LifeStance Insights
Our team of expert clinicians give their perspectives across a range of subjects, touching on current topics, family and loved one issues, mental health struggles and the comprehensive services that can help you live a better life.
FEATURED STORY
Five Strategies for Prioritizing Mental Health During Workplace Change
June 17, 2025
By: Dr. Ujjwal Ramtekkar
Read Time: 5 Minutes
Change. Even the mere thought of it can evoke strong emotions like fear, anger, and anxiety. Our brain craves routine and predictability because they give us a sense of safety and control. But change introduces uncertainty, which our brain perceives as a threat.
In both our personal and professional lives, the discomfort that can result from change is a universal psychological response. To effectively lead through transitions, leaders must understand how to navigate our natural human response to change and prioritize simple strategies that set themselves and their teams up for success.
Not If, But When
Change is a fundamental reality for businesses, and leaders should always be expecting it. New administrations, policies, and regulations could impact business operations. Internal pressures like managing workforce expectations, responding to customer demands, and adapting to seasonality can drive change. Advancements in technology push businesses to evolve to maintain a competit...
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Depression
TMS Therapy as a New Hope for Treatment-Resistant Depression
Approximately 20.6% of adults in the U.S. will experience an episode of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) during their lifetime. For many, traditional approaches—psychotherapy and antidepressant medication—provide real relief.
However, about 30% of patients diagnosed with MDD will not respond to these first-line treatments. On average, these individuals spend 571 days in a depressive episode and face recurring bouts that are more severe, longer in duration, and greatly impair their daily functioning. When someone fails two or more antidepressant trials—or experiences intolerable side effects—their depression is classified as “Treatment-Resistant Depression” (TRD).
What Causes Treatment-Resistant Depression?
Depression becomes “treatment-resistant” when the usual therapies—talk therapy and standard antidepressants—don’t work. This often happens because multiple factors interact in ways that outlast simple fixes. For some, a family history of stubborn depression or early-onset ep...
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TMS Therapy as a New Hope for Treatment-Resistant Depression
Approximately 20.6% of adults in the U.S. will experience an episode of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) during their lifetime. For many, traditional approaches—psychotherapy and antidepressant medication—provide real relief.
However, about 30% of patients diagnosed with MDD will not respond to these first-line treatments. On average, these individuals spend 571 days in a depressive episode and face recurring bouts that are more severe, longer in duration, and greatly impair their daily functioning. When someone fails two or more antidepressant trials—or experiences intolerable side effects—their depression is classified as “Treatment-Resistant Depression” (TRD).
What Causes Treatment-Resistant Depression?
Depression becomes “treatment-resistant” when the usual therapies—talk therapy and standard antidepressants—don’t work. This often happens because multiple factors interact in ways that outlast simple fixes. For some, a family history of stubborn depression or early-onset ep...
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Psychiatry
Domestic Violence and Abuse: Identifying Red and Orange Flags and What a Healthy Relationship Looks Like
Domestic Violence (DV) is a complex and often misunderstood issue that extends far beyond physical harm. While physical assault is one component, DV also encompasses emotional, psychological, sexual, financial, and verbal abuse. At its core, domestic violence is characterized by a pattern of behavior through which an individual seeks to gain and maintain power and control over an intimate partner or other household member.
This exertion of power and control disrupts the victim’s autonomy, often interfering with their ability to make independent choices freely and safely. Perpetrators may exert a range of controlling tactics including intimidation, manipulation, isolation, threats, and economic restriction to dominate and control the victim.
Understanding DV as an intentional form of control that can lead to fear for personal safety, family members’ safety, pet safety, and diminished self-worth is crucial in addressing the stigma and supporting those affected. This fear for personal safety also plays a crucial part in why it’s never easy for a victim of DV to “just leave” and why some victims return to the relationship. ...
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Domestic Violence and Abuse: Identifying Red and Orange Flags and What a Healthy Relationship Looks Like
Domestic Violence (DV) is a complex and often misunderstood issue that extends far beyond physical harm. While physical assault is one component, DV also encompasses emotional, psychological, sexual, financial, and verbal abuse. At its core, domestic violence is characterized by a pattern of behavior through which an individual seeks to gain and maintain power and control over an intimate partner or other household member.
This exertion of power and control disrupts the victim’s autonomy, often interfering with their ability to make independent choices freely and safely. Perpetrators may exert a range of controlling tactics including intimidation, manipulation, isolation, threats, and economic restriction to dominate and control the victim.
Understanding DV as an intentional form of control that can lead to fear for personal safety, family members’ safety, pet safety, and diminished self-worth is crucial in addressing the stigma and supporting those affected. This fear for personal safety also plays a crucial part in why it’s never easy for a victim of DV to “just leave” and why some victims return to the relationship. ...
