Dr. Lena Agree logo featuring her name and title as a licensed psychologist, emphasizing professional psychological services.Dr. Lena Agree, JD, PsyD – Licensed Psychologist and Associates

Dr. Lena Agree’s Mental Health Resource Center

Young woman sitting on a bench, focused on her smartphone, illuminated by colorful lighting, reflecting themes of technology and its impact on emotional health.

The Negative Effects of Technology on Teens – and How to Help

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Written by Aleena Hellebyuck, MA, CAADC-DP Learn how social media, screen time, and online culture are shaping your teen’s emotional health and what you can do to help them build balance, resilience, and self-esteem in a digital world. The Digital World Teens Are Growing Up In Technology is woven into nearly every aspect of modern teenage life. From smartphones and social media to gaming and streaming platforms, adolescents are living in a world that’s always online. While digital tools provide connection and creativity, they can also contribute to anxiety, comparison, and overstimulation,  all of which affect emotional well-being and development. As a therapist, I often hear parents say, “I don’t even recognize my child anymore — they seem anxious, withdrawn, or distracted…

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Young woman gazing into a mirror reflecting a serene, ethereal version of herself, symbolizing personal growth and transformation in the context of drama therapy.

How to Change into the Person You Wish You Were

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Written by Jodi Leib Coden, MA When you envision your life five, 10, or even 25 years into the future – who’s standing there waiting for you? Most of us immediately picture others: a loving partner, playful children, colleagues and friends, and maybe even a loyal pet. You may imagine achievements such as winning an award, having a happy and healthy marriage, or building your dream house. But the most powerful aspect of that vision isn’t what’s around you – it’s who you’re becoming. Not just a richer or more successful you, but a wiser, more grounded, more fully embodied version of yourself. The you who’s walked through the chaos of today and emerged on the other side – radiant,…

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How Your Attachment Patterns Sabotage Your Happiness (and How to Break Free)

Practical Evidence-Based Strategies to Combat DepressionHow Your Attachment Patterns Sabotage Your Happiness (and How to Break Free)

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If you struggle with feelings of depression, flatness, anxiety, anger, or other unpleasant symptoms, you have your attachment system to blame. Attachment is an innate, unconscious system that tells you from infancy, that you must stay close to your your parents because you need them to protect you from physical danger, illness and overwhelming emotional distress (Bowlby 1988). This is what makes little kids cling to their moms in public places. They just know, “Mom keeps me alive.” This isn’t learned behavior; it’s more like an instinct. It gets “turned on” in response to real or perceived threats to your survival and well-being, such as when you’re tired, hungry, or frightened, or separated from your parents.  The problem is, it…

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