Mental Health Nerd

Motivation

Making Goals More Manageable

Dan Bates, PhD, LMHC, LPCC, NCC on December 12, 2022

Setting and achieving goals can be overwhelming. It doesn't have to be.

Setting and achieving goals can be overwhelming. It doesn't have to be.

Health

Multidimensional Self-Care

Dan Bates, PhD, LMHC, LPCC, NCC on December 5, 2022

Self-care is not about the latest trends; it extends to every dimension of your life.

Self-care is not about the latest trends; it extends to every dimension of your life.

Diet

How Your Food Choices Affect Your Mental Well-Being

Dan Bates, PhD, LMHC, LPCC, NCC on November 11, 2022

If you’re struggling with stress, depression, or anxiety, consider changing your diet.

If you’re struggling with stress, depression, or anxiety, consider changing your diet.

Anger

6 Ways to Take Control Back From Anger

Dan Bates, PhD, LMHC, LPCC, NCC on February 2, 2022

When you're angry, you don't function at your best because you aren’t in control of yourself. How can you get it back?

When you're angry, you don't function at your best because you aren’t in control of yourself. How can you get it back?

Stress

Help for Stressed-Out Parents

Dan Bates, PhD, LMHC, LPCC, NCC on February 1, 2022

Stressed-out parents say and do things they regret afterward, asking “Why did I yell?” “Why did I immediately get defensive?” Instead, it helps to have a plan.

Stressed-out parents say and do things they regret afterward, asking “Why did I yell?” “Why did I immediately get defensive?” Instead, it helps to have a plan.

Resilience

How to Build Resilience

Dan Bates, PhD, LMHC, LPCC, NCC on January 27, 2022

More now than ever you are needed. Meet the challenge, face the day, and make tangible steps to foster resilience in your life.

More now than ever you are needed. Meet the challenge, face the day, and make tangible steps to foster resilience in your life.

Self-Talk

How You Talk to Yourself Matters

Dan Bates, PhD, LMHC, LPCC, NCC on November 11, 2021

The most important conversation you are having is the one in your head.

The most important conversation you are having is the one in your head.

Relationships

Deep Listening

Dan Bates, PhD, LMHC, LPCC, NCC on January 28, 2021

In an age of disconnection, listening can be a powerful force that brings people together.

In an age of disconnection, listening can be a powerful force that brings people together.

Emotion Regulation

6 Ways to De-Escalate a Heated Argument

Dan Bates, PhD, LMHC, LPCC, NCC on January 25, 2021

An escalated person is not receptive to problem-solving or redirection until they’ve been heard, validated, and de-escalated.

An escalated person is not receptive to problem-solving or redirection until they’ve been heard, validated, and de-escalated.

Defense Mechanisms

Don't Take It Personally

Dan Bates, PhD, LMHC, LPCC, NCC on January 17, 2021

If you want your conflict to be productive, make it about the problem and not the person.

If you want your conflict to be productive, make it about the problem and not the person.

Anxiety

7 Strategies to Manage Anxiety

Dan Bates, PhD, LMHC, LPCC, NCC on January 16, 2021

Anxiety is increased by a disorganized schedule, lack of awareness, or ignorance of helpful skills. Adopt these seven strategies to reduce anxiety.

Anxiety is increased by a disorganized schedule, lack of awareness, or ignorance of helpful skills. Adopt these seven strategies to reduce anxiety.

Fear

8 Steps to Overcome a Phobia

Dan Bates, PhD, LMHC, LPCC, NCC on January 15, 2021

For those who suffer from one or more phobias, know that there is hope. There are ways to defeat phobias.

For those who suffer from one or more phobias, know that there is hope. There are ways to defeat phobias.

Psychopharmacology

9 Myths About Mental Illness

Dan Bates, PhD, LMHC, LPCC, NCC on January 15, 2021

Myths can be harmful, to yourself and to others, especially when they're about mental health. Arm yourself with the facts.

Myths can be harmful, to yourself and to others, especially when they're about mental health. Arm yourself with the facts.

Gratitude

Gratitude Is Foreplay

Dan Bates, PhD, LMHC, LPCC, NCC on July 9, 2020

Unlock your partner's desire to fulfill your sexual needs through gratitude.

Unlock your partner's desire to fulfill your sexual needs through gratitude.

Career

Making Blended Families Work

Dan Bates, PhD, LMHC, LPCC, NCC on July 7, 2020

Eight ways to successfully blend families together.

Eight ways to successfully blend families together.

Relationships

The "Thing" Is Never About the Thing

Dan Bates, PhD, LMHC, LPCC, NCC on July 5, 2020

Monitoring the quality of your relationship increases the quality of your relationship.

Monitoring the quality of your relationship increases the quality of your relationship.

Bias

Overcoming Brain Blindness

Dan Bates, PhD, LMHC, LPCC, NCC on June 27, 2020

Part 2: Learn tools to assuage the negative impact of cognitive biases on your mental health and relationships.

Part 2: Learn tools to assuage the negative impact of cognitive biases on your mental health and relationships.

Bias

Brain Blindness

Dan Bates, PhD, LMHC, LPCC, NCC on June 26, 2020

Part 1: Clearing your thinking of cognitive biases can positively impact your mental health and key relationships.

Part 1: Clearing your thinking of cognitive biases can positively impact your mental health and key relationships.

Assertiveness

The Conversation You've Been Avoiding

Dan Bates, PhD, LMHC, LPCC, NCC on March 18, 2020

Plan ahead to better communicate assertively when you have to have a difficult conversation.

Plan ahead to better communicate assertively when you have to have a difficult conversation.

Motivation

Motivation Hacks

Dan Bates, PhD, LMHC, LPCC, NCC on March 5, 2020

These 12 tactics can help you accomplish your goals and build healthy habits.

These 12 tactics can help you accomplish your goals and build healthy habits.