Capitol Care Hires Two New Directors of Clinical Services in Stanhope and Somerset Facilities, Behavioral Health Care Provider Continues to Expand Services in New Jersey

(Stanhope, N.J., August 7, 2012)—Capitol Care, Inc., a behavioral health care provider, recently hired two new Director of Clinical Services, Dr. Sam Pirozzi at their Stanhope facility, and Dr. Dinelly Holder Gibson at their Somerset location.

Sam is a New Jersey licensed professional counsel, marriage and family therapist and licensed clinical drug and alcohol counselor with over 30 years of experience. He has worked in a variety of settings including outpatient mental health and chemical dependency treatment, inpatient treatment centers, hospitals, universities and in private practice. Throughout his professional career, he has gained experience in almost all aspects of behavioral health.

Sam has an EdD in Health Care Education from Nova Southeastern University and degrees in Marriage and Family Therapy, Community Psychology, and Psychology. He has licenses and certifications in mental health, clinical drug and alcohol counseling, and marriage and family therapy.

Dr. Dinelly Holder Gibson is a licensed professional counselor who, over the past 10 years, has worked within the behavioral health care field in substance abuse and mental health arenas including outpatient, methadone maintenance and vocational rehabilitation. She also has experience in clinical settings and working with agencies in promoting client success stories. Under her new position, Dinelly will work with clients who have developmental disabilities and/or mental health disorders.

“Sam and Dinelly's expertise in behavioral and mental health issues and focus on direct intervention and solution-based approaches will be great additions to our team,” said Tina Cooke, chief executive officer of Capitol Care, Inc. "We look forward to learning from their professional work and practices."

Dinelly has his M.S. in Education specializing in Rehabilitation Counseling from Hunter College and a Ph.D. in Human Services with a concentration in Counseling Studies from Capella University.

About Capitol Care

Capitol Care, Inc. is a behavioral health care provider located in Stanhope, N.J. The agency provides a variety of programs for adults and adolescents who suffer from behavioral, developmental and psychological disorders. Each program focuses on improving the emotional well-being and interpersonal relationships of persons served. Staff members are dedicated to providing personalized treatment plans designed to help individuals achieve their full potential. For more information, visit www.capitol-care.org or call 973-426-1440.

Mental Health In The Winter Months: Tips About Seasonal Affective Disorder

The winter blues may not seem like such a big deal, but for some people the cold weather and short days of winter pose a constant problem. The proper name for ongoing seasonal depression is seasonal affective disorder or SAD. Some people suffer from SAD for months on end, particularly in areas where sunny days are limited in fall and winter months. Anyone suffering from SAD living in the northeast should know there are New Jersey Mental Health centers that help people deal with seasonal affective disorder specifically.

Causes of SAD

Seasonal affective disorder is caused by a lack of sunlight during the fall and winter months, though a small percentage of SAD sufferers experience symptoms with the onset of summer. Decreased sunlight can lead to a disruption of one's circadian rhythms, which in turn interferes with sleep patterns. It may also lower serotonin and melatonin levels in the body, which can result in mood swings, changes in appetite, and even depression. Other symptoms of SAD include anxiety, feelings of hopelessness, oversleeping, weight gain, and trouble concentrating.

Managing SAD and Its Symptoms

Seeing a specialist in mental health in New Jersey, or wherever the SAD sufferer happens to live, is a good first step towards managing this disorder. SAD sufferers should know the practitioner providing care for their mental health in New Jersey or elsewhere may prescribe medication to treat their symptoms. Those dealing with depression should be sure to stick with their course of treatment to combat the effects of SAD.

Since a lack of sunlight is typically at the root of the problem, exposing the body to additional light throughout the fall and winter can make quite a difference. A simple solution is to keep blinds and curtains open during daylight hours, and to spend time outside on sunny days. Sunless days can be made brighter with a sun lamp designed especially for counteracting the effects of SAD. People with SAD far from the equator often break up the winter by vacationing in a warm, sunny location to make up for some of the sun they are missing. As with any form of depression, the symptoms of SAD can be lessened with regular exercise and a healthy diet as well.

There is a range of alternative remedies recommended for SAD. St. John's wort is often used for depression in general and may work for people with SAD in particular. Other supplements, like SAM-e (S-adenosylmethionine), are supposed to help replace the chemicals that naturally decrease during the short days of winter. Those considering treating SAD this way should check with their health care provider first.

Finding Mental Health Resources

Anyone who thinks they may be suffering from SAD should contact a mental health care provider right away. Residents of NJ should be able to find a New Jersey Mental Health facility that can help SAD sufferers make positive and effective changes in their lives.