On This Page:ToggleWhat is EMDRWhy is EMDR so Controversial?Dangers of EMDRSide EffectsMyths & MisconceptionsCan EMDR Cause Dissociation?Can EMDR Make Things Worse?Benefits On This Page:Toggle On This Page: While many find EMDR beneficial, potential dangers include experiencing intense emotional or physical reactions during or after sessions, a resurgence of repressed traumatic memories, and incomplete processing, which might leave the individual in a heightened state of distress. Like all therapies, working with a trained and experienced therapist is essential....

On This Page:ToggleSerotonin Vs. DopamineWhat is Serotonin?What is Dopamine?Working Together On This Page:Toggle On This Page: Key Takeaways Serotonin and dopamine areneurotransmittersthat play vital roles in regulating mood, motivation, and other bodily functions. Serotonin is often associated with mood regulation, appetite, sleep, and feelings of well-being. Dopamine, on the other hand, is linked to pleasure, reward, motivation, and movement. While both influence mood and emotion, their specific functions and pathways in the brain differ considerably....

Learning how to grow your mental health practice is easier said than done. The journey is often filled with challenges and uncertainties. Though it might not be a simple process, being willing to grow your private practice is the first step.Expanding your practice can make good business sense, but it can also help you reach more people in need — which is likely why you became a mental health professional in the first place....

Deciding on a name is one of the first things almost every therapist wants to do whenstarting a private practice. After all, there’s a lot at stake with your name — it’s typically the first impression your practice makes on people.A well-chosen therapy practice name can convey professionalism or expertise. It can even hint at your approach toward treatment, or how your style or experience sets you apart from other mental health professionals....

Starting a private practice can be an exciting — albeit occasionally overwhelming — time. It’s a big moment in your career, and the rewards will often offset anychallenges of being a therapistin a solo practice. According to the American Psychological Association,more than halfof therapists are independent. Careful planning and strategic execution will help guarantee the success and longevity of your practice. Step 1: Define Your NicheTherapists wondering how to start a private practice often find that defining a niche can be a beneficial first step....

Knowing how to bill insurance for therapy can be a confusing process filled with complexities and nuances. It can overwhelm even seasoned professionals who’ve been practicing for a long time. It’s complicated, too — anestimated 80%of all medical bills contain errors.Therapy billing requires a good understanding of insurance industry jargon, claim rejections, diagnosis codes, and much more — it’s no wonder many therapists find the process daunting.While billing insurance is one of the most commonchallenges of being a therapist, mastering insurance billing is a must....

On This Page:ToggleFunctionsLocationSubstructuresDamage On This Page:Toggle On This Page: The parietal lobe,located in the upper middle part of the cerebral cortex, plays a central role in integrating sensory information from various body parts, understanding spatial orientation, and processing information about touch. What does the parietal lobe do? The parietal lobe plays a crucial role inintegrating sensory informationfrom various modalities and is associated with several key functions: Spatial Awareness and Navigation Sensory Integration and Processing Language and Mathematics Where is the parietal lobe located?...

On This Page:ToggleFunctionAreasHomunculus MapSomatosensory PathwayDamage On This Page:Toggle On This Page: The somatosensory cortex is a brain region associated with processing sensory information from the body such as touch, pressure, temperature, and pain. Sensory information gets sent to the somatosensory cortex which has numerous connections with other brain areas to process this information. The somatosensory cortex is a region of the brain located in theparietal lobeand lies behind the primarymotor cortexof thefrontal lobe....

On This Page:ToggleFunctionDamageDiscovery On This Page:Toggle On This Page: Wernicke’s area is a structure of the brain that is believed to be involved in language comprehension, specifically the comprehension of speech sounds. It is also considered to be the receptive language center of the brain. In the majority of people, Wernicke’s area is located within the left cerebral hemisphere, specifically near the back of thetemporal lobe. The exact location of Wernicke’s area is still debated, although it is typically thought to be near a large groove known as the lateral sulcus, near the junction between theparietaland the temporal lobes....

On This Page:ToggleFunctionTypesSchwann Cells vs OligodendrocytesMyelinationRegenerationDamage On This Page:Toggle On This Page: Schwann cells are a type of glial cell that is responsible for forming the myelin sheath around theneuronsof the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and supplying nutrients to individual axons. Each Schwann cell comprises a single myelin sheath on an axon. Therefore, numerous Schwann cells are required to myelinate the length of an axon. A Schwann cell is a type of glial cell in the peripheral nervous system that wraps around nerve fibers, producing the myelin sheath, which insulates and increases the speed of electrical impulses along the axons....

On This Page:ToggleFunctionsHow Does Serotonin Work?Low SerotoninIncreasing SerotoninToo Much Serotonin On This Page:Toggle On This Page: Serotonin is aneurotransmitterthat regulatesmood, sleep, appetite, andcognitive functions. Though primarily found in the intestines, its presence in the brain affects emotional well-being and mental health. Abnormal serotonin levels are linked to depression and anxiety. Key Takeaways Functions Behavior Serotonin is projected from thebrain stemand reaches most regions of the brain, giving it a wide array of effects on many aspects of behavior:...

On This Page:ToggleLocationStructureFunctionWhite Matter vs. Grey MatterDisordersImproving On This Page:Toggle On This Page: The central nervous system (CNS) is composed ofwhite matterand grey matter. Grey matter, which makes up about half of the brain, consists primarily of neuronal cell bodies, dendrites, and unmyelinated axons. Located primarily in the outer layers of the brain, grey matter is responsible for processing information, controlling muscle movement, and regulating sensory perception. Where is grey matter found?...

On This Page:ToggleLocationStructureFunctionWhite Matter vs. Grey MatterAssociated DisordersImproving On This Page:Toggle On This Page: The central nervous system (CNS) is made up of white matter andgrey matter.White matter, comprising about half of the brain, consists of bundles of myelinated axons (nerve fibers). Located in the deeper parts of the brain, white matter acts as the brain’s communication network, connecting different areas of grey matter and facilitating coordinated brain function. Where is white matter found?...

On This Page:ToggleNeurobiology of the Reward PathwayReward pathways in the brainClassic studies of desire and rewardRole of DopamineAddictionStudies of desire and reward On This Page:Toggle On This Page: The reward systems of the brain are a group of structures that are activated whenever we experience something rewarding, such as eating a nice-tasting food, having sex, or using an addictive drug. Structures that are considered to be a part of this reward system are found along the primarydopaminepathways of the brain....

On This Page:ToggleBackgroundImportant Brodmann AreasAll Brodmann AreasBrodmann Areas List On This Page:Toggle On This Page: Different parts of thecerebral cortexare involved in cognitive and behavioral functions. Despite controversy about how precise these areas are located, Brodmann’s areas are still widely used today. However, some areas have since been subdivided or are only present in nonhuman primates. Brodmann Areas, named after German neurologist Korbinian Brodmann, are a system for mapping and categorizing regions of the human cerebral cortex based on their distinct cellular architecture and functions....