Blue. Psychological Services

Research Review: Evidence-based treatments for adults with ADHD

This is the second part of our ADHD literature review series. Today’s article focuses on evidence-based treatments for adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). For those looking for evidence-based treatments for children and adolescents with ADHD, you may find our previous article useful. Today’s Wassup’ post will review 2 fairly recent meta-analytic and systematic review studies,Continue reading “Research Review: Evidence-based treatments for adults with ADHD”

Research Review: Evidence-based treatments for children and adolescents with ADHD

This is the first of several reviews on the treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), with a focus on children and adolescents. In the next review, we will focus on the evidence-based treatments of ADHD in adults. In today’s Wassup’ review, we evaluated a 2017 meta-analysis examining the evidence-based treatments for children and adolescences with ADHD.Continue reading “Research Review: Evidence-based treatments for children and adolescents with ADHD”

Research Review: Evidence-based treatment of Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are a cluster of clinical conditions that affect between 3.8-25.0% of the population (Remes et al., 2016). It was also reported that women, young adults, and persons with chronic diseases were at greater risks of developing anxiety disorders (Remes et al., 2016). In today’s post, we will take a look at what theContinue reading “Research Review: Evidence-based treatment of Anxiety Disorders”

Opinion/Commentary: When help harms – the unintended adverse effects of psychotherapy

Psychotherapy (or talk therapy) is a divisive topic. To some, it’s a saving grace. To others, it is nothing more than a scam. Efficacy studies on the positive impact of psychotherapy have also been varied. The American Psychiatric Association estimated that up to 75% of individuals who have had psychotherapy benefitted from it. Moritz etContinue reading “Opinion/Commentary: When help harms – the unintended adverse effects of psychotherapy”

Opinion/Commentary: Pandemic Fatigue – The Reason We Struggle with COVID-19 Restrictions?

When the most recent partial lockdown was announced (i.e. “Phase 2 – Heightened Alert”, 16 May – 13 June 2021), I felt a tinge of anger. I had just gotten into the rhythm of going to exercise classes a few times each week, and felt robbed of my routine. An added sting came from theContinue reading “Opinion/Commentary: Pandemic Fatigue – The Reason We Struggle with COVID-19 Restrictions?”

Opinion/Commentary: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) – Deceptively Simple, Genuinely Complex

Note: a newer article on the subject was posted on 11/05/2024. Recently, I was on the Internet when a rant in an online forum caught my attention. It was from a supposed psychotherapist who was currently undergoing therapy themselves (gender neutral). In it, they shared their exasperation with CBT and positive psychology, going on aboutContinue reading “Opinion/Commentary: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) – Deceptively Simple, Genuinely Complex”

Opinion/Commentary: A Psychologist Reads, “Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, Her Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed”, by Lori Gottlieb

In this memoir by psychotherapist Lori Gottlieb, the author finds herself in therapy after a personally devastating crisis. She proceeds to honestly and engagingly chronicle her experiences of being a therapist, and of being in therapy. This was a book I truly enjoyed reading, both in the capacity of a therapist, and simply as myself.Continue reading “Opinion/Commentary: A Psychologist Reads, “Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, Her Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed”, by Lori Gottlieb”

Research Review: Evidence-based treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Source: Skapinakis, P., Caldwell, D., Hollingworth, W., Bryden, P., Fineberg, N., … & Lewis, G. (2016). A systematic review of the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of pharmacological and psychological interventions for the management of obsessive compulsive disorder in children/adolescents and adults. Health Technology Assessment, 20(43). In today’s Wassup’ post, we examine a very comprehensive systematic review (396 pages in total) funded byContinue reading “Research Review: Evidence-based treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)”

Research Review: Neurobiology, chemical imbalance, and the stigma of mental illnesses

While this post wasn’t intended to be an opinion or commentary, I would like to preface it by sharing a recent encounter online. Someone had anonymously shared her struggles with depression in a post and had received plenty of supportive and helpful comments validating her experiences, and advising her to seek professional help. One commentContinue reading “Research Review: Neurobiology, chemical imbalance, and the stigma of mental illnesses”

Research Review: Some key figures on the treatment of Depression

Depression. Some may be familiar with it. Others may have heard much about it. In today’s Wassup’ post, we will be taking a closer look at some key figures that have emerged in depression research in the last decade. Source: Cuijpers, P., Stringaris, A., & Wolpert, M. (2020). Treatment outcomes for depression: Challenges and opportunities.Continue reading “Research Review: Some key figures on the treatment of Depression”