Holistic Healing: Rhonda Hodge's Approach to Mental Wellness and Neurodiversity
In an illuminating conversation on the Living the Dream with Curveball podcast, psychologist and psychiatric nurse practitioner Rhonda Hodge shares profound insights into modern mental healthcare approaches. As the founder of Harmony Psychiatric Services, Hodge has revolutionized treatment by integrating medication management with holistic care including therapy, exercise, and nutrition. Her journey began in therapy before she witnessed the harmful effects of over-medication on a foster child, prompting her to pursue additional training in psychiatric medicine to create meaningful change in patient care.
Hodge's practice, founded in 2015, stands in stark contrast to traditional psychiatric models where patients might see a provider briefly every three months. At Harmony, the focus is on treating each person as a whole rather than merely addressing symptoms. This comprehensive approach became even more crucial during COVID-19, which Hodge describes as a "collective trauma" that revealed the inadequacies of our mental health infrastructure. She poignantly compared the pandemic's early mental health response to "trying to save people on the Titanic rather than actually helping people to get better," highlighting how mental health professionals were focused on saving lives rather than fostering wellness during this unprecedented crisis.
One fascinating observation Hodge shared was that individuals who had previously experienced depression and anxiety sometimes navigated COVID better than those encountering these challenges for the first time. "They had the tools, they had the toolbox," she explains, underscoring the importance of developing coping mechanisms before crisis strikes. The pandemic also revealed the prevalence of neurodiversity, as the disruption of routine made it harder for many to "mask" their natural tendencies. Rather than viewing neurodiversity as a disorder, Hodge celebrates it: "Our neurodiverse population are engineers, entrepreneurs, brilliant minds." This shift in perspective transforms diagnosis from limitation to liberation, allowing individuals to embrace their unique brain styles.
Central to Harmony's success is their provider-centered approach. Hodge recognizes that healthcare professionals cannot effectively support patients if they're burned out or sacrificing their own well-being. By creating flexible schedules that accommodate personal lives, she fosters a healthier work environment that ultimately benefits patients. "They can't show up for their patients if they know that they're missing their kiddo's play," Hodge notes, emphasizing that provider wellness directly impacts patient care quality. This transparent approach extends to patients as well, with providers showing vulnerability that creates mutual respect and understanding.
Looking toward the future, Harmony is expanding geographically and programmatically. The practice has added satellite locations to serve patients who were previously traveling hours for treatment, and they've developed specialized academic and executive functioning programming. These additions address gaps exposed by the pandemic, when teachers became de facto mental health providers and vice versa. Hodge's closing thoughts address perhaps the most overlooked barrier to mental healthcare: making that first call. She emphasizes the courage required to seek help and encourages support persons to provide "hurdle help" or "body doubling" – simply being present while someone takes that difficult first step toward healing. This compassionate understanding of mental health barriers reflects Harmony's overall philosophy of meeting patients where they are and providing the support they need to not just survive, but thrive.
