LifeStance Insights

Postpartum Depression Goes Untreated Too Often This content has been updated from previous article on October 30, 2023. 800,000 new mothers are affected by a maternal mental health disorder each year in the United States. One in seven new moms is affected, but up to 50 percent of those women go undiagnosed. Untreated maternal mental health disorders impact the mother, baby, family, and society as a whole and contribute to the incredibly high rate of suicide and overdose in postpartum moms. Aftermath of COVID-19 Pandemic and Postpartum Mental Health The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a dramatic increase in the frequency and severity of mental health disorders in pregnant women and postpartum moms. Social isolation and lack of access to support, as well as financial and relationship stress, has caused the rates of maternal mental health disorders to triple. According to a study published in 2022, one in three new mothers during...

Becoming a therapist has always felt like a calling for me. Since high school, I’ve been fascinated by mental health and human behavior. My own experiences with anxiety and depression led me to pursue this path, and over time, I realized I had a natural ability to make people feel comfortable and understood. It became clear that this was the work I was meant to do, and its been an incredible journey ever since. Today, I want to talk about a complex and often misunderstood condition: Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). Previously known as Multiple Personality Disorder, DID is one of the most severe dissociative disorders. As the name suggests, dissociation involves a disconnect—a sense of being removed from the present moment or feeling as though things aren’t real. While this isn’t the same as psychosis, it can be profoundly unsettling. Unfortunately, the concept of having multiple personalities has been sensationalized and exploited by Hollywood, leading to inaccurate portrayals in movies, television, and pop culture. This has not only spread misinformation but also reinforced stigma around this complex and deeply challenging disorder, reducing it to a dramatic plot device rather than an authentic representation of lived experiences....

What is Pebbling? Originating from the concept of the “Penguin Love Language,” where penguins bring the perfect pebbles back to their partners, pebbling refers to the small, seemingly insignificant actions or comments that accumulate over time to create a significant emotional impact. In essence, it is the practice of giving small tokens of affection to show someone you care about them. Although a relatively new term and trend often discussed on social media in the context of dating, pebbling has applications that go beyond romantic relationships. Examples of pebbling include sending a funny meme, giving a small gift, offering a flower, sharing a motivational quote, or scheduling regular check-ins with loved ones. Licensed Professional Counselor Jeffrey Marshall, who specializes in family therapy, including parent-child dynamics, applies pebbling to improve communication, foster empathy, and model healthy emotional behaviors. Penguin Pebbling in Family Communication...

1. Prediction: Virtual care does not mean virtual only care – hybrid care may become the standard. The shift toward hybrid care may accelerate, driven by evolving patient preferences and demand. A recent report from Deloitte found consumers are nearly evenly divided in their preferences for virtual versus in-person mental health care, with 38 percent favoring in-person services and 35 percent preferring virtual care. As of December 2024, approximately 71 percent of LifeStance’s sessions were virtual and 29 percent were in-person, with many patients taking advantage of both care settings. In-person visits make up about 39 percent of new patient appointments. While telehealth remains a convenient choice, demand for in-person care is steadily rising, driven by clinical appropriateness and quality clinical standards for safe care delivery. Over time, I personally expect to see a trend toward a greater proportion of in-person care, and the providers who can deliver both virtual and in-person care effectively will stand out....

As a psychologist who works with many patients experiencing relationship issues, I find attachment theory to be one of the most enlightening frameworks for understanding how we connect with others. The patterns of intimacy, trust, and emotional connection we exhibit in adulthood often stem from attachment styles formed through early interactions with primary caregivers. These styles profoundly influence how we navigate our relationships. Attachment styles are crucial to understand because they influence not just relationships but, believe it or not, even our relationship with food. The four primary attachment styles—secure, anxious-preoccupied, dismissive-avoidant, and fearful-avoidant—are shaped by specific caregiving experiences. Understanding these patterns can provide invaluable insights into the dynamics and challenges we face in our adult relationships, offering a pathway for healing, growth, and tools to have healthier interactions. Attachment styles are formed during infancy based on the quality of our relationships with our earliest caregivers. Researchers believe these patterns develop within the first year of life, as early as six months old. Each attachment style is thought to emerge in response to specific caregiving behaviors: Secure Attachment develops when caregivers are consistently responsi...

The holidays are a mix of joy and stress, especially when spending time with family. Home, where we first learned to connect with others, can feel like a time machine. Old patterns resurface, and unresolved tensions may bubble up, making it feel like you’re reporting from a storm. Family gatherings can reveal how childhood relationships still shape us. The way we interact with family today often mirrors habits from the past, offering a chance to reflect and grow. A Note of Caution Trauma is one of the most significant life events, with lasting effects that can shape how we react and cope. By reflecting on the past with curiosity, we can uncover both the strategies we’ve developed to adapt and the traumatic experiences that continue to affect us in profound ways. These moments can trigger intense reactions, and addressing them often requires the support of therapy. Therapy provides a safe space to explore and process these experiences, which can sometimes resurface during fami...

Recent statistics show that pornography consumption is widespread in the United States, with millions engaging daily. Pornhub, one of the largest adult websites, ranks as the fourth most visited website in the world, highlighting the easy accessibility of online pornography. Porn addiction is a serious issue that profoundly affects the individual struggling with it. It can lead to a host of personal challenges, including reduced self-esteem, feelings of guilt or shame, and increased anxiety or depression. The addictive cycle often consumes significant time and energy, detracting from work, hobbies, and meaningful social connections. Over time, this dependency can distort an individual’s understanding of intimacy, create unrealistic expectations about sex, and diminish satisfaction with real-life experiences, making it harder to form genuine emotional and physical connections. For couples, the impact of porn addiction is even more painful. Trust, a cornerstone of any relationship, is often shattered when the addicted partner’s behavior comes to light. Emotional intimacy suffers as the addicted individual becomes more withdrawn or disconnected, leaving the other partner feeling neglected, rejected, or inadequate. Sexual intimacy can also deteriorate, as unrealistic ideals shaped by pornography interfere with na...