LMFT
Self-Help
To make the most of your therapy experience it is important to work outside of the office. Additionally, although I always try to make myself available it important to have other resources to fall back on. Below are workbooks that are fantastic supplemental materials for CBT work and practicing skills, articles to inspire encourage and educate, and helplines for emergency use.
Workbooks For Children
How To Be Happy (Or At Least Less Sad)
This book is amazing! I picked it up for a client with depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders and she loved it! It is written by a man who struggled with depression and he captures the cynicism of depression whilst instilling hope. The activities are engaging and practical which I have found is the right recipe for a useful teen resource.
Anxiety Relief For Teens
This book is great for sufferers of any sub-sect of anxiety, as it covers them all. It allows for the praciticing of CBT coping skills as well as discussion/reflection prompts. Can be helpful to do with your teen, if they are open to it, to participate in the discussions together.
Workbooks For Teens
Books
This book is a blueprint to finding your social niche. Especially helpful in this time of isolation since our social skills are out of practice.
Obviously, as a parent, you have already experienced being a teenager, but it has been a while. This book is intended to give insight into the teenage experience with hopes of improving communication.
This book is for parents of teenage girls. The book provides guidance for best supporting your daughter through the journey to womanhood and helps differentiate between "normal" behavior and concerning behavior.
Online Resources
Learn more about mental illness and how to support those struggling with it. Also a charitable organization that is helping to destigmatize mental illness.
Learn more about mental illness and great articles on social justice topics.
Mayo Clinic has very in-depth information about varying mental illnesses, broken down by age group, and information on Psychiatric medications (if applicable).
Common Sense Media provides rating suggestions and helps to filter the media your children are consuming.
Parenting Articles
This article is an explanation of the struggles of growing up in a digital world and how that can affect your child long-term.
NAMI outlines ways to support a child receiving treatment for mental illness. Additionally, on the NAMI website, there is a section with personal stories that are candid and inspiring.
For many parents, articles like this one help them understand what its like to struggle with mental illness. Kevin Love gets very candid about his journey and the work he put in to being healthy.
COVID-19 Support for Parents
Quarantine has us finding unique ways to connect with others. This article covers multiple stories of people finding connection in this trying time.
This article is a fantastic reminder that we are all going through it. COVID has caused us all to cope with loss in some fashion. Your disappointment is valid.
Resources for Parents
Supplemental Resources
Touch Lamps
Weighted Blanket
Apps
Diffuser
S.A.D Lamp
Give the pandemic, connection has taken on a whole new meaning. These lamps are a fun way to communicate with others who are far away. Could be a cute gift for your child and their best friend or a way to connect with grandma. Consider other unique ways you can connect with others.
These blankets are a great option for sleep troubles. They feel like a warm hug which is a comforting way to fall asleep. They have different weights (based upon your body weight), varying heaviness of covers, and cooling ones for warmer sleepers. These come highly recommended by many of my clients.
Headspace is a free app with guided meditations. They are short and simple which are great for daily use.
5 Minute Journal is a great resource in practicing mindfulness.
Essential Oil diffusers are great for improving sleep hygiene or for self-care. Additionally, ones like this one have soft lighting that can double as a nightlight.
Seasonal Affective Disorder or S.A.D. is a type of depression caused by a drop in vitamin D in the winter months. Lights like the one seen above can help supplement light exposure. Great for depressed individuals who do not get enough outside time.
DESIGN
Emergency Helplines
Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
800-273-TALK (8255)
NAMI Helpline:
800-950-NAMI (6264)
Ester Samadi M.D.
Excellent Psychiatrist
Dr. Samadi is double Board-certified in general and child/adolescent psychiatry. She specializes in diagnosing and treating a broad range of psychiatric disorders from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to depression/anxiety to autism spectrum disorder.
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After receiving her medical degree from the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), she completed her general psychiatry residency at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center where she was chief resident. She continued her fellowship training at UCLA in child and adolescent psychiatry, serving as the program’s chief fellow.
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During her training, Dr. Samadi was selected by the American Psychiatric Association/Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration as a minority fellow. She focused on reducing stigma and improving access to mental health services for Asian-Americans by providing educational tools and identifying barriers to care within the community. She has presented at various national conferences and authored a monthly mental health column in KoreAm magazine.
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Prior to starting her private practice, Dr. Samadi worked at Family Health Centers of San Diego, providing mental health services to underserved children, adolescents and adults. She has a diverse training background and is committed to providing high-quality, compassionate, personalized care to her patients.
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Dr. Samadi lives in San Diego with her husband, daughter and son.