August 4, 2026 in Blog by Dee

How to Support Sexual Trauma Survivors

By: Centerstone

Every 68 seconds, someone is sexually assaulted. The probability that you know someone who has experienced sexual trauma is high. Individuals who are at particularly high risk of sexual assault include children and young adolescents, elderly people — especially those with dementia — as well as individuals with developmental disabilities. Whether the assault occurred recently or years ago, each person has the right to be heard and supported with treatment interventions.

Recent educational campaigns and public discussions are providing a broader understanding of the damage caused by sexual assault and sexual trauma.

Here are several ways to support survivors of sexual trauma.

Know the Misconceptions

We can stop the spread of false information about sexual assault and trauma by knowing the misconceptions that exist.

First, sexual assault is often more about power and control than only about sex.

Second, sexual assault may be committed by a person who is not a stranger to the victim. According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), in 93% of juvenile sexual abuse cases reported to law enforcement, the survivor knew the perpetrator.

Further, sexual trauma can have a profound effect on the life of a child or adult. “Survivors may experience both immediate and continuing effects as they establish and navigate their interpersonal relationships,” says Brittany Haemmerlein, Director of Nursing for Centerstone. There are physical and emotional effects of such trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder and other anxiety disorders, as well as depression.

Don’t Blame the Victim

Sexual assault thrives on secrecy and blaming the victim or survivor. Statements like, “Why didn’t they run?” or, “They should take sexual defense classes,” may come across as blaming the survivor without a person even realizing it. Phrases like this make it more difficult for an individual who has experienced sexual assault to speak out about their experience. According to RAINN, only 310 out of 1,000 sexual assaults are reported to the police. Encourage appropriate reporting of sexual assault to authorities to whatever degree they are comfortable with.

Provide Support

Support individuals who have endured sexual assault by listening to their narrative and offering to help in whatever way you can. If the incident was recent, seek out medical attention first. Regardless of whether they want to report, they can still receive medical attention and a forensic exam. This will give them access to treatment for possible STD exposure and can help preserve evidence.

Another important way to support them is to help connect them with advocates and clinical providers who specialize in treating survivors of sexual abuse. An effective treatment referral could incorporate evidence-based practices, including trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy and other psychotherapy strategies; some individuals can benefit from psychiatric treatment also targeted to co-occurring conditions like anxiety and depression.

The National Sexual Assault Hotline, 1-800-656-HOPE (4673), is free and confidential. Trained staff members are there 24/7 to listen, support, answer questions, and provide resources. At Centerstone, we have professionals trained to provide treatment to rape and sexual abuse survivors of all ages. Our advocates provide unconditional support throughout every stage of the process, including the medical exam, law enforcement report, and criminal justice.

Sexual trauma should not ultimately determine an individual’s future life path. With understanding and support, we can begin to ensure no one goes through their healing alone.

August 4, 2026 in Blog by Dee

Benefits of Trauma-Informed Teaching

By: Southeast Missouri State University

Students arrive at school each day with a variety of challenges; unfortunately, one challenge many students face is having experienced trauma.

According to the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, more than two-thirds of children will have experienced at least one traumatic event by the time they reach age 16.

Trauma associated with a variety of issues can significantly affect a student’s ability to learn. But educators who are trained in trauma-informed teaching can implement strategies to address the impediments to learning that trauma introduces. By creating a safe learning environment for students and following other trauma-informed teaching practices, educators can support students who are facing the effects of trauma and help improve their educational outcomes.

What Is Trauma-Informed Teaching? 

Students can experience trauma related to any of a host of factors such as abuse, neglect, community violence, domestic violence, stress or a natural disaster. These experiences can lead to students’ being fearful, withdrawn or angry, which can make it more difficult for them to learn. Using trauma-informed teaching practices enables teachers to help students address these challenges and get the most out of their education.

Think of trauma-informed teaching as a set of practices designed to create a safe and supportive environment for students who are facing or have faced trauma. These practices take into account the ways in which trauma can affect students, and they seek to help students feel more empowered. Trauma-informed teaching practices are meant to improve students’ ability to feel secure and help them form trusting relationships with teachers.

Characteristics of Trauma-Informed Teaching 

Employing trauma-informed practices when teaching students involves:

• Cultivating strong relationships with students. Teachers create relationships with students that are based on trust.

• Instilling feelings of safety. Teachers work to ensure that students feel they are in a safe environment throughout the entire school day, in any location on campus.

