
Online Trauma Therapy: Healing from Home
26% of respondents to a Healthline survey about online therapy report seeking therapeutic help for trauma
No matter how you identify, your age, or time since trauma(s), research shows teletherapy is effective for trauma if your rapport with the therapist is strong
According to Healthline's mental health survey, BetterHelp is the top choice for trauma therapy
Most know online therapy can be helpful for couples counseling, general anxiety, even phobias, or concerning behavioral traits, but does it work for healing after living through trauma? Where do you turn when in-person isn't your best option, but you need help for post-traumatic stress?
Our expert and two individuals managing PTSD explain why online trauma therapy is not only a thing, but can often be the safest place to maintain healing. Plus, we're sharing 7 vetted and proven services to start or continue online therapy.
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Health Line
3 hours ago
- Health Line
11 Life-Changing Health Products Recommended by Our Team
'Life changing' is a lofty goal for a health product, but our editors say these 11 are truly indispensable. From TikTok trends to influencer picks, it can seem like product recommendations are everywhere. While many aren't worth your time — or, let's be honest, money — every once in a while, there are true gems that make our lives easier, better, or just more fun. We asked Healthline editors — many of whom regularly try new products for our product reviews and roundups — what products have been truly life changing. From kitchen tools to products for better sleep, here's what they said. The products that truly changed our lives for the better Christy's pick: An IPL hair removal device Christy Snyder called this intense pulsed light (IPL) hair removal device a huge time saver. It uses light to remove hair and prevent it from growing back. 'Sick of shaving and other hair removal methods (waxing, using an epilator), using an at-home laser to remove unwanted hair has been a game-changer in my self-care routine,' she said. 'I get less ingrown hair and itchy skin.' According to the brand, it takes three to four treatments a week for the first month to start seeing results. After that, you can switch to just one or two treatments per month for maintenance. Still, keep in mind that it may not work well on dark skin or light hair. Although Christy has sensitive skin, she's found that this device doesn't bother her skin. 'It does take a bit of patience,' she warned, 'but it's been worth it for me.' Veronica's picks: A food scale and pans with interchangeable handles Veronica Zambon said having access to a food scale helps her with portion control and is much more accurate than measuring food by volume. 'I grew up with an Italian nonna, so mealtimes were literally enough to feed an army — my brother, who is in the navy and needs all that energy he can, struggles to finish her meals! With that as my baseline, I always battled with knowing what a 'proper' portion is, an issue compounded by the trend of larger plates.' She shared that she relies on Google to figure out calories per gram of different foods as she seeks to lose weight to help her manage polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). She credits her scale to helping her lose over 6 pounds. Having tried several different scales, she likes her current one by Salter, a UK brand. Other brands, like Taylor or Amazon Basics, offer good entry-level options for customers in the United States. Veronica's second pick is also kitchen-related. After moving into a small house without much kitchen space, she decided to ditch her wok and oversized tall pot and buy a set of stackable pans. The set comes with a detachable handle that you can use for the whole set. 'I ended up buying these on a whim and they're fantastic,' she said, adding that they only take up about as much cupboard space as a set of plates. 'Plus, these are oven safe! I can cook stuff on the [stovetop] and then place the pan in the oven and remove the handle. Minimal washing up, minimal equipment, and I can make delicious food in suitable pots and pans.' Morgan's pick: Noise-cancelling headphones Morgan Mandriota received these headphones as a gift a couple of years ago. She called them 'magic' because they helped her manage sensory issues. 'I'm easily distracted, overstimulated, and frustrated by the everyday sounds that my brain can't filter out that other people wouldn't even notice,' she explained. 