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  • Our Treatments
    • Teen Online Therapy
    • Trauma Treatment
      • Treatment for Trauma and Abuse
      • Childhood Trauma
      • Emotional Abuse
      • Domestic Abuse
      • Sexual Abuse
      • Psychological Trauma
      • Physical Abuse
    • Depression Treatment
      • What Is Depression?
        • Depression in Women
        • Depression in Men
        • Depression in Teens
        • Depression in Older Adults
        • Signs and Symptoms of Depression
        • Causes of Depression
        • Types of Depression
        • Major Depressive Disorder
        • Persistent Depressive Disorder
        • Prenatal and Postpartum Depression
        • Treatment-Resistant Depression
      • Depression and Co-Occurring Mental Health Conditions
        • Depression and PTSD
        • Depression vs. Anxiety
        • Trauma and Depression
      • The Best Treatment Options for Depression
        • Therapy for Depression
        • Medication for Depression
        • Online Therapy for Depression
        • Exercise for Depression
        • Holistic Approaches to Treating Depression
        • 10 Self-Care Tips for Managing Depression
      • How to Support Loved Ones With Depression
      • How Does Depression Differ Between Populations?
      • Depression Relapse Prevention
    • Bipolar Treatment
      • Bipolar I Disorder
      • Bipolar II Treatment
      • Cyclothymic Disorder (Cyclothymia)
      • What Is Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder?
    • Anxiety Treatment
      • Panic Disorder & Panic Attacks
      • Social Anxiety Disorder
      • Generalized Anxiety Disorder
    •  ADHD
    • Schizophrenia Treatment
    • Psychosis
    • Self-Harm
      • Suicidal Thoughts
    • Anger Treatment
      • Anger Management Issues
      • Anger Management Issues in Relationships
      • Road Rage in Adults
      • Workplace Anger
      • Chronic Anger Issues
      • Conduct Disorder
      • Rage Disorder
      • Oppositional Defiant Disorder
      • Intermittent Explosive Disorder
      • Displaced Anger
      • Suppressed Anger
      • Passive-Aggressive Behavior
    • Outpatient Mental Health Treatment for Pregnant Women
    • Outpatient Mental Health Treatment for Veterans
  • Mental Health
    • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
      • OCD Symptoms
      • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Risk Factors
      • OCD Exposure Therapy
      • Living With OCD: OCD Coping Strategies and Support
    • Seasonal Affective Disorder
      • Seasonal Depression Relief: SAD Coping Strategies
      • Seasonal Depression Treatment
    • Somatic Symptom Disorder
      • Somatic Symptom Disorder vs Conversion Disorder
      • Somatic Symptom Disorder Symptoms
      • Causes of Somatic Symptom Disorder
      • Treatment Approaches for Somatic Symptom Disorder
      • Coping With Somatic Symptom Disorder
    • Eating Disorders
      • Anorexia Nervosa
      • Bulimia Nervosa
      • Eating Disorder Symptoms
      • Binge Eating Disorder
    • Psychosomatic Disorders
      • Psychotherapy for Psychosomatic Disorders
      • Medication Management in Psychosomatic Disorders
      • Living With Psychosomatic Disorders
      • Psychosomatic Disorder Treatment Programs
      • Mind-Body Therapies in Psychosomatic Disorder Treatment
    • Adjustment Disorders
      • Adjustment Disorder Coping Strategies
      • Adjustment Disorder Treatment
      • Types of Adjustment Disorders and Support Options
    • Dissociative Identity Disorder
      • Symptoms of Dissociative Identity Disorder
      • Treatment Approaches for Dissociative Identity Disorder
      • Causes & Risk Factors of Dissociative Identity Disorder
      • DID Co-Occurring Disorders
    • Narcissistic Personality Disorder
      • Causes of Narcissistic Personality Disorder
      • Narcissistic Personality Disorder Symptoms
      • Narcissistic Personality Disorder Impact on Relationships
  • Our Approaches
    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
    • Trauma-Focused Therapy
    • Online Talk Therapy
    • Exposure Therapy for Anxiety
    • Mindfulness Therapy
    • Humanistic Therapy
    • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
    • EMDR Therapy
    • Emotion-Focused Therapy
    • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
    • Telehealth for Mental Health
      • How to Prepare for Your First Teletherapy Appointment
      • Technology Barriers in Telehealth Treatment
      • How Effective Is Teletherapy for Severe Mental Illness?
      • How to Get a Psychiatric Evaluation Online
    • Somatic Therapy for PTSD & Anxiety
    • Narrative Therapy for Trauma Recovery
    • Internal Family Systems Therapy
    • Art Therapy for Emotional Expression
    • Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
    • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
    • Psychodynamic Therapy
  • Cost
    • Payment Options
    • Optum
    • Magellan
    • Blue Cross Blue Shield
    • Cigna
    • UMR
  • Our Facilities
    • California
      • San Juan Capistrano – CA
    • Virginia
      • Arlington – VA
    • Washington
      • Green Lake – WA
      • Bellevue – WA
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • Mental Health Assessments
    • Downloadable PDF’s
      • Teen Outpatient Programs
      • Adult Outpatient Programs
    • Your Legal Rights in Mental Health Treatment
      • Virginia: Emergency Custody Orders and Temporary Detention Orders
      • Washington Crisis Intervention, Court-Ordered Treatment, and Patient Rights
      • California: Involuntary Commitment, Psychiatric Holds, and Legal Protections
      • Community Treatment Orders (CTOs)
      • Confidentiality in Telehealth: Is Virtual Therapy Secure?
      • Patient Confidentiality: HIPAA and Mental Health Treatment
      • The Role of Case Managers in Virtual Mental Health Programs
      • Employment Law and Mental Health: Your Rights in the Workplace
      • Your Rights in Psychiatric Hospitalization
      • Can Employers Discriminate Based on Mental Health?
      • Parental Mental Health and Custody Battles
      • Clinical Negligence in Mental Health
    • How to Approach a Loved One About Mental Health Treatment
      • When Someone Refuses Help: Resistance to Treatment
      • Panic Attack Intervention Tips for Adults
      • Helping Adults in Abusive Relationships
      • PTSD Interventions for Adults
      • How to Recognize Psychosis in Adults
      • Helping Adults With Severe Depression
    • Family Guide: Joining the Treatment Process
      • Crisis Situations: How to Support a Loved One
      • Setting Boundaries With Someone Having Treatment
      • Supporting Your Spouse With Severe Mental Illness
      • What to Say to Someone in a Mental Health Crisis
      • Talking to Children About a Parent’s Mental Health Condition
      • Financial Planning for Mental Health Treatment
      • Recognizing Co-Dependency: When Support Becomes Enabling
      • Encouraging a Loved One to Stay in Therapy
      • How to Support a Veteran Struggling With Mental Health
    • Innovative Treatments in Mental Health Care
      • What Is Neurofeedback Therapy?
      • What Is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation? And Does It Work?
    • Resources for Professionals
      • Building a Mental Health Action Plan for Your Workplace
      • Human Resource’s Role in Workplace Mental Health
      • Supporting Employees After Mental Health Leave: Creating a Reentry Plan
      • How Leaders Can Promote Mental Well-Being in the Workplace
      • Supporting Mental Health in High-Stress Professions
      • Mental Health Breakdown at Work
    • Referrals: Confidentiality and Mental Health Referrals
      • Case Workers: Referring Clients for Residential or Outpatient Care
      • How to Refer a Client for Psychiatric Evaluation
      • Coordinating Care in Mental Health Treatment
      • How to Talk to Your Employer About Extended Leave for Mental Health
      • Court-Appointed Mental Health Treatment Referrals
      • Mental Health Referrals From Crisis Hotlines
      • Mental Health Referrals From First Responders
      • Mental Health Referrals From Social Workers
      • Mental Health Referrals From Lawyers
      • Mental Health Referrals From Insurance Case Managers
      • Hospital Mental Health Referrals
      • Mental Health Referrals From Therapists
      • Mental Health Referrals From Probation Officers
      • Mental Health Referrals From Universities
      • Mental Health Referrals From Urgent Psychiatric Care
      • Mental Health Referrals From Interventionists
      • Mental Health Referrals From Pastoral Care
      • Mental Health Referral From Life Coaches
      • Mental Health Referrals From Disability Services
      • Mental Health Referrals From Domestic Violence Centers
      • Employee Assistance Program Mental Health Referrals
      • Mental Health Referrals From Urgent Care Clinics
      • VA Mental Health Referrals: Veteran Affairs Therapy Programs
      • Mental Health Referrals From MAT Physicians
