PSYCHOLOGY

Depression

Depression impacts cognitive function. Studies show that patients suffering from depression exhibit have difficulties with making, using, and storing ...

10 July 2020

Mental illness sucks. Even The New York Times  says so. Depression, anxiety and other psychiatric disorders can greatly impact someone's ability t...

13 September 2019

Have you ever wanted to learn how to better tackle depression?  Two articles entitled "What can you do when you're flattened by depression? plan for ...

6 September 2019

Brain-injury causes not only cognitive and physical disturbance, but emotional. Many patients suffer from depression, with a report of approximately 4...

25 July 2019

Telehealth

Yes, you can! This blog post will tell you why. Telehealth and remote therapy options are becoming increasingly popular as the COVID-19 crisis continues. Seniors are among the most vulnerable people that could face fatal consequences of contracting the virus. Telehealth has been shown to be effective in managing chronic health conditions for elderly people while keeping them out of harm’s way. In this blog post, we show the research supporting and explaining how telehealth can be used to effectively manage chronic health conditions in elderly people.

30 November 2020

Humans need regular social interaction. With older populations, the risk of isolation increases as older adults tend to develop physical disabilities and cognitive impairment. Not being able to have regular social interactions can cause older adults to experience sadness, depression, anxiety and anhedonia. Therapists across the world have recognized this increasing concern and some have adapted new telehealth technologies to combat it.

20 November 2020

Aging is a natural physiological part of life that starts the moment that we are born! As we age, our cognitive functioning naturally declines. However, cognitive decline can occur due to preventable causes.

9 October 2020

Providing remote cognitive rehabilitation therapy may seem difficult, but can be made easy with the right materials. In this blog post, we share with you 5 things that you need to help you provide cognitive rehabilitation therapy for your clients from home.

30 September 2020

If you answered no, then you may want to consider doing so to help you and your patient with aphasia get the most out of therapy. Why? It has been scientifically proven that treatment intensity and duration are the key ingredients to improving cognitive function, especially language for people with aphasia. Physical medicine and rehabilitation therapists apply these same principles to occupational and physical therapy for stroke patients. telepractice therapy for aphasia is successful because it increases the accessibility for both the therapist and patient. This is important because many patients with aphasia also have physical limitations as a result of their stroke, which limits their ability to travel on-site for aphasia therapy.

7 August 2020

With a variety of tools, video conferencing has been simplified. However, many organizations require that all telehealth platforms be HIPAA compliant. There are many HIPAA compliant video conferencing tools, such as Zoom, VSee, GoToMeeting, we explain that all here. But there are other factors to consider when selecting a video conferencing platform. It is important to examine the accessibility of the software, equipment needed to use it for both the clinician and patient and how your client’s internet connectivity affects their experience using the software

31 July 2020

New to telehealth? Here are 5 HIPAA compliant video conferencing platforms that you can use to provide telehealth services for your patients. Each platform has its own strengths and weaknesses. It is important that you make sure that you investigate all of your options before choosing the tool that you will be using. As telehealth is becoming the new normal thing, you can learn how you can adapt it into your personal practice today.

27 July 2020

The internet has become a tool for occupational therapists to use to provide access to occupational therapy for a variety of different patient populations. While the internet is a powerful occupational therapy tool, many concerns need to be addressed to ensure that beneficial, ethical, and accessible online occupational therapy is delivered.

3 July 2020

Building a successful speech therapy telepractice sounds tough. In Grillo’s 2018 guide Building a Successful Voice Telepractice Program, we found 4 key factors to consider that relate to setting up a speech telepractice that we elaborate upon that can help a speech therapist achieve success when they wish to start providing telepractice speech therapy.

22 June 2020

If you search on the internet, you can find a wealth of information regarding the use and effectiveness of telepractice for a variety of medical conditions. Telepractice is of particular interest for people living with brain injury. A large number of people with brain injury face obstacles accessing adequate treatment. For kids living with brain injury, these obstacles present themselves extensively. A child may not receive the proper treatment because they are relying on parents for transportation to services, or they are trying to balance a school and other types of therapy schedules and still trying to be a child.

12 June 2020

Who Benefits From Telehealth Occupational Therapy? People who may have experienced injuries such as a stroke, a brain injury, feeding disorders, upper extremity limb loss, and other neurological conditions have seen positive results from telehealth.  Literature suggests that telehealth interventions are proven to be more effective than traditional in-person therapy sessions for mental health and substance abuse populations (Kinley et al., 2012).   Lastly, telehealth services have shown efficacy for adults with autism living in assisted living facilities to be able to perform household activities more independently (Taber-Doughty, Shurr, Brewer, and Kubik, 2010). 

