Tamara Chatfield, LMFT

01/15/2022

My heart goes out to people who have depression that does not respond to standard medications or talk therapy. Ketamine seems like an option for future use in those cases. However, my current research and study shows an improvement in depression, anxiety, ADHD, and Autism Spectrum Disorder symptoms when provided the right micronutrients. I will provide more information on this in future posts.

A new review of ketamine research finds that the dissociative drug may provide rapid relief from depression and thoughts of su***de.

12/18/2021

This is, at best, a bandaid for mental health services. The article mentions that some of the barriers include a limited number of therapists, as well as current therapists choosing not to take insurance due to low reimbursement rates. The new California law (SB 221) does not address how insurance companies will be able to overcome these barriers in order to provide mental health services to the insured.

The number of people with symptoms of depression and anxiety has nearly quadrupled during the COVID pandemic.

12/11/2021

What great news! The pandemic did not cause an increase in su***de rates. Well, not for everyone. The CDC Report identifies an overall 3% decline in the su***de rate between 2019 and 2020. However, the majority of the that change is seen in a couple of different groups. If you are a female or a non-Hispanic white male, you were less likely to die by su***de than if you were a non-Hispanic black male or a Hispanic male. In my opinion, the number of people who die by su***de is still too high.

In the early stages of the pandemic, some experts were predicting an uptick in su***de deaths. That didn't happen for several reasons.

10/29/2021

Social media is getting a significant amount of press these days with Facebook being center stage for the negative effects on pre-adolescent and adolescent psyches. A Florida psychologist, who has been studying adolescent brain development for decades, is attempting to fight companies like Facebook by highlighting the addictive nature of social media. What do you think about social media’s effects on children and teens?
https://www.forbes.com/sites/magteam/2021/10/14/this-family-foundation-is-quietly-going-to-war-with-facebook-over-how-it-affects-kids-brains/

As Facebook morphs into a corporate pinata, increasingly loathed on both the left and right over its seemingly blithe regard for accuracy, democracy and the self-worth of girls, Jim Winston, the son of the late founder of a sizable family foundation, is quietly fighting back.

10/23/2021

This article really got my attention! It is not the first I’ve heard about hallucinogens or psychedelics used for therapeutic purposes. Microdosing L*D, M**A, and Psilocybin mushrooms has increased in use and popularity over the past few years. However, there is limited research on the immediate and long-term effects of hallucinogens or psychedelics on the body and brain. The most surprising part for me is the use of these drugs, in conjunction with the practice of talk therapy, to assist patients who have treatment-resistant depression. This seems like just another way to make money off people who are desperate to feel better. If you question this statement, I’d like to direct you to the site at ketamineinstitute dot com.

Magic mushrooms and L*D get all the headlines as mental health miracle cures, but ketamine is currently the only legal psychedelic on the market—and posh clinics offering the drug have bloomed across the country.

10/20/2021

Facebook has been modifying its platform's algorithms in hopes of keeping people engaged in posting original content and making the interactions friendlier. After several years and modifications, posts on Facebook have only become more angry, toxic, and divisive. I have concerns for all of us when it comes to social media algorithms and mental health. It is important to remember Facebook is experimenting with algorithms to benefit Facebook, not to create a better world where we are all more connected and mentally well. We (the humans) need real time interactions with other people, face-to-face, to create more friendly relationships.

A big 2018 algorithm change was designed to encourage positive interaction with friends and family. Company documents show how it had the opposite effect, rewarding outrage and sensationalism. CEO Mark Zuckerberg resisted proposed fixes if it meant harming the business.

09/17/2021

The following article refers to a study completed by David DeSteno about how scientists have discovered that religion has psychological value, based on specific religious practices or “spiritual technologies.” As a therapist, I agree religion and spirituality are valuable; however, psychologists have known this for decades and include it in clinical assessments as a protective factor. What I pause to think about is the section of the article that states, “we remove the theology-views about the nature of God, the creation of the universe, and the like -- from day-to-day practice of religious faith,” so that we can get past the animosity this causes. My question is: how can you remove God from the study of religion and faith? Humans are spiritual beings created to worship. Stop and look around at all of the little gods we worship every day. We need a God that is bigger than our problems. We need a community of loving and supportive people. We need a place to share our struggles and our sins. This is the protective factor of religion and faith. It is not simply an exercise in rituals and traditions -- it is God at work.

Social scientists are researching what humans can do to improve their quality of life. Their findings echo what religious practices perfected centuries ago.

09/10/2021

Resilience is one of the primary ways we persevere through the trials of this life. But we don’t do this alone. It is in relationship with others, connection in our families, friendships and communities that we build this resilience. If you are feeling alone, reach out and build that resilience. Other people may be feeling the same way you do.

It’s a team sport.

09/04/2021

Hi, everyone, and welcome to my page. I'm glad you're here. My approach to therapy is solution-focused, strengths-based, and client-centered. I am fully engaged in joining you in the process of improving your mental health and personal relationships.