      • Mental Health Referrals From Primary Care Doctors
      • Mental Health Referrals From Child Protective Services
      • Community Mental Health Referrals: From Referral to Recovery
    • Self-Help: How to Build a Self-Care Routine for Mental Wellness
      • Exercise and Mental Health
      • Journaling for Mental Health
      • Grounding Techniques for Anxiety and Panic Attacks
      • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Techniques You Can Try at Home
      • Mindfulness and Meditation for Stress Reduction
    • Preparing for Mental Health Treatment: Types of Treatment Plans
      • Graduating from an Outpatient Program: Creating a Long-Term Mental Health Plan
      • When to Step Down From PHP to IOP
      • Partial Hospitalization Programs vs. Intensive Outpatient Programs
      • Benefits of Combining Telehealth with In-Person Outpatient Treatment
      • Signs You May Need a Higher Level of Care
      • How to Transition from Inpatient to Outpatient Care: A Step-By-Step Guide
      • How to Set Mental Health Goals During Treatment
    • Mental Health Assessment and Diagnosis for Adults
      • Psychological Testing
      • Personality Assessments
      • Intellectual Assessments
    • Antidepressants: What They Are and How They Work
      • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
      • Fluoxetine: How Prozac Works and What It Treats
      • Sertraline (Zoloft): What Is Sertraline Used For and How Does It Work?
      • Citalopram: How Celexa Works
      • What Is Escitalopram?
      • What Is Paroxetine?
      • Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)
      • Effexor XR in Mental Health Treatment
      • Cymbalta: What Is Duloxetine?
      • Desvenlafaxine for Mental Health Treatment
      • Tricyclic Antidepressants for Adult Mental Health
      • Wellbutrin in Mental health
      • Mirtazapine (Remeron) in Mental Health Treatment
      • Trazodone for Mental Health Treatment
    • Antipsychotic Medications for Adults
      • What Are Second-Generation Antipsychotics?
      • Risperidone (Risperdal) for Mental Health
      • What Is Quetiapine (Seroquel) Used For?
      • What Is Zyprexa? Olanzapine’s Uses, Benefits, and Side Effects
      • What Is Aripiprazole (Abilify) Used for in Mental Health?
      • Lurasidone and Mental Health
      • What Is Clozapine and What Does It Treat?
      • Typical Antipsychotics for Mental Health
    • Mood Stabilizers For Adults
      • Lithium for Adult Mental Health: What Is Lithium Used For?
      • Depakote for Mental Health
      • Treating Mental Health Issues With Lamotrigine (Lamictal)
      • Carbamazepine for Mental Health
    • Anti-Anxiety Medications for Adults
      • What Are Benzodiazepines and How Do They Work?
      • Lorazepam for Mental Health
      • Clonazepam (Klonopin): What Is Klonopin?
      • Valium for Mental Health
      • What Is Xanax?
    • Stimulants for Mental Health
      • Adderall for Mental Health
      • The Complete Guide to Vyvanse
      • Ritalin for ADHD
      • Concerta for Adults
    • Sleep Aids for Adults
      • Trazodone for Sleep
      • Benefits and Side Effects of Temazepam (Restoril)
      • Zolpidem (Ambien) for Adults
      • Eszopiclone (Lunesta) for Insomnia
    • Mental Health Conditions in Veterans
      • How to File a VA Claim for Mental Health Conditions
      • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Veterans
      • Traumatic Brain Injury and Mental Health in Veterans
      • Military Sexual Trauma (MST) in Veterans
      • Veterans with Co-Occurring Disorders
      • Veterans and Anxiety Disorders
      • Veterans and Depression
      • Veteran Suicide Prevention
      • Transitioning to Civilian Life
      • The Role of Peer Support Groups for Veteran Mental Health
      • Top Evidence-Based Therapies for Veterans
        • CBT for PTSD in Veterans
        • EMDR Therapy for Trauma and PTSD in Veterans
        • Group Therapy for Veterans
      • Telehealth Therapy for Veterans
      • Holistic Mental Health Treatments for Veterans
      • Anger and Irritability in Veterans
    • Guide to Perinatal Mental Health
      • Are Antidepressants Safe During Pregnancy?
      • Baby Blues vs Postpartum Depression
      • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Postpartum Depression and Anxiety
      • Holistic Approaches to Mental Health During Pregnancy
      • Dealing With Isolation and Loneliness in Pregnancy
      • OB-GYN Referrals for Perinatal Mental Health Care
      • How Partners Can Support Perinatal Mental Health
      • Early Warning Signs of Perinatal Anxiety in Expecting Mothers
      • How to Recognize Perinatal Bipolar Disorder During Pregnancy
      • What Is Perinatal Depression? Causes, Signs, and Treatment
      • Perinatal OCD: When Intrusive Thoughts Become Distressing
      • What Is Perinatal Anxiety?
      • Postpartum Psychosis: Symptoms and Emergency Support
      • Anger and Irritability During Pregnancy
      • Pre-Existing Mental Health Disorders and Pregnancy
      • Can You Have PTSD After Childbirth?
      • Risk Factors for Mental Illness During Pregnancy
      • Screening Tools for Perinatal Mental Health
      • Self-Care Tips for Managing Perinatal Depression
      • Finding Support Groups for Pregnant Women With Depression
      • Talking to Your OB-GYN About Mental Health
      • Mental Health in Teen Pregnancy: What to Know
      • Best Therapy Options for Perinatal Mental Health
    • Understanding Anxiety: Triggers, Warning Signs, and Long-Term Effects
      • Top Breathwork and Grounding Techniques for Immediate Anxiety Relief
      • Daily Anxiety Journal Template
      • What Is High Functioning Anxiety?
      • Somatic Experiencing for Anxiety
    • Adult Attachment Disorder
      • Anxious Attachment Style in Adults
      • Avoidant Attachment Style in Adults
      • Codependency: Signs and Causes of Codependent Relationships
      • Complex PTSD with Attachment Dysfunction
      • Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder (DSED)
      • Disorganized Attachment in Adults
      • Secure Attachment Style
      • Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)
      • Adult Attachment Interventions
      • Attachment Styles and Perfectionism
      • Attachment Styles in the Workplace
      • Breaking the Cycle of Insecure Attachment as a Parent
      • Avoidant Attachment and Ghosting
      • Relationship Addiction and Attachment Issues
      • Improving the Parent-Child Attachment Bond
      • C-PTSD and Attachment Trauma
      • Fear of Abandonment
      • Family Enmeshment
      • Healing Your Attachment
      • Institutional Care and Attachment Issues
      • The Attachment Internal Working Model Explained
      • Dating Someone With Avoidant Attachment
      • Dating Someone With Fearful Avoidant Attachment
      • Developmental Disorders and Attachment Trauma
      • Attachment Styles in Adult Relationships
      • Eating Disorders and Attachment Trauma
      • Attachment in Therapy
      • Dismissive Avoidant vs. Fearful Avoidant Attachment
      • Schema Theory and Attachment
      • Insecure Attachment and Anger
    • What Is Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)?
      • Borderline Personality Disorder vs. Bipolar Disorder
      • What Causes BPD?
      • How Borderline Personality Disorder Affects Relationships
      • Best Treatment Options for Borderline Personality Disorder
      • Types of Borderline Personality Disorder
    • What Is Horticultural Therapy?
      • Horticultural Therapy for Depression and Anxiety
      • Designing a Horticultural Therapy Space
      • Therapeutic Gardening Activities for Groups
      • Using Nature-Based Mindfulness for Stress Reduction
      • Horticultural Therapy for Trauma Recovery
    • What Is a Mental Breakdown?
      • Top Causes of Mental Breakdowns
      • Coping With Post-Breakdown Shame and Self-Loss
      • How to Prevent a Nervous Breakdown
      • Physical Signs of a Mental Breakdown
      • Men and Nervous Breakdowns
      • Mental Breakdown Recovery Guide
      • Religious and Existential Mental Breakdowns
      • How Sleep Deprivation Can Trigger a Mental Breakdown
      • When to Seek Professional Help for a Mental Breakdown
      • Mental Breakdown Triggers in Women
  • About
    • Our Clinical Foundation
    • In The Press
    • Meet The Team
    • Client Outcomes 2024
  • Our Treatments
    • Teen Online Therapy
    • Trauma Treatment
      • Treatment for Trauma and Abuse
      • Childhood Trauma
      • Emotional Abuse
      • Domestic Abuse
      • Sexual Abuse
      • Psychological Trauma
      • Physical Abuse
    • Depression Treatment
      • What Is Depression?
        • Depression in Women
        • Depression in Men
        • Depression in Teens
        • Depression in Older Adults
        • Signs and Symptoms of Depression
        • Causes of Depression
        • Types of Depression
        • Major Depressive Disorder
        • Persistent Depressive Disorder
        • Prenatal and Postpartum Depression
        • Treatment-Resistant Depression
      • Depression and Co-Occurring Mental Health Conditions