15 May 2020

The short answer is yes. But why?  Telepractice is the practice of therapeutic services via telephone and or internet communication devices. Worldwide, speech and language pathologists have begun to see the benefits of adapting telepractice services to their treatment plans. Through the integration of numerous forms of technology, a speech therapist can appropriately meet the needs of individual patients regardless of where they are located. Widener & Lowman (2020) conducted a literature review on the efficacy of adult-focused speech-language pathologist services and found the results to be promising. In their review, 31 studies were identified with numerous elements that provide evidence that telepractice delivered speech therapy is an effective intervention option for adult-focused speech-language pathologists.  In this post, we focus on three key findings from Widener & Lowman’s (2020) review while addressing a key concern many speech-language pathologists have regarding telepractice delivered speech therapy. 

11 May 2020

An eHelper is a person who serves as a facilitator for telepractice delivered therapy. The eHelper serves to eliminate the barriers that inhibit a student from receiving therapy by facilitating the connection between a student and a therapist.  eHelpers  serve as assistants to the remote therapist by providing the following services: Explaining how telepractice therapy works. Answering any of the student’s concerns regarding their therapy. Setting up equipment and providing technical assistance. Aiding the telepractice therapist with the use of other materials. Provide cueing or physical assistants.

7 May 2020

Many obstacles exist for people who need cognitive rehabilitation services. Mobility issues, the need to travel long distances to see a provider, not having access to transportation and comorbid medical conditions are just a few. To overcome these barriers, therapists can provide remote cognitive rehabilitation therapy services over the internet. Meeting platforms with secure services allow therapists to provide face-to-face interaction that is needed to maintain the therapist-patient connection. In addition, therapists may select a cognitive rehabilitation tool that allows for home access for both the therapist and client alike. Providing rehabilitation services over the internet and e-therapy is growing in popularity.

13 March 2020

Group Therapy

Group therapy sessions have a positive impact on people’s lives. Kyra takes that theory and brings it into a child’s healing process. Kyra explains how she uses group therapy within her practice. We hope you can see how other therapists conduct sessions so you can better do yours!

28 August 2020

While exercising regularly promotes physical health, exercising may also provide cognitive benefits. Specifically, attention has been drawn to the potential clinical implications of moderate-intensity exercise for rehabilitation, physical, and mental health. In this blog post, we discuss and elaborate upon the clinically studied benefits of exercise and why clinicians should encourage their clients to perform aerobic exercise routines in their daily lives.

24 August 2020

Brain Health

Therapy never has to stop for your elderly clients. Bridging helps your clients connect their computerized cognitive training with their everyday lives. In this blog post, we share with you 3 bridging activities that you can do with your elderly clients to help them practice cognitive skills remotely.

28 October 2020

Lisa Mosconi is a neuroscientist, director of the Weill Cornell Women’s Brain Initiative, a neuro-nutrionist, and author of Brain Food and the XX Brain. Dr. Mosconi conducts extensive research on Alzheimer’s disease and women’s health, brain health and diet, and prevention medicine. She has published scientific papers since 2003, written several books, and has been featured in Psychology Today, Forbes, NBC, and CBS. 

14 October 2020

One of the greatest challenges in cognitive rehabilitation therapy is helping your client connect their practice of cognitive skills to their daily life. This is where bridging comes in. Bridging is the process by which therapists and clients work together to reflect upon a client’s cognitive processes and by using simulated real-world situations to apply learned cognitive skills. Some situations a therapist may simulate for their client to apply learned cognitive skills include planning a dinner party, making plans to attend a social event, and applying for a job.

25 September 2020

In 1996, Vialet launched Playworks with two schools in Berkeley, California. Currently, the organization brings play and physical activities to children across the country, with offices in 23 cities. With a staff of 700, this year Playworks will reach 900,000 students through on-site coaches, professional training, and consultative partnership, serving 1,800 schools and youth-serving organizations. This organization helps to make sure that students are given the chance to play. We love this TED talk because Jill covers the exact reason as to why playing needs to be an active part of every student and human's day.

