Color has power. It can stimulate, sedate, excite, calm, irritate, bring pleasure or generate feelings of hot or cold. Experiencing the energy of different colors has a sensory effect on us. Our language is full of expressions which use color to represent not only sensory data but also emotional experience. We speak of “feeling blue”, “seeing red”, or “feeling green with envy”. We call a life without emotion “colorless” and we think of the world in black and white as “dull”. When we stand in cathedrals and churches and gaze at the stained-glass windows, we encounter deep spiritual states. Color can transform our environment and increase our productivity. It has been used to enhance social lives and improve our general overall state of health. Color has a magic to it and understanding the energy of color opens up new dimensions to our awareness, becoming a powerful resource for managing our moods. 

As institutions strive to improve academic retention rates, one critical element often overlooked is the profound effect that unresolved trauma has on students. In today’s dynamic higher education environment, student well-being is intrinsically linked to academic success. Understanding this connection is essential for creating a supportive environment that fosters both learning and personal growth. In this blog, we will explore the relationship between academic retention, stress, and the impacts of trauma while highlighting effective strategies to address these issues, including the integration of somatic-based interventions.

Neuroplasticity refers to the brain's remarkable ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. This adaptability is crucial, especially for young adults who are often exposed to new experiences, challenges, and stressors during their college years. Research has shown that neuroplasticity is particularly pronounced during adolescence and early adulthood, making this a critical time for mental health interventions

Hope and gratitude are two powerful emotions that play a significant role in our mental and emotional well-being. During feelings check-in in therapy sessions, we sometimes hear clients say, “I feel hopeful”. Also, when people want to express their anticipation about what may happen, they would say, “I hope this or that happens”. Hope is much more than wishful thinking. Science has shown that it is the most predictive indicator of well-being in a person’s life. Hope is measurable, malleable, and it changes lives. According to the science of hope, hope goes beyond the realms of emotions. It is conceptualized as a cognitive, emotional, and motivational psychological asset.

Understanding the science behind hope and gratitude can be a transformative tool for helping individuals navigate life’s challenges. The link between the science of hope and gratitude could enhance the capacity of counseling in leveraging these emotions to promote resilience, personal growth, and healing. Meditation for Cultivating Joy.

Trauma leaves profound marks on the mind and body, affecting every aspect of life—from personal relationships to academic or professional performance. Yet, amid this pain, there’s a powerful, healing force: HOPE. This blog explores the data-driven connection between trauma healing and hope, highlighting how fostering a sense of hope can dramatically shift the recovery trajectory for individuals navigating their way through trauma, particularly among college students.

Hope and gratitude are two powerful emotions that play a significant role in our mental and emotional well-being. During feelings check-in in therapy sessions, we sometimes hear clients say, “I feel hopeful”. Also, when people want to express their anticipation about what may happen, they would say, “I hope this or that happens”. Hope is much more than wishful thinking. Science has shown that it is the most predictive indicator of well-being in a person’s life. Hope is measurable, malleable, and it changes lives. According to the science of hope, hope goes beyond the realms of emotions. It is conceptualized as a cognitive, emotional, and motivational psychological asset.

Understanding the science behind hope and gratitude can be a transformative tool for helping individuals navigate life’s challenges. The link between the science of hope and gratitude could enhance the capacity of counseling in leveraging these emotions to promote resilience, personal growth, and healing. Meditation for Cultivating Joy.

In trauma therapy, cultivating hope is essential for clients who may tend to focus on avoidant goals due to their experience of adversity. Therapists can guide individuals to identify their goals and develop pathways which will incorporate the steps towards achieving their goals as well as identifying possible barriers to goal achievement and how to overcome them.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a critical mental health issue faced by many college students, stemming from traumatic events such as campus shootings, sexual assault, physical violence, natural disasters, etc. Other possible causes of PTSD among college students include unhealthy attachments, medical diagnosis, absent caregiving, as well as emotional and social wounds.

In recent years, the conversation surrounding mental health has become increasingly urgent, especially in the context of trauma among college students. Colleges and universities have long been environments that foster personal growth, but they have also become hotbeds for stress, anxiety, and trauma. With increasing academic pressure, social changes, and external factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more students are grappling with trauma-related mental health challenges.

The State of Tennessee through the Building Strong Brains TN program has been making concerted efforts to promote practices for children, youth, and young adults by utilizing the latest brain science to prevent and mitigate the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), one of which is EMDR. This is important based on the findings of a 2012 ACE study conducted in TN which revealed that 52% of the statewide population had at least one ACE, while 21% had three or more ACEs.