logo
Sharon Regional's outpatient behavioral clinic reopens

Sharon Regional's outpatient behavioral clinic reopens

Yahoo21-02-2025
SHARON, Pa. (WKBN) — Sharon Regional Medical Center has started its first phase of reopening.
Tenor Health Foundation, the hospital's new owner, announced in a press release on Friday that the outpatient behavioral services clinic opened on Tuesday.
'Sharon Regional has a long and successful history of providing high-quality behavioral health care in Mercer County and throughout Western Pennsylvania,' T.J. Hudock, Senior Director of Behavioral Health Services, said in the release.
The reopening of the Intensive Behavioral Health Services and Partial Hospitalization programs will allow 75 children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other mental health conditions to immediately resume treatment, marking the first phase of reopening.
A digital director has also been hired for the hospital's imaging department.
'This equipment will be able to answer critical diagnostic questions for our Emergency and Intensivist physicians within 6 seconds of image acquisition at the patient bedside, promoting the quickest response to our patients' needs,' Radiology Director Jessica Schultz said.
The foundation said once it completes the necessary licensing requirements, Sharon Regional Medical Center will resume its full spectrum of behavioral health services, including inpatient psychiatric care for children and adults, at its main hospital campus in Sharon.
'We are working closely with the Pennsylvania Department of Health to restore all hospital services and programs,' Radha Savitala, Founder of Tenor Health Foundation said. 'This includes ensuring the availability of essential medical services such as emergency care, inpatient admissions, specialist consultations, anesthesiology, laboratory services, radiology, and the necessary pharmaceuticals and patient care supplies.'
The clinic is located at 2375 Garden Way in Hermitage. For more information and updates, contact Sharon Regional Medical Center's behavioral health information line at (724) 983-3911.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

From Self-Criticism to Self-Compassion: Transforming Your Inner Dialogue
From Self-Criticism to Self-Compassion: Transforming Your Inner Dialogue

Time Business News

time3 days ago

  • Time Business News

From Self-Criticism to Self-Compassion: Transforming Your Inner Dialogue

Self-criticism is an omnipresent force in many people's lives. It is that inner voice that incessantly judges, evaluates, and often dismisses our efforts. While intended to foster growth and self-improvement, self-criticism frequently leads to diminished self-esteem and mental fatigue. Contrarily, self-compassion offers a kinder, more constructive approach to personal development. Understanding the principles of cultivating self-compassion for better mental health can set the stage for a transformative journey from self-criticism to self-compassion. Millions endure the detrimental effects of relentless self-criticism. Often, it begins with good intentions, like striving for high standards and personal development. However, when this inner voice becomes excessively harsh, it may erode confidence and instill a sense of inadequacy. Common patterns of self-criticism include constant comparison with others, magnifying faults, and disregarding successes. Such patterns seldom appear overnight but develop over time, often rooted in early life experiences, cultural expectations, and biological predispositions. From a psychological standpoint, self-criticism can stem from internalised expectations and beliefs. Children who grow up seeking validation may internalise a critical voice that mimics perfectionistic standards set by parents, teachers, or peers. This critical voice, ingrained during formative years, becomes a default mode of self-talk. On a biological level, the brain's negativity bias makes us more likely to focus on and magnify negative experiences and shortcomings. This biological predisposition facilitates the persistence of self-criticism, making it an arduous cycle to break. Changing well-entrenched patterns of self-criticism requires conscious effort and the adoption of specific strategies aimed at cultivating self-compassion. At its core, self-compassion involves treating oneself with the same kindness and understanding as one would extend to a friend facing similar struggles. Here are some effective strategies to shift toward a more compassionate inner dialogue: 1. Mindfulness: One of the foundational elements of self-compassion is mindfulness. This practice involves paying attention to one's thoughts and feelings without judgment. When self-critical thoughts arise, mindfulness encourages recognition and acceptance rather than suppression or rationalisation. 2. Reframing Negative Self-Talk: It is crucial to recognise and challenge irrational beliefs underlying self-criticism. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques, such as cognitive restructuring, can help in identifying cognitive distortions and replacing them with balanced viewpoints. 3. Self-Compassion Exercises: Numerous exercises enable the practice of self-compassion, such as the 'self-compassion break,' which involves pausing in moments of distress to tell oneself, 'This is a moment of suffering. Suffering is a part of life. May I be kind to myself.' Such exercises help in integrating compassionate language into daily routines. 4. Letter Writing: Writing a letter to oneself from the perspective of a compassionate friend or mentor can be enlightening. This exercise helps in viewing struggles through a lens of empathy and understanding, rather than harsh judgment. 5. Professional Guidance: For those finding it difficult to adopt self-compassion practices, professional therapy methods like Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) can be beneficial. This therapy aims to help individuals understand and alleviate their self-criticism through techniques rooted in the principles of compassion. Adopting self-compassion does not mean abandoning ambition or excusing poor behavior. Rather, it means encouraging growth and improvement through understanding, patience, and supportive self-talk. Numerous studies have shown that self-compassion is linked with lower levels of anxiety, depression, and stress, as well as higher levels of life satisfaction and emotional resilience. In conclusion, transforming one's inner dialogue from self-criticism to self-compassion is neither an instantaneous nor a simple journey. It requires sustained effort, mindful practices, and often, professional support. By examining common patterns of self-criticism, understanding their psychological and biological roots, and employing effective strategies, individuals can cultivate a more compassionate inner voice and develop a healthier sense of self. This shift not only enhances mental health but also fosters a more fulfilling and compassionate life journey. TIME BUSINESS NEWS

