CTSHealth

01/23/2026

In preparation for the winter storm approaching North Carolina, our Hickory location will be closed on Monday, January 26th. All appointments have been rescheduled and/or will be virtual. Please check our social media accounts and Google Business page for further updates.

01/21/2026

“Mental wellness” is often used loosely. But what does it actually mean? And what misconceptions might be holding people back from taking it seriously?

This week, during Mental Wellness Awareness Month, is all about clarity, education, and empowerment.

Mental Wellness Is Not the Absence of Struggle

Life brings stress, overwhelm, conflict, and unexpected challenges. Mental wellness isn’t about avoiding these things—it’s about developing the skills, tools, and awareness to navigate them.

It’s resilience, not perfection.

Explore expert advice, practical tips, and valuable insights on mental health, wellness, therapy, and self-care from the CTSHealth blog. Check out our latest blog post, "Understanding Mental Wellness".

01/20/2026

☕🍬 Cooper's Mental Health Tip of the Week: Limit Caffeine & Sugar

Why it helps your mental health:
🧠 Reduces anxiety, jitters, and racing thoughts
💥 Supports steadier energy (no crash-and-burn cycle)
🎢 Helps regulate mood and emotional swings
😴 Improves sleep quality, which directly impacts mental health
📈 Prevents blood sugar spikes that can increase irritability
🤓 Supports focus without overstimulation

01/15/2026

January is Mental Wellness Month. Mental wellness doesn’t require a major life overhaul.

Sometimes it looks like:
🧠Unfollowing accounts that quietly make you anxious
🧘Stretching or sitting in silence before the day gets loud
⏱️Taking a two-minute breath break—yes, it counts
🚫Saying “no” without explaining or apologizing

These small shifts protect your energy—and your peace.
This Mental Wellness Month, let wellness be gentle, realistic, and human.

01/14/2026

Cooper's Weekly Mental Health Tip: Engage in a Hobby

Making time for something you enjoy isn’t extra—it’s essential.

Here’s why hobbies are so good for your mental health:
• Reduces stress by giving your brain a break from daily pressures
• Boosts mood and releases feel-good chemicals like dopamine
• Helps quiet anxious thoughts and improve focus
• Builds confidence as you learn or create something new
• Encourages mindfulness and being present in the moment
• Provides a sense of joy, purpose, and balance
• Supports emotional regulation and nervous system reset

🐨 Cooper’s reminder: Even a few minutes of something you love counts. Joy is part of self-care.

01/13/2026

Season 3 of Healthy Head Talk is here!

We're kicking off this season with a conversation about living with bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is often misunderstood—and that misunderstanding can be isolating.

In this episode, we talk about what bipolar disorder actually looks like over decades of life, treatment, resilience, and growth.

🎧 Listen, learn, and share. Here is a direct link or you can find Healthy Head Talk wherever you get your podcasts.

https://rss.com/podcasts/healthyheadtalk/2455802

01/12/2026

Every January, the world rushes into the “new year, new me” mindset—gym memberships spike, planners get filled with lofty goals, and suddenly rest becomes optional. Mental Wellness Awareness Month invites us to pause and consider something deeper: What would it look like to begin the year with mental wellness at the center, not as an afterthought?

Explore expert advice, practical tips, and valuable insights on mental health, wellness, therapy, and self-care from the CTSHealth blog. Check out our latest blog post, "Mental Wellness Awareness Month".

01/08/2026

Big news, Chicago!

Our CTSHealth office is on the move as we grow to better serve our community. We’re proud to continue providing outpatient therapy, case management, community support, and psychosocial rehabilitation—meeting people where they are and helping them move forward. Stay tuned for our official move-in date!

01/06/2026

January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month

Human trafficking is often talked about through the lens of crime, exploitation, and safety—and rightfully so. What we don’t talk about enough is the mental health impact: the trauma that increases vulnerability, the psychological tactics traffickers use, and the long road survivors face toward healing.

Human trafficking is not just a crime.
It is a mental health crisis.

As we honor Human Trafficking Prevention Month, this conversation must include the emotional and psychological realities that surround trafficking—and the ways all of us can help create safer, more trauma-informed communities.

Explore expert advice, practical tips, and valuable insights on mental health, wellness, therapy, and self-care from the CTSHealth blog. Check out our latest blog post, "Human Trafficking Prevention".

01/05/2026

Our mental health tip and Cooper's Weekly Challenge is: Declutter Your Space!

The mental health benefits of clearing out your spare are:

-Reduces visual stress and mental overwhelm
-Improves focus, clarity, and productivity
-Creates a sense of control during chaotic seasons
-Supports emotional regulation and calm
-Makes rest and recovery feel more accessible
-Frees up mental energy for what actually matters
-Can improve mood and lower anxiety levels
-Reinforces self-care through small, achievable actions

12/29/2025

As the calendar winds down and the final days of December settle in, many people find themselves in a unique emotional space—a quiet pause between who we were this year and who we hope to become next year. The last week of the year often feels like a deep breath: a blend of closure, anticipation, gratitude, and sometimes even anxiety.

This “in-between” week can be just as meaningful for our mental health as any holiday or milestone. It’s a natural invitation to slow down, look inward, and approach the new year with intention rather than pressure.

This week's blog discusses why the final days of the year feel different and what this week can teach us about our mental health. You don't need to reinvent yourself on January 1st. You simply need to enter the next chapter with awareness, self-kindness, and the understanding that growth is a year-round, everyday process.

Explore expert advice, practical tips, and valuable insights on mental health, wellness, therapy, and self-care from the CTSHealth blog. Check out our latest blog post, "The Space Between Years".

12/23/2025

Because of the generosity of our sponsors and the dedication of our incredible staff, this holiday season is brighter for the children in all of our programs. Thank you for making Angel Tree 2025 such a special reminder of hope, joy, and community.
Emanuel Baptist Church
Joe Gibbs Racing
Megan Corp
Tutor Time
QCFit Northlake