Author: innovaAdmin

We often think of clutter as a simple organizational problem: too much stuff, not enough space. But for many people, the way we acquire, keep, or discard things reflects deeper emotional and neurological patterns. Whether you tend to purge impulsively, hold on tightly, buy too much, or shuffle your piles around, your brain is trying, in its own way, to protect and regulate you.

Below are four common behavior patterns that appear across ADHD, OCD, anxiety, and trauma responses, along with the brain chemistry that drives them.

1. Impulsive Discarding

“I just need everything gone.”

This happens when someone gets overwhelmed by visual chaos or emotional clutter and reacts by throwing things away rapidly, sometimes even things they later regret losing.

Why It Happens

Impulsive discarding can bring instant relief. For those with ADHD, it can feel like reclaiming control when the brain is flooded by stimuli. For people with anxiety or trauma histories, it offers a burst of certainty in a moment of chaos. For some with OCD traits, it can temporarily quiet the inner critic demanding order or perfection.

The Brain Behind It

• Prefrontal Cortex: underactive, making it hard to plan or inhibit impulses.
• Amygdala: overactive, sending distress signals that demand immediate action.
• Dopamine: spikes when you act quickly (“relief rush”).
• Cortisol: stress hormone drives the urgency to “fix” the environment fast.

In short: impulsive discarding isn’t just poor planning; it’s the brain’s attempt to self-soothe through action.

2. Difficulty Discarding

“What if I need it later?”

This is the opposite end of the spectrum. It’s not laziness or messiness; it’s often fear-based attachment. The item may represent comfort, memory, or security.

Why It Happens

For someone with OCD, it’s often tied to fear of making the “wrong” choice or guilt over letting go. For those with trauma, holding onto objects can feel like holding onto safety, stability, or a sense of identity. For anxious individuals, the act of discarding can feel like losing control.

The Brain Behind It

• Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC): lights up when we experience conflict or potential “loss”, discarding literally hurts.
• Insula: processes emotional pain and disgust; activates when imagining letting go.
• Serotonin: low levels increase rigidity and rumination.
• Oxytocin: strengthens emotional bonds, even to inanimate things.

In short: the brain treats discarding as danger, not decluttering.

3. Excessive Acquisition

“I just need one more.”

Shopping, collecting, “stocking up,” or picking up freebies can all trigger a dopamine reward loop. For someone with ADHD, that novelty-seeking system is especially sensitive. For someone coping with anxiety, depression, or trauma, acquiring things can briefly replace emptiness or fear with comfort.

Why It Happens

The brain releases dopamine before we get the thing — it’s the anticipation, not the ownership, that feels good. Over time, that reward system learns to crave more stimulation just to feel normal.

The Brain Behind It

• Mesolimbic Dopamine Pathway (VTA → Nucleus Accumbens): drives reward-seeking and novelty craving.
• Low Serotonin: reduces impulse control and patience.
• Endorphins: create a “soothing” post-purchase calm.
• Cortisol: chronic stress primes us to acquire for comfort.

In short: the brain says “buy now, feel safe later”, but the safety doesn’t last.

4. “Doom Piles” — Moves but Doesn’t Organize

“I’m not messy, I just have a system… somewhere.”

Doom piles are the stacks of stuff that travel from one surface to another. You might move things from the bed to the chair to the counter, promising yourself you’ll “deal with it later.” You are moving, but not resolving, because your brain is overloaded.

Why It Happens

In ADHD, the brain struggles to prioritize and sustain focus as sorting requires many micro-decisions. For those with trauma or anxiety, these piles may represent avoided emotions or unprocessed memories. You move the pile, but the weight stays.

The Brain Behind It

• Prefrontal Cortex: underactive, causing poor sequencing and organization.
• Anterior Cingulate Cortex: hyper-alert, constantly flagging “errors.”
• Low Dopamine: makes initiating and finishing tasks feel nearly impossible.
• Default Mode Network (DMN): overactive rumination replaces action with thinking.

In short: doom piles are not laziness; they are cognitive overload wearing a disguise of activity.

The Cycle of Stuff

Many people cycle through all four behaviors:

Acquire → Overwhelm → Doom Piles → Impulsive Purge → Regret → Reacquire

Each step temporarily regulates emotion or neurochemistry, but doesn’t resolve the root cause: an overtaxed nervous system searching for relief.

Healing the Cycle

The key is self-awareness without shame. These patterns don’t mean you’re lazy or broken; they mean your brain is working overtime to protect you.
Here are small, neuroscience-aligned steps to break the cycle:

• Pause before purging or purchasing. Let the stress chemical (cortisol) settle before acting.
• Regulate before deciding. Try deep breathing, movement, or sensory grounding.
• Set micro-goals. One drawer or one pile is enough. The prefrontal cortex builds momentum through small wins.
• Notice emotion, not just clutter. Ask: “What am I feeling right now?” not “What’s wrong with my house?”
• Reframe progress. Organization is not perfection; it’s a form of self-compassion.

Final Thoughts

Our environments mirror our inner worlds. For people with ADHD, OCD, anxiety, or trauma, clutter is rarely about laziness — it’s about neurobiology meeting emotion. When we understand the brain’s wiring, we can replace shame with curiosity, and chaos with calm.

If your relationship with “stuff” feels overwhelming, you’re not alone. At Innova Recovery Center, we help people understand how trauma and neurobiology influence their daily lives, from emotional regulation to the environments they inhabit. Our therapists use evidence-based approaches like EMDR, CBT, and DBT to support your healing from within. Reach out to us today at (210) 254-3618 to start cultivating the calm and clarity your mind deserves. 

If you’re a veteran looking for trauma treatment or mental health support, you might not realize that the VA can fully cover your care at Innova Recovery Center. Innova is a Community Care Provider for mental health services, which means the VA can approve your treatment with us at no cost to you.

Innova offers trauma-informed programs specially designed for service members, veterans, and their families. These programs are led by clinicians trained in trauma-focused, evidence-based care, including EMDR, CBT, and DBT, with a thorough understanding of military culture and experiences. We offer several levels of care, from Residential Treatment (RTC) and Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), to Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and Outpatient Therapy (OP). Our specialized services for the military include:

• Individual Therapy
• Military Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
• Military Sexual Trauma Treatment
• PTSD & Trauma Treatment
• Transition & Reintegration Support
• Family & Relationship Counseling

Here’s how to request authorization from the VA and begin your care:

Step 1: Schedule or attend your regular VA appointment

Start by booking an appointment with your VA primary care provider or VA mental health provider. During your visit, let them know you are seeking trauma-focused or specialized mental health care through the Community Care program. Click here to learn more about VA Community Care.

If you already have an upcoming appointment, you can discuss this then.

Step 2: Request a “Community Care” authorization

At your appointment, ask your VA provider to send a Community Care authorization for treatment at Innova Recovery Center. You can say:

“I’d like to request a Community Care authorization to receive treatment at Innova Recovery Center for [the level of care you’re seeking—RTC, PHP, IOP, or OP]. Their NPI number is 1821546078.”

That’s all you need to start the process. Your provider will submit the request through the VA’s Community Care network.

Step 3: The VA reviews and processes your request

Once your provider submits the request, the VA will review it and determine your eligibility. If approved, the VA will issue an authorization that fully covers your treatment at Innova. To track your request or check your eligibility, contact your VA care team or your local Community Care office.

Step 4: Begin treatment at Innova Recovery Center

After your authorization is approved, the VA will send the necessary documentation directly to Innova Recovery Center. From there, our admissions team will assist in scheduling your intake and confirming your treatment plan. We’ll handle the details with the VA, including billing and communication, so that you can focus on your recovery rather than paperwork.

Need help getting started?

If you’re unsure where to begin or need assistance requesting authorization, our admissions team can guide you step by step. We work closely with the VA to ensure your care is fully covered and that you can start treatment smoothly. Contact Innova Recovery Center today at (210) 254-3618 to verify your eligibility and begin your journey toward healing.

by Marlee Malone

The ʻōhiʻa lehua blooms bravely.
When the world shows its fire mouth.
Where the earth splits open
and what was once familiar, gone.
It doesn’t wait for perfect soil.
It grows anyway.
It becomes proof, and true that new life can rise out of a place where everything once burned so bright that hope was brought to question.
It is that very truth which calls us to do what we do.
We walk into the aftermath of eruptions—
The disasters carried in other people’s bodies,
their hearts, their stories.
We don’t rush to fill the silence.
We don’t force the healing.
We stand beside it,
steady hands, open hearts,
trusting that light can find its way in.
Grace taught me how sacred this work is.
How healing can be a whisper,
a flicker,
a single breath after years of holding it in.
–
We see it all the time don’t we?
the slow unfurling,
the first green leaf through black rock.
We are light workers.
We don’t create the bloom.
But we tend the ground,
we hold the hope,
we listen for the quiet leading
that guides us back again and again.
This work is hard.
And holy.
And it matters.
Here, among teammates who care fiercely,
among lives slowly turning toward the sun,
I am grateful—
to witness,
to walk beside,
to see beauty bloom from ashes.

