Blog & News

Blog posts, news articles, and other resources from The Center • A Place of HOPE

The Role of Sleep in PTSD and Trauma Recovery

By: Dr. Gregory Jantz  •  October 17, 2024

Trauma is the natural emotional response to a frightening or life-threatening event. After experiencing a trauma, many people develop symptoms like jumpiness, tension, and hypervigilance. One of the main symptoms people face after going through trauma is difficulty sleeping. Research shows a vast majority of people who live with post-traumatic...

Dealing With Overwhelming Stress at Work: 5 Healthy Coping Mechanisms

By: Dr. Gregory Jantz  •  October 17, 2024

If your job is stressful, you’re not alone. According to the American Institute of Stress, 83% of U.S. workers face work-related stress, and 1 in 4 rate work as the number one stressor in their lives. A whopping 1 million American workers call out of work every day because of...

Understanding and Overcoming Phobias: A Guide

By: Dr. Gregory Jantz  •  October 17, 2024

We all have fears—some of us are afraid of spiders, while others are afraid of heights or darkness. But for some people, these fears become so debilitating they can no longer function. In these cases, a specific phobia may be diagnosed. Specific phobia is a mental health condition that causes...

Resilience in Mental Health: Building Strength to Overcome Life’s Challenges

By: Dr. Gregory Jantz  •  September 5, 2024

Imagine a lone tree standing firm in a hurricane. Other trees have snapped or even been uprooted, but this tree withstands the winds. Its branches sway, but its roots stay strong. When the storm passes, the tree starts growing bigger and stronger than ever before. This is the picture of...

Gaming Disorder: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention

By: Dr. Gregory Jantz  •  September 5, 2024

The video game industry is booming and only getting bigger—experts expect it to be worth over $320 billion by 2026[1]. Even if you aren’t a gamer, you likely know someone who is. Playing video games isn’t inherently unhealthy; many enjoy gaming without adverse effects. However, for some people, gaming can...

Do Mindfulness Apps Work?

By: Dr. Gregory Jantz  •  September 5, 2024

Research has consistently found that mindfulness meditation is effective for supporting mental health. It can reduce stress, increase compassion, and even combat symptoms of anxiety and depression. Suppose you don’t have time for a traditional meditation class. In that case, you may want to try mindfulness apps—downloadable tools that offer...

Managing Mental Health During Major Life Transitions

By: Dr. Gregory Jantz  •  August 11, 2024

As they say, “The only constant is change.” As much as we might want things to stay stable forever, we will all experience several major transitions in our lifetimes. These life transitions can range from celebratory events to devastating ones, but they all have one thing in common: they impact...

The Connection Between Physical Activity and Mental Health

By: Dr. Gregory Jantz  •  August 11, 2024

Exercise is well-known as an important habit for physical health. But did you know its mental health benefits are just as powerful? Exercise is one of the best things you can do to improve your overall mental health, and can even be effective against mental health conditions like depression and...

How You Can Navigate the Challenges of Living With Bipolar Disorder

By: Dr. Gregory Jantz  •  August 11, 2024

Bipolar disorder is a mental health disorder that causes severe mood swings. It can be challenging and emotionally painful to live with bipolar disorder, and this condition can have devastating effects when left untreated. But there are effective, research-based treatments that can help. There is hope if you live with...

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy - How It Works & Who Can Benefit

By: Dr. Gregory Jantz  •  July 23, 2024

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),...

What is Vicarious Trauma

By: Dr. Gregory Jantz  •  July 23, 2024

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...

The Impact of Tech Industry Pressure on OCD Symptoms in Seattle

By: Dr. Gregory Jantz  •  July 23, 2024

The Impact of Tech Industry Pressure on OCD Symptoms in Seattle If you live in Seattle, chances are high that you work in the tech industry. Seattle's tech sector, home to giants like Amazon, Microsoft, and countless startups, has seen exponential growth in recent years – employing around 1 in...

Why Is Nutrition Good for Mental Health

By: Dr. Gregory Jantz  •  June 20, 2024

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...

Lesser Known Eating Disorders: Beyond Anorexia and Bulimia

By: Dr. Gregory Jantz  •  June 20, 2024

When we think of people with eating disorders, we tend to imagine frail, thin young women who severely restrict calories or binge and purge. This image is based on a cultural stereotype of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, two of the most well-known eating disorders. But not only is this...

The Role of Genetics in Mental Health: What We Know So Far

By: Dr. Gregory Jantz  •  June 20, 2024

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,...

How to Heal from Emotional Trauma

By: Dr. Gregory Jantz  •  June 5, 2024

This article explores the process of healing from emotional trauma. It details how to identify emotional trauma, describes its effects on mental and physical health, and provides an overview of the effectiveness of therapeutic approaches, including cognitive-behavioral therapy and EMDR, plus self-help strategies. Guidance on when to seek professional help...

The Impact of Trauma on Brain Function and Behavior

By: Dr. Gregory Jantz  •  June 5, 2024

This article explores the neurological and psychological effects of trauma on the brain. It explains how trauma can alter brain function, potentially leading to changes in behavior, and discusses the latest research in the field. Finally, information on therapeutic approaches that help in the recovery and rehabilitation of trauma-impacted brain...

Understanding Acute Stress - Symptoms, Causes, and Management Techniques

By: Dr. Gregory Jantz  •  June 5, 2024

Think about the last time you were in a frightening or stress-inducing situation. Not something like having too many deadlines at work, but something that was immediately scary – like almost getting into a car accident or finding out you may be losing your job. When this happened, you may...

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