How Art Therapy Provides Healing
In the 1940s, doctors noted that individuals suffering from various mental disorders often communicated or processed emotions through artwork. This led many to explore...
In the 1940s, doctors noted that individuals suffering from various mental disorders often communicated or processed emotions through artwork. This led many to explore...
Need some creativity in your life? Tapping into your crafty side has benefits for overall wellness. Immediately, you’ll feel relief from taking your mind...
A healthier lifestyle never hurt anyone—quite the opposite, actually. But there’s a distinct difference between taking care of yourself and putting yourself on a...
New Year’s resolutions feel like they’re made to be broken. That new exercise routine or commitment to writing your memoir are a distant memory...
The term “coping mechanism” describes a conscious action you take when reacting to tough situations or turbulent emotions. Different circumstances call for different reactions,...
2020 wasn’t an easy year. We spent so much time worrying about our physical health, our children’s education, the logistics of working remotely, and...
Conflict is never pleasant, but tension between family members can feel particularly taxing. Being locked in the house together during Covid, spending more time...
The dizzying demands of the holiday season often bring unwanted guests: stress and anxiety. Long shopping lists, busy schedules, and concerns about keeping your...
Each year in the United States, around 2 million cases of self-injury are reported. However, this number is likely lower than the actual rate...
Self-injury is the deliberate destruction of a person’s own body. This behavior is not always an attempt at suicide but rather an unhealthy way...
“Every cloud has a silver lining.” While cliche, this idea of thinking positively can benefit your health in multiple ways. Lower rates of depression....
Every time you scroll through social media, it’s filled with photos of people who seem to have it all. A friend always has the...
During the month of December, awareness is being built around seasonal affective disorder. Also referred to as SAD or seasonal depression, there treatment is...
“Therapy” can be a scary word. While some people desire to share their feelings, others may be intimidated by the thought of spilling their...
Therapy isn’t always cheap. Nearly 12% of American adults with a diagnosed mental illness don’t have any form of health insurance. For those with...
At Valley Oaks, we know it can be hard to talk about suicide. Mental health awareness has come a long way in recent years,...
Close to one million people attempt to end their life each year, but—thankfully—not all succeed. We don’t always have the opportunity to hear from...
Whether we realize it or not, people are creatures of habit. Habits can be good for us: meditating in the morning, selecting the next...
We’ve all experienced upheavals in our schedules since COVID-19. Although it isn’t easy, and some days are better than others, most people have become...
Life is full of stressors. One thing after another can build up stress in our lives and lead to anxiety that’s difficult to manage....
Even the most angelically-behaved children push boundaries now and then. It’s a normal part of child development to test limits set by parents, teachers,...
Many people experience a mood shift during the colder, darker days of winter. Getting out of bed means being greeted by the cold bathroom...
Children learn a lot through play. It’s an opportunity to explore their creative side, sort out their feelings, test out ideas, and learn everything...
The “Terrible Twos.” This stage of behavioral development is called that for a reason, and it can be one of the first real parenting...
Welcoming a new baby into the family can be both exciting and overwhelming. As much as they love their little bundle of joy, parents...
During the first year of a baby’s development, over 1 million neural connections form each second within their brain. Babies master developmental milestones like...
Domestic Violence Awareness Month is an opportunity for communities to come together and stop abuse. Throughout the month of October, community activists and organizations...
Every minute, nearly 20 people become victims of physical abuse by an intimate partner in the United States. That means within one year, 10...
October 8 is National Depression Screening Day. While it may not be the most well-known health awareness holiday, it is an important one. Like...
During Mental Health Awareness Week, we’re paving a new path. Instead of stigma and silence, the one in five Americans who experience some form...
The spectrum of eating disorders is wide and varied. From well-known conditions such as anorexia nervosa to lesser-known ones like binge eating disorder, it’s...
One in ten Americans will suffer from an eating disorder at some point in their lifetime. These serious mental and physical illnesses strike people...