'I actually cried the first time I wore them because the noise-cancelling functionality was so powerful that I was overcome with a sense of peace and quiet for the first time in a while.' While Morgan noted that they're great for helping her focus while working from home, she added, 'Sometimes I just sit on my couch and close my eyes while listening to music through them because the sound is so good, too.' Naomi's pick: Shampoo bars Naomi Wilde made the switch from liquid shampoo to shampoo bars more than 2 years ago and doesn't think she'll ever go back. Compared to traditional shampoo, a bar lathers great, cleans her hair well, and doesn't leave any residue. 'It takes up less space on my shower shelf, and as far as waste? I've probably avoided using a dozen plastic shampoo bottles so far,' she said. 'All I have to do is recycle a little piece of paper from each bar.' Naomi uses these bars from J.R. Liggett, which are locally made in her state. However, you can also find brands like Ethique and HiBAR at natural grocers and even large chains like Target. Catherine's pick: Lacrosse balls Catherine Conelly called the humble lacrosse ball 'cheap and indispensable' for tight muscles. She noted that it's easy to travel with or use at home. 'It's denser than a tennis ball, so it's great for rolling on sore muscles (for me, it's my neck and shoulders that chronically act up). It's like a mini deep tissue massage,' she explained. Rita Mauceri agreed, calling this set of lacrosse balls 'the best $7.99 I spent in recent memory.' She uses them to roll out her feet, relieving tension and cramps. 'I roll for less than 5 minutes a day, and it's made such a difference,' Rita added. Rita's picks: A satin pillowcase and a sous vide One of Rita's other top products is a silk or satin pillowcase. 'After reading endlessly about the beauty benefits of silk pillowcases for both hair and skin, I finally decided to try the trend… and was not disappointed,' she said. While real silk pillowcases can run $100 or more, satin is a cruelty-free, less expensive alternative. These ones from Bedsure are less than $10 for a set and come highly recommended by Rita. 'They protect my hair from tugging and stress while I sleep, and pamper my skin as well (I'm a side sleeper who tosses and turns with a minimum of three pillows),' she added. 'I've also found they're cooler at night, which is a bonus for anyone who is a hot sleeper.' Rita also recommends a sous vide — something she was initially hesitant about. 'I gave my husband a lot of grief when he announced 2 years ago that he had bought a sous vide. I think my exact words were, 'Do we really need another kitchen gadget?'' she said. 'I ended up eating my words, literally.' Rita said she now relies on the tool daily, especially when cooking meat. 'It cooks things to perfection, every single time. Meat is unbelievably tender and juicy — and we've cooked everything from chicken breasts to T-bone steaks to BBQ pork to tri-tip. Not only that, but this is a set-it-and-forget-it device, so you can set it up to start and keep the food warm until you're ready to eat.' While Rita initially had a lower cost model, she recently upgraded to this one from Breville. Alice's picks: An insulated stainless steel water bottle and a white noise machine Though a reusable water bottle might seem like a basic product at this point, Alice Porter-McLaughlin recommends upgrading to an insulated stainless steel one. 'Mine's lasted forever despite being through some ordeals. I take it with me everywhere and keep it beside my bed at night,' she said. This one from Hydro Flask holds its temperature for hours, and the wide mouth can support a variety of cap styles. Alice also recommends a dedicated white noise machine as a worthwhile upgrade to using a white noise app. 'It means one less reason to use my phone at night,' she explained. Plus, she said it's helped both her and her husband sleep much better at night. 'With time, we almost trained ourselves to fall asleep quicker/more deeply when it's on.' Lois's pick: An automatic pill dispenser and organizer Lois Zoppi acknowledges that automatic pill dispensers aren't cheap, but she still finds it worthwhile for reducing mental load and staying on top of medications and supplements. 'I have a blood condition that means I am chronically anemic, and it's super important I regularly take high dose iron. I'm also vegetarian, so I take a few supplements to make up for gaps in my diet,' she explained. 'But, I really struggle to keep a routine and make habits, and setting alarms on my phone wasn't working to keep me regularly taking what I needed to and when.' Lois likes the dispenser's ability to set multiple alarms, noting that it goes off only when the pills are actually removed from the tray. 'It forces me to actually follow through instead of turning off my phone alarm and inevitably forgetting to take the pills. For the first time, I've actually been on top of a supplement schedule, and I'm definitely feeling the benefits in my day-to-day health,' she said.


