Author: Medical Reviewer | Dr. Deena Manion, PsyD, LCSW

Dr. Deena is the Chief Clinical Officer of Westwind Recovery, an award-winning outpatient treatment center in Los Angeles where she oversees the clinical and administrative program and treatment methods. Dr. Deena is a doctor of psychology and licensed clinical social worker since 1993. LCSW #20628. Originally from the East Coast, Dr. Deena has worked running treatment centers, worked as a therapist in psychiatric hospitals as well as school settings and currently has a thriving private practice in the LA area. Dr. Deena has appeared regularly on the Dr. Phil Show as an expert since 2003. She has also been featured on many other TV shows, podcasts and has contributed to written publications as well as podcasts.

a young man asks his father what is a family history of addiction

Healthy Ways to Address a Family History of Addiction

Drug and alcohol addiction is one of the most significant problems facing the healthcare system. Much of the efforts to reduce addiction rates focus on prevention because it is better to stop addiction than to treat it after it has occurred. Prevention involves having an understanding of the risk factors for addiction. Research indicates that […]

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man meets with doctor for medication-assisted treatment for opioid cravings

Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Cravings

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid addiction is an evidence-based approach to treatment that remains misunderstood. Many traditional or step-based programs believe that using medications as part of addiction treatment is like trading one addiction for another. While it is true that these medications can have the potential for abuse, when used properly, they are highly […]

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family works on setting healthy boundaries in therapy program

Setting Healthy Family Boundaries in Addiction Recovery

Personal boundaries are the physical, emotional, and mental limits we set for ourselves to safeguard our wellbeing. They allow us to form our sense of identity and separate who we are, what we think, and how we feel from the thoughts and feelings of those around us. We have different boundaries for different circumstances and […]

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woman begins tms therapy for depression

TMS Therapy for Depression

Major depression is a serious mental health disorder characterized by a persistently depressed mood, diminished interest in activities, and impaired daily functioning. Treating depression usually involves a combination of medications and psychotherapy. For most, this course of treatment is an effective way of managing the symptoms of depression. Sometimes, however, symptoms either do not improve [...]
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woman meets with therapist for TMS therapy

What to Expect in TMS Therapy

Antidepressant medications and psychotherapy provide relief for millions of people who suffer from depression. However, for some, these methods are ineffective, or the side effects of antidepressants are too much to tolerate. For these individuals, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) offers a non-invasive, drug-free alternative for treating depression. TMS has also been shown to effectively treat [...]
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woman struggles with symptoms of meth addiction

Symptoms of Meth Addiction

Methamphetamine is derived from amphetamine, a potent central nervous system stimulator. Amphetamines are commonly prescribed to treat medical conditions, including ADHD, narcolepsy, and clinical obesity. When used properly, these medications are highly effective. Methamphetamine, referred to as meth, crystal meth, crystal, and crank, is illegally produced in meth labs and sold as a recreational drug. [...]
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a person explores the different types of therapy

What Type of Therapy Is Best for Me?

“Therapy” is a broad term to describe a treatment system that has multiple components. Therapy is most commonly associated with psychotherapy or “talk” therapy, but this is only one of many therapeutic approaches. The main goal of therapy is to relieve emotional distress and other symptoms associated with mental health conditions, including substance use disorders. […]

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two people participate in a music therapy program

Coping Skills You Learn During Music Therapy

Music has been used as a tool for healing throughout history. Music therapy uses the natural mood-enhancing properties of music to help improve mental health and overall well-being. The psychological impacts of music are powerful and far-reaching, and a music therapy program has become renowned as a highly effective treatment for numerous mental health disorders [...]
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