Blog posts, news articles, and other resources from The Center • A Place of HOPE
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...
The power of nature and gardening as a therapeutic practice can be transformative for those who have experienced trauma. This article will delve into the profound benefits of gardening, focusing on grounding, mindfulness, and nurturing life. It will also explore the science behind why it's such a transformative practice for...
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...
This article discusses the interplay between trauma and substance abuse, exploring how one can exacerbate the other and offering guidance on holistic approaches to treatment that address both issues simultaneously. What is trauma? Trauma is a psychological and emotional response to a distressing or disturbing event or series of events...
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...
Suppose you’re one of the millions of people who live with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In that case, you already know how difficult it can make your everyday life. The unique challenges of living with OCD often extend into the workplace, and many people say their OCD symptoms are even worse...
Processing trauma is a complex and deeply personal journey, often marked by emotional distress and a range of psychological challenges. In this context, mindfulness practices offer a profound and invaluable resource for those seeking healing and recovery. In this article, we will explore why mindfulness practices can be profoundly helpful...
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...
This article describes the profound impact of early loss or bereavement on a child's developing psyche when combined with traumatic circumstances. It also looks at the lasting repercussions of childhood traumatic grief into adulthood. Suggestions for those seeking support for managing issues around childhood traumatic grief are given at the...
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...
If you’ve been through something traumatic, you already know how painful it is. After a traumatic event, most people feel terrified and even paralyzed. You might have experienced feelings like despair and helplessness. Trauma survivors often feel their sense of trust in the world is shattered, and they will never...
This article explains the connection between prolonged trauma exposure and the onset of physical diseases, focusing on the body's stress response. What is prolonged trauma exposure? Prolonged trauma exposure refers to a situation in which an individual is subjected to traumatic events, experiences, or circumstances over an extended period rather...
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...
Did you ever encounter a bully when you were a child? Going through bullying – whether it’s as the victim, an observer, or the bully – seems almost to be a quintessential experience of childhood. Many of us encountered a bully, in some form or another, during childhood. Being bullied...
"*" indicates required fields
The whole person approach to treatment integrates all aspects of a person’s life: