HOPE IS HERE

We want to thank everyone who came to our Networking Event on July 19, it was a great turn out! It was a joy to gather such a vibrant and compassionate group of professionals committed to healing, connection, and community support.

We’re also excited to share the raffle winners from the event:

• Featured in this Newsletter, Hope Is Here: Tabula Rasa Counseling Services, LLC (see below for information)

• Featured on Dr. Frey’s Podcast, Mental Health Without Borders The Global Wellness Podcast: Dr. Michael Smith of Family Psychology Associates

• Raffle Basket: Marissa of For the Love of You Therapy

• $400 Wellness Retreat Discount to Greece in 2026: Rachel of Tabula Rasa Counseling Services, LLC

WELCOME TO THE FINDING HOPE WELLNESS CENTER TEAM:

Dr. Janice Torres & Mrs. Lexi Samuel-Lopez

Both, Dr. Torres and Mrs. Samuel-Lopez, are practicum students at Liberty University actively working towards their Master’s degrees AND they have available appointments this month!

Dr. Torres even offers evening appointments to fit her client’s schedule. Some of Dr. Torres’s specialties include:

• Trauma Recovery

• Marriage & Couples Counseling

• School-Related Challenges

• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Mrs. Lexi Samuel-Lopez has experience working with children and adolescents in child welfare, as well as those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), developmental disabilities, and behavioral disorders. She works with children ages 4 and up. Some of Mrs. Lexi’s specialties include:

• Child & Adolescent Trauma

• Play Therapy

• Children’s Developmental Disabilities

Contact us HERE to learn more about Dr. Torres and Mrs. Lexi, as well as to schedule an appointment.

Supporting Young Minds Initiative

Prioritizing Youth Mental Health, Especially When Heading Back to School

Mental Health America created the Supporting Young Minds initiative and outlines the importance of supporting the youth as today they are faced with unprecedented challenges to their mental health and well-being. Teen’s have mental health challenges that are more common than one may realize. Here are some statistics about teen mental health:

• For those between the ages of 15-29, suicide is the third leading cause of death (WHO)

• 1 in 7 teens experience a mental health challenge or disorder (WHO)

• There has been an increase by 35% of prevalence of mental health diagnoses in teens (NIH)

• Stop Bullying has resources and some statistics listed below about bullying:

  • 21.6% of students in middle and high school reported being cyberbullied (online or by text); with nearly twice as many female students reported experiencing bullying compared to male students

  • About 19% of high school students were bullied on school property within one year, with the most common locations being in the classroom, hallway, or stairwell

  • About 19% of students between the ages of 12-18 experienced bullying nationwide during the 2021-2022 school year, which is lower compared to the last decade

Supporting young minds is so important now, especially as school is starting again really soon. It is so crucial for students to build relationships within their schools and community, including their peers, classmates, teachers, and school office staff like the guidance counselors. Educators can help students and young minds through supporting them in school by: completing training to spot the signs of mental health concerns, create a safe environment, and so much more!

Parents can also assist their child or teen by promoting a healthy transition back to school, which can be a stressful time especially if they are transitioning into middle or high school. SAMHSA provided some ways parents can help ease their child’s worries:

• Open Communication: Be open and honest with your child when they ask questions relating to school, their classes, the new school year routine, and expectations relating to the new school year. Parents should also encourage their children to express how they feel about starting school again soon, while acknowledging their feelings and making them feel understood.

• Create Routines Now: It is so crucial to create new routines now, even with school starting in a few weeks away for most students. Creating a new sleep routine can be so beneficial as most students sleep in and have a completely new schedule during the summer. Having your child go to bed earlier and earlier each week to then wake up earlier can help prepare them for the early school mornings. For example, have your child go to sleep an hour earlier on week 1 and wake up earlier then on week 2 have them go to bed even earlier and wake up earlier. Repeat this process until they are able to wake up at or close to the time they need to for school.

