The Difference Opens Stanley Office
The Difference - A Holistic Approach has opened a new satellite office in Stanley, expanding access to free holistic healing services for individuals and families who have experienced trauma. The Stanley office, which opened on Thursday, Sept. 10, is located on the second floor at 1101 4th St. SE, the same building that houses Town & Country Credit Union and Verizon.
Founded in 2019 and based in Minot, The Difference is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to helping trauma survivors access holistic approaches to healing without the financial burden that can prevent individuals from seeking additional support. The Stanley location represents an important step in the organization’s commitment to reaching rural and underserved communities throughout north-central North Dakota.
The Difference serves individuals of all ages who have experienced trauma, including survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, family violence, grief, accidents, bullying, and other traumatic experiences, as well as veterans experiencing the effects of trauma.
Through partnerships with independent certified holistic practitioners, eligible clients can receive healing sessions at no cost. Holistic services are designed to complement, rather than replace, conventional medical and behavioral health care and may help individuals address the emotional and physical effects associated with trauma.
The Stanley office features an inHarmony vibroascoustic lounge, made possible through grant funding from the Stanley Area Community Foundation. Vibroascoustic technology combines sound, music and gentle vibration to create a calming experience that can support relaxation and stress reduction. Additional resources, including singing bowls, a crystal pyramid, and other sound-healing tools, will support healing and community education.
The Stanley office is open on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Four volunteers rotate in the office during those hours each week. They also hold an open monthly meeting on the third Wednesday of the month. The Minot office offers those meetings on the second Monday of the month.
Mary Dennis is the coordinator at the Stanley office and she explains the process for clients. A client will fill out the application and be given a list of practitioners with options for different treatments. After that first appointment, evaluations will be conducted and then if approved the client can set a second appointment with the practitioners of their choice. Clients can receive three free sessions with any of the practitioners.
Dennis says that many people have experienced some sort of trauma in their lives. That affects their lives in many different ways. The Difference look to help them get past and through that trauma to heal for a happier, fuller life.
The Stanley office will have an open house on Thursday, Oct. 1 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This will give interested people a chance to see what they have to offer. There will be prizes to give away and free mini sessions will be offered.
For more information about services available through the Stanley office, to make a referral, or to learn how to support the work of The Difference - A Holistic Approach, you can contact the organization through the Minot office at 701-263-5518, the Stanley office at 701-648-0065, or by email at thedifaha@gmail.com or the thedifaha2@gmail.com.