• Demonstrating compassion. Teachers refrain from judging students’ behavior and, instead, show students compassion.

• Enabling students to express their feelings. Teachers help students communicate by actively listening to them and encouraging them to communicate both orally and in writing.

• Providing students with positive reinforcement. Teachers take advantage of opportunities to give students honest feedback regarding their successes and accomplishments.

• Recognizing triggers and acknowledging students’ need for additional help. Teachers know which activities or other educational approaches might trigger traumatic responses in students. Additionally, teachers remain alert to signs that students may need additional support services or counseling.

Trauma-Informed Teaching Benefits in the Classroom 

Using trauma-informed teaching practices can result in a wide range of benefits. Some examples of these benefits are highlighted below. 

Improved Student Resilience 

Trauma-informed teaching can boost students’ resilience, which can lessen the effects of trauma and make it easier for students to learn. Teaching students using trauma-informed approaches enables students to build emotional intelligence and feelings of belonging, which can also facilitate learning. 

Enhanced Student Focus 

By strengthening students’ ability to focus, trauma-informed teaching can improve students’ school attendance and reduce their disciplinary issues. Using trauma-informed teaching methods can also result in fewer incidents in which students become physically aggressive. 

Better Academic Outcomes 

Because trauma-informed practices can create an environment in which students improve their ability to learn, the ultimate result of trauma-informed teaching is improvement in students’ overall academic outcomes. 

Improved Campus Culture for All Students and Teachers 

Creating an atmosphere of compassion through trauma-informed teaching can change the entire culture of a school for the better, which can benefit all of the school’s students and teachers. 

Greater Teacher Confidence 

Teachers who employ trauma-informed teaching practices have more strategies at their disposal and can opt for more compassionate approaches to addressing students’ learning challenges. This can empower teachers and give them a greater sense of confidence in their work. 

Trauma-Informed Teaching Helps Students Achieve Academic Success 

When students have teachers who employ trauma-informed teaching practices, they can learn in environments that improve their odds for academic success. Trauma-informed teaching approaches enable educators to offer instruction in ways that acknowledge the challenges students face and that encourage students to engage in the learning process.

August 4, 2026 in Blog by Dee

How Does Tutoring Help Students?

By: Oxford Learning

August 4, 2026 in Blog by Dee

Feeling the L-O-V-E for Me!

By: Centerstone

Self-love. It’s a concept we may hear a lot about, but what does it mean? Simply stated, self-love involves our mindset and attitude about ourselves. It’s how we talk to ourselves and embrace our positive characteristics along with things that we might see as flaws. Self-love also involves being able to see the ways that we’ve grown and the ways we want to keep growing.

The difference between self-love and self-care

“Self-care is action-based ways that we take care of our health and wellness, and self-love is our mindset and our feelings towards ourselves,” says Brittany McCrady, Licensed Clinical Social Worker at Centerstone. The two terms are sometimes used interchangeably, but they are separate practices. However, when we engage in those self-care actions, we are fostering love because we’re taking care of ourselves.

Is loving myself the same as being full of myself?

“So much in life is about balance,” McCrady adds, “things can tip towards being egotistical or being full of yourself when you are excessively inserting yourself, or talking about yourself in a context when it isn’t necessary and, in turn, you aren’t able to be present for someone else.”

We can be confident and believe in ourselves without putting other people down, dismissing others, or believing that we are superior to others. We can want to be the best version of ourselves without thinking we’re better than other people.

Different ways to practice self-love that come from within:

Talk to yourself the way you’d talk to a friend or loved one. Speak to yourself with the same compassion, encouragement, and support that you would for your best friend.

Set boundaries and expectations with others. Show yourself and others that you and your time are valuable by saying “no” to things that don’t prioritize your time or energy.

Recognize challenges you’ve overcome and celebrate achievements. Take the time to intentionally say ‘heck yes, I did that’. Make space to reflect and sit in that accomplishment and give yourself credit for a job well done. Every accomplishment no matter how big or small can be celebrated!

Practice positive affirmations. While affirmations aren’t for everyone, they need to make sense for you if you want them to be effective. Generic affirmations can be ineffective because they may not apply specifically to your goals. For example, instead of saying, ‘I’m a good leader,’ try being more specific and say ‘I create a safe and calm environment for the people that I supervise.’

