CENTERED PSYCHIATRY™
    Kathy J Russeth, MD, SC

Gifted children and adults often experience emotions and energy at a level that can look unusual from the outside. Too often, these traits are mistaken for signs of bipolar disorder. Myths—like the idea that mood shifts within hours equal ‘rapid cycling’—fuel misdiagnosis, leading to stigma, unnecessary medication, and missed opportunities for support. Recognizing the difference between gifted intensity and true pathology isn’t just nuance—it’s essential for protecting well-b

Gifted adults often wonder if their unusual sleep patterns—busy minds at night, vivid dreams, or thriving on more or less sleep than average—are signs of a problem. The truth is, different doesn’t always mean disordered. This post explores common sleep myths, normal variations, and when it’s worth seeking professional help.

Gifted children often sleep differently—some need much less sleep, others much more, and many struggle to quiet their busy minds at night. These patterns don’t always mean something is wrong. This blog explores common myths about kids’ sleep, what’s normal for gifted children, and when it may be time to seek professional guidance.

What if therapy isn’t about getting it right, but about staying present, curious, and open to what happens next? In this post, I share how a sandbox metaphor helps me work with twice-exceptional patients and others who long to feel seen, met, and real in the therapy space.

What looks like a simple yes-or-no question can feel profoundly complicated for those who’ve never experienced true safety in their bodies. This post explores what consent really feels like, why it’s often misunderstood, and how grief, confusion, or even resistance can arise when someone begins to imagine—perhaps for the first time—what it means to choose, to pause, and to be truly heard.

Finding the right therapeutic fit isn’t just about credentials or convenience—it’s about resonance. In this post, I explore what makes a good match in my practice, including the capacity for self-reflection, emotional depth, and a shared pace for growth. Whether you’re an individual or a family, feeling that prior treatments have been “almost-but-not-quite” aligned is a signal worth listening to.

Estranged sibling relationships often involve a mix of compassion, pain, and silence. This blog explores how protecting ourselves from a hurtful dynamic with a sibling can come with both costs and clarity—and what healing might look like without confrontation.

A casual conversation about soda revealed how differently people process the same sensory input—one found it exciting, another analytical, and another overwhelming. This post explores how everyday moments can illuminate sensory processing styles, and why recognizing these differences matters in clinical care, parenting, and relationships. Sometimes, the smallest observations offer the biggest insights.

Many twice-exceptional individuals learn to hide their struggles behind strengths—masking their true needs. This post explores how a 2e clinical lens reveals the complexity beneath the surface, where brilliance and vulnerability coexist.

When we’re worried about someone we love—especially a child—we often hesitate to ask the hardest questions. But asking about suicide won’t plant the idea. It might just open a door. Here’s why speaking up could save a life.

Feeling like something’s wrong with you? Maybe it’s not dysfunction—it’s misalignment. A compassionate reframe for sensitive, deep-thinking minds.

When bright minds struggle, it's not failure—it's misunderstanding. Rethink giftedness, twice-exceptionality, and what’s truly possible.

Healing is about balance: acknowledging pain when needed, amplifying strengths, and building a path forward unique to you. #Therapy #Healing

Empower your child's growth with these key strategies for early childhood development, from managing tantrums to fostering independence.

From child psychiatry to elder care, discover how caring across generations enhances understanding and empathy. #FamilyCare

Explore how embracing diverse communication norms enhances understanding across cultures.

Explore how embracing vulnerability can transform relationships, building trust and emotional intimacy for deeper connections.

Learn to listen actively, express clearly, and embrace emotional honesty for deeper connections.

Explore how vulnerability, communication, and growth turn shallow ties into deep connections.

Explore the keys to deepening relationships: communication, vulnerability, support, quality time, respect, and more.