Health Line
8 hours ago
- Health Line
GLP-1 Drugs May Cause Dehydration, Experts Say, Especially In Extreme Heat
Experts say people who take GLP-1 weight loss medications should stay hydrated, particularly when temperatures are high. The mechanisms of GLP-1 drugs that help reduce appetite, as well as their side effects, may lead to dehydration. Dehydration can cause symptoms such as dizziness and a dry throat, as well as potentially lead to cramps and even seizures. Dehydration could be a potential side effect of taking GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Mounjaro. Experts say dehydration can easily occur as people lose weight with GLP-1 drugs, as their hunger and thirst impulses are tamped down by these medications. 'Dehydration is a serious risk when taking GLP-1 medications,' Kais Rona, MD, a bariatric surgeon of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in California, told Healthline. 'A reduction in hunger drive may be associated with a reduction in thirst drive as well. Patients can develop dehydration rather quickly while taking these medications.' Rona and other experts emphasize that dehydration is not a direct result of taking the GLP-1 drugs. Rather, dehydration develops because of the medication's mechanisms to lower the body's desire for food and consequently liquids. Here's what you need to know about staying hydrated while taking GLP-1 drugs, particularly during rising temperatures. GLP-1 side effects may cause dehydration Common side effects from GLP-1 drugs, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, can exacerbate dehydration. 'These medications work by reducing appetite and slowing down gut function, which not only result in a reduction in food intake, but a reduction in fluid intake as well,' Rona explained. 'Furthermore, the most common side effects associated with GLP-1 medications are gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, constipation, and vomiting.' These symptoms, he added, may exacerbate dehydration. 'GLP-1 drugs slow gastric emptying, leading to early satiety, and making you less likely to drink adequate fluids regularly,' said Michael Snyder, MD, a bariatric surgeon and an obesity specialist at FuturHealth. 'They can also increase the risk of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and other GI side effects — all of which can be made worse by dehydration.' Jessica Crandall Snyder, a registered dietitian and a medical advisor to FuturHealth, noted the issue is even more important in warmer weather. 'GLP-1s can interfere with your body's natural hunger and thirst cues, meaning you might not feel thirsty even when your body needs fluids,' she told Healthline. 'They may also impact thermoregulation, making it harder for the body to cool itself effectively. In hot weather, that could increase the risk of overheating or even heat-related illness.' Zhaoping Li, MD, a professor of clinical medicine and the chief of the Division of Clinical Nutrition at the University of California Los Angeles, said GLP-1 drugs can also cause people to urinate more often. That can also lead to dehydration. 'You need to be careful,' Li told Healthline. Health dangers from dehydration Dehydration occurs when the body doesn't adequately replace the fluids it loses when sweating and urinating. You can also become low on fluids if you have an illness, especially one that causes fever. People who are more likely to become dehydrated include: athletes older adults people working in hot weather infants and young children people with chronic conditions people who live at high altitudes The symptoms of dehydration include: increased thirst dry mouth fatigue dizziness dry skin headache In more serious cases, dehydration can cause a rapid heart beat and rapid breathing. Li said a person who is dehydrated may also develop low blood pressure. 'In addition, as you urinate, you can lose calcium, potassium, and salt,' she said. Dehydration can lead to cramps and even seizures, especially if there is electrolyte imbalance. Rona said there are a variety of serious ailments that can also be produced by dehydration. 'Dehydration can result in significant electrolyte abnormalities, which may present as vague symptoms such as confusion, decrease in energy levels, fatigue, or muscle spasms,' he said. 'Inadequate hydration can also worsen constipation, which is a common side effect of the medication. Lastly, severe dehydration can lead to blood pressure abnormalities as well as kidney injury, which can sometimes result in permanent kidney damage if not addressed urgently.' Tips to stay hydrated On their website, officials at Reviv Lounge, a weight loss treatment center in Wisconsin, discuss the importance of hydration while taking GLP-1 medications. 'Water is essential for nearly every function in your body, but it plays a particularly crucial role when you're actively trying to lose weight,' they say. They also note that when the body is low on fluids, it can hold onto excessive sodium, which can cause bloating and water retention. Staying hydrated is key to maintaining overall health. A 2023 study concluded that hydration can also help with healthy aging. In general, it's recommended that males drink 13 cups of water per day and women drink nine cups of water per day. Experts interviewed by Healthline agreed it's important to stay hydrated while taking weight loss medications. 