Center for Hope & Health, LLC

Center for Hope & Health, LLC We are an outpatient mental health private practice offering mental health care services. We special

Save the date! We're excited to be launching a free, virtual mental health series led by Dr. Paulina Syracuse, the lead ...
01/21/2026

Save the date! We're excited to be launching a free, virtual mental health series led by Dr. Paulina Syracuse, the lead clinician in our Somerset County, NJ location. Our first one will be on February 19th from 7:30-8pm and all about recognizing "typical" anxiety and worries that might need more support. To register, fill out the form and save the date for our upcoming sessions!: https://tinyurl.com/CHHfebwebinar

Listen, we know it's FRIGID out there - with no end in the cold cold weather ahead this week, at least, but as they say,...
01/21/2026

Listen, we know it's FRIGID out there - with no end in the cold cold weather ahead this week, at least, but as they say, there's no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothes, right? And there can be a ton of benefits to getting outside (in warm layers, of course), when your mood is dipping a bit during the darker, more indoor months. Here's what research shows:

-> Morning natural light exposure supports circadian regulation and energy
-> Regular, low-impact physical activity has a well-established antidepressant effect and can be comparable even to medication for moderate depression over time
-> Being outdoors increases both light exposure and movement
-> Time in green spaces — even winter, leaf-less ones — is associated with lower anxiety and depressive symptoms and improved overall well-being

Now, a walk isn’t a cure-all or a magical fix, but prioritizing a short walk during daylight hours can be a realistic, evidence-based support if your mood is dipping. And if things feel heavy, persistent, or overwhelming, that’s a sign to reach out for professional support. You don't have to go through it alone!

All day long, humans engage in self-talk, the ongoing chatter in our minds as we go to work, talk to friends, scroll soc...
01/11/2026

All day long, humans engage in self-talk, the ongoing chatter in our minds as we go to work, talk to friends, scroll social media, or try something new. For many people, that voice can be pretty harsh. Thoughts like “I’m a failure,” “I’m not good enough,” or “I suck at this, so why even try?” can pop in automatically and fill your internal landscape with self doubt and critique. To make it even tricker, many people believe this kind of self-criticism will motivate them in some way to “do better.” But research doesn’t actually support that. Over time, negative self-talk increases stress, decimates confidence, and shapes behavior negatively. The good news, though, is that you CAN change how you talk to yourself. And yes, it can feel silly to focus on small language shifts, like changing “I should” to “I could” or “I want to,” or moving toward more neutral body talk. But we encourage them because they really make a difference. Building a more supportive inner voice builds the conditions for resilience, growth, and real change. You’re with yourself all day. Learning to be a bit kinder makes a world of difference.

Now, this is easier said than done! We work with so many clients on their self-talk and internalized beliefs. If you’re struggling, reach out. We’re here for you.

New year, same pressure to lose weight and change your body! Here's a reminder that you do not have to change anything a...
01/05/2026

New year, same pressure to lose weight and change your body! Here's a reminder that you do not have to change anything about your body to be happier, worthy, valuable, or anything at all. When the diet ads start to feel loud, it’s okay to scroll past, put the phone down, and be extra kind to yourself. This time of year can feel like a lot, and it also doesn’t mean anything. Just because the messaging is everywhere doesn’t mean your body needs fixing. Promise.

New Year's Resolutions can be fun, if they're helpful to you or you enjoy them, but they're definitely NOT necessary. Th...
12/30/2025

New Year's Resolutions can be fun, if they're helpful to you or you enjoy them, but they're definitely NOT necessary. That said, if you feel inspired to do a resolution or two, aim to make them tangible, low-key ones that are not related to your appearance, body/weight changes, or things that are too big or intangible that can then make you feel like a "failure" for not doing it. Here are a few simple ones you could try - but remember, you don't have to make a resolution just because it's a new year. If it doesn't work for you, here's full permission not to do it.

Let's talk about the diet industry. In 2024, the weight loss industry grew to 90 billion dollars. GLP-1 drugs alone are ...
12/28/2025

Let's talk about the diet industry. In 2024, the weight loss industry grew to 90 billion dollars. GLP-1 drugs alone are valued around $50-70 billion in for 24/25. That means all those weight loss ads and influencer marketing is about making a profit by people feeling like they have to get smaller, be thinner, fit a specific aesthetic. Sometimes, it can help to know that there's a reason behind the influx - a profit to be made on your self-criticism and body-hatred - and, the algorithm is designed to show you ads over and over again. But in reality: you don't have to change your body to fit into any beauty standard to be "good" or enough. And, there's no "right" size for all people! We firmly believe that your ideal weight/size is the one you maintain living an authentically happy, balanced, life with lots of food variety, free of eating disorder behaviors and symptoms.
We know the noise out there can be a lot, so just know that we see it, we know it's hard, and if you're really struggling, you don't have to sit in it alone. Reach out - we can help!