7 September 2020

While exercising regularly promotes physical health, exercising may also provide cognitive benefits. Specifically, attention has been drawn to the potential clinical implications of moderate-intensity exercise for rehabilitation, physical, and mental health. In this blog post, we discuss and elaborate upon the clinically studied benefits of exercise and why clinicians should encourage their clients to perform aerobic exercise routines in their daily lives.

19 August 2020

Many people that experience a stroke, brain injury, or episode of psychosis have resulting cognitive complications. Many clients who have had a neurological accident or a psychotic episode can become unemployed and have trouble re-entering the workforce. Different kinds of clinicians can help their clients get back to work by providing cognitive remediation therapy and vocational support. In this blog post, we discuss how clinicians can help their clients get back to work by using cognitive remediation therapy

17 August 2020

Let’s face it, making friends can be super challenging for children and adults. When a person has cognitive impairment, connecting with others can feel like an almost impossible task. Fear not, it is possible to have friends even with cognitive impairment. Here are some ways therapists can help their clients make friends.

13 July 2020

Gregg's insight into how social goals and cognitive functioning are related is valuable to understanding the importance of social cognition within cognitive rehabilitation goals.

6 July 2020

Social cognition is the way that people think about themselves and how they relate to others. The term came about during the “cognitive revolution”. Social psychologists Albert Bandura, Stanley Millgram, and Philip Zimbardo wanted to change the way people thought about how they behave and interact with the world. They focused on the intricacy of the interplay between the individual and the social world. Through their research, they discovered that social cognition is comprised of three key ingredients: mentalism, process orientation, and cross-fertilization.

13 April 2020

For years, the Japanese have practiced forest bathing (“shirinyoku“). Today, Western culture is catching up with Eastern traditions as more people are looking for healthy and cost effective ways to promote relaxation. Here are some of the many benefits that can be gained from practicing “shirinyoku” and why you should starting bathing outside the tub.......

31 January 2020

Did you know that houseplants not only look pretty, but can remove harmful particles in the air and can make your space feel more calming? Like having a pet, plants are a responsibility. This in turn can provide a feeling of reward - having to care for something and watch it thrive, which in turn can be relieving for mild depression and anxiety.......

24 January 2020

Every year, people make New Year's resolutions: go to the gym, eat better, try calling family members more often. However, few people make resolutions about doing more activities that keep them cognitively sharp. While physical activity and a healthy diet are important, cognitive health plays a large factor in our well-being.  Cognitive training and stimulation helps people regulate their emotions, move efficiently and remember skills needed for everyday life......

10 January 2020

Through television shows, memes, tweets and conversation, people are finding ways to make others laugh. With witty puns and tactful punchlines, people experience "AHA!" moments that then cause them to chuckle. Our brains are able to parse images, text, and auditory information for humorous content. A number of studies have been conducted on how the brain does this, as well as differences in understanding humor among different groups of people. Many studies have examined sex differences, as well as hemispheric contributions to humor....

13 December 2019

Your brain needs proteins, carbohydrates, fats and minerals in order to function properly. Medical professionals suggest eating fish such as salmon which contains omega-3 fatty acids for brain healthy protein and fat. Loading up on green vegetables such as spinach, kale and various lettuces contain an array of vitamins and minerals such as calcium, which brain cells need for firing. Lastly, walnuts are rich in healthy fats, vitamin E and melatonin.....

20 September 2019

Ghosting has been defined as "the practice of ending a personal relationship with someone by suddenly and without explanation withdrawing from all communication". Once a rare phenomena, ghosting has permeated the dating and social world. About 50% of men and women report being either the ghost or the "ghostee", according to an article on Psychology Today...

23 August 2019

New Articles

Humans need regular social interaction. With older populations, the risk of isolation increases as older adults tend to develop physical disabilities ...

20 November 2020

Depression impacts cognitive function. Studies show that patients suffering from depression exhibit have difficulties with making, using, and storing ...

10 July 2020

Mental illness sucks. Even The New York Times  says so. Depression, anxiety and other psychiatric disorders can greatly impact someone's ability t...

13 September 2019

Have you ever wanted to learn how to better tackle depression?  Two articles entitled "What can you do when you're flattened by depression? plan for ...

6 September 2019

Ghosting has been defined as "the practice of ending a personal relationship with someone by suddenly and without explanation withdrawing from all com...

23 August 2019

Brain-injury causes not only cognitive and physical disturbance, but emotional. Many patients suffer from depression, with a report of approximately 4...

25 July 2019