Therapeutic Location: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 11:55, 13 August 2025

Trauma-informed design seeks to create an ideal environment for people recovering from trauma, and geographic location has an enormous impact on that environment.

In many projects, location cannot be controlled; however, in this case, the choice to build in San Diego was deliberate and the most expensive single decision made on the project.

However, it was possibly the most impactful one as well, because San Diego is one of the best locations for trauma recovery in the world, with a combination of dozens of positive qualities that few other locations could match, many of which provide powerful therapeutic benefits that amplify the efficacy of therapy and facilitate trauma recovery.

In fact, for each of the four aforementioned areas where we focused our efforts to implement trauma-informed design, San Diego contributed in ways that help on a much larger scale.

Safety & Security

San Diego earns its nickname of “America’s Finest City” by consistently ranking at or near the top of cities nationally and worldwide, in nearly all measurable ways, including individual well-being, community well-being, and quality of life. This means that people coming from other areas are extremely likely to experience significant improvements in several aspects of life merely by being in San Diego, and many of these improvements directly contribute to trauma recovery.

San Diego has long been one of the safest large cities in the country with comparatively low rates of violent crime.

Healthy Habits & Harmony

A resident moving to San Diego has a >99% chance to experience a more pleasant climate. In most places, inclement weather regularly depresses mood and prevents outdoor activities, causing lower levels of serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins. On the other hand, San Diego is famous for its consistently mild, sunny, and temperate climate, often cited as one of the best in the world. This allows for an unparalleled year-round outdoor lifestyle, with residents enjoying beaches, hiking, biking, and surfing virtually every day. The habits doctors recommend to fight depression essentially describe a stereotypical San Diego lifestyle.

Furthermore, although hard to quantify by any single study, San Diego is consistently rated as one of happiest and friendliest cities.

The fact that all residents of San Diego enjoy these advantages compounds to form additional benefits, which helps contribute to a greater sense of community well-being, and on an individual level, can lead to lower levels of stress and anxiety and improve chances that interactions with others in the community will be positive.

Choice, Comfort, & Privacy

San Diego has the one of the lowest pollen counts of the largest cities in the US, making it easier to sleep, relax, and exercise.

The ideal climate also makes it easier to grow food, and San Diego County has more small farms and more organic producers than any other county in America. More delicious fruit and vegetables makes eating healthy easier and more enjoyable.

Nature & Beauty =

San Diego is a microcosm of excellence across a wide range of measures, many of which contribute to its natural beauty in ways that also help people recover from trauma.

San Diego is also in the most biologically diverse county in America, leading to more frequent opportunities to connect with nature.

Therapeutic Artwork

The city consistently scores exceptionally high in rankings for recreational opportunities and arts and culture, reflecting the abundance of activities and attractions available to residents and visitors.

Although anecdotal, Share how easy it was to find participants for the Journey Gallery.

Animal Support

The climate will also help pets—even indoor cats are sensitive to changes in barometric pressure, humidity, and noise that comes from inclement weather, leading to agitation and anxiety.

For example:

@@ Line 5: / Line 5: @@
-==== Safety & Security ====
+Trauma-informed design seeks to create an ideal environment for people recovering from trauma, and geographic location has an enormous impact on that environment.
-the immediate area where Cloud Nine Studios is located has several therapeutic properties.
+In many projects, location cannot be controlled; however, in this case, the choice to build in San Diego was deliberate and the most expensive single decision made on the project.
-Those living with PTSD will enjoy a significant amount of stress reduction just by living in a place free of chaotic sensory input.
+However, it was possibly the most impactful one as well, because San Diego is one of the best locations for trauma recovery in the world,
+with a combination of dozens of positive qualities that few other locations could match, many of which provide powerful therapeutic benefits that amplify the efficacy of therapy and facilitate trauma recovery.
+In fact, for each of the four aforementioned areas where we focused our efforts to implement trauma-informed design, San Diego contributed in ways that help on a much larger scale.
+==== Safety & Security ====
+San Diego earns its nickname of “America’s Finest City” by consistently ranking at or near the top of cities nationally and worldwide, in nearly all measurable ways, including individual well-being, community well-being, and quality of life. This means that people coming from other areas are extremely likely to experience significant improvements in several aspects of life merely by being in San Diego, and many of these improvements directly contribute to trauma recovery.
-First,  This location is extremely quiet. Although hard to find in a place this central within a major city—and with noisy environments not far away—there is essentially no street noise. Cloud Nine was built in a safe, mature neighborhood of a few cul-de-sacs, so there is no fast or through traffic; sometimes hours can pass without a car driving by. Furthermore, the apartments are set far back from the street, surrounded by natural canyon walls and mature vegetation, enhancing the feelings of insulation created by the [[Recovery Pathway]]. When combined with the white noise generated by the waterfall, it’s practically impossible to hear anything from the street while outside, let alone inside.
+San Diego has long been one of the [https://timesofsandiego.com/crime/2025/04/22/san-diego-safest-large-cities-again/ safest large cities] in the country with comparatively low rates of violent crime.
-<!-- ===Greater Area=== -->However, the greater area surrounding Cloud Nine Studios also has several therapeutic properties of its own. While hardly a unique design decision, the choice to build in San Diego was the single most expensive and possibly most impactful one made on this project, because many aspects of living in San Diego amplify the efficacy of therapy and facilitate trauma recovery.
-San Diego earns its nickname of “America’s Finest City” by consistently ranking at or near the top of cities nationally and worldwide, in nearly all measurable ways, including individual well-being, community well-being, and quality of life. This means that people coming from other areas are extremely likely to experience significant improvements in several aspects of life merely by being in San Diego, and many of these improvements directly contribute to trauma recovery.
+==== Healthy Habits & Harmony ====
-For example: A resident moving to San Diego has a >99% chance to experience a more pleasant climate.
+A resident moving to San Diego has a >99% chance to experience a more pleasant climate.
 In most places, inclement weather regularly depresses mood and prevents outdoor activities, causing lower levels of serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins.
 On the other hand, San Diego is famous for its consistently mild, sunny, and temperate climate, often cited as one of the best in the world.
 This allows for an unparalleled year-round outdoor lifestyle, with residents enjoying beaches, hiking, biking, and surfing virtually every day. The habits doctors recommend to fight depression essentially describe a stereotypical San Diego lifestyle.
+Furthermore, although hard to quantify by any single study, San Diego is consistently rated as one of [https://happy-city-index.com/ happiest] and [https://www.travelandleisure.com/san-diego-named-friendliest-city-in-usa-11717242 friendliest] cities.
+The fact that all residents of San Diego enjoy these advantages compounds to form additional benefits, which helps contribute to a greater sense of community well-being, and on an individual level, can lead to lower levels of stress and anxiety and  improve chances that interactions with others in the community will be positive.
+==== Choice, Comfort, & Privacy ====
+San Diego has the one of the [https://aafa.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/aafa-2025-allergy-capitals-report.pdf lowest pollen counts] of the largest cities in the US, making it easier to sleep, relax, and exercise.
+The ideal climate also makes it easier to grow food, and San Diego County has [https://www.rcdsandiego.org/farming-ranching more small farms and more organic producers] than any other county in America. More delicious fruit and vegetables makes eating healthy easier and more enjoyable.
+==== Nature & Beauty =====
 San Diego is a microcosm of excellence across a wide range of measures, many of which contribute to its natural beauty in ways that also help people recover from trauma.
-San Diego has the one of the [https://aafa.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/aafa-2025-allergy-capitals-report.pdf lowest pollen counts] of the largest cities in the US, making it easier to sleep, relax, and exercise.
 San Diego is also in the [https://www.kpbs.org/news/2024/11/01/nature-san-diego-americas-wildest-city most biologically diverse] county in America, leading to more frequent opportunities to connect with nature.
-The ideal climate also makes it easier to grow food, and San Diego County has [https://www.rcdsandiego.org/farming-ranching more small farms and more organic producers] than any other county in America. More delicious fruit and vegetables makes eating healthy easier and more enjoyable.
+==== Therapeutic Artwork ====
+The city consistently scores exceptionally high in rankings for recreational opportunities and arts and culture, reflecting the abundance of activities and attractions available to residents and visitors.
+Although anecdotal, Share how easy it was to find participants for the Journey Gallery.
+==== Animal Support ====
 The climate will also help pets—even indoor cats are sensitive to changes in barometric pressure, humidity, and noise that comes from inclement weather, leading to agitation and anxiety.
-Furthermore, although hard to quantify by any single study, San Diego is consistently rated as one of [https://happy-city-index.com/ happiest] and [https://www.travelandleisure.com/san-diego-named-friendliest-city-in-usa-11717242 friendliest] cities.
-San Diego has long been one of the [https://timesofsandiego.com/crime/2025/04/22/san-diego-safest-large-cities-again/ safest large cities] in the country with comparatively low rates of violent crime.
-The fact that all residents of San Diego enjoy these advantages compounds to form additional benefits, which helps contribute to a greater sense of community well-being, and on an individual level, can lead to lower levels of stress and anxiety and  improve chances that interactions with others in the community will be positive.<!--
+For example:
+<!--
@@ Line 66: / Line 107: @@
 Forbes Recognition: Forbes has dubbed San Diego "America's Coolest City," citing its weather, beaches, culture, food, beer, and nightlife. This reflects a dynamic and desirable lifestyle that attracts a young and diverse population.
-High Recreational Opportunities: The city consistently scores exceptionally high in rankings for recreational opportunities and arts and culture, reflecting the abundance of activities and attractions available to residents and visitors.
+High Recreational Opportunities:
 * When bad things are happening in the world, it’s usually not so bad in the US.