Dr. Corrine McIntosh, PsyD, LMFT

LOVE this reminder to keep it real from @theconfessproject Repost from @theconfessproject Christmas is a hard time for a lot of people who suffer with their mental health. We can often find ourselves looking around us, comparing ourselves to other people, but in reality, no one has a perfect life. People only show their best moments.... Share this with someone #mentalhealth #christmas #happyholidays #blackmentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthawareness #depression #anxiety #TheConfessProject

I was interviewed today by a journalism student on the topic of social anxiety: what is it, why does it happen, & how does one navigate a career that continuously challenges their fear of embarrassment & negative evaluation by others. Social anxiety disorder is more than just shyness or discomfort in social interactions. It is characterized by excessive & unreasonable fear about social situations where the person is exposed to possible scrutiny by others. Although the perso...n recognizes that their fear is excessive & unreasonable, they often feel powerless against it & thus avoid potentially triggering situations. Social anxiety disorder can occur for a multitude of reasons, with genetics accounting for 22%-50% of cases. It usually begins in mid- to late- adolescence & it is the 2nd most commonly diagnosed anxiety disorder. Anxiety has a tendency to show up & attack areas of our functioning that we significant value. Being intentional about making behavior choices aligned with our values versus aligned with our fear is critical in navigating a path forward. Looking at potentially triggering situations as opportunities for exposure to learn to tolerate the distress is also a critical factor. Confront & expose yourself to the scary situations to see that the outcome isn’t nearly as bad as you anticipated or even if it was, that you were able to tolerate it & that the really uncomfortable feelings didn’t last forever. Soon enough, you’ll move on from the distress & you’ll be stronger than before the exposure! #therapycanhelp #socialanxiety #socialanxietydisorder #socialphobia #cognitivebehavioraltherapy #exposuretherapy #mentalhealth #mentalwealth #mentalwellness #sacramentopsychologist #drcorrine

I’ve been talking a lot lately about the differences between a fixed mindset & a growth mindset. In a fixed mindset, people believe their qualities are static traits & therefore cannot be changed. Alternatively, in a growth mindset, people have an underlying belief that their learning & intelligence can grow with time & experience. If you have a trait that you believe cannot be changed, you will avoid situations that could possibly be uncomfortable or that you think are... useless. On the other hand, if you embrace the idea that habits aren’t static, then that belief will be the critical 1st step to creating actual change in your life. Challenges are viewed as opportunities, & the focus is on the process versus the end result. How are you now compared to how you were 5 years ago? I bet you can identify ways in which you’ve grown & didn’t even know it was happening at the time! We all need validation & motivation sometimes...you’re growing so well, keep it up! #growthmindset #keepgrowing #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealth #wellness #mentalwealth #therapycanhelp #cognitivebehavioraltherapy #sacramentopsychologist #drcorrine

Emotions Are Dope! If you’re anything like me, learning to identify & express emotions can be a challenge. It’s a skill that must be developed & practiced in order to be incorporated in your everyday life. Here are a few tips to help:... Examine your physical response - Pause - Ask yourself, What is going on right now? (tight chest/shoulders = anxiety, fear; stomach tightness or pain = sadness, grief, distrust, betrayal; face flushed = embarrassment, happiness) Name it to Tame It! Identify the specific emotion. A Feelings Wheel is a helpful resource for taking inventory of, & breaking down, your emotions. (For example, breaking down a feeling of sadness could mean you are experiencing guilt, shame, depression, loneliness, boredom, or exhaustion.) Avoid Judgement of Your Emotions! When we judge our emotions as bad, we feel even worse & get stuck. It’s human to experience all emotions. We deserve compassion, not judgement. A big shout out to @selfcareisforeveryone for this dope Emotions Are Dope sweatshirt! #emotionsaredope #selfcare #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #mentalwealth #therapycanhelp #sacramentopsychologist #drcorrine

Guess what I did last Monday during my week off...I ran a half-marathon! This was on my own, a self-imposed challenge - and it was my 3rd time running a half-marathon since the summer. Full-disclosure: I used to haaaaaate running. Up until 2 years ago, the last time I had run was in high school P.E. class - and I’m pretty sure even then I didn’t run a full mile. COVID helped motivate me to move my treadmill running to the road & my passion for the exercise ignited. ... For me, running is a way that I practice self-care. I use it as a form of stress management & mindfulness. Running has been shown to boost the body’s ability to deal with existing mental tension by increasing concentrations of norepinephrine, a chemical that helps moderate the brain’s response to stress. How will you practice stress management today? #stressmanagement #running #halfmarathon #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealth #physicalhealth #wellness #mindfulness #sportspsychology #therapycanhelp #sacramentopsychologist #drcorrine

Glad to see the APA issue a statement of support for Biden’s upcoming presidency #therapyispolitical