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Depression
Rewiring the Brain: How TMS and Spravato Can Open the Door to Real Recovery
For years, depression was chalked up to a simple “chemical imbalance.” But today, science tells a much richer—and more hopeful—story.
Depression doesn’t just affect brain chemistry; it actually reshapes the brain itself. It reduces the size and function of areas that control emotion, memory, and decision-making. But here’s the good news: your brain is capable of healing. With the right tools and support, it can literally rewire itself.
How TMS and Spravato Can Help with Depression Treatment
TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) and Spravato (a nasal form of ketamine) are breakthrough treatments that are often able to jumpstart the brain’s ability to heal. They aim to stimulate a powerful brain chemical called BDNF—think of BDNF like Miracle-Gro for the brain. BDNF helps grow new connections, supports healthy brain structure, and repairs areas damaged by stress and trauma....
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Rewiring the Brain: How TMS and Spravato Can Open the Door to Real Recovery
For years, depression was chalked up to a simple “chemical imbalance.” But today, science tells a much richer—and more hopeful—story.
Depression doesn’t just affect brain chemistry; it actually reshapes the brain itself. It reduces the size and function of areas that control emotion, memory, and decision-making. But here’s the good news: your brain is capable of healing. With the right tools and support, it can literally rewire itself.
How TMS and Spravato Can Help with Depression Treatment
TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) and Spravato (a nasal form of ketamine) are breakthrough treatments that are often able to jumpstart the brain’s ability to heal. They aim to stimulate a powerful brain chemical called BDNF—think of BDNF like Miracle-Gro for the brain. BDNF helps grow new connections, supports healthy brain structure, and repairs areas damaged by stress and trauma....
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Psychiatry
How to Tell If Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) Could Actually Be Early Signs of Dementia or Alzheimer’s
As a clinical neuropsychologist, I spend my days evaluating and supporting people’s cognitive health—especially as they age. My focus is on how thinking abilities like memory, attention, and language change over time. But my journey into this field is deeply personal. I was raised by older parents and spent most of my life around aging adults. When I was in college, my father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. That experience cemented my desire to work with older adults and to help others navigate neurodegenerative diseases with clarity and compassion.
In my work, one of the most common questions I’m asked is: What’s the difference between healthy cognitive aging and dementia? It’s an important question—and one I love answering.
What is Considered Age Related Cognitive Decline?
Cognitive change is a normal part of aging. As we grow older, some areas of thinking decline gradually—like divided attention, processing speed, and certain types of memory. But other abilitie...
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How to Tell If Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) Could Actually Be Early Signs of Dementia or Alzheimer’s
As a clinical neuropsychologist, I spend my days evaluating and supporting people’s cognitive health—especially as they age. My focus is on how thinking abilities like memory, attention, and language change over time. But my journey into this field is deeply personal. I was raised by older parents and spent most of my life around aging adults. When I was in college, my father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. That experience cemented my desire to work with older adults and to help others navigate neurodegenerative diseases with clarity and compassion.
In my work, one of the most common questions I’m asked is: What’s the difference between healthy cognitive aging and dementia? It’s an important question—and one I love answering.
What is Considered Age Related Cognitive Decline?
Cognitive change is a normal part of aging. As we grow older, some areas of thinking decline gradually—like divided attention, processing speed, and certain types of memory. But other abilitie...
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Trauma
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Beyond Crisis Mode: Rethinking Youth Mental Health Before It’s Too Late
We are in the midst of a youth mental health crisis—one that is not just alarming but also has profound implications for long-term health outcomes. Globally, one in seven 10- to 19-year-olds experiences a mental disorder, contributing to 15% of the global disease burden in this age group. Depression, anxiety, and other behavioral disorders have become leading causes of illness and disability among adolescents. Even more concerning, suicide is now the third leading cause of death among those aged 15 to 29.
Yet, despite these statistics, our approach to youth mental health care remains fundamentally reactive—identifying and treating severe symptoms once they’ve fully manifested and reached crisis levels in early adulthood, rather than systematically fostering mental well-being from an early age. We would never wait until a physical condition becomes life-threatening before intervening, yet we routinely do so with mental health issues, despite mounting evidence that mental health is just as crucial to overall well-being as physical health. This reflects a broader issue in how we conceptualize healthcare: we are largely engaged in “sick care,” rather than investing in true “healthcare.” If we want meaningful change, it’s time to shift the conversation from reaction to pro-action and then take it a step further:...
By Dr. Ujjwal Ramtekkar
Published: May 27, 2025Read Time: 7 Minutes
Beyond Crisis Mode: Rethinking Youth Mental Health Before It’s Too Late
We are in the midst of a youth mental health crisis—one that is not just alarming but also has profound implications for long-term health outcomes. Globally, one in seven 10- to 19-year-olds experiences a mental disorder, contributing to 15% of the global disease burden in this age group. Depression, anxiety, and other behavioral disorders have become leading causes of illness and disability among adolescents. Even more concerning, suicide is now the third leading cause of death among those aged 15 to 29.
