If We Can Reverse Opiate Overdoses, Shouldn’t We?

January 03, 2019 by Lauren Walther in mental health, addiction, therapy, harm reduction

As a therapist who works with a high-risk population with strong ties to recovery communities, I am intimately connected to the reality of the lethality of mental illness and addiction and am heartbreakingly aware that some families didn’t spend the holidays with their loved ones due to opiate overdose.In the same way that folks with bee allergies carry EpiPen, so should folks who misuse or deal opiates carry Narcan.

Self-Soothing: Have Your 25 Things

December 04, 2018 by Lauren Walther in mental health, therapy, coping

Attachment theory posits that human beings are wired for attachment for the purpose of emotional and relational development and wellness. The bouncing, patting, swinging, stroking, shushing, singing, and cooing of our caregivers are meant to help us learn how to build trust and manage distress.

Self-Care is not a Cupcake

October 16, 2018 by Lauren Walther in mental illness, addiction, therapy

I used to think of self-care as an indulgence of the “treat yo’self” variety. Self-care was a cupcake (or two), a pedicure, and a pajama day. After some grappling, I have come to understand the term “self-care” as referring to the activities and routines that must be done to maintain wellness.

Should I do Therapy? (Hint: probably)

June 28, 2018 by Lauren Walther in therapy, mental illness, addiction

There are a lot of seemingly legitimate excuses not to do therapy. And I’m not exempt from having these reservations despite being a therapist myself. The last time I found myself considering going back to therapy I had a thriving private practice, was newly married, and enjoyed an abundance of friends.