Hannah's House created and sponsored a weekly wellness series which introduced students to a variety of healthy ways to reduce stress and cope with anxiety. A licensed therapist, emotional resilience coach, massage therapist, mindfulness coach and yoga/aromatherapy instructor all contributed to make a big impact over three months!

Heidi recently offered a weekly therapy group for 10 children, ages 6-11 yrs that suffer from anxiety. They had so much fun together; it was a success! Here is feedback from one parent:

We all catch ourselves in a moment of being overwhelmed or emotionally reactive to a situation or a person in which we catastrophize and feel this is it and we just can’t take it anymore. We often want to shout and scream or turn to a vice or substance or do something we regret later. If we can only take a step back and pause and back away from this moment that seems so important. Take a time out from a fight with a spouse, partner or impatience with a child or coworker or wanting a drink and instead, step outside, take a shower, listen to some music or get a glass of water or take a few deep breaths or go get some milk at the grocery store.

If we can create a little space from what seems like an obsessive thought, it often turns out to be really a silly moment that can pass, just like our feelings usually pass if we will allow them to. Distraction is a great technique to allow our emotional reactivity to lose some of its steam. After we have calmed down a bit, our rational thought returns and problem solving and communication skills will return. Remember in looking for solutions, try to imagine yourself walking down the middle of the road in balance taking in multiple perspectives with empathy rather than all or nothing thinking that can lead to perfectionism and anxiety. The key to calming our overreactive self is in our awareness of creating distance and detachment from our thoughts and feelings and simply observing them as we take a deeper breath and step away from the situation when you start to feel overwhelmed.

Submitted by Hayley Hamilton, LICSW, LADC

Hannah's House

We live in fearful, anxious times, there’s no doubt about it. Some of you may be dealing w/ crippling fears in your life right now. If so, you’re not alone!! As if COVID and Ukraine and political divisions and the economy weren’t enough, there are always the old standbys that have plagued us humans for a long, long time: fear of trouble or disease or loss in our lives; fear that things won’t go our way—that we won’t get what we need or want; fear that we’re not enough or not DOING enough; fear of what others think about us, to name a few. Fear—and its close cousins, worry and anxiety-- can wreak havoc on our bodies, minds and spirits—and it’s important that we learn strategies to manage and minimize them in our lives.

Here are just a few tools which I have found useful in helping to release fear and anxiety: Click here to read more:

We are happy to report that our NeurOptimal system is back up and running. In addition to our staff, two of our board members are now trained in administering to clients. Sessions are $40 each or $170 for five sessions. Call Hannah's House to make an appointment 802-496-9715.