Next Step Blog
We’re committed to delivering outstanding mental healthcare. Period.
Here at Next Step, we’re extremely passionate about helping you live a better life! Mental health is important for every person at every stage of life.
That’s why we work hard to create courses, videos, books, and other resources to encourage you to take the Next Step toward positive mental health. But if you’re struggling or going through a crisis, asking for professional help is a great idea – and you can do it now! In the meantime, if you read through our blog, you might be pleasantly surprised by the guidance, tips, and strategies from our providers. After all, one step in the right direction is a step in the right direction.
Overcoming the Negative Self-Talk Cycles of Depression
How you talk to others is important and can play a big role in the quality of your relationships. However, how you talk to yourself is equally important. Your state-of-mind and your internal monologue (self-talk) impacts your mental health. The American Psychological Association can assess the quality of self-talk to predict anxiety in kids. Self-talk doesn’t just impact anxiety; it can...
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Bipolar Disorder and Depression: What You Need to Know
Nearly 6 million Americans are impacted by bipolar disorder every year. In terms of percentages, that’s about 2.6% of the adult population — 2.6% of all adults who struggle with the lows of bipolar depression and the highs of a manic episode.
At the Next Step 2 Mental Health, our team is experienced in diagnosing depression. This is important because there are many types of...
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What Is CBT and How Does CBT Help with Anxiety?
Anxiety disorders are extremely common. About 40 million American adults are affected by an anxiety disorder each year. Anxiety disorders can profoundly impact the quality of your life, and even though anxiety is treatable, almost 40% of those with anxiety don’t get the treatment they need. Here at Next Step 2 Mental Health, we know that anxiety can affect many aspects of your life, but...
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4 Ways to Stay Active This Fall (and How It Benefits Your Mental Health)
Are you looking for new ways to keep your family active this fall? With the current pandemic, we know that fall-inspired activities might not look the same this year, especially if you’re taking a pass on your favorite parades, festivals, or outings.
Even with a disruption to your normal fall activities, it’s important to find safe ways to stay active. Exercise and regular activity are...
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7 Ways to Manage Social Anxiety
Did you know that social anxiety is just one type of anxiety? There are five different anxiety disorders: generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic disorder, and social anxiety. Social anxiety, like other forms of anxiety, is characterized by intense worry. In the case of social anxiety, anxiety symptoms are heightened...
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Your Guide to Improving Communication in Marriage
If changes to “life as you know it” have caused tension in your relationship, you’re not alone. With more people staying at home and working at home, the increased time spent together can add pressure to your relationship. Anger, fear, and frustration are common feelings to experience during uncertain times such as these, and it can take a toll on your communication in...
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How Untreated Depression Can Negatively Impact Your Health
Over 322 million people live with depression, according to the American Depression and Anxiety Association . While depression is a common mental illness, it’s not something to brush off. Depression is serious, and those living with it often need treatment to feel better. There are many different types of depression – including major depression, persistent depressive disorder, and postpartum...
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Stress and Mental Health: How Is Your Brain Affected?
Stress is frequently linked to physical issues (like headaches, muscle tension, or heart troubles), but chronic, unmanaged stress impacts your mental well-being too. Here’s what you need to know about the connection between stress and mental health, plus 6 ways to tame stress.
First, What Is Stress?
Stress seems like such an abstract concept. What stresses out one person might not stress out...
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What Is the Difference Between Psychiatrists and Psychologists?
If you have mental health concerns — whether that’s anxiety, depression, or turmoil in your relationship — you should seek help. But who do you need to see? How do you know what type of mental health care provider you should talk to? Do you need a psychiatrist or psychologist? The answer might be: both.
Part of what makes Next Step unique is that we are a multidisciplinary team. In our...
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13 Ways to Help Children Cope with Back-to-School Anxiety
An upset stomach. Nightmares. Unrelenting desire to avoid school. Difficulty sleeping. Temper tantrums and crying outbursts. These are all examples of how anxiety can manifest in children. Sometimes, these signs of anxiety are attributed to other causes i.e., a stomachache from eating a rich meal before bed. Anxiety can be hidden in plain sight, but as we enter back-to-school season, you might...
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