Chronic pain often feels like a cycle you can’t escape: the physical pain drains you emotionally, and the emotional weight makes the pain even heavier. For many, this cycle can last months, years, or even decades, affecting every part of life: work, relationships, sleep, and your mental health.

At Innova Peace, we believe there’s a better way forward. Our 4-Week Chronic Pain Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) in San Antonio is designed to address both the body and the mind, breaking the cycle and helping you reclaim a life of peace and purpose.

The Hidden Toll of Chronic Pain

According to the CDC, over 51 million U.S. adults live with chronic pain. Beyond the constant physical discomfort, chronic pain can:

• Disrupt sleep patterns
  
• Lead to depression and anxiety.
  
• Limit movement and daily activities
  
• Strain personal and professional relationships.

Traditional treatments often focus solely on symptom management, leaving the underlying causes unaddressed. That’s why Innova Peace takes a whole-person approach, because pain is never just physical.

Understanding the Chronic Pain Cycle

Chronic pain doesn’t just stay in your body, over time it rewires how your brain and nervous system respond to pain signals. Studies link this to a process called central sensitization, which is when your nervous system becomes so hyper-responsive that it creates a cycle that can look like this:

Pain Signal →Your body experiences pain from an injury, illness, or unknown cause.
Emotional Reaction  → Frustration, anxiety, and hopelessness set in.
Heightened Sensitivity → Stress hormones increase, making the nervous system more sensitive to pain.
Avoidance & Isolation →Fear of worsening pain leads to less movement, fewer social activities, and increased withdrawal.
Physical Deconditioning → Muscles weaken, posture changes, and mobility declines.
More Pain → The body becomes more vulnerable, reigniting the cycle.

Without the proper care, chronic pain can turn into a relentless cycle that only grows stronger over time. Recent studies show that nearly one in four U.S. adults live with chronic pain, and almost one in ten experience high-impact pain, pain so severe it disrupts daily life¹. We are here to help you truly heal by addressing both the body and the nervous system, retraining the brain to process pain more effectively, and breaking the cycle at its roots, rather than simply masking symptoms.

Our Integrated Approach to Healing

Our PHP blends cutting-edge therapies with holistic practices, creating an individualized plan for each participant.

Evidence-Based Therapies

• Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT): Retrains the brain to interpret pain signals differently, reducing the fear-pain loop.
  
• Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT): Helps you build a life guided by values, even in the presence of discomfort.
  
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Addresses the thoughts and behaviors that can worsen pain.
  
• Somatic Experiencing: Releases stored tension and trauma from the body.
  

Holistic Healing Practices

• Yoga & Movement: Improves mobility and reduces stiffness.
  
• Nutritional Counseling: Focuses on anti-inflammatory foods that support healing.
  
• Art Therapy: Encourages creative expression to process emotions.
  
• Alpha-Stim Technology: Delivers gentle electrical pulses that promote calm and reduce pain perception.
  
• Vibroacoustic Therapy: Uses sound and vibration to promote relaxation and reduce muscle tension.

Breaking Free from Chronic Pain is Possible

At Innova Peace, we don’t just treat symptoms, we help you retrain your mind and body to step out of the cycle that’s been holding you back. You deserve more than temporary relief, you deserve lasting peace, renewed strength, and the ability to reclaim your life. Take our quick, confidential Chronic Pain Quiz to see if this program could be the next step in your healing journey.

Contact us today to learn more about Innova Peace, our Chronic Pain PHP, or to schedule a tour.

1. https://www.health.com/chronic-pain-patterns-united-states-7501724 ↩︎

For many parents, the start of a new school year brings excitement. But if your teen struggles with anxiety, depression, or trauma, going back to a traditional school can feel like returning to a place of pain, not progress. At Innova Joy, a therapeutic day school for teens in New Braunfels, we believe back-to-school should not mean back to struggle. We offer something unique: a trauma-informed, nurturing environment where healing and learning go hand in hand. Here’s what you and your teen can expect on their first day at a therapeutic day school like Innova Joy.

A Calm and Supportive Start

Many teens with emotional or behavioral challenges find the first day of school stressful and overstimulating. Therapeutic day schools are intentionally designed to offer a soft landing. Rather than facing crowded hallways, rigid schedules, or unfamiliar expectations, students are welcomed with compassion and guided into the school routine at a pace that feels safe. They are gently introduced to staff, peers, and their new environment at their own pace. This approach helps students feel grounded and supported from the beginning, a crucial step in building trust and engagement.

A Trauma-Informed School Environment

Unlike traditional campuses, therapeutic schools are built with emotional safety in mind. Classrooms and common areas are calm and cozy, therapy rooms are private and inviting, and staff are trained to respond with empathy and care. This trauma-informed design helps students regulate their emotions, build trust, and re-engage in learning without fear or shame. It also creates an atmosphere where teens feel seen and valued.

Accredited Academics That Fit Your Teen’s Needs

One of the biggest challenges for teens who have struggled in traditional settings is falling behind academically. Therapeutic day schools partner with certified educators and academic programs to help students catch up or move ahead, based on their individual needs. Smaller class sizes, personalized instruction, and flexible pacing allow students to rebuild confidence in their learning abilities. Academic progress becomes a tool for empowerment rather than a source of stress.

Daily Access to Licensed Therapy

Therapy plays a key role in academic success. Research shows that when students receive consistent mental health support, they often experience improved emotional regulation, reduced anxiety, and stronger stress management skills, all of which contribute to better focus, motivation, and higher GPAs.¹

At Innova Joy, students attend therapy sessions once a week and receive consistent mental health support as part of their school day. This may include one-on-one counseling, group sessions, and family therapy using modalities such as:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Art, Music, and Play Therapy
• Family Therapy

Our licensed trauma therapists are on-site and available throughout the day, providing real-time support for your teen’s emotional well-being. Increasing access to school-based mental health services like these has been shown to reduce depressive episodes and suicide risk among adolescents.²

A Community of Understanding

Therapeutic day schools foster a sense of belonging by connecting teens with peers who share similar experiences and challenges. Students no longer feel isolated or misunderstood—they’re surrounded by others who “get it.” These communities emphasize empathy, respect, and emotional growth. With strict no-bullying policies and consistent supervision, students can feel safe enough to open up and start building healthy relationships. For many teens, this is the first time they feel truly accepted in a school setting.

A New School Year, A New Beginning

When school becomes a place of struggle, it may be time to consider a different approach. Therapeutic day schools provide more than just education; they offer a path to healing. If your teen has faced emotional or behavioral challenges that have made traditional school unbearable, a specialized program like Innova Joy may offer the structure and support they need to thrive. Take our quick, confidential Parent Quiz to find out if your teen could benefit from trauma-informed care. 

Contact us today to learn more about Innova Joy, our programs for teens, or to schedule a tour.

1. https://www.kidsfirstservices.com/first-insights/the-link-between-therapy-and-academic-success?utm_source=chatgpt.com ↩︎
2. Paschall, M. J., & Bersamin, M. (2018). School-based health centers, depression, and suicide risk among adolescents. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 54(1), 44–50. https://www.ajpmonline.org/article/S0749-3797(17)30477-4/ ↩︎

When disaster strikes—whether it’s flooding, a fire, or another crisis—it’s not just adults who feel shaken. Kids notice everything. They sense stress, overhear conversations, and sometimes directly experience scary events themselves.

As parents, caregivers, and community members, we often wonder: How do I talk to my child about something so complicated?

In this video, Dr. Kasi Howard, founder of Innova Recovery Center, shares heartfelt advice for having these important conversations with children after traumatic events:

Here’s what she recommends:

1. Be Honest, But Gentle

Children are incredibly perceptive. Dr. Howard says it best:

“Kids are big old truth sniffers.”

They can tell when adults are withholding information or not being honest. It’s essential to convey the truth but with discretion. Skip the graphic or frightening details that could further traumatize them. Focus on sharing just the basic facts calmly and clearly.

2. Avoid Figurative Language

While phrases like “they live on in our hearts” may comfort adults, they can confuse young children who think literally.

Instead, use simple, concrete words. For example: “We will always be able to remember them.” This helps kids process their feelings without confusion.

3. Encourage Expression Through Activities

Children often express their emotions through creative outlets. Drawing or writing can help them make sense of what’s happening. Dr. Howard also suggests empowering children to help others:

• Making cards for kids affected by the flooding
• Collecting donations, like bottled water or supplies

These simple actions help children feel less powerless and show them they can make a difference, even during hard times.

4. Limit Exposure to News & Media

During crises, it’s tempting to keep news channels on or scroll social media for constant updates. But this can overwhelm kids quickly.

