in your own town. However, going to college is also a time of your life when you may...
There are several myths surrounding psychotic disorders, however, the majority of these stigmas are inaccurate and potentially harmful to those experiencing them. Such as someone with a psychotic disorder is crazy or dangerous. Simply put, a psychotic disorder means you’ve lost touch with reality, but it doesn’t mean you’re unreachable....
Telemental health is a technology-driven and relatively recent method of delivering mental health services. The medical industry has discovered that a lot of services can be delivered by telehealth, and the COVID-19 pandemic has heightened the need for a remote form of care. If you haven’t tried telehealth for mental health...
The teenage years are no walk in the park, even for the best kids. Hormones are going crazy, and social relationships shift and change. When you have a teen, you may wonder what’s normal and when you need to seek the help of a professional counselor. Certain behaviors and signs...
Disabilities and substance abuse unfortunately often seem to go hand in hand. To an outside observer, it can often be difficult to determine which came first. While it may seem sadly understandable why someone dealing with a disability may become inadvertently addicted to substances, it’s also sometimes difficult to diagnose....
You’re no good to anyone else if you’re not good to yourself. But that means more than just seeking help when issues develop. You have to build strong self-care routines to protect your mental health and to help you get through life’s challenges. If you’re not familiar with self-care, think...
Many people have experienced trauma. Whether it was recent or in your childhood, the effects of trauma can last for a long time and have a major impact on your functioning. You may have developed some mechanisms to cope, but they may be less than healthy. Rather than struggle along...
Having a healthy family can be one of your biggest support systems throughout your life. When your family system is functioning correctly, you offer each other support in the hard times and celebrate the good times together. However, when your family system isn’t functioning well, it may mean that you’re...
If you’re a Christian, you may have unique concerns about finding a therapist whose values line up with your own. But even more than having shared values, Christian therapy focuses on a different source of your power: your faith in Christ. Secular counseling ignores the power of Christ and turns...
As a mental health practice of the Christian faith, I want to remind you that Christmas is about exemplifying Christlike behaviors of kindness, honesty, trustworthiness, having good values and ethics, love for your fellow men, respect, generosity, compassion, forgiveness, not being hypocritical, and being humble. Yes, forgiveness is crucial, but...
Sharing a message for today that life is surely not an easy journey. Take the time to love and appreciate your family and friends. Reach out to others and show that you care but also don't force yourself on anyone that can't value your genuine worth. Avoid taking people for...
Dealing with grief after the death of a loved one is a painful and difficult experience and Dr. Vansiea can attest to this since she lost both of her grandparents this year in January and August. Most of us — especially in America — have a very unhealthy way of...
Making the decision to seek therapy is one of the most important things you can do for yourself. But it’s crucial to find a therapist who really understands all aspects of your life. That’s where culturally appropriate therapy comes in. Culturally appropriate therapy takes into account all aspects of your...
A lot of people have the idea that psychotherapy is always about recognizing what’s wrong in your life so you can change it. While this is indeed one effect of therapy, it’s not always the approach we use. Sometimes, the most effective form of therapy helps you to recognize the...
As you probably know, medication plays a big role in treating mental health conditions. More than 19% of American adults received treatment for mental health in 2019, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; at the same time, almost 16% of American adults had taken prescription medication for...
The number of people seeking assistance with their mental health is on the rise. In 2019, about 40 million adults in the United States reported that they received mental health treatment or counseling at some time in the previous year. That’s up from 27 million in 2002. Psychotherapy is one...
When you have a mental health disorder, a variety of treatments can help improve your condition. When you have a close connection to your Christian faith and spirituality, none may be as effective as faith-based counseling. With faith-based counseling, familiar Christian concepts, beliefs, and principles are incorporated into your treatment...
Therapy is a vital tool in recovery from substance abuse, but sometimes it’s not enough to help you end certain addictions. In some cases, you may also benefit from medication along with counseling to help keep you sober for the long-term. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) combines psychotherapy with medications to provide...
Watching your loved one struggle with an opioid addiction is never easy. It can even feel hopeless at times. But with the right treatments, your loved one can make a complete recovery. At Coping Nurse Practitioner in Psychiatry Services in Uniondale, New York, Judy E. Vansiea, DNP, MA, MS, APRN,...
More than half of adults in America say the COVID-19 pandemic has proved detrimental to their mental health. Whether it’s worry and stress over the virus itself or leads to increases in substance use and worsening chronic conditions, many people are finding it difficult to cope with the ongoing pandemic...
The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered dramatic changes throughout everyday life — and in the medical community as well. Not only are providers across the country postponing elective procedures, but many are also encouraging people to avoid in-office appointments to reduce their risk of exposure to this highly contagious coronavirus.But what...
From increased rates of certain mental health disorders to lower rates of getting needed treatment, social inequality significantly impacts mental health. Nearly 9% of people with incomes below the poverty level experience severe psychological distress. Many either refuse care or are unable to access treatment that can help, leading to...
Veterans are five times more likely to have depression and 15 times more likely to have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than the civilian population. Yet many veterans don’t get the mental health care services they need. Veterans who fail to get needed treatment for their mental health issues often struggle...
Do you struggle with anxiety? If so, you aren’t alone. Studies show that anxiety disorders affect about 264 million people globally. Judy E. Vansiea, DNP, MA, MS, APRN, NPP, leads our team at Coping Nurse Practitioner in Psychiatry Services in Uniondale, New York, with a strong background in treating mental...
Many studies have confirmed that people who are strongly connected to their religious faith can reap significant emotional and psychological benefits. The gift of community, the comfort that prayer provides, and the structure of ritual are very grounding and can help you get through challenging times or provide strength if...
Finding the right provider is a daunting task, especially if you’re suffering from anxiety, depression, or addiction. Seeking the right treatment can feel like finding a needle in a haystack, except you just can’t find the energy to dig through all that hay. Dr. Judy Vansiea is here to help...
Addiction always has an underlying cause. That’s why it’s so important to uncover the origin of your pain. With trauma and distress sweeping the nation, your mental health is a crucial part of your general wellbeing during these challenging times. Providing permanent telehealth services in New York, New Jersey, and...
The term “gender gap” is often used to describe the grave differences in opportunities, status, and income between men and women. But the gender gap isn’t limited to a woman’s socioeconomic status, there are also major differences in mental health status between men and women. Despite the fact that depression...
Post-traumatic stress disorder PTSD is a serious mental illness that can develop after a person experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. Although it is relatively common, many misunderstandings surround the sickness, including its causes and treatments. If you think you or someone you love might have PTSD, or are unsure...
Sharing a message for today that life is surely not an easy journey. Take the time to love and appreciate your family and friends. Reach out to others and show that you care but also don't force yourself on anyone that can't value your genuine worth. Avoid taking people for...
It’s never easy to write about challenging topics, such as suicide and depression. We live our lives every day with multiple life challenges, such as relationships, financial, emotional, physical, spiritual, social and mental health to name a few. How do you keep hope alive in the middle of the storms...
It may seem like the novel coronavirus has robbed you of your sense of security, your connectedness, even your joy. And it’s perfectly normal to feel anxious, stressed, or depressed during these uncertain times, especially in New York. But you don’t have to deal with those feelings alone. Dr. Judy...
How do we keep hope alive when all around us is full of chaos? Well, this brings me to this blog as I try my best to write under so much stress as the world, the United States, and my home state of New York are battling the Coronavirus....