'It is very important to prioritize hydration when taking a GLP-1 medication,' said Rona. 'Water with or without natural flavors and electrolyte-based fluids are the preferred sources of hydration. It is important to reduce the intake of sugary beverages as well as carbonated beverages, which can sometimes exacerbate the gastrointestinal side effects of the medication,' he added. 'It is critical to know your hydration needs and keep track of your intake,' Michael Snyder noted. 'This is the same as we recommend for anyone following a dietary regimen, but more so if you are on GLP-1 medications, since they can notably affect hydration status.' Jessica Crandell Snyder shared some practical advice for people taking GLP-1 medications. 'Start with a comprehensive plan, not just the medication. Stay hydrated and drink electrolyte-rich fluids if you're experiencing GI symptoms,' she said. 'If you are nauseated, take small, frequent sips of cold beverages. Continue to prioritize high protein meals and stay in close communication with your healthcare provider, especially in the early weeks or if digestive symptoms persist. GLP-1s are powerful tools, but they're most effective when supported by lifestyle shifts,' she recommended. What to know about GLP-1 medications GLP-1 medications fall into two categories. Ozempic, Rybelsus, and Wegovy contain the active ingredient semaglutide. Ozempic and Rybelsus are used for type 2 diabetes. While Ozempic is often prescribed off-label for weight loss, Wegovy is approved by the FDA for weight loss. Mounjaro and Zepbound contain the active ingredient tirzepatide. Mounjaro has been approved to treat type 2 diabetes, while Zepbound has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for weight loss. In the past three years, numerous studies have lauded the weight loss benefits of GLP-1 drugs. In addition, researchers have reported that GLP-1 drugs can help: reduce the risk of some cancers reduce the risk of a heart attack curb addictive behaviors such as smoking and alcoholism reduce rheumatoid arthritis flare-ups However, these GLP-1 drugs can produce side effects. Among them: nausea and vomiting diarrhea constipation abdominal pain indigestion Li said it's important to drink plenty of fluids and consume enough protein when taking GLP-1 drugs. In fact, a recent study reported that protein can help prevent muscle loss caused by GLP-1 drugs. 'They are plenty of reasons for people to take weight loss medications, but you need to be careful,' Li said.


Fast Company
11 hours ago
- Fast Company
The Eames House in L.A. is open again after closing during the fires
After closing for five months due to smoke damage from the Palisades Fire, the Eames House (Case Study House #8) in Los Angeles has reopened to visitors—now with a more determined mission to serve as a place of community. Nearly 7,000 buildings were destroyed in the Palisades Fire, and though the Eames House was spared, cleanup efforts have been intensive. A crew took about a week to wipe away flame retardant that had been dropped to slow the fire from advancing from the outside of the home. They also dug up the property's plantings beds so the soil could be replaced due to concerns about toxic materials. 'We were very fortunate,' says Lucia Atwood, the granddaughter of architects Charles and Ray Eames who built the Pacific Palisades home in 1949. The home is a model of resilience, but its stewards were also proactive. Atwood tells Fast Company interventions began in 2011 to better fire- and drought-proof the home, which is a National Historic Landmark and on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Those efforts that took on greater urgency after the Getty Fire in 2019. 'At that point it became very clear that there were going to be an increasing number of of extremely damaging fires,' says Atwood, the former executive director of the Eames Foundation. The foundation has worked to harden the landscape, a process that included clearing brush and removing some of the more than 250 trees that were on the property. Subscribe to the Design latest innovations in design brought to you every weekday SIGN UP Reopening events this month with local leaders, neighbors, and fire survivors have turned the Eames House into an Eames home for the community, as is the case for patrons of the Palisades Library, which was destroyed in the fires. After offering the library the use of the property, including the home's studio, which is open to the public for the first time, for events like book clubs and sales, the head of the library got emotional, says Adrienne Luce, who was announced the Eames Foundation's first non-family member executive director in April. 'This place is for you,' Luce recalls telling the library's head, and she says she started to choke up. 'Being so close to the devastation actually is a wonderful opportunity to serve and support the local community and long-term community rebuilding efforts.' Reopening means 'really engaging and serving the local community,' Luce says.