        • Depression and PTSD
        • Depression vs. Anxiety
        • Trauma and Depression
      • The Best Treatment Options for Depression
        • Therapy for Depression
        • Medication for Depression
        • Online Therapy for Depression
        • Exercise for Depression
        • Holistic Approaches to Treating Depression
        • 10 Self-Care Tips for Managing Depression
      • How to Support Loved Ones With Depression
      • How Does Depression Differ Between Populations?
      • Depression Relapse Prevention
    • Bipolar Treatment
      • Bipolar I Disorder
      • Bipolar II Treatment
      • Cyclothymic Disorder (Cyclothymia)
      • What Is Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder?
    • Anxiety Treatment
      • Panic Disorder & Panic Attacks
      • Social Anxiety Disorder
      • Generalized Anxiety Disorder
    •  ADHD
    • Schizophrenia Treatment
    • Psychosis
    • Self-Harm
      • Suicidal Thoughts
    • Anger Treatment
      • Anger Management Issues
      • Anger Management Issues in Relationships
      • Road Rage in Adults
      • Workplace Anger
      • Chronic Anger Issues
      • Conduct Disorder
      • Rage Disorder
      • Oppositional Defiant Disorder
      • Intermittent Explosive Disorder
      • Displaced Anger
      • Suppressed Anger
      • Passive-Aggressive Behavior
    • Outpatient Mental Health Treatment for Pregnant Women
    • Outpatient Mental Health Treatment for Veterans
  • Mental Health
    • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
      • OCD Symptoms
      • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Risk Factors
      • OCD Exposure Therapy
      • Living With OCD: OCD Coping Strategies and Support
    • Seasonal Affective Disorder
      • Seasonal Depression Relief: SAD Coping Strategies
      • Seasonal Depression Treatment
    • Somatic Symptom Disorder
      • Somatic Symptom Disorder vs Conversion Disorder
      • Somatic Symptom Disorder Symptoms
      • Causes of Somatic Symptom Disorder
      • Treatment Approaches for Somatic Symptom Disorder
      • Coping With Somatic Symptom Disorder
    • Eating Disorders
      • Anorexia Nervosa
      • Bulimia Nervosa
      • Eating Disorder Symptoms
      • Binge Eating Disorder
    • Psychosomatic Disorders
      • Psychotherapy for Psychosomatic Disorders
      • Medication Management in Psychosomatic Disorders
      • Living With Psychosomatic Disorders
      • Psychosomatic Disorder Treatment Programs
      • Mind-Body Therapies in Psychosomatic Disorder Treatment
    • Adjustment Disorders
      • Adjustment Disorder Coping Strategies
      • Adjustment Disorder Treatment
      • Types of Adjustment Disorders and Support Options
    • Dissociative Identity Disorder
      • Symptoms of Dissociative Identity Disorder
      • Treatment Approaches for Dissociative Identity Disorder
      • Causes & Risk Factors of Dissociative Identity Disorder
      • DID Co-Occurring Disorders
    • Narcissistic Personality Disorder
      • Causes of Narcissistic Personality Disorder
      • Narcissistic Personality Disorder Symptoms
      • Narcissistic Personality Disorder Impact on Relationships
  • Our Approaches
    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
    • Trauma-Focused Therapy
    • Online Talk Therapy
    • Exposure Therapy for Anxiety
    • Mindfulness Therapy
    • Humanistic Therapy
    • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
    • EMDR Therapy
    • Emotion-Focused Therapy
    • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
    • Telehealth for Mental Health
      • How to Prepare for Your First Teletherapy Appointment
      • Technology Barriers in Telehealth Treatment
      • How Effective Is Teletherapy for Severe Mental Illness?
      • How to Get a Psychiatric Evaluation Online
    • Somatic Therapy for PTSD & Anxiety
    • Narrative Therapy for Trauma Recovery
    • Internal Family Systems Therapy
    • Art Therapy for Emotional Expression
    • Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
    • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
    • Psychodynamic Therapy
  • Cost
    • Payment Options
    • Optum
    • Magellan
    • Blue Cross Blue Shield
    • Cigna
    • UMR
  • Our Facilities
    • California
      • San Juan Capistrano – CA
    • Virginia
      • Arlington – VA
    • Washington
      • Green Lake – WA
      • Bellevue – WA
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • Mental Health Assessments
    • Downloadable PDF’s
      • Teen Outpatient Programs
      • Adult Outpatient Programs
    • Your Legal Rights in Mental Health Treatment
      • Virginia: Emergency Custody Orders and Temporary Detention Orders
      • Washington Crisis Intervention, Court-Ordered Treatment, and Patient Rights
      • California: Involuntary Commitment, Psychiatric Holds, and Legal Protections
      • Community Treatment Orders (CTOs)
      • Confidentiality in Telehealth: Is Virtual Therapy Secure?
      • Patient Confidentiality: HIPAA and Mental Health Treatment
      • The Role of Case Managers in Virtual Mental Health Programs
      • Employment Law and Mental Health: Your Rights in the Workplace
      • Your Rights in Psychiatric Hospitalization
      • Can Employers Discriminate Based on Mental Health?
      • Parental Mental Health and Custody Battles
      • Clinical Negligence in Mental Health
    • How to Approach a Loved One About Mental Health Treatment
      • When Someone Refuses Help: Resistance to Treatment
      • Panic Attack Intervention Tips for Adults
      • Helping Adults in Abusive Relationships
      • PTSD Interventions for Adults
      • How to Recognize Psychosis in Adults
      • Helping Adults With Severe Depression
    • Family Guide: Joining the Treatment Process
      • Crisis Situations: How to Support a Loved One
      • Setting Boundaries With Someone Having Treatment
      • Supporting Your Spouse With Severe Mental Illness
      • What to Say to Someone in a Mental Health Crisis
      • Talking to Children About a Parent’s Mental Health Condition
      • Financial Planning for Mental Health Treatment
      • Recognizing Co-Dependency: When Support Becomes Enabling
      • Encouraging a Loved One to Stay in Therapy
      • How to Support a Veteran Struggling With Mental Health
    • Innovative Treatments in Mental Health Care
      • What Is Neurofeedback Therapy?
      • What Is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation? And Does It Work?
    • Resources for Professionals
      • Building a Mental Health Action Plan for Your Workplace
      • Human Resource’s Role in Workplace Mental Health
      • Supporting Employees After Mental Health Leave: Creating a Reentry Plan
      • How Leaders Can Promote Mental Well-Being in the Workplace
      • Supporting Mental Health in High-Stress Professions
      • Mental Health Breakdown at Work
    • Referrals: Confidentiality and Mental Health Referrals
      • Case Workers: Referring Clients for Residential or Outpatient Care
      • How to Refer a Client for Psychiatric Evaluation
      • Coordinating Care in Mental Health Treatment
      • How to Talk to Your Employer About Extended Leave for Mental Health
      • Court-Appointed Mental Health Treatment Referrals
      • Mental Health Referrals From Crisis Hotlines
      • Mental Health Referrals From First Responders
      • Mental Health Referrals From Social Workers
      • Mental Health Referrals From Lawyers
      • Mental Health Referrals From Insurance Case Managers
      • Hospital Mental Health Referrals
      • Mental Health Referrals From Therapists
      • Mental Health Referrals From Probation Officers
      • Mental Health Referrals From Universities
      • Mental Health Referrals From Urgent Psychiatric Care
      • Mental Health Referrals From Interventionists
      • Mental Health Referrals From Pastoral Care
      • Mental Health Referral From Life Coaches
      • Mental Health Referrals From Disability Services
      • Mental Health Referrals From Domestic Violence Centers
      • Employee Assistance Program Mental Health Referrals
      • Mental Health Referrals From Urgent Care Clinics
      • VA Mental Health Referrals: Veteran Affairs Therapy Programs
      • Mental Health Referrals From MAT Physicians
      • Mental Health Referrals From Primary Care Doctors
      • Mental Health Referrals From Child Protective Services
      • Community Mental Health Referrals: From Referral to Recovery
    • Self-Help: How to Build a Self-Care Routine for Mental Wellness
      • Exercise and Mental Health
      • Journaling for Mental Health
      • Grounding Techniques for Anxiety and Panic Attacks
      • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Techniques You Can Try at Home
      • Mindfulness and Meditation for Stress Reduction
    • Preparing for Mental Health Treatment: Types of Treatment Plans
      • Graduating from an Outpatient Program: Creating a Long-Term Mental Health Plan
      • When to Step Down From PHP to IOP
      • Partial Hospitalization Programs vs. Intensive Outpatient Programs
