When you hear "most livable city," places like San Francisco, Seattle, or even Boston might come to mind. However, recent accolades have once again highlighted Portland, Maine, as the nation's number one most livable metro area. This recognition isn't just a feather in the cap for the city; it's a beacon for young men embarking on the journey of substance abuse and mental health recovery.

At Foundation House, we recognize that healing is a multifaceted journey that involves more than traditional therapy. We believe that creative expression is a powerful tool that can unlock new paths to recovery. That’s why our clinical programming includes unique opportunities for clients to explore and nurture their creativity as part of their healing process. Our weekly music studio sessions, where clients like Will can dive into the world of music, discovering not just their artistic talents but also new ways to process emotions and experiences. Today, we’ll explore how creative expression like music therapy can play a crucial role in the recovery journey.

Over the last 25 years, we have seen firsthand how the approach and practices to help young men carve out a pathway to recovery have evolved. Beyond traditional talk therapy, there's been a growing recognition of the role that experiential learning, challenge, and competition play in the therapeutic process. Young men tend to express and process their emotions differently, and they are particularly responsive to hands-on experiences that engage both their minds and bodies.

Healthy relationships are essential to our wellbeing, particularly for those in the process of recovery or managing mental health concerns. At Foundation House, we understand that fostering positive connections and getting back to the things that make life worth living, can significantly impact one’s path to healing. It’s crucial, however, to be able to identify red flags in relationships that may hinder your progress, or worse, set you back.

A holistic approach to mental health is no longer a nice-to-have—it’s essential. By integrating therapy with actionable behavioral change, we can more effectively manage feelings of stress and anxiety. One of the most powerful remedies, backed by robust scientific research, is exercise. But how exactly does breaking a sweat counteract the invisible burdens of stress and anxiety?

In the age of smartphones, AI, and virtual reality, technology's integration into our lives is here to stay. We believe that these modern challenges call for modern solutions. At Foundation House, we’ve always prioritized treatments that are therapeutically proven and effective but that are also relevant to our clients daily experiences. This includes exploring the intersections of technology with recovery, mental health, and reintegration into life beyond treatment. Here’s a look at how we're doing it:

For a long time, men have been expected to display resilience and emotional stoicism. These expectations have made it hard for men to talk about their struggles with mental health. In our work, we see this dynamic play out on an individual and family level on a daily basis. We want to talk about why recognizing this dynamic is important, why approaching treatment for men should be tailored, and what we can do to break the stigma...

For a long time, men have been expected to display resilience and emotional stoicism. These expectations have made it hard for men to talk about their struggles with mental health. In our work, we see this dynamic play out on an individual and family level on a daily basis. We want to talk about why recognizing this dynamic is important, why approaching treatment for men should be tailored, and what we can do to break the stigma...

Social isolation is a common problem among young men struggling with substance abuse and mental health disorders. Research has shown that the two are closely linked, a finding that has only been magnified in recent years. In this post, we will explore the connection between the two and discuss how treatment programs like ours can and should address this problem...

The instruction was a simple one. "When you are loading your pack, the rule of the game out here is: less is more." The reasons seemed obvious—the more we bring, the more we carry. But the depth of this advice only grew with each passing moment in the Patagonia wilderness. What began as a slight imposition gave way to a freedom and a peace of mind that few of us had known...