SMARTer CARE Newsletters
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Why Isn’t My Patient/Client Showing Up? Best Practices for Irregular or No-Show Visits in Mental Health Clinical Settings 2/19/25
Client no-shows and irregular appointment attendance can be a significant challenge for mental health providers, impacting both clinical outcomes and practice management. While occasional missed appointments are expected, consistent no-shows can indicate deeper issues that require careful consideration. This article outlines best practices for addressing client no-shows in a manner that supports the client while […]
The Cardiovascular Risks of Stimulants 2/5/25
Stimulants, including methylphenidate and amphetamine salts, are considered the first-line treatment in most cases of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The diagnosis of ADHD and the use of stimulants in both youth and adults have risen over recent decades. Approximately 6.1 million children and adolescents in the United States are currently on stimulants. Both the American Academy […]
California Wildfires: Prepare, Watch and “Early Bird Evacuate” 1/22/25
Quick Tips: PREPARE a “go bag” WATCH closely for the risk of fires using https://www.alertsandiego.org/ and Watch Duty org apps EARLY BIRD EVACUATE in the orange zone Providers can learn Psychological First Aid, volunteer time and resources, and help patients and their families prepare and cope with the wildfires As the wildfires continue to devastate […]
Autism Spectrum Disorder and Psychosis 1/8/25
Patient is a 14-year-old male with history of autism spectrum disorder who presents for psychiatric evaluation. Patient was diagnosed with autism at age 3 after his pediatrician noticed concerning signs including speech delay, limited social interaction, and repetitive play. On interview, patient’s mother shares that over the past few months patient has exhibited increased aggression […]
Beta Blockers 12/18/2024
Case Presentation: Your 11 year old male patient with Autism level 2 without intellectual or verbal impairment and Generalized Anxiety Disorder is not tolerating sertraline well (resulting in weight gain and akathisia) with minimal positive effect. Primary concerning symptoms include: agitation, quick to anger, and difficulty with changes in routine. He previously did not tolerate […]
Evaluation & Treatment of Insomnia in Youth 12/4/24
As a child’s brain develops, their sleep patterns also undergo significant changes. Sleep is regulated by the circadian rhythm, which controls cycles of sleep and wakefulness. Both the architecture of sleep and the amount of sleep needed vary throughout development. Infants typically need 14-17 hours, school-aged children need 9-12 hours, and teenagers need 8-10 hours […]
Psychological First Aid 11/20/24
As primary care and mental health professionals, we are aware that we could be called on as part of an initial response team for a disaster or mass trauma. Psychological First Aid is a modular framework to help reduce emotional distress in the immediate aftermath of disasters, mass violence and other crises. Background We know […]
Seasonal Affective Disorder 11/6/24
Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as Major Depressive Disorder with Seasonal Pattern, is a form of depression that consistently occurs during certain months of the year. It can present during either winter or summer, but it more commonly occurs in the colder months when there are fewer daylight hours. While distance from the equator is […]
The Importance of Parent Participation in Autism Intervention 10/23/24
As the prevalence of autism continues to increase, 1 in 22 children in California, it is vital that we as providers better understand how to tailor interventions to best meet the needs of our autistic youth and their families. There are many different types of interventions for autism with different areas of focus and different […]
Extrapyramidal Symptoms (EPS) 10/9/2024
Antipsychotic medications are used to treat a wide array of mental health conditions including mood disorders and psychotic disorders. Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), or drug-induced movement disorders, are common adverse side effects of antipsychotic medications. EPS are important to recognize and address as they can cause patients significant distress and impairment and lead to self-discontinuation of […]