Leaning into uncertainty is just like going into the fog, not knowing what you’ll find & be willing to face whatever comes in order to get through it. Thanks for the reminder, @kimberleyquinlan! Repost from @kimberleyquinlan Our old mindset says that our fear MUST absolutely mean something. We may think it is telling us something about ourselves or warning us of all the possible outcomes that may happen.... - Our recovery mindset tells us that the uncertainty and fear isn't a puzzle we have to solve. We don't need to figure out what the fear or uncertainty means. In fact we need to do the opposite. We need to simply sit with the uncertainty, and stop trying to figure everything out. - Recovery means allowing the uncertainty. Being OK with it coming along as you go about your day. - How is your day going? Are you fighting uncertainty and fear or are you letting it in? - - - - - - - - #anxietydisorder #anxietyrelief #ocdawareness #obsessivecompulsivedisorder #erp #exposuretherapy #pureocd #cbt #panicdisorder #anxietytherapist #ocdrecovery #anxietyattacks #anxietysucks #panicattack #mentalhealth #mentalillness #panicdisorder #relationshipocd #perfectionism #exposureresponseprevention #intrusivethoughts #pureo #depressionsupport #anxietyquotes #uncertainty #itsabeautifuldaytodohardthings #bfrbawareness #bfrb #wecandohardthings See more

Looking around, there’s so much evidence of harm. No matter who our next president is, one thing is abundantly clear: WE have so much work to do in our communities. As we move forward, let’s remember to observe & examine our reactions so that we may unlearn & practice compassion for self & others. Do No Harm, & Take No Shit. Thanks for the reminder, @elizlesser & @brenebrown #donoharmtakenoshit #selfcare #assertiveness #mentalhealth #mentalwealth #therapycanhelp #sacramentopsychologist #drcorrine

5 Tips to Cope with Stress Before & After the Election! #selfcareispolitical #mentalhealth #mentalwealth #electionstress #stress #selfcare #sacramentopsychologist #drcorrine

I voted in-person at the Golden 1 Center yesterday! It was a very easy process - I was able to walk right in & had lots of friendly & supportive poll workers assist me. I understand this experience is very different for individuals in other parts of our country. I am grateful & encouraged by the individuals who have spent hours in line to cast their vote. Together, we can make a difference! What Is Your Voting Plan? Let me know in the comments! ... #vote2020 #voteearly #myvotingplan #everyvotecounts #counteveryvote #powertothepeople #sacramentopsychologist #drcorrine

Radical Self-Care = Returning to Our Roots. It Allows Us to Stay Nourished While Expanding the Gifts We Bring to the World You Belong On This Planet You Are A Precious Resource You Have A Right to Health & Peace of Mind... The Whole World Is Better For Having You In It How Are You Taking Care of Your Self Today?? #radicalselfcare #selfpreservation #wellness #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #mentalwellness #mentalwealth #antiracistpsychologist #sacramentopsychologist #drcorrine

Happy World Health Day! For those of you who are struggling, you are strong & you are great! You are not alone. I see you. I hear you. I am you. And I’m here for you. ... #WorldMentalHealthDay #worldmentalhealthday2020 #depression #anxiety #mentalwealth #mentalhealth #wellness #therapycanhelp #sacramentopsychologist #drcorrine

We’re ready, are you? The Virtual 1 Million Steps for OCD Walk, organized by International OCD Foundation, is this Saturday October 10, 2020 9am PT/12pm ET. You’re invited to join us in promoting awareness, dismantling stigma, & embracing uncertainty...1 step at a time!... Register to participate &/or pledge your donation at: https://support.iocdf.org/team/310541

Reposted from @theconfessproject Dreams of reality’s peace Blow steam in the face of the beast The sky could fall down, the wind could cry now... The strong in me, I still smile... I love myself - i, Kendrick Lamar #loveyourself #blackhealth #therapy #blackmentalhealth #kendricklamar #TheConfessProject #mentalwealth #wellness #therapycanhelp #sacramentopsychologist #drcorrine

People Living With Untreated Mental Illness Are 16TIMES More Likely To Be Shot & Killed By The Police, According To The Columbia Journalism Review (Overlooked in the Undercounted: The Role of Mental Illness in Fatal Law Enforcement Encounters Report, 2015). Moreover, A 2018 Report Found That At Least 1 In 4 Killed By Police Had A Diagnosed Mental Health Disorder. Tell Governor Newsom To Sign AB2054 So That We Can Invest In Community-Based Responses To Mental Health Emergenci...es #CRISESAct https://action.aclu.org/send-message/ca-gov-crisesact

You Can Choose Courage or You Can Choose Comfort. You Cannot Have Both. - @brenebrown I got out of bed today. I talked to that acquaintance even though I was anxious. I had that uncomfortable dialogue with a family member who expressed support of a racist government administration. I felt that fear of conflict, judgement, & rejection. I read a chapter in that book where I am learning to examine myself on a much deeper level. I did all that with the intention of living wi...th purpose & meaning. How Did You Choose Courage Today? #choosecourageovercomfort #feelthefearanddoitanyway #youcandohardthings #therapycanhelp #anxiety #mentalhealth #mentalwealth #antiracistpsychologist #sacramentopsychologist #drcorrine

Are you read to use your voice in November? Register to vote or check your status today for #nationalvoterregistrationday at HeadCount.org. The election is just a few weeks away - make sure you’re ready! #registertovote #headcount #headcountorg #thefutureisvoting #voting #voterregistration #voteready #vote2020 #yourvoicecounts #yourvotecounts #thepersonalispolitical #therapyispolitical #therapycanhelp #mentalhealth #mentalwealth #sacramentopsychologist #drcorrine