'Clara's Universe': Amanda Brandão's Project Humanizes Spaces for Children with ADHD
'Clara's Universe': Amanda Brandão's Project Humanizes Spaces for Children with ADHD

Time Business News

time31-07-2025

  • Time Business News

'Clara's Universe': Amanda Brandão's Project Humanizes Spaces for Children with ADHD

Before becoming a project, Clara's Universe was a feeling. It was childhood, it was a challenge, and it was the attempt to find comfort amidst chaos. Created by architect Amanda Brandão during her undergraduate studies, the work carries more than just technical expertise—it carries the memory of a girl who couldn't organize her own room but gradually came to understand that space can be a form of support for those living with ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Diagnosed in childhood with both ADHD and GAD, Amanda faced challenges early on that went beyond hyperactivity or trouble focusing. There was also a constant feeling of internal disorganization, reflected in the room she lived in. 'Although the room was beautiful, new, recently renovated—and even painted entirely pink, just like I wanted—I still had a hard time feeling at home there. It wasn't about a lack of care. In fact, my mother applied several ADHD-related methodologies with me, both in my studies and behavior. But when it came to the physical space, everything was still very new. At that time, there was hardly any talk about architectural interventions aimed at children with ADHD or anxiety. There was a lack of understanding about how the environment itself could be a tool for support—and this discovery eventually became the starting point for my project.' This personal insight became the foundation for her final graduation project, which resulted in Clara's Universe —a design that not only incorporates the principles of neuroarchitecture but also engages with psychology and pedagogy professionals to deeply understand what a neurodivergent child needs in everyday life. The project proposes a playful, sensorially balanced, and functional children's environment, where every design choice has a purpose: from a color palette that avoids visual overload to customized furniture that promotes autonomy. Features like organizing niches, clear separations between play and rest areas, and soft transition spaces help create an atmosphere of safety and predictability—essentials for children with ADHD, ASD, and GAD. But perhaps the project's greatest strength lies in its origin. By looking into her own story, Amanda was able to translate subjective experiences into objective design solutions. 'Clara, the character who gives the project its name, is a symbolic representation of many girls like me. Children who want to express themselves but don't know how. Who need structure but find no support in their surroundings,' she explains. The choice of the name 'Clara' was also intentional. It refers to light—to the idea of making visible what often goes unnoticed—such as a child's difficulty in dealing with excessive stimuli or the lack of structure within their own room. More than just an academic exercise, Clara's Universe became a kind of personal and professional manifesto. It marks the beginning of Amanda's journey as an architect focused on child-centered care and has become the conceptual foundation for the projects she now develops. 'This work showed me that it's possible to turn pain into purpose. That I can use my own experience as a tool for listening and empathizing with other families,' she says. Today, Amanda Brandão develops projects that combine aesthetics, functionality, and emotional sensitivity, always with a keen awareness of children's emotional and behavioral needs. With a background that blends technical specialization and strong personal motivation, she advocates for architecture that not only organizes spaces but also offers emotional and psychological support. Clara's Universe remains a reference and inspiration—a reminder that well-designed environments can be more than beautiful—they can be therapeutic, inclusive, and transformative. To follow more projects and learn about the architect's work, follow @ on Instagram or contact her at amandamellobrandao@ TIME BUSINESS NEWS

Mom Told Autistic Daughter May Never Talk, Unprepared for What Happens Next
Mom Told Autistic Daughter May Never Talk, Unprepared for What Happens Next

Newsweek

time24-07-2025

  • Newsweek

Mom Told Autistic Daughter May Never Talk, Unprepared for What Happens Next

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A mom who was told her autistic non-verbal daughter may never talk, could not believe what she captured one rainy Saturday afternoon. Samantha Start (@samninawolf), 30, posted a reel on Instagram sharing a moment she never thought would come: her daughter Nina's first words. In the clip, her 6-year-old can be heard finally saying phrases like "all gone" and "oh dear", followed by counting along with her mom using a colorful number chart—a huge milestone for the family. Nina, 6, pictured wearing pink children's romper with green dinosaurs on. Nina, 6, pictured wearing pink children's romper with green dinosaurs on. @samninawolf "I'll forever remember the date she spoke words to me because that was a date we never thought would come," the mom of two told Newsweek. Samantha, who is also mom to son Wolf with husband Robert, 34, explained that her daughter was diagnosed with autism when she was just two years old. "It's try and understand what she wants, but we communicate in different ways and have learnt to understand Nina's needs," she told Newsweek. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects individuals in a variety of ways, including how they communicate, behave and interact with others. While some children with autism develop language typically, others remain non-verbal or minimally verbal. It's estimated that around 25 to 30 percent of individuals with autism are non-verbal or have very limited verbal abilities, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). "We haven't vocally communicated in the whole six years she has been alive, so we don't know any different," Samantha added. After six years of silence, Nina's first words were a real breakthrough. "I was so shocked [at] how clear her speech was and just so happy to finally hear her speak," Samantha said. "I've waited six years for this day." Nina's first words had been watched over 376,000 times and received over 11,000 likes online at the time of writing. Hundreds commented on the clip, with many parents saying it's given them hope. "Oh my gosh, I dream of this day! How incredibly special," one user wrote. "Music to your ears! Her sweet little voice finding its way to you," another added. A third user commented, "This is so so amazing! Gives me so much hope for my autistic son." While Samantha was elated, the moment meant even more to Nina's younger brother. "It means so much to us as a family but especially her little brother who has longed for her to speak to him," she said. "He was so happy." Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures you want to share? Send them to life@ with some extra details, and they could appear on our website.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store