Tuning Inward: Creating Meaning in the Midst of Challenge
Uncertain and unsettling times bring us face-to-face with our deepest anxieties, our most basic needs, and our often-neglected longing. When “business as usual’ is disrupted, we are confronted with a rare opportunity to see ourselves and our lives with new eyes. We remember that impermanence and interdependence are the nature of reality and that our […]
Managing Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic
When the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown began in the United States last March, our “normal” routines of daily life were interrupted in countless ways. The home transformed into the office, the classroom, the gym, the church. Businesses closed or greatly altered their operations. Layoffs were abundant; gatherings and events were nearly nonexistent. Social distancing and wearing face masks became familiar ways of life. And […]
Purposefully Present (Pt. 3): Building a Meditation Practice
This is the third installment of our Purposefully Present blog series! In this article, Transition Mentor Grant Helmus gives an introduction to the basics of meditation, the ways it is applied at Open Sky, and tips for starting your own meditation practice. At the end of the article, you’ll also find a helpful list of […]
Understanding Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy
Earlier in my career, I felt something missing from the treatment I was able to provide some of my adolescent girl clients. Many of these clients had experienced traumatic events that often manifested in the field. Therapy sometimes was particularly complicated because those incidents tend to be deeply intertwined with other treatment issues (identity, interpersonal […]
Purposefully Present (Pt. 2): Three Resources for Becoming Centered
Welcome to the second installment of Open Sky’s “Purposefully Present” blog series! Clinical therapist Nick Lenderking-Brill (adolescent boys) walks us through three useful skills and resources to mindfully center yourself. Being purposefully present with these practices can have a huge impact on personal wellness and relational health. (Click here to access part 1 of this […]
