Dana Behavioral Health

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy has become a transformative approach to treating trauma-related conditions, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While it initially involved a novel technique combining eye movements with the recall of distressing memories, its clinical success has led to broader exploration and acceptance. Today, researchers continue to investigate how EMDR creates such profound psychological shifts. At the heart of this inquiry lies an understanding of how EMDR engages the brain’s neurobiology to heal unresolved trauma. The Brain’s Response to Trauma Trauma affects the brain in complex ways, particularly in the encoding and retrieval of memories. When a person experiences a traumatic event, the brain’s normal processing pathways can become disrupted. The amygdala, the region responsible for detecting threats and triggering fear responses, becomes hyperactivated. At the same time, the prefrontal cortex, which facilitates rati...

Medication management is a cornerstone of healthcare, ensuring patients receive the right medicines at the right time, dosage, and duration. With the increasing complexity of treatments and the rise of chronic diseases, traditional medication management approaches often fall short. Collaborative care models have emerged as a progressive solution, bringing together healthcare professionals and patients in a team-based approach that improves medication safety, adherence, and outcomes. This article explores how collaborative care models work in medication management, their benefits, challenges, and future implications. Understanding Collaborative Care Models in Medication Management Collaborative care models involve coordinated efforts by multiple healthcare providers who share responsibility for managing a patient’s medications. Instead of a single provider making all medication decisions, a team—including physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and sometimes social workers or behavioral healt...

Depression is a complex condition that can affect every aspect of life, from emotional well-being to physical health . While medication is often prescribed as part of treatment, it isn’t the only option. Many individuals seek non-drug approaches for managing their depression, looking for natural alternatives that can offer relief without relying on pharmaceuticals. Several non-drug strategies can help alleviate the symptoms of depression, improve mood, and enhance overall mental health. Understanding Depression and Its Impact  Depression isn't simply feeling sad or down for a short period. It is a persistent mood disorder that impacts how a person thinks, feels, and functions in daily life. Symptoms can include prolonged sadness, a lack of interest in activities once enjoyed, difficulty concentrating, changes in appetite and sleep patterns, and even physical pain. Managing depression without medication is about taking a holistic approach, addressing both the mind and body in ways t...

Mental health assessments are vital tools psychologists, psychiatrists, and other medical professionals use to understand better how an individual’s mind functions. These assessments go beyond simply asking how someone feels—they dig deeper into how someone thinks, remembers, solves problems, and interacts with the world cognitively. This evaluation helps clinicians to diagnose mental illnesses, plan treatment strategies, and monitor progress. One of the central aspects of a mental health evaluation is the examination of cognitive functions, which are the essential mental skills the brain uses to carry out any task. Cognitive functioning refers to a person’s ability to think, reason, learn, remember, and pay attention. It affects how we perceive the world, how we understand situations, and how we make decisions. During a mental health assessment, clinicians test various cognitive domains to understand if and where impairments exist. Let’s explore the top cognitive functions commonly a...