Throughout my life, I have turned to writing and stories as a source of respite, wisdom, and comfort. Since I was a teen, I have kept a journal/diary named Gerty where I would write all the things down that I thought were true. I had a voice that would chime through, sometimes as kindness or...
During the holidays, it can be so busy that we can go into automatic pilot and forget about self-care and the true meaning of the holidays. Here are a few tips to help you stay focused and practice good self-care. Be Intentional During the holidays, it’s easy to get caught up in the busy-ness of...
What may come to mind first is jazz hands, choreographed moves, flowery pink tutus, and ballet slippers. But dance/movement therapy is not that and is more than a simple dance class. Instead, it’s an integrative mind-body approach to therapy that has many applications and benefits regarding mental health. The American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) defines dance/movement...
May is National Mental Health Awareness month. We all know the importance of healthy eating and exercise for a healthy body. Recently, some high-profile people have spoken out about their struggles with mental health issues. Carson Daly (anxiety disorder), Ariana Grande (depression and PTSD), Demi Lovato (bipolar disorder), Leonardo DiCaprio (OCD), and Michael Phelps (ADHD)...
Everyday we are bombarded on social media, news channels, and television with stories of community violence, mass shootings, sexual assault and more. It’s hard not to feel distressed by these current events. Daily exposure to traumatic events can have a cumulative effect on us, even when we are not directly exposed to the event. This...
Even though spring officially begins on March 20th, there’s no reason to wait to do some mental and emotional spring cleaning. The idea of spring cleaning has been around for thousands of years. Some research points to the Persian tradition of cleaning the entire house in preparation for Nowruz, the Persian New Year which falls...
At Centered Therapy Chicago we are dedicated to helping you and your loved ones find peace, longevity, and healing. In honor of Valentines Day, we recommend taking a closer look at one of the most fundamental ways of healing and connecting with others. Hugs! Here are our five reasons to mindfully hug, the benefits you...
Think ahead. The clock has reached midnight on December 31st and you were faced with the always-challenging task of declaring (and sticking to) a New Year’s resolution! What was yours? Was it the same as last year’s? Did you already know as the words came out of your mouth, that it wasn’t going to happen?...
CTC embraces somatic therapy as an important approach to healing because we know the mind and body are connected in very important ways. A landmark study called the Adverse childhood experiences or ACES study linked early traumatic events with the development and prevalence of a wide range of serious health and mental health difficulties throughout...
by Dr. Bianka Hardin What is Therapy? Therapy can help people of all ages work through personal, relationship, family, and/or work/school challenges so that they can move on and enjoy a life that is productive and fulfilling. It is a collaborative treatment based on the relationship between an individual and their therapist. Therapy is effective...