Yet, despite these statistics, our approach to youth mental health care remains fundamentally reactive—identifying and treating severe symptoms once they’ve fully manifested and reached crisis levels in early adulthood, rather than systematically fostering mental well-being from an early age. We would never wait until a physical condition becomes life-threatening before intervening, yet we routinely do so with mental health issues, despite mounting evidence that mental health is just as crucial to overall well-being as physical health. This reflects a broader issue in how we conceptualize healthcare: we are largely engaged in “sick care,” rather than investing in true “healthcare.” If we want meaningful change, it’s time to shift the conversation from reaction to pro-action and then take it a step further:...
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Therapy
Why Veterans and First Responders Resist Therapy — And Why That’s Okay
When you join the military, you spend a lot of time at the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS). That’s where I met a guy who was heading into the Navy while I was joining the Army. He said he wanted to become a Hospital Corpsman and eventually work with the Marines—what they call going “Greenside.” I told him I was going into Military Police. We joked around—he called me an “Army Doggie,” and I called him a “Squid,” which are just playful nicknames between branches. We hit it off and became friends.
Years later, he reached out to tell me he had become an Independent Duty Corpsman, which is a highly trained medic who works alone in some pretty intense situations. Later, he shared stories from his time serving with the Marines in Afghanistan. I still remember the determination in his eyes back when we were just teenagers. I wasn’t surprised at all to hear how he’d stayed calm under pressure and saved lives.
Seeking therapy can feel like stepping into unfamiliar territory. After years of being trained to push through pain and put service before self, the idea of facing one’s own struggles can be daunting.
Now, 40 more years later, I’m a psychotherapist who works with first responders and veterans. Seeking therapy can feel like stepping into unfamiliar territory. After years of being trained to push throu...
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Why Veterans and First Responders Resist Therapy — And Why That’s Okay
When you join the military, you spend a lot of time at the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS). That’s where I met a guy who was heading into the Navy while I was joining the Army. He said he wanted to become a Hospital Corpsman and eventually work with the Marines—what they call going “Greenside.” I told him I was going into Military Police. We joked around—he called me an “Army Doggie,” and I called him a “Squid,” which are just playful nicknames between branches. We hit it off and became friends.
Years later, he reached out to tell me he had become an Independent Duty Corpsman, which is a highly trained medic who works alone in some pretty intense situations. Later, he shared stories from his time serving with the Marines in Afghanistan. I still remember the determination in his eyes back when we were just teenagers. I wasn’t surprised at all to hear how he’d stayed calm under pressure and saved lives.
Seeking therapy can feel like stepping into unfamiliar territory. After years of being trained to push through pain and put service before self, the idea of facing one’s own struggles can be daunting.
Now, 40 more years later, I’m a psychotherapist who works with first responders and veterans. Seeking therapy can feel like stepping into unfamiliar territory. After years of being trained to push throu...
Read More
Share
Relationship / Dating
What Causes Abandonment Issues and How They Impact Relationships
Abandonment issues can shape how we think, feel, and connect with others—often without us even realizing it. These deeply rooted fears usually trace back to early life experiences like loss, trauma, neglect, or emotional unavailability. And while they may begin in childhood, abandonment issues often resurface in adult relationships in painful, confusing ways.
Whether you’re struggling with your own fear of abandonment or wondering how to handle a partner with abandonment issues, understanding the roots of these fears is the first step toward healing.
As a therapist, I regularly work with individuals and couples dealing with these challenges. Whether you’re struggling with your own fear of abandonment or wondering how to handle a partner with abandonment issues, understanding the roots of these fears is the first step toward healing.
What Are Abandonment Issues?
Abandonment issues refer to chronic fears of being left, rejected, or emotionally abandoned by those close...
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What Causes Abandonment Issues and How They Impact Relationships
Abandonment issues can shape how we think, feel, and connect with others—often without us even realizing it. These deeply rooted fears usually trace back to early life experiences like loss, trauma, neglect, or emotional unavailability. And while they may begin in childhood, abandonment issues often resurface in adult relationships in painful, confusing ways.
Whether you’re struggling with your own fear of abandonment or wondering how to handle a partner with abandonment issues, understanding the roots of these fears is the first step toward healing.
As a therapist, I regularly work with individuals and couples dealing with these challenges. Whether you’re struggling with your own fear of abandonment or wondering how to handle a partner with abandonment issues, understanding the roots of these fears is the first step toward healing.
What Are Abandonment Issues?
Abandonment issues refer to chronic fears of being left, rejected, or emotionally abandoned by those close...
Read More
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