Thanksgiving is my favorite time of year!  It is when our family comes together to cook, laugh, and play games. However, as a psychiatrist, I know that the holiday season can be the most difficult time of the year, especially for those isolated by COVID or for whatever reason. Also, it is all too easy for the pressures of a “perfect holiday” to get in the way of our mental health.  If the pressures become too much, remember there is no one “right” way to celebrate - do what works for you!  Celebrate “Friendsgiving.” Help out at a homeless shelter. Enjoy time with family.  Or, spend the day Zooming and Skyping with people you care about or who you know may be alone.  Above all, be mindful of everything and everyone you are grateful for.
- Dr Lynne Lyons
Thanksgiving & Sleep
If you’re hosting Thanksgiving, you might be busy cleaning, decorating, and planning. However, don’t let the excitement and busy-ness of the day prevent you from getting enough sleep. Constantly running on not enough sleep can impact your mental and physical well-being. Specifically, research links sleep deprivation with increased rates of insomnia as well as increased irritability.

WHAT TO DO? Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep in a cool, dark room. Avoid using any blue lights (e.g., TV, tablets, phone) for 1-2 hours before bed.

Sending good wishes to you this Thanksgiving! Good food that fills your table, good health as you work hard, and good times with family and friends. May you have all the best delights in life. Happy Thanksgiving!
Tune into Yourself
Taking care of your physical and mental health can help you feel more in tune with yourself. You may notice the things you struggle with and what helps make it better. Self-compassion can help you achieve goals and deal with setbacks.
Benefits of Crying
We cry when we're happy, sad, angry, frustrated, and moved... but why? The world's leading crying experts weigh in on some theories.
By Tina Donvito, The Healthy
Lakes Psychiatric Center
We provide comprehensive psychiatric and psychotherapy services for a vast array of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, psychotic illness, borderline personality disorder, substance abuse/addiction, trauma related issues, relationship difficulties, life transitions, and behavior problems. Call (248) 859-2457 to set up an appointment.
Lakes Depression Center
Did you know? SPRAVATO® can have a rapid antidepressant response and is added on to an antidepressant and the rest of your regimen. It is the first new mechanism of action to treat depression that has come out in over 30 years. 
There is hope for treatment-resistant depression. Call (248) 859-2457 to set up an appointment.
Lakes DBT
Marsha Linehan, developer of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), explained that “people with Borderline Personality Disorder are like people with third degree burns over 90 percent of their bodies. Lacking emotional skin, they feel agony at the slightest touch or movement.” We can help. Learn more.
Lakes Psychiatric Center remains open for business. We are offering Zoom online tele-therapy appointments for new and existing clients as well as in person sessions. Please contact the front desk to assist you with your appointment type or instructions for using Zoom. Call (248) 859-2457 for info.
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Lakes Depression Center is continuing to provide SPRAVATO® treatments per the usual schedule. We have enhanced our safety and cleaning protocols. You are safe to start treatment or continue treatment. Call (248) 956-7164 for info.
Ginger Blair
Clinical Social Worker
and Certified Addiction Specialist

Ginger Blair is MSW and a Certified Addictions Counselor. Her undergraduate training included a first in the country program for a BA in Social work. (Waverly, Iowa) Her graduate training is from Wayne State School of Social Work. Ms. Blair has over 40 years of experience in behavioral medicine. She takes pride in her 30 years of service within public health settings. She has also four years of training in Bioenergetic analysis.
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Ginger has developed her skills as a Certified Addiction counselor and addresses issues of addiction, adult children of alcoholics (ACOA) trauma in the addicted family, co-dependency, and dual diagnosis. Our goal is to work together to break the chain of addiction and pain.
Terrie Browning
Licensed Professional Counselor

Hello! I am a Licensed Professional Counselor; trained in ERP, Certified Forensic Consultant, Credentialed Telehealth, with specialization in Counseling Psychology. I offer GOAL ORIENTED THERAPIES for adults and adolescents. I am passionate about the mind/body connection and use CBT, ACT, DBT, ERP along with mindfulness to increases awareness, create necessary habit changes, improve relationships both personal and professional and maintain a healthy balance in your life. If you are tired of being stuck, repeating certain patterns or themes, I will work alongside you to resolve past issues and start living the life you dream about.
 
I am experienced in treating individuals, couples/marriage and families.