Supporting Your Mental Wellness

The body, nervous system, and brain all are involved in learning new skills and coping mechanisms. In cases of overwhelming stress exposure, a series of physiological chemical reactions affect how the brain and body process information. Sleep is often disrupted during times of great stress which is thought to be one of the natural recovery processes to integrate new memories and information. Regular exercise, expressive activities, and grounding practices are often included into treatment goals as these have been proven to help create a healthy foundation.  

Our minds, how meaning is created, and individual perceptions based on previous experiences affect how people view the world and themselves in the world. Based on what our experiences teach or tell us in combination with various sensitivity levels will impact on how the world is interpreted. Often cognitive patters can become ingrained and might very well be effective coping at certain times but ineffective coping in other times. Identifying and addressing how our thoughts impact emotions and behavioral function play a critical part in a sense of choice and control.

People need other people. We are relational beings. Attachments are formed in different settings and over the course of a lifetime. Even though people can experience incredible pain and suffering due to unsafe relationship interactions, they can also participate in restorative processes that help repair and reestablish a sense of balance. Healing happens through relationship connections.  practice, by repetition and throughconsistency can help establish a safe foundation from which people can learn and grow. Change can also be uncomfortable, includes risk, and may require gentle encouragement.   

People tend to thrive when they have enough challenges to be engaged, but not enough to be overwhelmed. Connecting with each other in safe environments with a balance of structure and flexibility encourages a person’s sense of meaning and purpose. Whether that is restoring hope, making more effective choices or modifying behavior as situations and environments require. People deserve to know that they are important and valued. Having a safe place to honor each person’s beliefs and experiences promotes wisdom and compassion.