• Make Advance Preparations: Attending open house for school with your children can help make them feel more at ease in the school environment as they are with a trusted parent/ guardian and are being exposed to the environment early. You can meet the new teachers and office staff while asking questions about the new year. It can also be beneficial to practice morning routines, like identifying routes to school and learning where the bus stop is.

• Encourage In-Person Social Interactions: Providing your child with opportunities to interact with their friends and classmates can assist in making the transition back to school smoother and more enjoyable.

Click HERE to visit the Mental Health America website and have access to resources and guides for youths and adults.

Click HERE to visit SAMHSA website and find resources in promoting mental health and more.

More episodes of Dr. Frey’s podcast, Mental Health Without Borders: The Global Wellness Podcast, were released in July!

On July 10 we virtually traveled to Brazil, featuring Dr. Sonia Ferreira, a clinical psychologist and family counselor based in Brazil. This episode is filled with heart, wisdom, and a beautiful reminder of what unites us across cultures. Mental health is seen globally across all cultures. Dr. Ferreira opened up about the beauty and challenge of working with clients from around the world and how she approaches each session with openness, humility, a learning spirit, and cultural sensitivity.

On July 24, Dr. Frey took us to Greece where she had candid conversations with Eleni Vardaki, an Athens based therapist. She shared the transformative story of how in just 1 session of Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) tapping helped a client get unstuck after years of feeling stuck in traditional talk therapy. Finding the right therapy approach for yourself and your clients is so important. Eleni brought a fresh perspective on healing and wellness across cultures.

If you are a mental health professional and want to embark on a journey of wellness that allows you to truly relax and recharge, learn about new cultures, and travel all at the same time while earning continuing education credits (CEC’s) then stay tuned as Finding Hope Wellness Retreats sets off to Greece in 2026!! Click HERE to learn more about Finding Hope Wellness Retreats and sign up for the latest updates on our 2026 Greece Trip!

Click HERE to subscribe and listen to previous episodes and stay tuned for the next episode that is available to listen on August 7th!

MENTAL HEALTH SPOTLIGHT:

Tabula Rasa Counseling Services, LLC

A message from the founders and owners of Tabula Rasa Counseling Services:

At Tabula Rasa Counseling Services, LLC, we believe in the power of new beginnings.

Located in Lutz, FL, our practice was founded on the idea that every person deserves a safe, supportive space to explore their story, heal from the past, and create a future rooted in HOPE and resilience.

We chose the name Tabula Rasa- Latin for “blank slate”- intentionally, as it reflects our belief that no matter what someone has been through, every day offers the opportunity to begin again with compassion, strength, and renewed purpose.

Since opening our doors in 2021, husband and wife team Cordett & Rachel McCall have witnessed the growing need for mental health support in the community. In response, we expanded our practice to include a team of highly skilled and deeply compassionate therapists. Each brings their own expertise, allowing us to serve a wide range of individuals and families seeking care.

We provide individual, couples, and family counseling both in-person and virtually. Our services support those navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, substance use, chronic illness, and persistent mental health conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. We also offer specialized group therapy and support programs that foster connection and community-based healing. There is even an 8-week healing group for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse from August 23- October 11, 2025 at Tabula Rasa.

Our team includes certified addiction professionals as well as qualified supervisors for those pursuing licensure as LCSW’s or LMHC’s. We are committed not only to the care of our clients, but also to the growth and mentorship of furture clinicians.

Our approach is integrative and tailored to each individual’s needs, drawing from evidence-based practices such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), EMDR, Internal Family Systems (IFS), the Gottman Method for couples, and Jungian theory. We honor every person’s unique story and believe in the strength that comes from rewriting it with intention and HOPE.

At Tabula Rasa, we walk beside you on the path to healing- offering support, insight, and the unwavering belief that a new beginning is always possible.

To learn more about Tabula Rasa and their services click HERE to visit their website.

We HOPE you have a great month and a great school year!

Contact us to schedule an appointment now at:

admin@findinghopewellnesscenter.com

Make sure to follow us on our socials to stay up to date on Finding Hope Wellness Center, information about mental health, events, and more!

Facebook Instagram LinkedIn

The latest on our socials: