Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel and act as we cope with life. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood. “Mental health has a complex interactive relationship with physical health and the ability to succeed in school, at work, at home, and in society” adds Dr. Labellarte.

Some people think that only people with mental illnesses have to pay attention to their mental health.

But the truth is that your emotions, thoughts and attitudes affect your energy, productivity and overall health. Good mental health strengthens your ability to cope with everyday hassles and more serious crises and challenges. Good mental health is essential to creating the life you want.

Promoting early childhood mental health is considered to be synonymous with healthy social and emotional development. Mental health difficulties and disorders experienced by very young children can impede a child’s development. Our practice focuses on alleviating the distress and suffering of a child or adolescent’s mental health problem and supporting them and their families in returning to healthy development and behavior.

Mental health issues are common but not typically discussed. Most adults know at least a few people who struggle with depression or anxiety. More than one in four American adults has a diagnosable mental-health disorder, and one in seventeen has a serious disorder such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. But chances are you have no idea who they are. “Our culture has no framework for talking about mental health or recognizing that some of our best and brightest people, statistically, would have a mental-health issue” says Dr. Shank.

Our practice focuses on those individuals with complex stories. Patients often find us after being treated by other providers without progress or improvement. Our providers are out of network and our patients value the extra time, expertise, and thoroughness we offer. Being out of network, is a different type of investment in mental health. Clients hold us to a different standard and not only expect to see results of working with us, but are ready to do their part in that process.