Tis the season for "what day is it, again??" and perhaps some emotional exhaustion, burnout, or just general mental fati...
12/27/2025

Tis the season for "what day is it, again??" and perhaps some emotional exhaustion, burnout, or just general mental fatigue due to a lack of routine and exciting, but stimulating, activities. Not to mention all the hard work you may be doing if you're dealing with anxiety, OCD, an eating disorder, or trauma through it all. So that's all to say that one of the BEST things you can do today and through the new year is to prioritize the basics. The simple stuff that sometimes feels SO simple it can feel silly to even talk about - but it's also the stuff that can slip and impact your mental baseline. Take showers, brush your teeth, eat meals and snacks, try to get outside a little bit, and stay connected. Every little foundational piece helps, we promise.

Holidays can be especially challenging when you're working through eating disorder recovery, whether you just began or a...
12/23/2025

Holidays can be especially challenging when you're working through eating disorder recovery, whether you just began or are months or years into it. Increased stress, family interactions and perhaps unhealthy patterns, food-based celebrations, an excess of treats and snacks, all of these things can add together to make some of your ED thoughts/behaviors perk up. That said, when you know what to expect, it can be easier to manage! Here are three tips for prepping for holidays or winter celebrations - most importantly? Give yourself lots of self compassion. The kinder you can be to yourself, the better, no matter what.

The holiday season can be a hotspot for OCD to get loud and aggressive! It makes sense given how many moving pieces, str...
12/22/2025

The holiday season can be a hotspot for OCD to get loud and aggressive! It makes sense given how many moving pieces, stressors, changes in routine, high stakes, events, etc. that can come with the season. Swipe through to see how OCD might show up during the holidays and some tips to support yourself through it. And remember: there’s no “right” way to do the holidays. Imperfection is part of the process!

Most people picture OCD as hand-washing, checking, needing to be super clean, but some of the hardest parts happen entir...
12/11/2025

Most people picture OCD as hand-washing, checking, needing to be super clean, but some of the hardest parts happen entirely in the mind. Mental compulsions, like reviewing memories, mentally reassuring yourself, repeating phrases, or trying to “neutralize” a thought, can keep the OCD cycle going just as much as visible rituals. And because they’re invisible, they’re often missed, even by people who know a lot about OCD.

Our newest blog written by Dr. Paulina Syracuse breaks down:
1) What mental compulsions are
2) How they differ from intrusive thoughts
3) Why they matter in treatment
4) How approaches like ExRP and mindfulness can help you interrupt the cycle

Read the full blog here: https://www.centerforhopeandhealth.com/blog/the-sneaky-side-of-ocd-understanding-mental-compulsions/

Just a little do’s and don’ts for everyone headed to a big family meal tomorrow. Save for reference and remember: food h...
11/27/2025

Just a little do’s and don’ts for everyone headed to a big family meal tomorrow. Save for reference and remember: food has no moral value, commenting on someone’s body is never a good idea, and you never know who at the table might be struggling with an ED. Sending you and your family ease and connection this long weekend 💜

AI is everywhere right now and people are using it for so many different things. For a lot of people, it can make life e...
11/14/2025

AI is everywhere right now and people are using it for so many different things. For a lot of people, it can make life easier, faster, etc. But for people with OCD, we’re seeing how AI can sneakily and quickly turn into a form of reassurance-seeking or compulsions, and this can have a big impact on daily life and progress. What makes it extra tricky is that AI is built to sound confident and lean into certainty. It adjusts to what the user seems to want, phrases things in this very sure way, even if it isn't true, and that can have huge implications for OCD. Our Co-Founder Melissa Harrison, LPC, wrote a piece breaking down what this looks like and why it matters. Read more here: https://www.centerforhopeandhealth.com/blog/when-ai-becomes-part-of-ocd-understanding-a-new-form-of-compulsion/

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63 W Lancaster Avenue, Ste 05
Ardmore, PA
19003

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+18667393083

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