      • Benefits of Combining Telehealth with In-Person Outpatient Treatment
      • Signs You May Need a Higher Level of Care
      • How to Transition from Inpatient to Outpatient Care: A Step-By-Step Guide
      • How to Set Mental Health Goals During Treatment
    • Mental Health Assessment and Diagnosis for Adults
      • Psychological Testing
      • Personality Assessments
      • Intellectual Assessments
    • Antidepressants: What They Are and How They Work
      • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
      • Fluoxetine: How Prozac Works and What It Treats
      • Sertraline (Zoloft): What Is Sertraline Used For and How Does It Work?
      • Citalopram: How Celexa Works
      • What Is Escitalopram?
      • What Is Paroxetine?
      • Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)
      • Effexor XR in Mental Health Treatment
      • Cymbalta: What Is Duloxetine?
      • Desvenlafaxine for Mental Health Treatment
      • Tricyclic Antidepressants for Adult Mental Health
      • Wellbutrin in Mental health
      • Mirtazapine (Remeron) in Mental Health Treatment
      • Trazodone for Mental Health Treatment
    • Antipsychotic Medications for Adults
      • What Are Second-Generation Antipsychotics?
      • Risperidone (Risperdal) for Mental Health
      • What Is Quetiapine (Seroquel) Used For?
      • What Is Zyprexa? Olanzapine’s Uses, Benefits, and Side Effects
      • What Is Aripiprazole (Abilify) Used for in Mental Health?
      • Lurasidone and Mental Health
      • What Is Clozapine and What Does It Treat?
      • Typical Antipsychotics for Mental Health
    • Mood Stabilizers For Adults
      • Lithium for Adult Mental Health: What Is Lithium Used For?
      • Depakote for Mental Health
      • Treating Mental Health Issues With Lamotrigine (Lamictal)
      • Carbamazepine for Mental Health
    • Anti-Anxiety Medications for Adults
      • What Are Benzodiazepines and How Do They Work?
      • Lorazepam for Mental Health
      • Clonazepam (Klonopin): What Is Klonopin?
      • Valium for Mental Health
      • What Is Xanax?
    • Stimulants for Mental Health
      • Adderall for Mental Health
      • The Complete Guide to Vyvanse
      • Ritalin for ADHD
      • Concerta for Adults
    • Sleep Aids for Adults
      • Trazodone for Sleep
      • Benefits and Side Effects of Temazepam (Restoril)
      • Zolpidem (Ambien) for Adults
      • Eszopiclone (Lunesta) for Insomnia
    • Mental Health Conditions in Veterans
      • How to File a VA Claim for Mental Health Conditions
      • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Veterans
      • Traumatic Brain Injury and Mental Health in Veterans
      • Military Sexual Trauma (MST) in Veterans
      • Veterans with Co-Occurring Disorders
      • Veterans and Anxiety Disorders
      • Veterans and Depression
      • Veteran Suicide Prevention
      • Transitioning to Civilian Life
      • The Role of Peer Support Groups for Veteran Mental Health
      • Top Evidence-Based Therapies for Veterans
        • CBT for PTSD in Veterans
        • EMDR Therapy for Trauma and PTSD in Veterans
        • Group Therapy for Veterans
      • Telehealth Therapy for Veterans
      • Holistic Mental Health Treatments for Veterans
      • Anger and Irritability in Veterans
    • Guide to Perinatal Mental Health
      • Are Antidepressants Safe During Pregnancy?
      • Baby Blues vs Postpartum Depression
      • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Postpartum Depression and Anxiety
      • Holistic Approaches to Mental Health During Pregnancy
      • Dealing With Isolation and Loneliness in Pregnancy
      • OB-GYN Referrals for Perinatal Mental Health Care
      • How Partners Can Support Perinatal Mental Health
      • Early Warning Signs of Perinatal Anxiety in Expecting Mothers
      • How to Recognize Perinatal Bipolar Disorder During Pregnancy
      • What Is Perinatal Depression? Causes, Signs, and Treatment
      • Perinatal OCD: When Intrusive Thoughts Become Distressing
      • What Is Perinatal Anxiety?
      • Postpartum Psychosis: Symptoms and Emergency Support
      • Anger and Irritability During Pregnancy
      • Pre-Existing Mental Health Disorders and Pregnancy
      • Can You Have PTSD After Childbirth?
      • Risk Factors for Mental Illness During Pregnancy
      • Screening Tools for Perinatal Mental Health
      • Self-Care Tips for Managing Perinatal Depression
      • Finding Support Groups for Pregnant Women With Depression
      • Talking to Your OB-GYN About Mental Health
      • Mental Health in Teen Pregnancy: What to Know
      • Best Therapy Options for Perinatal Mental Health
    • Understanding Anxiety: Triggers, Warning Signs, and Long-Term Effects
      • Top Breathwork and Grounding Techniques for Immediate Anxiety Relief
      • Daily Anxiety Journal Template
      • What Is High Functioning Anxiety?
      • Somatic Experiencing for Anxiety
    • Adult Attachment Disorder
      • Anxious Attachment Style in Adults
      • Avoidant Attachment Style in Adults
      • Codependency: Signs and Causes of Codependent Relationships
      • Complex PTSD with Attachment Dysfunction
      • Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder (DSED)
      • Disorganized Attachment in Adults
      • Secure Attachment Style
      • Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)
      • Adult Attachment Interventions
      • Attachment Styles and Perfectionism
      • Attachment Styles in the Workplace
      • Breaking the Cycle of Insecure Attachment as a Parent
      • Avoidant Attachment and Ghosting
      • Relationship Addiction and Attachment Issues
      • Improving the Parent-Child Attachment Bond
      • C-PTSD and Attachment Trauma
      • Fear of Abandonment
      • Family Enmeshment
      • Healing Your Attachment
      • Institutional Care and Attachment Issues
      • The Attachment Internal Working Model Explained
      • Dating Someone With Avoidant Attachment
      • Dating Someone With Fearful Avoidant Attachment
      • Developmental Disorders and Attachment Trauma
      • Attachment Styles in Adult Relationships
      • Eating Disorders and Attachment Trauma
      • Attachment in Therapy
      • Dismissive Avoidant vs. Fearful Avoidant Attachment
      • Schema Theory and Attachment
      • Insecure Attachment and Anger
    • What Is Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)?
      • Borderline Personality Disorder vs. Bipolar Disorder
      • What Causes BPD?
      • How Borderline Personality Disorder Affects Relationships
      • Best Treatment Options for Borderline Personality Disorder
      • Types of Borderline Personality Disorder
    • What Is Horticultural Therapy?
      • Horticultural Therapy for Depression and Anxiety
      • Designing a Horticultural Therapy Space
      • Therapeutic Gardening Activities for Groups
      • Using Nature-Based Mindfulness for Stress Reduction
      • Horticultural Therapy for Trauma Recovery
    • What Is a Mental Breakdown?
      • Top Causes of Mental Breakdowns
      • Coping With Post-Breakdown Shame and Self-Loss
      • How to Prevent a Nervous Breakdown
      • Physical Signs of a Mental Breakdown
      • Men and Nervous Breakdowns
      • Mental Breakdown Recovery Guide
      • Religious and Existential Mental Breakdowns
      • How Sleep Deprivation Can Trigger a Mental Breakdown
      • When to Seek Professional Help for a Mental Breakdown
      • Mental Breakdown Triggers in Women
  • About
    • Our Clinical Foundation
    • In The Press
    • Meet The Team
    • Client Outcomes 2024
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  • Our Treatments
    • Teen Online Therapy
    • Trauma Treatment
      • Treatment for Trauma and Abuse
      • Childhood Trauma
      • Emotional Abuse
      • Domestic Abuse
      • Sexual Abuse
      • Psychological Trauma
      • Physical Abuse
    • Depression Treatment
      • What Is Depression?
        • Depression in Women
        • Depression in Men
        • Depression in Teens
        • Depression in Older Adults
        • Signs and Symptoms of Depression
        • Causes of Depression
        • Types of Depression
        • Major Depressive Disorder
        • Persistent Depressive Disorder
        • Prenatal and Postpartum Depression
        • Treatment-Resistant Depression
      • Depression and Co-Occurring Mental Health Conditions
        • Depression and PTSD
        • Depression vs. Anxiety
        • Trauma and Depression
      • The Best Treatment Options for Depression
        • Therapy for Depression
        • Medication for Depression
        • Online Therapy for Depression
        • Exercise for Depression
        • Holistic Approaches to Treating Depression
        • 10 Self-Care Tips for Managing Depression
      • How to Support Loved Ones With Depression
      • How Does Depression Differ Between Populations?
      • Depression Relapse Prevention
    • Bipolar Treatment
      • Bipolar I Disorder
      • Bipolar II Treatment
      • Cyclothymic Disorder (Cyclothymia)
      • What Is Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder?
    • Anxiety Treatment
