Blog posts, news articles, and other resources from The Center • A Place of HOPE
If you’ve ever heard anything about mental health therapy, you’ve probably heard of cognitive-behavioral therapy or CBT. It’s arguably the most common and well-known therapy method today. It has been proven to be an effective treatment for a multitude of mental health conditions, including anxiety disorders, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD),...
This article aims to educate readers about vicarious trauma, which occurs from exposure to the traumatic experiences of others, often common among caregivers, healthcare professionals, and even through media consumption. It offers insights into identifying symptoms, understanding their impact, and strategies for managing and mitigating its effects. What is vicarious...
As the saying goes, “You are what you eat.” New research shows this statement is more valid than we ever realized. Nutrition plays an incredibly important role not only in physical health but also in mental health. The mind and the body are deeply connected. The food you consume—and the...
Just like physical illness, mental illness is caused by a complex combination of factors, including early childhood trauma, neurobiology, environment, stress, lifestyle habits – and genetics. Although researchers are still studying how, exactly, genetics comes into play when it comes to mental illness, they have found many, if not most,...
There is a severe health epidemic happening in America: the widespread epidemic of chronic stress. In the American Psychological Association’s 2023 report, around 25% of Americans rated their stress levels as eight or above on a scale of one to ten[1]. We tend to try to dismiss or ignore stress;...
Burnout is so pervasive in American society today that it’s almost normalized. Three in 5 U.S. employees report burnout, which is even higher in certain professions[1]. Stress and burnout are often dismissed as natural parts of working life, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Although burnout is very...
Do you ever have nightmares about the Covid-19 pandemic? Or do intrusive thoughts or memories pop up that make it difficult to function? Have you been having difficulty concentrating in the past few years? If so, you may be dealing with pandemic-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Several years into the...
Healing Spaces: Creating Environments That Facilitate Trauma Recovery This article explores how designing and creating a physical environment, like a calming and safe living space, can support trauma recovery. Elements such as color psychology, space optimization, and including elements of nature for a healing ambience are all discussed, as is...
What is the connection between the gut and mental health conditions like anxiety? This article gives an insight into how the gut-brain axis can influence anxiety levels and mental well-being and how improving gut health has the potential to alleviate symptoms. The mind-gut connection Increasingly, researchers have been exploring the...
In the wake of unprecedented global events, remote work has shifted to become much more ‘normal’. Far removed from the traditional office setting, the virtual realm has opened new doors of flexibility and adaptability. While the advantages of remote work are huge, it’s important to consider the mental health implications....
As with all transitions from one life stage to the next, menopause can impact mental health in a variety of ways. This article looks at how hormonal changes during menopause can influence mood and mental health, as well as outlining some of the treatment options available. What is menopause? Menopause...
Stigma is when society sees you negatively due to a particular characteristic or attribute. For example, in previous centuries, there was a strong stigma against people with leprosy -- if society knew or noticed you had leprosy, you might be rejected and marginalized. You might need help to maintain relationships,...
We tend to approach physical and mental health as an objective concept – governed by evidence and science. With medical research, we have identified and classified various mental illnesses, laid out their symptoms, and developed evidence-based treatments. But beneath the surface of this “objective” understanding lies an often overlooked dimension:...
Do you feel lonely? Do you wish you had more deep social connections in your life? If your answer is yes, you’re not alone. Loneliness and social isolation rates have steadily been increasing for decades, and we’re now experiencing what experts have termed a social isolation epidemic. Despite being constantly...
How Does Hormonal Birth Control Affect Mood and Mental Health? Many people get mixed information about hormonal birth control and mood. Some people claim they felt depressed while taking hormonal birth control. Others say they started taking hormonal birth control to manage symptoms of PMS-related depression. Hormonal birth control and...
If you live with a chronic illness like migraine, diabetes, or heart disease, then life is already hard enough as it is. The physical symptoms of your disease may affect your day-to-day life in a very real way. But what’s not as commonly discussed is the way these chronic illnesses...
Have you ever heard of the “gig economy”? Many of the people you see around you every day are gig workers. Rideshare drivers, food delivery workers, house cleaners, and more work “gig to gig,” the number of gig workers is growing daily. Reports show more than a quarter of the...
The Psychological Impact of Chronic Pain: Strategies for Managing Your Mental Health If you live with chronic pain, then you already know firsthand how it can significantly affect your mental health. People who experience chronic pain, no matter the cause, are much more likely to also live with mental health...
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The whole person approach to treatment integrates all aspects of a person’s life: