Top of Mind

“Are You Sure?”: The Paradox of Reassurance Seeking in OCD

By Jennifer B. Wilcox-Berman, PsyDPsychologist, Lindner Center of Hope Imagine that you are several minutes into your drive to work when you suddenly have the thought, Did I close the garage door? You try to remember pressing the button before you left, but you can’t quite recall. You tell yourself that you probably did, but […]

Beyond the Prescription: Making Psychiatric Medications Work for You

By Amanda Porter, PhD, APRN, PMHNP-BC Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, Lindner Center of HOPEBoard-Certified in Internal Medicine, Psychiatry/Mental Health, and Addictions Psychiatric Medication Management: What You Need to Know Psychiatric medications can play an important role in helping people manage depression, anxiety, ADHD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and other mental health conditions. For some people, medication can […]

Brain Health and the Microbiome: How Your Gut May Influence Memory, Mood, and Cognitive Function

What if one of the most powerful influences on your brain wasn’t in your head—but in your gut? Scientists have long recognized the importance of nutrition for overall health, but research over the past decade has uncovered something even more fascinating: the gut microbiome—the trillions of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms living in your digestive […]

The Skills Behind the School Day: Helping Kids Strengthen Executive Functioning

By Stacey L. Spencer, Ed.D.Clinical Neuropsychologist, Lindner Center of HopeAssistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neuroscience University of Cincinnati College of Medicine When considering success in school, we often focus on academic skills like reading, writing, math, and studying. However, children also rely on executive functioning skills, the mental abilities used to plan, organize, […]

Overcritical OCD or Questioning Queer: Understanding the Difference Between Sexual Orientation OCD and Identity Exploration

For many young adults, questions around identity, sexuality, and self-discovery are a natural part of development. When it comes to individuals living with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), those questions surrounding sexual orientation or gender identity can create intense distress that is often misunderstood, even by clinicians. Because young adulthood is such a formative period for […]

Prioritizing Mental Wellness During National Wellness Month

National Wellness Month is an opportunity to pause and reflect on one of the most important aspects of our overall health—our mental well-being. While we often focus on physical fitness, nutrition, or preventive medical care, our emotional and psychological health deserve the same attention and intention. Mental wellness doesn’t mean feeling happy all the time […]

Is There a Role for Apps in the Self-Management of Bipolar Disorder?

By Nicole Mori, RN, MSN, APRN-BC Nurse Practitioner Bipolar disorder (BD) affects 1–2% of the population and is characterized by recurrent mood episodes linked to chronic functional impairment, increased morbidity, and early mortality. Like other chronic conditions, BD requires long-term pharmacotherapy, monitoring, and psychosocial interventions, as well as self-management strategies to support stability, reduce relapse risk, and […]

Emetophobia (Fear of Vomiting): Symptoms, Causes, and Effective Treatment

By Jennifer B. Wilcox-Berman, PsyD For most people, vomiting is unpleasant but manageable. For individuals with emetophobia, the fear of vomiting can become overwhelming. Emetophobia is a specific phobia characterized by an intense fear of vomiting, seeing someone else vomit, hearing vomiting, or becoming ill in situations where escape feels difficult. This fear can interfere […]

Digital Media Use and Mental Health in Youth: Risks, Benefits, and Healthy Boundaries

Why Digital Media Use Matters for Youth Mental Health The Growing Presence of Smartphones and Social Media in Teens Without question, digital media use in young people has increased substantially over the past decade. From social media sites to gaming to online video content platforms, the options to attract users to log on and stay […]

PHP Mental Health Treatment: How Partial Hospitalization Helps Adults Recover

Understanding Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP) for Mental Health Recovery What Is a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)? A Partial Hospitalization Program, often called a PHP or Day Treatment Program, provides intensive mental health treatment without requiring a full hospital stay. Patients typically attend structured therapy sessions during the day—around 30 hours per week—and return home in […]

Men’s Mental Health Month: Breaking the Silence and Finding Hope

Every June, Men’s Mental Health Month serves as an important reminder that mental health challenges affect millions of men — yet too many continue to struggle in silence. While conversations around mental health are growing, stigma and societal expectations still prevent many men from reaching out for support. The reality is that untreated mental health […]

The Hidden Mental Health Crisis of Sports Betting: Signs, Risks, and How to Get Help

Sports betting has rapidly transformed from a niche activity into a mainstream form of entertainment. With the rise of online sports betting platforms and mobile apps, placing a wager is now as simple as tapping a screen. While many people engage casually, there is a growing and often overlooked issue: the rise of sports betting […]

How to Overcome Mental Health Insurance Denials

By Joe Feldman, President, Cover My Mental Health Insurance Is a Major Barrier to Mental Health Care Nearly everyone has a story about struggling to access mental health care—and insurance is often the reason why. For many, a mental health crisis is made worse by delays, denials, or lack of access to qualified providers. Why […]

How to Set Screen Time Limits for Kids and Teens (Without Constant Conflict)

By Megan T. Schrantz, Ed.D, LPCCLindner Center of Hope Outpatient and Residential Services Setting Healthy Screen Time Boundaries for Kids and Teens Why Screen Time Boundaries Matter for Children and Adolescents In today’s world, we spend hours looking at screens- computers, smartphones, tablets, and television.  Both research and common sense tell us that too much […]

How to Prepare for Your First Therapy Session: What to Expect and How to Start Strong

By Elisabeth Renner, LPCC-S, Lindner Center of Hope Outpatient Therapist How to Prepare for Your First Therapy Session Why Starting Therapy Can Feel Both Hopeful and Scary Starting therapy is a brave step. Even if you’ve been thinking about it for months (or years), scheduling your first therapy session can bring up a mix of […]

Understanding Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs): Causes, Symptoms, and Evidence-Based Treatment

Understanding Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs) Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs) are a group of complex, often misunderstood behaviors that involve repeatedly damaging one’s own hair, skin, or nails. Common examples include trichotillomania (hair pulling), excoriation disorder (skin picking), chronic nail biting (onychophagia), and cheek or lip biting. Although these behaviors may appear to be habits, BFRBs […]

Starting the Conversation: How to Talk to Your Child About an Eating Disorder

How to Talk to Your Child About Eating Disorders: A Compassionate Guide for Parents By Dawn Anderson LPCCS, Lindner Center of Hope Discovering that your child may be struggling with an eating disorder is a heavy realization. It’s natural to feel a mix of fear, confusion, and the urgent desire to “fix” it. However, the […]