Behavioral Health Resources

 

COMPREHENSIVE WEBSITES, Books, Exercises, & self-help:

ANXIETY, STRESS & Adaptation

Nervous System Regulation and Somatic (body-based) Practices

These practices may be integrated into therapy or self-care aimed at ameliorating a wide array of concerns including PTSD or C-PTSD, anxiety, mood swings, anger/irritability, and depression. 

>Somatic experiencing therapy

Somatic experiencing®  (SE™) therapy developed by Dr. Peter Levine is an evidence-based body-focused therapy aimed at treating trauma and stress-related disorders.

The “Voo technique”, a component of SE, is a simple physical shift that can stimulate a calm state of mind. This technique (akin to taking a deep sigh or gargling) stimulates the vagus nerve, which is the primary cranial nerve providing body feedback to the brain.

>Polyvagal Theory

Polyvagal Theory emphasizes the role of the nervous system in regulating our emotional, cognitive, and physical domains of functioning. Following prolonged periods of stress or one or more traumatic events, people naturally enter one of the following survival states: Fight (agitated/aggressive), flight (avoidant/fleeing), lethargy/apathy (low/depressed), freeze (shutdown after overwhelm/dorsal vagal collapse), or fawn (people pleasing/dissociative). Polyvagal techniques can help you shift out of survival mode into states of calm (ventral vagal/paraympathetic) or active alertness (calm sympathetic).

>Eye-Movement Desensitization (EMDR)

EMDR, developed in the 1980’s by Francine Shapiro, PhD, is an evidence-based treatment for PTSD and individuals experiencing distress from traumatic memories, which is supported by the WHO and the U.S. Dpt. Of Veteran’s Affairs. The treatment focuses directly on the memory, and is intended to change the way that it is stored in the brain, thus reducing or eliminating the distressing experience or associated problematic behaviors. It can assist people in working through the memories, sensations, and emotions associated with a trauma and resume more adaptive and healthy processing. While there has been controversy around the mechanism of action for this treatment—assuming that the eye movements were tantamount to pseudoscience and the only efficacious aspect is the exposure to the traumatic memory akin to exposure therapy—there is mounting evidence to the contrary, underscoring the efficacy of the bilateral eye movements as well.

>Emotional freedom technique

Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) or Tapping is an evidenced-based practice that can alleviate feelings of stress and anxiety quickly. It employs light self-applied acupressure along with the power of self-talk as well as bilateral stimulation. Bilateral stimulation is a neuroscientifically-based method to improve emotion regulation that is incorporated into numerous trauma-informed therapies like EMDR.

>The Feldenkrais Method

Dr. Moshe Feldenkrais provides a somatic practice that can help regulate the nervous system and stimulate neuroplasticity. It emphasizes the inextricable link between mind and bodily sensations, and takes as its premise that heightened awareness of one’s organized, slow and gentle movements “rewires” the brain and integrates the mind-body nexus in a manner that can augment feelings of safety. Three cornerstones: 1) Body scanning 2) Slowing down 3) Oscillations that parallel cellular frequencies and emulate a rocking rhythm that down regulates the nervous system

DEPRESSION & SUICIDE

Efficacy of IV Ketamine for Treatment RESISTANT depression, Bipolar disorder, Suicidality, and PTSD

Consultation with yours doctor along with a cost-benefit analysis are strongly advised when deciding upon your treatment plan and which medication(s) should be first or second line options. Reported advantages of IV ketamine include a more rapid response than treating antidepressant medications alone for some people, and it works on different areas of the brain—the NMDA receptor, rebalancing glutamate and GABA versus the SSRI’s action in increasing serotonin along with a weak affinity for affecting norepinephrine and dopamine. Moreover, when IV ketamine is used in combination with other medications, it can ameliorate symptoms significantly for some with otherwise treatment-resistant conditions. Downsides of Ketamine may include its cost (it is considered an experimental treatment that is not recognized by many insurance companies), and its side effects that for some include dissociation. Any potential for abuse of ketamine should also be wisely considered.

NY Ketamine Infusions - Glen Brooks, MD | NYC, Long Island, Westchester | (917) 261-7370 | https://nyketamine.com/

Sexual Assault and violence      

Physician and Surgeon MentaL Health

ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS

NYC-Based Substance Abuse Treatment Programs:

The Addiction Institute of New York (Mt Sinai West) - For inpatient and intensive outpatient services

1000 Tenth AvenueNew York, NY 10019 | 212-523-4000 | 212-857-9990

http://www.roosevelthospitalnyc.org/psychiatry/addiction/

The Freedom Institute - 515 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10022 | (212) 838-0044

Dr. Andrew Tatarsky, Ph.D. - Developer of the Integrative Approach to Harm-Reduction Psychotherapy Model (IHRP), is on staff. Coming Spring ‘24 all of the following services will be available: Comprehensive assessment; Individual, group, couples, family therapy and support; Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT); Psychodrama, Meditation, Yoga, Art Therapy; Psychedelic preparation and integration; Ketamine assisted therapy

https://www.freedominstitute.org/team-gallery/andrew-tatarsky-phd

Technology Addiction

EATING & BODY IMAGE

Long COvid and pandemic-related support

PARENTing

Divorce

GLBT & Parenthood Books (Recommended by Dr. Adam Benson):

School and Higher Education Professionals

Supporting youth affected by the violence Israel and Gaza: A guide for families and educators

https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/school-safety-and-crisis/supporting-youth-affected-by-the-violence-in-israel-and-gaza-tips-for-families-and-educators

School Crisis, SUICIDE PREVENTION AND POSTVENTION:                

SCHOOL CLIMATE

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Please enjoy our curated list of resources.

We encourage sharing them with your colleagues, friends, and loved ones

Help is available — you are not alone, but sometimes we need to reach out to strengthen our sense of connection with oneself and others.