Choose to surround yourself with positivity. We can work on how we treat ourselves and how we talk to ourselves, but that gets easier when we’re around others and in environments that send us the same types of messages.

Challenges to cultivating self-love

Things happen in life that can impact our inner dialogue. This could be trauma or significant, repeated events that instilled certain messages that can be hard to unlearn. “Some people aren’t starting with a clean slate when it comes to being proud of themselves,” adds McCrady. This could also come from our environment or how we saw our parents, siblings, and friends talking to and about us and themselves. These influences have the power to form how we talk about and see ourselves.

What are the mental health benefits of self-love?

• Self-love can develop your confidence and resilience. When hard things happen, having confidence and self-assurance can help make it easier to bounce back
• Improves your self-esteem and overall view of yourself
• Help you handle stressful situations more easily
• This can lead to improved relationships with others. When you love yourself, you’re better at loving others

August 4, 2026 in Blog by Dee

Forgiving Family: Setting Healthy Boundaries

By: Centerstone

Have you seen the way that family is portrayed in television and films? Sometimes it can paint the picture-perfect family and more often than not it has a dysfunctional family. The one thing they all have in common, despite the portrayals of perfection or dysfunction, is the common theme that no family is, in fact, perfect. Family can be stressful for any person to deal with, but what about maintenance? How do we continue to repair and build healthy relationships with family members? One answer to this is learning to set healthy boundaries.

To determine what kind of boundaries to put in place for yourself and your family members, there needs to be a sense of self-reflection. Understand that no family is alike and everyone’s experiences are completely different with upbringing and previous trauma. There can be a lot of unlearning to be done and parenting is not always a success. Know that there is always room for growth and change within yourself and your relationships, but understand that without communication there is no moving forward.

Imagine that you and a family member are arguing, and there does not seem to be any improvement. Forgiveness might be one way to reach a resolution, but this is not as simple as saying I forgive you, there needs to be some work done on yourself and by those other family members. Below are some tips to forgiving your family and to begin having those conversations about healthy boundary setting.

• Reflection. There needs to be self-reflection. What is your worth? Determine what your needs are from this relationship. Ask yourself: Why do I have these beliefs or values? Why do I use these coping mechanisms? Recognize where it all stems from and you can see that you do have a choice in the matter.
• Communication. There needs to be an open conversation about feelings to begin setting boundaries. This is a stage where you can acknowledge feelings, really naming and normalizing them. Modeling communication from a therapeutic perspective can help engage your loved one. Try saying something like this: “I just noticed you seem uncomfortable about this—let’s talk about it.” Creating a safe space to discuss is imperative when articulating your feelings.
• It takes time. Know that it is never too late to repair a strained relationship. There is always a chance to try and reconcile with your family. “Sometimes boundaries will be met with resistance and that is normal. If the relationship is that important to you, keep adjusting those boundaries and determining what that they might look like for you,” says Ericka Davis, In-Home Therapist for Centerstone’s Early Childhood Services.
• Offer to understand. “Understanding that for family and parents to give something that they never experienced is hard. Though, likely most parents and family can remember their time as a child and can relate through their own experiences,” says Davis. Once there is understanding present there is recognition and acknowledgment that there is a way to work towards a healthier relationship.

Family relationships and healing are non-linear. Understand that people can revert back to old behaviors and attitudes, but you can keep setting those boundaries and adjusting to best suit your needs. Setting boundaries is a very brave and personal choice to make but know that you hold the power.

August 4, 2026 in Blog by Dee

The Power of Saying No

By: Centerstone

Learning when to say “no” and when to say “yes” is a powerful act of self-awareness. Setting boundaries isn’t about being selfish; it’s about making intentional choices that align with your values, energy, and goals. Saying “no” can protect your time and well-being, while saying “yes” at the right moments can open doors to growth and connection. Mastering this equilibrium is key to living a more balanced life.

First, let’s talk burnout. Burnout is the state of emotional, mental, or physical exhaustion caused by prolonged stress. While there are several different factors that can lead to burnout, the lack of setting boundaries can be a primary factor for many people. Saying “no” is a key boundary-setting skill that can take time to develop. People-pleasing tendencies also tend to contribute to burnout. This may look like saying yes to or committing to things when you’re already at capacity in an effort not to disappoint others.

Though saying “no” to someone can feel intimidating, keep in mind that it is possible (and important) to stand firm while also remaining kind.

