Approach to Care

Taking care of our emotional health requires a paradigm shift toward recognizing the problems early and a willingness to put in the hard work to address these problems over a long period of time.

Our integrative approach uses a combination of therapies and lifestyle changes to treat and heal the whole person and prevent future illness.

Mind

The human neurological system is readily capable of change, but that change is a metabolically demanding process. Evolutionarily, our bodies and brains want to be lazy, to conserve energy. When presented with tasks that require adaptation or change our neurons will promote an excitatory process, activating receptor sites upstream, genetic material downstream, and creating cellular changes that make it less metabolically demanding for the same process to occur again and again. But, we may be so exhausted by this whole process that we condition ourselves to not strive for change, maybe ever again. You must prepare adequately for these changes, this journey, and we will be your guide.

Body

Mental health and physical health have a bi-directional relationship. For example, depression and diabetes; the diagnosis of depression predicts a future diagnosis of diabetes and vice versa. However, no clear biological pathway or relationship between diabetes and depression is fully understood. However, both illnesses increase inflammation and both throw the body out of balance. If we can bring one part of the body into balance then other parts will fall into balance as well. If we treat a low iron level to improve energy levels, then the thyroid may be less taxed freeing up bandwidth for a hike with a friend. That hike will improve mood, anxiety, and social bonds. Let’s find the root of the issue, treat it, and bring life into balance.

Fitness

Early intervention and behavior change are the keys to success. 80% of all premature deaths are attributable to three factors, tobacco use, poor diet, and lack of physical activity, and only 3% of patients have healthy levels of all lifestyle behaviors. Mental illness is complex. There are some things we can’t change, like events before we were born, events in childhood, and genetics. But, there’s a lot we can change, like our epigenetics. Think of your genetics as the keys on a piano, and think of your epigenetics as your fingers playing the piano. The song you play can sound beautiful with nutritional elements like polyphenols, B vitamins, stress reducing activities like exercise and social connection. On the other hand, the song can sound dissonant with excess sugar, alcohol, saturated fat, and processed foods.  


Epigenetic Interventions

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    Physical Activity

    The evidence shows a linear relationship between physical activity and overall health. Physical activity is the best medicine to maintain brain health throughout your life, and it can even stimulate the growth of new brain cells. We will define your goals for physical activity, discuss options that may push beyond your current comfort zone, and develop a plan for success.

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    Plant Based Nutrition

    Literally, you are what you eat, drink, and put into your body. Nutrient dense foods, reduced sugars, and efficient hydration can have a positive impact on mood and anxiety, and a growing body of evidence points to gut health playing a role in improved cognition and decreased inflammation. We will work to slowly change habits based on your goals, budget, and lifestyle.

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    Restorative Sleep

    Research shows that getting closer to seven hours of quality sleep per night is linked to decreased stress levels and inflammation, improved energy levels and metabolism, promotion of a healthy immune system and cognitive function, while protecting against depression. Whether you work night shift or have a new born baby, we will develop a plan for sleep and wakefulness that allows you to live your life.

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    Community & Support

    Whether you identify as more introverted or extroverted, humans are social beings that crave being a part of a group, a tribe, a partnership, a family, a culture. Community can help us to feel part of something greater than ourselves. It gives us opportunities to connect with people, to reach for our goals, to make us feel safe and secure. A true community is about being connected, supported, and held accountable for what happens.

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    Optimal Hydration

    You need water to survive, but optimal hydration and survival are very different. Your body uses water to maintain its temperature, remove waste, lubricate your joints, and deliver nutrients to cells. Not having proper hydration can be stressful to your body and brain. Optimal water intake helps us to sleep better, improves mood, fight infections, and can improve cognition. Different people will need different amounts of water to remain hydrated.

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    Mind-Body Connection

    Mindfulness is a human’s ability to be fully present in the moment, aware of our surroundings, our bodies, and our thoughts. Thoughts will always come, and we can accept them without judgement and let them go. This awareness can improve our reactivity, worry, and overall wellbeing. There are many ways to access this natural human ability including still or motion oriented meditation like yoga and sports, or just short pauses to be present throughout the day.