Dr. Kopec

Why trauma extends far beyond the headlines. By Dak Kopec Trauma brings about many unseen storms within a person mind. In my first two books, Broken Boys Beyond Friendships and Logan’s Legacy Beyond Blood , I included scenes depicting mass public shootings and other forms of group-inflicted violence. While writing these moments, I realized just how normalized these scenarios have become in our modern world. What once shocked now feels disturbingly routine. Hate-related viole

I tried to "just write." All I got were cul-de-sacs. By: Dak Kopec I don’t know how many times I’ve been tired, burnt out, or simply didn’t want to write, only to be told that I should just write anyway. This advice shows up everywhere. It’s said at least once during most writing workshops, it dominates the comment sections of social media, pops up in productivity threads, and arrives neatly packaged in well-meaning pep talks from my loving neighbors. The message is almost al

Creating Courthouses that Safeguard Emotional Health for Families and Staff By: Dak Kopec Mothers, fathers, children, judges, court reporters, and many others are affected by primary and secondary trauma in courthouses. Trauma-informed design should therefore be considered during the initial design phases. When most people think of trauma, their minds often turn to domestic violence, child abuse, or catastrophic events. Likewise, when they imagine places where trauma survivor

Thoughtful design promotes independence in daily activities without forcing compensatory movements, allowing people to age in place and preserve their health. As people age, changes in strength, mobility, and coordination often arrive quietly, revealing themselves through small shifts in balance or comfort. Understanding which joints tend to weaken first offers a clear window into these changes and can help families identify early warning signs. Each joint plays a unique role

Experience breathes life into stories. In my early twenties, I spent my nights behind a bar in a dimly lit upscale West Hollywood piano lounge. I poured drinks while a middle-aged woman sat at a grand piano, trying to hold onto a singing career that was slowly fading. She filled the room with show tunes from an era long before I was born.  Between orders, I studied the faces of the people who drifted in and out of that lacquered world. There were directors, producers, set des

Where science, design, and human experience meet to create workplaces that support the whole person. Restorative offices include elements on the interior and exterior. Designing workplaces that genuinely support mental well-being requires far more than aesthetic upgrades or the latest furniture trends. It asks us to consider how people actually feel in their environments, how stress accumulates throughout the day, how attention drains, and how the built world can either sooth

Designing and organizing healthcare environments is a complex task that requires thoughtful consideration. The goal is to create spaces that not only meet functional needs but also promote healing, comfort, and efficiency. When done well, these spaces can significantly improve patient outcomes and staff satisfaction. In this post, I will share insights on how to optimize healthcare spaces through effective planning, blending practical advice with a clear understanding of the

Trauma affects individuals of all genders and ages, frequently disrupting one’s sense of wholeness and leaving them struggling to reconnect with their former selves. The world can feel unpredictable for people who have experienced trauma. A sound, scent, or tone of voice can stir sudden feelings of fear, anger, or shame. These moments, often called triggers, arise through the brain’s predictive networks, which interpret incoming sensory information based on past experience (F

Inside the Developing Brain: How Early Experiences Shape a Lifetime of Learning In the first year of life, synaptic connections will double. Introduction   The human brain is the most complex in the animal kingdom. Just as our bodies take years to mature, our brains also follow a long, carefully orchestrated process of development. At birth, an infant’s brain is only about a quarter of its adult size. Yet by age five, it grows to nearly 90 percent of its full volume. During t

Privacy differs between men and women. Males often value visual privacy, whereas women often value auditory privacy. Privacy is power for some and protection for others. Designing spaces that heal, empower, and keep everyone safe depends on gender. Privacy is a cornerstone of psychological well-being and social identity. It allows individuals to regulate interaction, recover from stimulation, and establish a sense of autonomy. Yet privacy is not a one-size-fits-all concept. M

Have you ever stepped into a long, dim hallway and felt your pulse quicken for no reason? Or have you ever looked up at a house whose windows seemed to stare back? That uneasy feeling—the one that creeps in before logic catches up—isn’t just in your imagination. Hollywood directors build entire careers around it. Haunted houses and funhouse mirrors cash in on it every Halloween. But the truth is, our fear of certain spaces isn’t just psychological. It’s biological. Deep insi

Every day, thousands of new books are published worldwide. Like many other art forms, the internet and online platforms have made the...

Bullying is no longer limited to schoolyards. More and more adults engage in bullying in the workplace, our communities, and even the...

Systems Thinking In an increasingly complex and interconnected world, the concept of systems thinking has emerged as a potent tool for...

Diversity and equity are closely related concepts that refer to different kinds of people in a given setting. Acknowledging diversity...

Gay bashing is, unfortunately, not a new phenomenon in society. It’s been happening for years and shows no signs of stopping. During the...

It seems that we have lost fair-balanced discussions within our various forms of media. Most of us know there is a fine line between...

With the explosion of pharmaceuticals and neuroscience, the debate between nature and nurture continues within certain circles. At the...

The crisis of young men in American Society has reached what I believe is an epidemic.

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