• “I appreciate the offer, but I am unable to help at this time.”
• “Thank you, but I’m not interested.”
• “I’m flattered, but I am unable to commit.”
• “I can’t, but maybe another time.”

Brief statements like these are polite yet also set a firm boundary that allows you to protect your energy.

When it comes to identifying your “yes,” there are a few considerations to keep in mind. First, ask yourself questions: “What does my gut say?”, “What is my intention in saying ‘yes’ to this?”, “How much of my time and energy will this require?”. By taking a moment to answer these questions, you can ensure that you are taking the time to thoroughly think through the situation and its potential outcomes.

Figuring out when to say “yes” and when to say “no” can be a challenging balancing act. However, it’s important to remember that a balance between downtime and social time is crucial when it comes to prioritizing your well-being. While picking up that extra work shift or going to a concert with friends may feel like an easy “yes” in the moment, don’t forget to consider your needs and determine if this additional activity will help meet them. Rest is both productive and essential. Not only does rest help prevent burnout, but it also helps you connect with yourself, creating time for you to tune in to your feelings and needs, which can be hard to do when you overcommit. Additionally, rest is not the opposite of productivity – it helps make productivity possible! In this scenario, rest can look different for everyone. It could mean turning off your phone for an hour or two, taking a nap, taking a walk, or going for a drive. Ultimately, you need to consider your needs and what makes the most sense for you in the moment.

Ultimately, the power of saying “no” and knowing when to say “yes” comes down to honoring your needs and priorities. Trust that both your “no” and your “yes” carry weight, and that using them wisely is a form of self-respect and strength. 

July 20, 2026 in Blog by Dee

The Importance of Self-Care

by: Perimeter Healthcare

Adulthood is overrated. A great many people utter this statement out of frustration, and it’s not surprising. Being an adult sometimes comes with overwhelming responsibilities. There are targets to meet at work, and there is a lot of work to do at home. When you factor in social activities and other engagements, you will relish the opportunity to trade places with that baby who has nothing to worry about. But we all know that’s next to impossible. The only way to be at peace with yourself is by embracing the numerous responsibilities and taking some time to focus on what is essential. This includes self-care.

What is Self-Care?

Self-care is a general term that describes everything you do deliberately for your mental, physical, and emotional well-being. As simple as it sounds, many of us pay little attention to self-care. This is why ‘deliberately’ is one of the most important words in the definition. You need to be conscious of your well-being before you can achieve true self-care. It starts from the simple acts like not checking emails at night when you know it affects your sleep and extends to more important decisions like going for a vacation or booking a massage when you feel you need one.

Why is it important?

Self-care encourages you to maintain a healthy relationship with yourself so that you can transmit the good feelings to others. You cannot give to others what you don’t have yourself. While some may misconstrue self-care as selfish, it’s far from that. When you pay adequate attention to your well-being, you’re not considering your needs alone. You’re reinvigorating yourself so that you can be the best version of yourself for the people around you. Everyone around you also benefits from the renewed energy and joy you exhibit.

Self-Care Tips to Improve Your Well-Being

1. Pay attention to your physical health

Physical health is a core part of self-care. The body and the mind have a unique connection, and it’s difficult to be in high spirits when you are not feeling good about your body. Research has shown that regular exercise increases the level of serotonin in our body significantly improving mood and energy. When exercising for self-care, you should choose an activity you love. It could be a regular run, brisk walking, swimming, or just about any other thing that makes you feel alive. You derive extra fulfillment from doing what you love, and it is the love that encourages persistence even when it seems you do not have time for it.

2. Get enough sleep

Too many people are sleep deprived, and it takes a toll on our physical and mental health. We seem to have made the maxim ‘hard work pays’ too seriously. We now spend so much time working and very little time sleeping. Sleep scientists recommend that adults need at least 6-8 hours of sleep every night. Your body needs time to rest and renew. Daytime naps are also excellent for refreshing our body and improving concentration levels.

3. Be a healthy eater

Your diet is a major part of self-care, and it’s an aspect you should be wary about. When you ask people about foods that make them feel good, you get answers like a juicy steak, mounds of lasagna, or extremely delicious cupcakes. However, consistently indulging in these delicacies is NOT self-care. Healthy, nutritious foods are one of nature’s best gifts to us. Make a habit out of consuming good foods that build your body.

4.) Identify the things that matter to you

This may seem easy, but it can be challenging to practice. You need to ask yourself the tough questions to identify the things that matter to you the most.

