Davis Behavioral Health

10/30/2026

Becoming a mother changes you in ways that go far beyond sleep deprivation and schedule shifts. If you've felt like you don't quite recognize yourself since having a baby, there’s actually a specific term to describe the feeling.

It's called matrescence, and it describes the identity transformation of becoming a mother. Understanding it can change how you see what you're going through, so let’s break down some common assumptions.

Myth: “Feeling lost or unlike yourself after becoming a mother means something is wrong.”
Fact: Becoming a mother is a profound identity shift, comparable in depth to adolescence. Feeling unsettled is a normal part of that process, not a sign of failure.

Myth: “If you love your baby, you should feel like yourself again fairly quickly.”
Fact: Matrescence takes time. Ambivalence, grief for your former life and uncertainty about your new identity can all coexist with deep love.

Myth: “Since matrescence is normal, I don’t need help or support to navigate it.”
Fact: Normal doesn't mean easy. Support makes this transition a lot less isolating.

10/27/2026

Try setting a specific, limited window each day for checking the news rather than checking frequently. Constant exposure to stressful information keeps your nervous system in a low-grade state of alert, and most people don't realize it's happening until they step away and notice how much calmer they feel.

10/22/2026

Taking time for yourself can sometimes feel selfish. If you feel conflicted about self-care, this quote by Parker Palmer offers a powerful reframe.

10/19/2026

If you've decided to reach out for mental health support but aren't sure who to contact first, that confusion is fairly common. These three provider types sound similar, but do pretty different things. Here's a quick breakdown:

-A therapist focuses on talk-based treatment, helping you work through emotions, patterns and coping strategies. For most people, this is the natural first step.

-A psychologist also provides therapy but often specializes in assessment and psychological testing, which helps with diagnosing more complex presentations.

-A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can prescribe and manage medication, focusing on the biological side of mental health.

Many people benefit from more than one type of care at the same time. Our mental health professionals offer psychiatric services and can help you figure out what combination makes sense for where you are right now.

10/16/2026

Research has found that vitamin D deficiency is extremely common among people experiencing depression. As daylight drops through fall and winter, it's worth asking your doctor to check your levels, especially if your mood tends to shift predictably with the seasons.

10/14/2026

You have a dozen urgent questions about your child's mental health, but you're not sure which professional to ask, where to even start, or if you're overthinking everything. (Sound familiar?)

Our Family Support Group gives parents a place to get real answers, practical tools and genuine support from people who understand what you're navigating.

What you'll gain:
-Communication strategies that help you genuinely connect with your child
-Practical knowledge about medications, treatments, and what to expect
-Clear direction on navigating mental health systems and services
-Tools for setting boundaries without damaging relationships
-Confidence in crisis planning and knowing who to call when
-Connection with other parents facing similar challenges

When: Thursdays | 7:00–8:30 PM
Where: 934 South Main Street, Layton
Cost: Free (open to all families, not just DBH clients!)

Contact [email protected] for more information or to join us.

10/13/2026

If your teen has been spending a lot of time talking to an AI chatbot, it's easy to feel alarmed. It can help to understand what's happening before you react, so let’s bust some common myths…

Myth: “If my teen prefers AI, something is wrong with them.”
Fact: Teens are often simply looking for somewhere to put feelings they don't know how to share. The technology might be new, but the need is a classic teen experience.

Myth: “The solution is to take away AI access, full stop.”
Fact: Removing access rarely addresses the need. A better question is: what is my teen getting from this that they're not getting elsewhere?

Myth: “If they're talking to AI, they don't want real connection.”
Fact: Most teens who lean on AI for support still want human connection. They just need it to feel a little safer, and AI chatbots feel less ‘risky’ than sharing struggles with friends.

10/09/2026

A free mental health screening event for preschool & elementary youth will be held on November 18th in Layton. The screening is a quick, confidential way to check in with a therapist about your child’s social and emotional needs. It can help start a conversation that leads to support, tools to use at home, and/or additional resources as needed.

Register online before Nov 13th: dbhutah.org/screening/

What to expect from this event:
> Complete a screening questionnaire online
> Parent and child meet with a mental health provider at Davis Behavioral Health in Layton
> Learn about and connect with community resources

Please note: this is not a full psychological evaluation, and no clinical diagnosis will be made.

Sponsored in partnership through Davis Behavioral Health, Davis County Health Department, Davis School District, USU Extension - Davis County

Thank you for your interest in participating in Davis County's Mental Health Screening Night for Youth. This event is a free opportunity for youth aged ...

10/08/2026

Today we're grateful for the crunch of walking through fallen leaves. It's one of those small, free sensory moments that can pull you back into the present without a lot of effort or focus.

10/05/2026

Nobody really prepares you for the emotional side of a C-section recovery. Physically, you're healing from major surgery. But mentally, you’re more than ready to pick up your little one when they reach for you. And your body keeps saying… “not yet.”

That gap between where your mind is and what your body can do is exhausting in ways that are hard to explain to someone who hasn't lived it.

It can also feed into postpartum mood struggles that catch people off guard. This might manifest as guilt, frustration or the sense that this newborn season is slipping by while you're still recovering.

If that sounds familiar, you're not alone. Here at Davis Behavioral Health, our maternal mental health team works with mothers navigating all kinds of postpartum recovery.