Approximately 10% of Americans are currently living in recovery. That’s a support group of 23 million people who understand the battle of addiction and...
During the month of September, we are shining a light on journeys to recovery. Until the problem of addiction is recognized, recovery can’t happen. ...
Someone dies from suicide every 40 seconds. By the time you’ve read through this article, three people will have given into the thoughts that...
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, nine out of ten people who need substance abuse treatment don’t receive the help...
Lockdown measures created a wave of anxiety that was felt across the globe. However, for some, the return to “normal” life may be downright...
“Music can change the world.” — Beethoven Music therapy has been studied closely in recent years, as it has been shown to significantly improve...
“Sometimes, the best medicine is unconditional love from your pet.” — Anonymous When COVID first began to spread across the globe, people around the...
There has been a lot of talk surrounding the social and economic concerns surrounding mental health lately, which is often directed at young adults,...
Long before “COVID” was a term known by millions around the globe, an opioid crisis was sweeping the nation. In 2018, the number of...
“The problem with the stigma around mental health is really about the stories we tell ourselves as a society.” — Matthew Quick The stigma surrounding...
In January 2020, the first case of COVID-19 was reported in North America. Since then, cases spread and the continent began to rollout lockdown...
Healthy sleep is critical to repair and rejuvenate your body and mind, yet 50 to 70 million American adults live with a sleep disorder. Emotional and...
It may be years until researchers fully understand the true mental health implications of the 2020 pandemic. There is no shortage of studies being...
There’s no shortage of studies and surveys showcasing the mental health implications of COVID-19. For example, a recent poll conducted by the Kaiser Family...
Being the hottest of the four seasons, nothing beats a refreshing summer swim — especially while enjoying the outdoors. Although swimming has been shown...
If there was one word to describe the 2020 pandemic, it would be uncertainty. Never before has the world faced such uncertain events in terms...
Americans are no stranger to workplace stress — and unfortunately, 90 percent of doctor’s office visits are associated with stress. Stress plays a significant role in...
While “e-mental health” is a relatively new field, it shows great promise. Fuelled by the recent pandemic, more and more digital tools and resources...
Approximately 8 million Americans are living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a potentially debilitating condition that can develop following a traumatic experience. For example,...
“In every walk in with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.” — John Muir The year 2020 has presented unique challenges in...
Over the past couple of decades, reading in America has declined. Between 2003 and 2016, the amount of time the average American spent on...
COVID-19 has led to unprecedented times, which is why researchers continue to collect data in order to understand the true consequences. Social distancing is...
COVID-19 has created a wave of psychosocial considerations, leaving mental health experts concerned about the future — especially among those who are most vulnerable....
“The willingness to consider possibility requires a tolerance of uncertainty.” — Rachel Naomi Remen Human beings are curious by nature. We strive to predict,...
The relationship between COVID-19 and diminishing mental health has gotten a lot of attention in the media lately, which is certainly positive. However, there’s...
According to UNESCO, due to COVID-19, over 90 percent of students worldwide (approximately 1.5 billion young people) were out of education as of April...
Social distancing and lockdown measures are stressful for everyone recently impacted by COVID-19. However, expectant mothers are facing several unique challenges and worries. There...
The current COVID-19 pandemic is not a national issue, it’s a global crisis. In order to support one another, it’s important to stay-up-to-date with...
Social isolation among older adults is considered to be a serious public health issue, mainly due to their heightened risk of mental health, autoimmune,...
“Good nutrition creates health in all areas of our existence. All parts are interconnected.” — Dr. T. Colin Campbell, American biochemist and nutrition expert...
“Humans are social beings, and we are happier and better, when connected to others.” — Paul Bloom Since COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic,...
In just a few short months, the world has rapidly changed in response to COVID-19. Millions are feeling the effects around the globe, as...
Health experts around the globe continue to express their concerns regarding COVID-19 and increased rates of mental health complications. However, there’s one group in...
Depression continues to be one of the most common mental health conditions in the United States. In 2017, an estimated 17. 3 million American...