When the chips are down who do you want to be with?

How do you want to be remembered when you’re gone?

How do you want to make a difference in the world?

Is the pursuit of material wealth worth the strained relationships that are left on the path?

Your answers to these questions should determine your approach to living. Spend more time with those you would love to be with and deliberately live your life the way you want to be remembered. Keeping an eye on your priorities will help you make decisions about how you spend your time.

5. Change your mindset / Gratitude

Too often, we focus on the negatives while showing little appreciation for the beauty that’s all around us. It’s what happens when you have a bad breakup, and all you can remember is how badly the person hurt you. We tend to forget all the amazing things that the relationship brought us. Cherish the good memories and hold them dear even if the unpleasant ones attempt to consume you. Show gratitude and appreciation for the little gifts in life. Take take time to be still and meditate more. If you can adopt a gratitude mindset, you are on your way to achieving the highest level of self-care.

6. Learn to say No

Too many times, you say yes to every request in order to not hurt the feelings of another party. When you do this at the expense of your own peace or health, you are going against the principles of self-care. It’s good to realize you’re only human and you can’t possibly make everyone happy. Saying yes to everything predisposes you to burnouts, and it’s bad for your physical and emotional health.

Self-Care is personal, and no general principle will always work. What motivates you and inspires you is different than the person next door. Look for the things that make you feel alive. Make dates with yourself and when you commit to working out or doing something for yourself, keep the commitment you make to yourself. . We don’t back out on our friends, don’t back out on yourself. By being healthy about self-care, you will feel be better equipped to help others. Go live your best life.

July 20, 2026 in Blog by Dee

Own Your Morning, Transform Your Day

By: Centerstone

A strong morning routine is more than just a set of tasks to check off before starting the day. It’s a powerful tool for setting the tone for the hours ahead. The way we begin our mornings has a profound impact on our productivity and mindset. Whether it’s taking a few moments for mindfulness or organizing our to-do list, a thoughtful morning routine can help you have a more focused and positive day.

Lynda Killoran, a Licensed Therapist at Centerstone, says that there are seven key elements of a solid morning routine that can help set you up for success throughout your day.

1. Wake up at the same time every day
   • This helps regulate your body’s natural alarm clock, keeping you on a regular schedule.
2. Don’t hit the snooze button
   • Apply the 3-second rule when it comes to getting out of bed. If you get out of bed before counting to three, you are less likely to talk yourself into staying in bed longer.
3. Make your bed
   • “Making your bed puts your bed to rest, so to speak, making it easier for you to put that part of the day behind you,” Killoran adds.
4. Fuel your body
   • You don’t necessarily have to eat immediately after you wake up, but it’s always good to fuel your body at some point in the morning.
5. Do activities that tend to get interrupted during the day
   • For example, take advantage of the quiet morning hours to journal, meditate, or enjoy your coffee outside.
6. Movement
   • Whether you go for a bike ride, go to the gym, or do some light stretching at home, movement helps get your energy flowing and can be a beneficial way to start the day.
7. Set an agenda for the day
   • Setting intentions and goals for the day can help keep you on track to successfully complete them.

If you’re looking to develop or enhance your morning routine, remember it’s okay to start small. “Start with a 5% change, just one thing you can add to your existing routine or begin doing in the mornings that would make a small difference in your day,” Killoran says. You might start by making your bed or waking up just five minutes earlier. From there, continue building on your routine until it feels both satisfying and sustainable. Check in with yourself regularly to ensure it’s still working for you and make adjustments as needed.

A consistent morning routine can set us up for success in several important ways. It increases productivity by adding structure and intention to the start of the day. Having control over our mornings creates a sense of stability, which can be especially valuable when the rest of the day may be unpredictable. This sense of control also boosts our energy and confidence, helping us begin the day on a positive note.

Because our mornings shape the rest of our day, it’s also important to be mindful of what we should avoid. For instance, consider your news intake. While staying informed is important, consuming negative headlines first thing may feel overwhelming. Likewise, try not to begin your day with emotionally heavy tasks or difficult conversations, especially if they’re likely to be stressful. Save those for when you’re more mentally prepared.

December 17, 2025 in Blog by Dee

How Setting Goals Can Positively Impact Our Mental Health

By: Centerstone

Sometimes, goals and expectations can feel impossible to keep up with. However, instead of focusing on what you’re not getting done, take the time to think about what you want to achieve. After all, goals represent things you want the most, and the best way to make yourself happy is by making achievable goals.

The important thing to remember about setting and creating goals for yourself is having a plan of how you’re going to get there. Ask yourself, How am I going to accomplish this goal? Having big resolutions and plans for yourself is a great start, but in order to get there, it can be helpful to create small, more achievable objectives in between that will get you closer to reaching that goal.

When you achieve your goals, it can make you feel proud of yourself and boost your self-esteem. “Goals can do wonders for your mental health,” says Rebecka Warren, Clinic Manager at Centerstone, “The hope is that they can add more happiness in your life and alleviate whatever struggles you might be going through during this time of year.” Some of the benefits of completing goals are to provide a sense of direction, keep yourself accountable, and shed light on your sense of self.

When you are setting goals for yourself, it is important to know yourself and your limitations. If you fail to consider aspects that are detrimental to completing your goals, then you might be setting yourself up to fail. To help you in the journey to achieving happiness through healthy goal setting, here are some tips to help:

• Know yourself. “Be honest about your ability to do something. If you know that in the past you haven’t been good at something, be realistic in your goal,” says Warren. Avoid having daily goals for things that you haven’t done before, and start small. Try to work your way up to something rather than expecting perfection immediately.
• Small objectives. Take a look at what you’ve got around you, and start by making smaller changes in your lifestyle. Instead of extreme elimination or extreme activity, try to slowly offer yourself options and alternatives. “Broad goals need to be focused on. Try to integrate something you can do in your daily life to help you achieve your goals,” says Warren.
• Accountability team. Having support from friends and family can often encourage us to succeed. You may find it helpful to find a trusted person in your life to help offer you support and hold you accountable in your journey to achieving your goals. Having an accountability partner is a great way to measure your progress and stay on track.
• Healthy expectations. You only have so much control over your goals and the outcomes due to outside circumstances. Things such as moving, birth, death, and the weather can disrupt your goals. Try to be accepting and forgiving of yourself, and know that any progress is good progress. If you had a goal to do something five times a week and you only did it four times, that’s still an achievement worth celebrating. Remember, you can keep trying to build on those accomplishments!

Goals aren’t meant to cause stress and worry, so try to find something that will make you happy. You have the power to create happiness in the future.

December 17, 2025 in Blog by Dee

How Music Heals: The Benefits of Music on the Mind, Body, and Soul

By: Centerstone

Music is more than just entertainment; it’s a powerful tool that can enhance both our physical health and mental well-being. Whether you’re listening to your favorite playlist during a workout or playing an instrument to unwind, music can have a profound impact on the human body and mind.

How does music impact the brain?

According to Mallory Friedel, Wellness Coach at Centerstone, “music impacts almost every part of the brain.” It can stimulate the frontal lobe, reduce stress, and lower our heart rate and blood pressure – all things that help relax the brain. Additionally, listening to music can help improve memory. Take the ABC song, for example. Connecting the letters to a song helps make them easier to learn and remember, and is more effective than trying to learn the letters individually. Another benefit of listening to music is that it can be beneficial for our sleep. Studies have shown that listening to soft music before going to sleep increases your chances of staying asleep and having a full rest.

How are music and mental health connected?

Music and mental health are deeply linked through the way music influences brain function, emotions, and stress responses. Listening to music can stimulate the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter in the brain associated with pleasure and reward, which can elevate mood and reduce feelings of depression. Music can also help lower our cortisol levels, which is the hormone related to stress. Because of this, music can be used as an effective tool for anxiety relief and relaxation. Additionally, people often connect with lyrics that express feelings or experiences they may struggle to put into words themselves.

“Music can provide a safe space to work through things that you may not be ready to or feel comfortable saying out loud,” Fridel adds. “It can stir up different emotions that may be hard to process.”

What is music therapy, and how does it work?

Music therapy uses music and its elements, like rhythm and sounds, to help people address their mental health concerns and may involve things like singing, moving to, or creating music. This type of therapy works by engaging different areas of the brain to help address a patient’s specific concerns and can be used to treat depression, anxiety, and even trauma.

Just Jam!

In all, music is good for the mind, body, and soul. Listening to music that boosts your mood can set you up for success during your day, help lift you when you’re down, or even just provide space for a much-needed mid-day dance break. No matter what kind of music you like, allow it to work its magic when you need it.