"Jaxon and the Pharmacist"

For as important as therapy is, it's not always easy. And when things get especially difficult, the worst thing a patient can do is abandon ship. There are typically 3 options at that juncture -- fight, flight or freeze. We examine each, and lay out how to best work through them all at that critical time.

Coming off of a tumultuous week of politically-charged social unrest, how much do you allow for current events, and news coverage overall, to affect you? How much attention paid is too much? What constitutes reality v. partisan propaganda, ratings-driven agendas, and spin? To what degree are you unnecessarily obsessing over matters of which you have no control? And are you contributing in some way to any of it via your own participation in, and behavior on, social media?

Depression comes in many forms, and when it isn't chronic, it may be trickier for a potential patient to recognize, and/or acknowledge. 2020, above all others, may very well have been the year of "situational depression." That can be brought on via the loss one's livelihood, relationship issues, the death of a loved one, loneliness, cabin fever, financial struggles, or any combination thereof. What signs indicate a need for therapy, and perhaps even medication? Find out here.

It serves as both our goal, and mission statement: eliminating stigmas associated with therapy, in the hopes of convincing reluctant participants into taking that first step. What can you do should you wish to accomplish the same with someone you love? Find those answers here.

2020 has been a year like no other, and many can't wait to hit the reset button for a fresh start in 2021. Given said uncharted territory, in what healthy ways how, and should, New Year's resolutions be viewed and approached differently, as such?

While certain holiday songs may declare the season to be, "the best time of the year," for a certain segment of society, it can feel like the absolute worst. Complicating matters further for those who are struggling is how alone they often feel in their anxiety, stress and sadness. What can they do to pull themselves out of it, and how should loved ones who are unable to fathom this viewpoint find ways to perhaps be more understanding, nurturing and sympathetic?

Friendship circles tend to decrease in size over time. From youth through adulthood, quality eventually overtakes quantity. Popularity, wanting to be liked, and what others think typically mean less with age. How much do those with whom you associate impact overall happiness and mental well-being? From family, to coworkers, romantic partners, and pals, what amount of effort is enough before it becomes appropriate to periodically cut bait? Find out, here.

Life is a constant battle of processing good vs bad, reality vs denial, all through the filters of both optimism and pessimism. Perhaps the most challenging aspect of said evolution relates to mortality -- not only to that of our own, but also for those of whom we love dearly. How is that best not only confronted and balanced, but also/ultimately, accepted?

How imperfect is the pursuit of perfection? Is aspiring to, or settling on being average necessarily a bad thing? Can true greatness be achieved by those who don't necessarily/incessantly give it their all? Find out that (and more), here.

In a week that has practically been all about ego (via a polarized nation at each other's throats over the ultimate power position), how can any (or all) of this be used for both good and evil? And what valuable lessons can be learned on that front from the likes of Garry Shandling?