Monday, March 30, 2026

Your daily dose of what matters in therapy, research, and practice.

A randomized controlled trial combining ketamine with Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) demonstrated significant reductions in drug use and cravings among participants with opioid use disorder, with no serious adverse events reported. The single-blinded trial compared the combined approach against MORE alone, positioning ketamine-assisted psychotherapy as a viable adjunct for OUD treatment at a time when the opioid crisis demands novel interventions.

4 min read | Nature Mental Health

A population-based cohort study found that childhood ADHD traits predict adult psychological distress decades later, with societal exclusion serving as a key indirect pathway. The findings suggest that addressing social inclusion early in treatment may be just as critical as managing core ADHD symptoms for long-term mental health outcomes.

5 min read | Nature Mental Health

A randomized controlled trial found that capping social media at one hour per day significantly reduced loneliness among young adults with depression and anxiety symptoms, regardless of gender or tendency toward social comparison. This simple behavioral prescription may be worth integrating into treatment plans for clients struggling with digital overuse and social disconnection.

4 min read | Journal of Affective Disorders

An analysis of Cannabis & Me study data found that childhood trauma, especially emotional and physical abuse, is strongly associated with paranoia, and heavy cannabis use acts as a multiplier for these symptoms. For therapists treating trauma survivors who use cannabis, the findings underscore the importance of assessing substance use patterns as part of trauma-focused care.

5 min read | Psychological Medicine

Research found that socially anxious individuals experience more meaningful and playful social interactions in smaller group settings and through digital communication, where they feel a greater sense of control. These findings offer practical guidance for structuring therapeutic group work and social exposure hierarchies for clients with social anxiety.

4 min read | Social Psychological and Personality Science

A new study found that TikTok content about ADHD stimulants skews heavily positive, with patient influencers functioning as unofficial direct-to-consumer advertisers for medication. Therapists working with ADHD clients, particularly younger adults, should be prepared to discuss the gap between social media portrayals and the full clinical picture of stimulant treatment, including side effects and non-pharmacological alternatives.

4 min read | Mad in America

University of Hawai'i researchers used machine learning to analyze 7.9 million substance use treatment records and found that treatment duration is the single most important predictor of positive outcomes, regardless of setting. The study also revealed a troubling geographic mismatch: states with the highest overdose death rates tend to have the fewest evidence-based treatment services available.

3 min read | University of Hawai'i News

A perspective paper argues that despite robust evidence that bilingualism does not hinder language development in autistic children, clinicians continue advising multilingual families to abandon their home language. The paper traces how historical misconceptions became embedded in practice and calls for culturally sustaining interventions that preserve intergenerational communication and family connection.

6 min read | Frontiers in Psychiatry

A new two-year pilot program launching in Northern California, Upstate New York, and the greater Chicagoland area will bring therapy animals to support both patients and healthcare providers across the care continuum. The initiative recognizes what many therapists already know: sometimes the most powerful therapeutic presence in the room has four legs and a tail.

2 min read | Fierce Healthcare

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