Be mindful of the amount of news your child is exposed to. Instead, choose quiet, calming activities together and only share updates that are necessary for them to understand.

5. Share Stories of Hope & Rescue

Balance difficult news with positive stories about helpers, heroes, and community support. These uplifting examples can restore hope and remind kids that even in scary times, people are good and caring.

6. Reassure Them of Their Safety

Perhaps most importantly, children need reassurance that they are safe. Remind them: “You are safe here with us.” Hearing these words and feeling your calm presence helps ease their worries. Also, remember that sometimes the best reassurance isn’t verbal—it’s physical. Try offering physical comfort, such as extra hugs or holding hands, even just sitting close. These small gestures signal that they are protected and cared for.

When to Seek Extra Help

If your child appears highly anxious, withdrawn, or overwhelmed, it may be time to consult a professional. Innova Recovery Center offers trauma-informed counseling for children and families, including scholarships and resources for those affected by disasters like the Central Texas floods. Learn more about our recovery efforts here.

You’re not alone in this. Help is here at Innova. Call us at (210) 254-3618.

Together, we can help children heal and grow, even through the toughest times.

When school lets out, teens often gain more freedom, but they can also lose structure, connection, and emotional stability. While summer is a break from academics, it shouldn’t be a break from mental health support. This time of year might be the best opportunity to give your teen the help they truly need.

“We see so many teens struggling over summer because they’ve lost that sense of structure and connection they get during the school year,” said Carol Flores-Whorton, Lead Clinical Therapist at Innova Joy New Braunfels. “Our goal with the summer program is to create a safe space where they can feel supported, be themselves, and start to heal, while still getting to be a kid.”

That’s exactly why we created the Innova Joy’s Summer Program: to give teens a healthy balance of therapeutic care, peer support, and fun. Below are five signs your teen might need extra support this summer, and how our program can help.

1. Withdrawing From Friends and Family
A little downtime is normal, but if your teen spends most of their time alone, refuses to hang out with friends, or isolates themselves from the family, it may be a red flag.

According to the CDC, 4 in 10 high school students report persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, a common cause of social withdrawal.¹ Without the daily structure of school, these symptoms can worsen over the summer.

Our summer program features therapeutic group sessions, providing teens with a safe and supportive space to connect with their peers. These sessions help break isolation and build community, something every teen needs, especially during tough seasons.

2. Extreme Mood Swings or Increased Irritability
Everyone gets moody sometimes, but intense highs and lows, or outbursts of anger, may indicate deeper emotional struggles. Our licensed therapists specialize in trauma-informed care and emotional regulation. Through individual and group therapy, teens learn to better understand and manage their emotions in healthy ways.

3. Changes in Sleep or Eating Habits
Sleeping all day, staying up all night, skipping meals, or overeating can all be signs that your teen is emotionally off balance. When routine disappears during the summer, these habits can quickly spiral out of control. We have a structured daily schedule that helps teens reestablish healthy routines while still allowing them the freedom they need.  We focus on the connection between mind and body because when teens feel physically stable, they’re better equipped to heal emotionally.

4. Lack of Motivation or Loss of Interest in Hobbies
Has your once-active teen suddenly lost interest in everything they used to love? Apathy can be a major warning sign of depression or burnout. Left unaddressed, it can lead to deeper disengagement and even risky behaviors. 

Innova Joy blends therapy with creativity and fun, think expressive arts, movement, and experiential activities. These aren’t just for fun, they’re clinically designed to re-engage the parts of the brain that thrive on curiosity, joy, and connection.

5. Talking about Hopelessness or Self-Harm
Any mention of hopelessness, self-harm, or suicidal thoughts should be taken seriously. Research from the National Institute of Mental Health shows that suicide is the third leading cause of death among teens aged 15-24.²

At Innova Joy, we are trained to recognize and respond to these warning signs with compassion and clinical expertise. Our summer program is a safe and supportive space where teens can talk openly, receive help, and build genuine hope for the future.

Let This Summer Be a Turning Point
If any of these signs sound familiar, now is the time to act. Summer doesn’t have to be a season of struggle, it can be a time of transformation. At Innova Joy, our Summer 2025 Program is designed to help teens regain stability, process trauma, build confidence, and connect with others. 

Learn more about our programs for teens in New Braunfels and Boerne, and enroll today.

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Youth Risk Behavior Survey. ↩︎
2. National Institute of Mental Health. (2023). Suicide statistics. ↩︎