      • Panic Disorder & Panic Attacks
      • Social Anxiety Disorder
      • Generalized Anxiety Disorder
    •  ADHD
    • Schizophrenia Treatment
    • Psychosis
    • Self-Harm
      • Suicidal Thoughts
    • Anger Treatment
      • Anger Management Issues
      • Anger Management Issues in Relationships
      • Road Rage in Adults
      • Workplace Anger
      • Chronic Anger Issues
      • Conduct Disorder
      • Rage Disorder
      • Oppositional Defiant Disorder
      • Intermittent Explosive Disorder
      • Displaced Anger
      • Suppressed Anger
      • Passive-Aggressive Behavior
    • Outpatient Mental Health Treatment for Pregnant Women
    • Outpatient Mental Health Treatment for Veterans
  • Mental Health
    • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
      • OCD Symptoms
      • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Risk Factors
      • OCD Exposure Therapy
      • Living With OCD: OCD Coping Strategies and Support
    • Seasonal Affective Disorder
      • Seasonal Depression Relief: SAD Coping Strategies
      • Seasonal Depression Treatment
    • Somatic Symptom Disorder
      • Somatic Symptom Disorder vs Conversion Disorder
      • Somatic Symptom Disorder Symptoms
      • Causes of Somatic Symptom Disorder
      • Treatment Approaches for Somatic Symptom Disorder
      • Coping With Somatic Symptom Disorder
    • Eating Disorders
      • Anorexia Nervosa
      • Bulimia Nervosa
      • Eating Disorder Symptoms
      • Binge Eating Disorder
    • Psychosomatic Disorders
      • Psychotherapy for Psychosomatic Disorders
      • Medication Management in Psychosomatic Disorders
      • Living With Psychosomatic Disorders
      • Psychosomatic Disorder Treatment Programs
      • Mind-Body Therapies in Psychosomatic Disorder Treatment
    • Adjustment Disorders
      • Adjustment Disorder Coping Strategies
      • Adjustment Disorder Treatment
      • Types of Adjustment Disorders and Support Options
    • Dissociative Identity Disorder
      • Symptoms of Dissociative Identity Disorder
      • Treatment Approaches for Dissociative Identity Disorder
      • Causes & Risk Factors of Dissociative Identity Disorder
      • DID Co-Occurring Disorders
    • Narcissistic Personality Disorder
      • Causes of Narcissistic Personality Disorder
      • Narcissistic Personality Disorder Symptoms
      • Narcissistic Personality Disorder Impact on Relationships
  • Our Approaches
    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
    • Trauma-Focused Therapy
    • Online Talk Therapy
    • Exposure Therapy for Anxiety
    • Mindfulness Therapy
    • Humanistic Therapy
    • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
    • EMDR Therapy
    • Emotion-Focused Therapy
    • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
    • Telehealth for Mental Health
      • How to Prepare for Your First Teletherapy Appointment
      • Technology Barriers in Telehealth Treatment
      • How Effective Is Teletherapy for Severe Mental Illness?
      • How to Get a Psychiatric Evaluation Online
    • Somatic Therapy for PTSD & Anxiety
    • Narrative Therapy for Trauma Recovery
    • Internal Family Systems Therapy
    • Art Therapy for Emotional Expression
    • Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
    • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
    • Psychodynamic Therapy
  • Cost
    • Payment Options
    • Optum
    • Magellan
    • Blue Cross Blue Shield
    • Cigna
    • UMR
  • Our Facilities
    • California
      • San Juan Capistrano – CA
    • Virginia
      • Arlington – VA
    • Washington
      • Green Lake – WA
      • Bellevue – WA
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • Mental Health Assessments
    • Downloadable PDF’s
      • Teen Outpatient Programs
      • Adult Outpatient Programs
    • Your Legal Rights in Mental Health Treatment
      • Virginia: Emergency Custody Orders and Temporary Detention Orders
      • Washington Crisis Intervention, Court-Ordered Treatment, and Patient Rights
      • California: Involuntary Commitment, Psychiatric Holds, and Legal Protections
      • Community Treatment Orders (CTOs)
      • Confidentiality in Telehealth: Is Virtual Therapy Secure?
      • Patient Confidentiality: HIPAA and Mental Health Treatment
      • The Role of Case Managers in Virtual Mental Health Programs
      • Employment Law and Mental Health: Your Rights in the Workplace
      • Your Rights in Psychiatric Hospitalization
      • Can Employers Discriminate Based on Mental Health?
      • Parental Mental Health and Custody Battles
      • Clinical Negligence in Mental Health
    • How to Approach a Loved One About Mental Health Treatment
      • When Someone Refuses Help: Resistance to Treatment
      • Panic Attack Intervention Tips for Adults
      • Helping Adults in Abusive Relationships
      • PTSD Interventions for Adults
      • How to Recognize Psychosis in Adults
      • Helping Adults With Severe Depression
    • Family Guide: Joining the Treatment Process
      • Crisis Situations: How to Support a Loved One
      • Setting Boundaries With Someone Having Treatment
      • Supporting Your Spouse With Severe Mental Illness
      • What to Say to Someone in a Mental Health Crisis
      • Talking to Children About a Parent’s Mental Health Condition
      • Financial Planning for Mental Health Treatment
      • Recognizing Co-Dependency: When Support Becomes Enabling
      • Encouraging a Loved One to Stay in Therapy
      • How to Support a Veteran Struggling With Mental Health
    • Innovative Treatments in Mental Health Care
      • What Is Neurofeedback Therapy?
      • What Is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation? And Does It Work?
    • Resources for Professionals
      • Building a Mental Health Action Plan for Your Workplace
      • Human Resource’s Role in Workplace Mental Health
      • Supporting Employees After Mental Health Leave: Creating a Reentry Plan
      • How Leaders Can Promote Mental Well-Being in the Workplace
      • Supporting Mental Health in High-Stress Professions
      • Mental Health Breakdown at Work
    • Referrals: Confidentiality and Mental Health Referrals
      • Case Workers: Referring Clients for Residential or Outpatient Care
      • How to Refer a Client for Psychiatric Evaluation
      • Coordinating Care in Mental Health Treatment
      • How to Talk to Your Employer About Extended Leave for Mental Health
      • Court-Appointed Mental Health Treatment Referrals
      • Mental Health Referrals From Crisis Hotlines
      • Mental Health Referrals From First Responders
      • Mental Health Referrals From Social Workers
      • Mental Health Referrals From Lawyers
      • Mental Health Referrals From Insurance Case Managers
      • Hospital Mental Health Referrals
      • Mental Health Referrals From Therapists
      • Mental Health Referrals From Probation Officers
      • Mental Health Referrals From Universities
      • Mental Health Referrals From Urgent Psychiatric Care
      • Mental Health Referrals From Interventionists
      • Mental Health Referrals From Pastoral Care
      • Mental Health Referral From Life Coaches
      • Mental Health Referrals From Disability Services
      • Mental Health Referrals From Domestic Violence Centers
      • Employee Assistance Program Mental Health Referrals
      • Mental Health Referrals From Urgent Care Clinics
      • VA Mental Health Referrals: Veteran Affairs Therapy Programs
      • Mental Health Referrals From MAT Physicians
      • Mental Health Referrals From Primary Care Doctors
      • Mental Health Referrals From Child Protective Services
      • Community Mental Health Referrals: From Referral to Recovery
    • Self-Help: How to Build a Self-Care Routine for Mental Wellness
      • Exercise and Mental Health
      • Journaling for Mental Health
      • Grounding Techniques for Anxiety and Panic Attacks
      • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Techniques You Can Try at Home
      • Mindfulness and Meditation for Stress Reduction
    • Preparing for Mental Health Treatment: Types of Treatment Plans
      • Graduating from an Outpatient Program: Creating a Long-Term Mental Health Plan
      • When to Step Down From PHP to IOP
      • Partial Hospitalization Programs vs. Intensive Outpatient Programs
      • Benefits of Combining Telehealth with In-Person Outpatient Treatment
      • Signs You May Need a Higher Level of Care
      • How to Transition from Inpatient to Outpatient Care: A Step-By-Step Guide
      • How to Set Mental Health Goals During Treatment
    • Mental Health Assessment and Diagnosis for Adults
      • Psychological Testing
      • Personality Assessments
      • Intellectual Assessments
    • Antidepressants: What They Are and How They Work
      • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
      • Fluoxetine: How Prozac Works and What It Treats
      • Sertraline (Zoloft): What Is Sertraline Used For and How Does It Work?
      • Citalopram: How Celexa Works
      • What Is Escitalopram?
      • What Is Paroxetine?
      • Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)
      • Effexor XR in Mental Health Treatment
      • Cymbalta: What Is Duloxetine?
      • Desvenlafaxine for Mental Health Treatment
      • Tricyclic Antidepressants for Adult Mental Health
      • Wellbutrin in Mental health
      • Mirtazapine (Remeron) in Mental Health Treatment
      • Trazodone for Mental Health Treatment
    • Antipsychotic Medications for Adults
      • What Are Second-Generation Antipsychotics?
      • Risperidone (Risperdal) for Mental Health
      • What Is Quetiapine (Seroquel) Used For?
      • What Is Zyprexa? Olanzapine’s Uses, Benefits, and Side Effects
      • What Is Aripiprazole (Abilify) Used for in Mental Health?
      • Lurasidone and Mental Health
      • What Is Clozapine and What Does It Treat?
      • Typical Antipsychotics for Mental Health
    • Mood Stabilizers For Adults
      • Lithium for Adult Mental Health: What Is Lithium Used For?
      • Depakote for Mental Health
      • Treating Mental Health Issues With Lamotrigine (Lamictal)
      • Carbamazepine for Mental Health
    • Anti-Anxiety Medications for Adults
      • What Are Benzodiazepines and How Do They Work?
      • Lorazepam for Mental Health
      • Clonazepam (Klonopin): What Is Klonopin?
      • Valium for Mental Health
      • What Is Xanax?
    • Stimulants for Mental Health
      • Adderall for Mental Health
      • The Complete Guide to Vyvanse
      • Ritalin for ADHD
      • Concerta for Adults
    • Sleep Aids for Adults
      • Trazodone for Sleep
      • Benefits and Side Effects of Temazepam (Restoril)
      • Zolpidem (Ambien) for Adults
      • Eszopiclone (Lunesta) for Insomnia
    • Mental Health Conditions in Veterans
      • How to File a VA Claim for Mental Health Conditions
      • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Veterans
      • Traumatic Brain Injury and Mental Health in Veterans
      • Military Sexual Trauma (MST) in Veterans
      • Veterans with Co-Occurring Disorders
      • Veterans and Anxiety Disorders
      • Veterans and Depression
      • Veteran Suicide Prevention
      • Transitioning to Civilian Life
      • The Role of Peer Support Groups for Veteran Mental Health
      • Top Evidence-Based Therapies for Veterans
        • CBT for PTSD in Veterans
        • EMDR Therapy for Trauma and PTSD in Veterans
        • Group Therapy for Veterans
      • Telehealth Therapy for Veterans
      • Holistic Mental Health Treatments for Veterans
      • Anger and Irritability in Veterans
    • Guide to Perinatal Mental Health
      • Are Antidepressants Safe During Pregnancy?
      • Baby Blues vs Postpartum Depression
      • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Postpartum Depression and Anxiety
      • Holistic Approaches to Mental Health During Pregnancy
      • Dealing With Isolation and Loneliness in Pregnancy
      • OB-GYN Referrals for Perinatal Mental Health Care
      • How Partners Can Support Perinatal Mental Health
      • Early Warning Signs of Perinatal Anxiety in Expecting Mothers
      • How to Recognize Perinatal Bipolar Disorder During Pregnancy
      • What Is Perinatal Depression? Causes, Signs, and Treatment
      • Perinatal OCD: When Intrusive Thoughts Become Distressing
      • What Is Perinatal Anxiety?
      • Postpartum Psychosis: Symptoms and Emergency Support
      • Anger and Irritability During Pregnancy
      • Pre-Existing Mental Health Disorders and Pregnancy
      • Can You Have PTSD After Childbirth?
      • Risk Factors for Mental Illness During Pregnancy
      • Screening Tools for Perinatal Mental Health
      • Self-Care Tips for Managing Perinatal Depression
      • Finding Support Groups for Pregnant Women With Depression
      • Talking to Your OB-GYN About Mental Health
      • Mental Health in Teen Pregnancy: What to Know
      • Best Therapy Options for Perinatal Mental Health
    • Understanding Anxiety: Triggers, Warning Signs, and Long-Term Effects
      • Top Breathwork and Grounding Techniques for Immediate Anxiety Relief
      • Daily Anxiety Journal Template
      • What Is High Functioning Anxiety?
      • Somatic Experiencing for Anxiety
    • Adult Attachment Disorder
      • Anxious Attachment Style in Adults
      • Avoidant Attachment Style in Adults
      • Codependency: Signs and Causes of Codependent Relationships
      • Complex PTSD with Attachment Dysfunction
      • Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder (DSED)
      • Disorganized Attachment in Adults
      • Secure Attachment Style
      • Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)
      • Adult Attachment Interventions
      • Attachment Styles and Perfectionism
      • Attachment Styles in the Workplace
      • Breaking the Cycle of Insecure Attachment as a Parent
      • Avoidant Attachment and Ghosting
      • Relationship Addiction and Attachment Issues
      • Improving the Parent-Child Attachment Bond
      • C-PTSD and Attachment Trauma
      • Fear of Abandonment
      • Family Enmeshment
      • Healing Your Attachment
      • Institutional Care and Attachment Issues
      • The Attachment Internal Working Model Explained
      • Dating Someone With Avoidant Attachment
      • Dating Someone With Fearful Avoidant Attachment
      • Developmental Disorders and Attachment Trauma
      • Attachment Styles in Adult Relationships
      • Eating Disorders and Attachment Trauma
      • Attachment in Therapy
      • Dismissive Avoidant vs. Fearful Avoidant Attachment
      • Schema Theory and Attachment
      • Insecure Attachment and Anger
    • What Is Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)?
      • Borderline Personality Disorder vs. Bipolar Disorder
      • What Causes BPD?
      • How Borderline Personality Disorder Affects Relationships
      • Best Treatment Options for Borderline Personality Disorder
      • Types of Borderline Personality Disorder
    • What Is Horticultural Therapy?
      • Horticultural Therapy for Depression and Anxiety
      • Designing a Horticultural Therapy Space
      • Therapeutic Gardening Activities for Groups
      • Using Nature-Based Mindfulness for Stress Reduction
      • Horticultural Therapy for Trauma Recovery
    • What Is a Mental Breakdown?
      • Top Causes of Mental Breakdowns
      • Coping With Post-Breakdown Shame and Self-Loss
      • How to Prevent a Nervous Breakdown
      • Physical Signs of a Mental Breakdown
      • Men and Nervous Breakdowns
      • Mental Breakdown Recovery Guide
      • Religious and Existential Mental Breakdowns
      • How Sleep Deprivation Can Trigger a Mental Breakdown
      • When to Seek Professional Help for a Mental Breakdown
      • Mental Breakdown Triggers in Women
  • About
    • Our Clinical Foundation
    • In The Press
    • Meet The Team
    • Client Outcomes 2024
  • Our Treatments
    • Teen Online Therapy
    • Trauma Treatment
      • Treatment for Trauma and Abuse
      • Childhood Trauma
      • Emotional Abuse
      • Domestic Abuse
      • Sexual Abuse
      • Psychological Trauma
      • Physical Abuse
    • Depression Treatment
      • What Is Depression?
        • Depression in Women
        • Depression in Men
        • Depression in Teens
        • Depression in Older Adults
        • Signs and Symptoms of Depression
        • Causes of Depression
        • Types of Depression
        • Major Depressive Disorder
        • Persistent Depressive Disorder
        • Prenatal and Postpartum Depression
        • Treatment-Resistant Depression
      • Depression and Co-Occurring Mental Health Conditions
        • Depression and PTSD
        • Depression vs. Anxiety
        • Trauma and Depression
      • The Best Treatment Options for Depression
        • Therapy for Depression
        • Medication for Depression
        • Online Therapy for Depression
        • Exercise for Depression
        • Holistic Approaches to Treating Depression
        • 10 Self-Care Tips for Managing Depression
      • How to Support Loved Ones With Depression
      • How Does Depression Differ Between Populations?
      • Depression Relapse Prevention
    • Bipolar Treatment
      • Bipolar I Disorder
      • Bipolar II Treatment
      • Cyclothymic Disorder (Cyclothymia)
      • What Is Rapid Cycling Bipolar Disorder?
    • Anxiety Treatment
      • Panic Disorder & Panic Attacks
      • Social Anxiety Disorder
      • Generalized Anxiety Disorder
    •  ADHD
    • Schizophrenia Treatment
    • Psychosis
    • Self-Harm
      • Suicidal Thoughts
    • Anger Treatment
      • Anger Management Issues
      • Anger Management Issues in Relationships
      • Road Rage in Adults
      • Workplace Anger
      • Chronic Anger Issues
      • Conduct Disorder
      • Rage Disorder
      • Oppositional Defiant Disorder
      • Intermittent Explosive Disorder
      • Displaced Anger
      • Suppressed Anger
      • Passive-Aggressive Behavior
    • Outpatient Mental Health Treatment for Pregnant Women
    • Outpatient Mental Health Treatment for Veterans
  • Mental Health
    • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
      • OCD Symptoms
      • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Risk Factors
      • OCD Exposure Therapy
      • Living With OCD: OCD Coping Strategies and Support
    • Seasonal Affective Disorder
      • Seasonal Depression Relief: SAD Coping Strategies
      • Seasonal Depression Treatment
    • Somatic Symptom Disorder
      • Somatic Symptom Disorder vs Conversion Disorder
      • Somatic Symptom Disorder Symptoms
      • Causes of Somatic Symptom Disorder
      • Treatment Approaches for Somatic Symptom Disorder
      • Coping With Somatic Symptom Disorder
    • Eating Disorders
      • Anorexia Nervosa
      • Bulimia Nervosa
      • Eating Disorder Symptoms
      • Binge Eating Disorder
    • Psychosomatic Disorders
      • Psychotherapy for Psychosomatic Disorders
      • Medication Management in Psychosomatic Disorders
      • Living With Psychosomatic Disorders
      • Psychosomatic Disorder Treatment Programs
      • Mind-Body Therapies in Psychosomatic Disorder Treatment
    • Adjustment Disorders
      • Adjustment Disorder Coping Strategies
      • Adjustment Disorder Treatment
      • Types of Adjustment Disorders and Support Options
    • Dissociative Identity Disorder
      • Symptoms of Dissociative Identity Disorder
      • Treatment Approaches for Dissociative Identity Disorder
      • Causes & Risk Factors of Dissociative Identity Disorder
      • DID Co-Occurring Disorders
    • Narcissistic Personality Disorder
      • Causes of Narcissistic Personality Disorder
      • Narcissistic Personality Disorder Symptoms
      • Narcissistic Personality Disorder Impact on Relationships
  • Our Approaches
    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
    • Trauma-Focused Therapy
    • Online Talk Therapy
    • Exposure Therapy for Anxiety
    • Mindfulness Therapy
    • Humanistic Therapy
    • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
    • EMDR Therapy
    • Emotion-Focused Therapy
    • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
    • Telehealth for Mental Health
      • How to Prepare for Your First Teletherapy Appointment
      • Technology Barriers in Telehealth Treatment
      • How Effective Is Teletherapy for Severe Mental Illness?
      • How to Get a Psychiatric Evaluation Online
    • Somatic Therapy for PTSD & Anxiety
    • Narrative Therapy for Trauma Recovery
    • Internal Family Systems Therapy
    • Art Therapy for Emotional Expression
    • Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy
    • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
    • Psychodynamic Therapy
  • Cost
    • Payment Options
    • Optum
    • Magellan
    • Blue Cross Blue Shield
    • Cigna
    • UMR
  • Our Facilities
    • California
      • San Juan Capistrano – CA
    • Virginia
      • Arlington – VA
    • Washington
      • Green Lake – WA
      • Bellevue – WA
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • Mental Health Assessments
    • Downloadable PDF’s
      • Teen Outpatient Programs
      • Adult Outpatient Programs
    • Your Legal Rights in Mental Health Treatment
      • Virginia: Emergency Custody Orders and Temporary Detention Orders
      • Washington Crisis Intervention, Court-Ordered Treatment, and Patient Rights
      • California: Involuntary Commitment, Psychiatric Holds, and Legal Protections
      • Community Treatment Orders (CTOs)
      • Confidentiality in Telehealth: Is Virtual Therapy Secure?
      • Patient Confidentiality: HIPAA and Mental Health Treatment
      • The Role of Case Managers in Virtual Mental Health Programs
      • Employment Law and Mental Health: Your Rights in the Workplace
      • Your Rights in Psychiatric Hospitalization
      • Can Employers Discriminate Based on Mental Health?
      • Parental Mental Health and Custody Battles
      • Clinical Negligence in Mental Health
    • How to Approach a Loved One About Mental Health Treatment
      • When Someone Refuses Help: Resistance to Treatment
      • Panic Attack Intervention Tips for Adults
      • Helping Adults in Abusive Relationships
      • PTSD Interventions for Adults
      • How to Recognize Psychosis in Adults
      • Helping Adults With Severe Depression
    • Family Guide: Joining the Treatment Process
      • Crisis Situations: How to Support a Loved One
      • Setting Boundaries With Someone Having Treatment
      • Supporting Your Spouse With Severe Mental Illness
      • What to Say to Someone in a Mental Health Crisis
      • Talking to Children About a Parent’s Mental Health Condition
      • Financial Planning for Mental Health Treatment
      • Recognizing Co-Dependency: When Support Becomes Enabling
      • Encouraging a Loved One to Stay in Therapy
      • How to Support a Veteran Struggling With Mental Health
    • Innovative Treatments in Mental Health Care
      • What Is Neurofeedback Therapy?
      • What Is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation? And Does It Work?
    • Resources for Professionals
      • Building a Mental Health Action Plan for Your Workplace
      • Human Resource’s Role in Workplace Mental Health
      • Supporting Employees After Mental Health Leave: Creating a Reentry Plan
      • How Leaders Can Promote Mental Well-Being in the Workplace
      • Supporting Mental Health in High-Stress Professions
      • Mental Health Breakdown at Work
    • Referrals: Confidentiality and Mental Health Referrals
      • Case Workers: Referring Clients for Residential or Outpatient Care
      • How to Refer a Client for Psychiatric Evaluation
      • Coordinating Care in Mental Health Treatment
      • How to Talk to Your Employer About Extended Leave for Mental Health
      • Court-Appointed Mental Health Treatment Referrals
      • Mental Health Referrals From Crisis Hotlines
      • Mental Health Referrals From First Responders
      • Mental Health Referrals From Social Workers
      • Mental Health Referrals From Lawyers
      • Mental Health Referrals From Insurance Case Managers
      • Hospital Mental Health Referrals
      • Mental Health Referrals From Therapists
      • Mental Health Referrals From Probation Officers
      • Mental Health Referrals From Universities
      • Mental Health Referrals From Urgent Psychiatric Care
      • Mental Health Referrals From Interventionists
      • Mental Health Referrals From Pastoral Care
      • Mental Health Referral From Life Coaches
      • Mental Health Referrals From Disability Services
      • Mental Health Referrals From Domestic Violence Centers
      • Employee Assistance Program Mental Health Referrals
      • Mental Health Referrals From Urgent Care Clinics
      • VA Mental Health Referrals: Veteran Affairs Therapy Programs
      • Mental Health Referrals From MAT Physicians
      • Mental Health Referrals From Primary Care Doctors
      • Mental Health Referrals From Child Protective Services
      • Community Mental Health Referrals: From Referral to Recovery
    • Self-Help: How to Build a Self-Care Routine for Mental Wellness
      • Exercise and Mental Health
      • Journaling for Mental Health
      • Grounding Techniques for Anxiety and Panic Attacks
      • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Techniques You Can Try at Home
      • Mindfulness and Meditation for Stress Reduction
    • Preparing for Mental Health Treatment: Types of Treatment Plans
      • Graduating from an Outpatient Program: Creating a Long-Term Mental Health Plan
      • When to Step Down From PHP to IOP
      • Partial Hospitalization Programs vs. Intensive Outpatient Programs
      • Benefits of Combining Telehealth with In-Person Outpatient Treatment
      • Signs You May Need a Higher Level of Care
      • How to Transition from Inpatient to Outpatient Care: A Step-By-Step Guide
      • How to Set Mental Health Goals During Treatment
    • Mental Health Assessment and Diagnosis for Adults
      • Psychological Testing
      • Personality Assessments
      • Intellectual Assessments
    • Antidepressants: What They Are and How They Work
      • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
      • Fluoxetine: How Prozac Works and What It Treats
      • Sertraline (Zoloft): What Is Sertraline Used For and How Does It Work?
      • Citalopram: How Celexa Works
      • What Is Escitalopram?
      • What Is Paroxetine?
      • Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)
      • Effexor XR in Mental Health Treatment
      • Cymbalta: What Is Duloxetine?
      • Desvenlafaxine for Mental Health Treatment
      • Tricyclic Antidepressants for Adult Mental Health
      • Wellbutrin in Mental health
      • Mirtazapine (Remeron) in Mental Health Treatment
      • Trazodone for Mental Health Treatment
    • Antipsychotic Medications for Adults
      • What Are Second-Generation Antipsychotics?
      • Risperidone (Risperdal) for Mental Health
      • What Is Quetiapine (Seroquel) Used For?
      • What Is Zyprexa? Olanzapine’s Uses, Benefits, and Side Effects
      • What Is Aripiprazole (Abilify) Used for in Mental Health?
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8 Signs of Repressed Anger: Physical & Emotional Symptoms Explained

Home » 8 Signs of Repressed Anger: Physical & Emotional Symptoms Explained

Table of Contents

Carolina Barnum
August 29, 2025
Authored by: Carolina Barnum, B.A.
Edited by: Jordan St. Pierre, LCSW

Key Takeaways

  • Repressed anger often manifests physically through tension headaches, digestive issues, and chronic fatigue before you consciously recognize the emotion.
  • Emotional symptoms like persistent irritability, emotional numbness, and excessive people-pleasing can be warning signs that you’re bottling up anger.
  • Untreated repressed anger may contribute to serious health conditions including hypertension, weakened immune function, and depression.
  • Many people unconsciously repress anger due to childhood experiences where expressing anger was discouraged or punished.
  • Mission Connection offers specialized therapeutic approaches including CBT, DBT, and holistic treatments to help individuals safely identify and process long-suppressed emotions

8 Warning Signs You’re Bottling Up Anger

Anger is a normal, healthy emotion, but many of us have learned to push it down rather than express it. When anger gets trapped inside, it doesn’t simply disappear. Instead, it transforms, finding alternative pathways for expression through our bodies, emotions, and behaviors.

Repressed anger rarely announces itself clearly. Instead, it operates below the surface, manifesting through seemingly unrelated symptoms that can affect every aspect of your life. Recognizing these signs is the first step toward addressing the root cause rather than just treating the symptoms.

Physical Symptoms That Signal Hidden Rage

Your body often speaks the truth your conscious mind isn’t ready to acknowledge. Physical symptoms are typically the first warning signs of repressed anger, as emotional energy seeks release through physiological channels. When emotions aren’t properly processed, the body bears the burden through tension, pain, and disrupted functioning.

Emotional Red Flags of Suppressed Anger

Emotional symptoms of repressed anger can be particularly confusing because they often don’t feel like anger at all. Instead, you might experience persistent sadness, emotional numbness, or anxiety. These emotional states serve as protective mechanisms, keeping raw anger safely contained but creating other problems in the process.

Why Recognizing Repressed Anger Matters

Identifying repressed anger isn’t finding someone to blame or giving yourself permission to lash out. Rather, it’s understanding the complete spectrum of your emotional experience and developing healthier ways to process these natural feelings. Left unaddressed, chronic anger repression can contribute to serious health conditions, relationship difficulties, and diminished quality of life.

Mission Connection: Outpatient Mental Health Support

Mission Connection offers flexible outpatient care for adults needing more than weekly therapy. Our in-person and telehealth programs include individual, group, and experiential therapy, along with psychiatric care and medication management.

We treat anxiety, depression, trauma, and bipolar disorder using evidence-based approaches like CBT, DBT, mindfulness, and trauma-focused therapies. Designed to fit into daily life, our services provide consistent support without requiring residential care.

Start your recovery journey with Mission Connection today!

Physical Signs Your Body Is Holding Onto Anger

1. Tension Headaches and Jaw Pain

That persistent headache might actually be anger in disguise. 

Tension headaches are among the most common physical manifestations of repressed anger, as emotional stress leads to contracted muscles in the head, neck, and jaw. 

Many people unknowingly clench their jaw or grind their teeth when suppressing angry feelings, which can lead to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders and chronic facial pain. 

2. Digestive Problems and Stomach Discomfort

The gut–brain connection plays a crucial role in how we process emotions, particularly anger. When anger is suppressed, the digestive system often bears the brunt of this emotional burden. 

Chronic digestive issues like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), acid reflux, and persistent stomach pain frequently have emotional components that conventional medical treatments alone may not fully address.

3. Chronic Fatigue and Sleep Disturbances

Suppressing emotions requires significant psychological energy, often leading to profound exhaustion that sleep doesn’t seem to resolve. The vigilance required to keep anger contained depletes your mental and physical resources, contributing to a state of chronic fatigue. 

Many people with repressed anger report feeling tired regardless of how much they sleep, as their bodies never fully relax into restorative rest.

4. Muscle Tension and Unexplained Pain

Chronic muscle tension represents one of the body’s primary responses to contain anger. When you repeatedly suppress the natural fight-or-flight response that anger triggers, your muscles remain in a state of readiness that becomes painful over time. 

This tension typically concentrates in the neck, shoulders, and back, creating pain patterns that may seem mysterious or resistant to conventional treatment approaches.

Emotional Symptoms of Anger You’re Not Expressing

5. Persistent Irritability Over Small Things

When major anger goes unexpressed, it often leaks out as irritability over minor inconveniences. 

You might find yourself snapping at loved ones over small mistakes or feeling disproportionately frustrated by everyday annoyances like traffic or waiting in line. 

This chronic irritability serves as a pressure release valve for deeper anger that hasn’t found appropriate expression.

6. Feeling Numb or Emotionally Disconnected

Emotional numbness represents a common protective mechanism against overwhelming feelings, including anger. When anger feels too dangerous or overwhelming to experience directly, the psyche may respond by dampening all emotional responses. 

This emotional flattening might manifest as difficulty feeling joy, connection, or even appropriate sadness in situations that would normally evoke these responses.

7. Recurring Depression and Low Mood

Depression often contains significant elements of anger turned inward, particularly when healthy expression of angry feelings has been discouraged or punished. 

Rather than directing anger outward at its appropriate target, you might unconsciously redirect it toward yourself, creating patterns of self-criticism, hopelessness, and persistent low mood. This internalized anger depletes your emotional energy and diminishes your sense of personal agency.

8. Excessive Guilt and Self-Criticism

Guilt and harsh self-judgment frequently accompany repressed anger, especially when you’ve been taught that anger itself is wrong or unacceptable. 

Instead of acknowledging legitimate angry feelings toward others, you might habitually blame yourself for relationship problems or find fault with your own responses to challenging situations. This pattern keeps the focus safely on your perceived shortcomings rather than addressing the actual source of your anger.

How to Release Anger in Healthy Ways

Recognize and Name Your Feelings

The journey toward healthier anger expression begins with increasing emotional awareness. Many people who habitually repress anger struggle to recognize this emotion when it arises, instead experiencing it as anxiety, sadness, or physical discomfort. 

Developing the capacity to identify and name angry feelings as they emerge creates the foundation for appropriate expression.

Physical Release Techniques

Repressed anger often accumulates as physical tension, making body-centered approaches particularly effective for release. Movement practices that allow for vigorous expression can help discharge the energy of anger safely, reducing the physical burden of emotional containment. 

Regular practice of the following helps prevent the accumulation of emotional tension that leads to symptoms or outbursts.

  • Vigorous exercise like running, boxing, or high-intensity interval training
  • Tension and release practices such as progressive muscle relaxation
  • Expressive movement like dance or martial arts
  • Deep breathing exercises that release diaphragmatic tension
  • Vocal expressions including singing, chanting, or even controlled yelling in private

As you engage in these practices, acknowledge the emotional content being released rather than simply going through the motions. This mindful approach helps integrate the physical experience with emotional processing for more complete resolution.

Communication Strategies That Work

Learning to express anger constructively represents a crucial skill for emotional wellbeing. Effective communication allows you to honor your emotional experience while maintaining connection and respect in relationships. 

This balance challenges the false dichotomy between harmful expression and complete repression that drives many unhealthy patterns. The goal isn’t to remove anger but to express it in ways that preserve dignity and promote understanding. 

When to Seek Professional Help

While self-help approaches benefit many people with repressed anger, professional support often accelerates healing. 

Various therapeutic approaches effectively address repressed anger, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, psychodynamic approaches, and body-centered modalities. The right approach depends on your specific history, symptoms, and preferences. A qualified mental health professional can help determine the most appropriate treatment strategy for your unique situation.

Consider seeking professional help if repressed anger significantly impacts your quality of life, relationships, or health, or if self-help approaches haven’t produced meaningful improvement. Remember, seeking support represents strength rather than weakness, it demonstrates commitment to your wellbeing and relationships.

Taking Control of Your Emotional Health with Mission Connection

At Mission Connection, our experienced therapists understand the complex relationship between repressed anger and overall health. We offer evidence-based treatments including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and comprehensive approaches specifically designed to help you identify, understand, and healthily express emotions you may have been carrying for years.

We provide a safe environment where you can explore your emotions without judgment. 

Don’t let repressed anger continue to impact your relationships, health, and quality of life. Through our comprehensive residential programs and specialized anger management services, we’ve helped countless individuals transform their relationship with anger from destructive suppression to healthy expression.

Contact Mission Connection today to begin your journey toward emotional freedom and authentic living.

Start your recovery journey with Mission Connection today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can repressed anger actually cause physical health problems?

Yes, research shows that chronic emotional repression, particularly anger, can contribute to hypertension, weakened immune function, cardiovascular issues, and chronic pain conditions. The ongoing physiological stress response from contained anger creates inflammation and tension that may contribute to disease development over time.

How can I tell the difference between normal anger and repressed anger?

Normal anger is recognized, felt, and expressed appropriately in response to specific situations. Repressed anger operates below conscious awareness, manifesting instead as physical symptoms, persistent irritability over minor things, emotional numbness, or sudden disproportionate outbursts that seem disconnected from their triggers.

Is it possible for children to develop repressed anger patterns?

Absolutely. Children who have been discouraged from expressing anger directly may show behavioral problems, frequent stomachaches, excessive compliance, or emotional withdrawal. Children are particularly vulnerable to repressing emotions that have been met with punishment or shame, making early intervention crucial for healthy emotional development.

How long does it typically take to heal from years of suppressed anger?

Healing timelines vary significantly based on individual factors including duration of repression, underlying causes, and consistency with new emotional skills. Most people notice initial improvements within weeks of focused work, but comprehensive transformation of deeply ingrained patterns typically requires months of consistent practice and professional support.

What therapeutic approaches work best for addressing repressed anger?

Various evidence-based approaches effectively address repressed anger, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), mindfulness techniques, and body-centered modalities. Mission Connection specializes in comprehensive treatment plans that combine multiple therapeutic approaches customized to each individual’s specific history and needs.

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