Balance Psychiatric and Wellness Clinic

12/05/2025

This is great!

GRATITUDE - LET'S NOT LIMIT GIVING THANKS TO JUST THANKSGIVING! *Gratitude is the most beautiful safety signal the brain knows.* Here is why GRATITUDE EXERCISES should be part of our daily (not just Thanksgiving week) existence - Gratitude isn’t a soft emotion—it’s a neurobiological state that...

12/05/2025

Yes!!! 🙌🏻

Playing a musical instrument is one of the most powerful workouts for the brain. New discussions in neuroscience suggest that learning and practicing music may activate more areas of the brain at once than almost any other activity. When a person plays an instrument, the brain must coordinate movement, rhythm, memory, attention, emotion, and auditory processing all at the same time. This intense level of engagement may lead to the formation of strong, dense neural connections that support long term cognitive growth.

Music training may strengthen the prefrontal cortex, which helps with focus, planning, and emotional control. It also activates the auditory cortex and motor regions, creating communication pathways that may improve language skills, reading ability, and processing speed. Over time, this brain wide activation can lead to greater mental flexibility, sharper memory, and improved problem solving.

Children who learn instruments often show stronger academic performance because their brains become more efficient at switching between tasks, following patterns, and retaining information. Adults benefit as well. Playing music may help protect aging brains, reduce cognitive decline, and support emotional resilience by lowering stress hormones and increasing feelings of calm.

The beauty of music is that anyone can begin at any age. Whether it’s piano, guitar, drums, violin, or even simple hand percussion, every note strengthens the brain. Consistency matters far more than perfection.

Music does not just fill the room, it shapes the mind. Each practice session may help build a stronger, more connected, and more adaptable brain for life.

11/25/2025

11/23/2025

Yes!!! 🙌🏻

Reprogram your mind, one thought at a time. Every thought you repeat creates a neural groove. Negative thinking literally strengthens stress pathways in your brain, keeping you stuck in patterns of anxiety, worry, or fear.

The good news? Your brain can unlearn these habits. Neuroplasticity allows you to reshape mental patterns through awareness, focus, and consistent repetition. Each time you choose calm over chaos, gratitude over guilt, or purpose over fear, you are literally teaching your brain a new language.

This isn’t motivation, it’s biology. Your thoughts sculpt your neural pathways, meaning every intentional choice strengthens the patterns you want and weakens the ones you don’t. Over time, consistent practice rewires your brain, reshapes your focus, and transforms your mindset.

🧠 Consistency rewires.
🧠 Focus reshapes.
🧠 Intention transforms.

The power to change your mental patterns isn’t a mystery. It’s science, and it’s 100% in your control. Every small shift in thinking is a step toward a stronger, calmer, and more resilient mind.

11/07/2025

This is why Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is so effective! It’s Neurostimulation

Inquire within to learn if you are a good candidate and schedule your consultation!

Call 📞 360-358-3039
Email 📧 reception@balancepsychiatric.org

New brain-imaging research is challenging long-held beliefs about depression. For decades, it was widely assumed that depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain, particularly involving neurotransmitters like serotonin. However, the latest studies show that the reality is far more complex.

Researchers have found that depression is linked to changes in brain circuitry, neural connectivity, and structural patterns rather than just chemical levels. This breakthrough suggests that focusing solely on neurotransmitters may oversimplify the condition and that treatment approaches need to consider the broader brain network.

These findings could reshape how mental health professionals diagnose and treat depression. Future therapies may target brain circuits directly through advanced neurostimulation, cognitive interventions, or personalized treatment plans rather than relying exclusively on medication.

Understanding depression as a complex neurological condition opens new doors for innovative approaches, giving hope to millions struggling with the disorder worldwide. Science is moving beyond myths to reveal the true mechanisms behind mental health.

10/24/2025

Volunteer opportunity at The Youth Connection!

🎁 We’re heading into the holiday season!

I know we've said it before, but for a couple of reasons we have lost touch with some of our potential or existing volunteers. we’re taking time this week (Thursday and Friday) to reconnect with everyone on our current list and share what we’ve been working on.

We’re looking for volunteers to help with our upcoming holiday events and to assist with sending out our Christmas cards this year.

Of course, we also have our ongoing volunteer opportunities, listed in the photo below and on our website under “Volunteers.”

If you’ve been thinking about getting involved, now is a great time to jump in and help us make this season special for youth in our community. 🎄

09/12/2025

Why do rural communities face higher risks of Alzheimer’s and dementia? Dr. Justin Miller from the University of Washington joins Jeff Slakey to talk about the new Northwest Rural Brain Health Initiative launching in partnership with Mason Health. The project brings free education sessions, brain....