Holistic Community Therapy, LLC

08/25/2021

03/30/2021

It is so so important to advocate for your care!

I *love* it when clients tell me *exactly* what they need from me. This communicates a strong sense of self, self-care, and agency. This is the very thing I work on helping folks to cultivate in my practice.

Developing healthy communication and boundary setting is paramount to closer, more intimate relationships - not just romantic or sexual ones - as well as managing your own, basic needs.

https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/7-things-i-shouldnt-have-said-to-my-therapist-but-am-glad-i-did

"I kind of wish I could clone you. And then I could murder one of your clones."

12/07/2020

Trauma can have complex, lifelong impact. If left untreated, it could lead to an early death.

The impact of trauma isn't linear, and in fact we can still be exposed to events that are traumatic, that have nothing to do with adverse childhood experiences.

This is not a linear process. Even if there have been no isolated or ongoing events in your lifetime, historical trauma can have an impact - the messages you were given growing up about your people - regardless of your direct experience - can continue to pass down historical trauma.

The collective experience of a pandemic impacts people in different ways. One person may not experience much of an impact, another person may fall down and have a difficult time getting back up. Those with historical trauma may face unique barriers to "getting back up".

Wherever you are, practice . You may be doing everything you can to get through this. Sometimes it requires reaching out for help, sometimes it requires doubling down on your practices and .


Photo credit: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/HSD/BH-Child-Family/Pages/TIP.aspx

12/07/2020

There are many ways to address emotional imbalances, including acupuncture. Mental wellness is about a whole-body approach. Acupuncture can support the body as you deepen in your mental wellness journey.
https://www.riverwestacupuncture.com/what-can-acupuncture-treat/acupuncture-emotional-support/

Acupuncture is best known for it's treatment of physical pain. However, it can work wonders for Emotional pain. Read more for acupuncture emotional support.

12/04/2020

Trauma can stem from many, compounding effects over a lifetime. If left untreated, it can lead to early death.
Image credit: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/HSD/BH-Child-Family/Pages/TIP.aspx

12/02/2020

Cognitive Load Theory: Why am I so distracted when trying to work from home?

If you’re having trouble working from home these days.. well there’s a reason for that!

The brain can only handle so much shifting and change in a short amount of time. When the environment presses for our constant attention - news/media, politics, work demands, social connections and relationships - there is only so much we can mentally process at a time. It can create insufficiencies in other areas, like how well you’re able to focus on a task.

Cognitive Load Theory provides a useful framework for understanding the different ways the pandemic could be playing havoc with your mental function.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20201103-cognitive-load-theory-explaining-our-fight-for-focus

Cognitive Load Theory provides a useful framework for understanding the different ways the pandemic could be playing havoc with your mental function.

11/26/2020

Habit formation is a full body experience. Ever heard of muscle memory? Well that is a part of habit formation. When you incorporate movement into new habits (or the new habit *is movement), your body integrates it into long term memory more readily.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/ellevate/2020/02/11/the-neuroscience-behind-habit-change/

The brain hardwires everything that we repeatedly do – this is how habits are formed. So the stories we tell ourselves over and over become default paths, the circuitry the brain naturally activates.

11/02/2020

Medical and mental health have a long way to go still.

https://www.latimes.com/lifestyle/story/2020-10-30/amira-lewally-i-begged-doctors-to-take-me-seriously-when-my-brain-was-leaking?_amp=true&fbclid=IwAR23Dk9boh762KGS15ZQ5tDeHsTLE7QFN3aDRnVOlmvAbJRaoq0Xbfgvvy0

Why was it so difficult to find a doctor that would take a moment to hear me? I always felt like I was fighting for the attention of every doctor I saw. And to be honest, as a Black woman I’ve always feared doctors.

10/09/2020

Growth cannot happen without discomfort.

“People and systems count on our silence to keep us exactly where we are.”

https://youtu.be/QijH4UAqGD8

Luvvie Ajayi isn't afraid to speak her mind or to be the one dissenting voice in a crowd, and neither should you. "Your silence serves no one," says the writ...

10/08/2020

09/21/2020

Occupational therapy can enhance mental health recovery through participation in valued daily activities.

https://www.verywellmind.com/what-to-expect-from-a-mental-health-ot-2509980

Get a guide to the role of occupational therapists (OTs) in mental health settings so you can understand how they can help advocate for the best care.

09/18/2020

What causes cognitive changes?

SO many things!

https://minneapolisclinic.com/rehabilitation/cognitive-treatment-therapy/

Occupational Therapists at MCN assess cognition problems, such as memory and planning, and develop cognitive treatment strategies to improve function.

09/16/2020

COVID-19 and mental health - Supporting others during this time.

We can help each other out!

1) Check In
2) Listen and Reflect
3) Ask Questions

https://www.time-to-change.org.uk/coronavirus

09/14/2020

With the air quality remaining at 500+ or “Hazardous” for the Portland area, this really great resource breaks down how we measure air quality and who it impacts most.

https://www3.epa.gov/airnow/aqi_brochure_02_14.pdf

Particle pollution from fires has been linked to serious health conditions, including death for both short term and long term exposure. Many people will not see the effects of wildfire smoke damage until later in life.

Most air purifiers filter out particles as small as 3 micrometers in diameter. Particle pollution from forest fires emits fine particles 2.5 micrometers or smaller - something an air purifier may not catch.

* See photos for recommended activity modifications for current air quality index that can support lung and heart health.

The vulnerable populations most impacted by air quality include:
* People with pre-existing heart or lung disease (COPD, asthma, heart failure, coronary artery disease, etc.)
* Older adults who may have undiagnosed heart disease
* Children

And let’s not forget those who cannot easily go inside or get away, like those who are houseless and those with limited financial resources.

09/06/2020

Ready to..
~Discover your purpose?
~Get back on track after a disruption to your routine?
~Envision a new future and go after it?

We can help with that through virtual visits!

Occupational therapy sessions virtually for Oregon residents.

Get in touch for details.

09/05/2020

We are open and currently seeing clients in their home or community!

You can find a few of the precautions we are taking here:
http://holisticcommunitytherapy.com/covid