Alexa was just 15 when she lost her best friend, Alissa Haines, to suicide.
Over the years, Alexa has faced her own personal mental health challenges, and has seen others in her life struggle, too.
A self-proclaimed “fighter”, Alexa is passionate about giving back to the people and causes that she loves. “I’ve always believed that everyone has the power to bring sunshine to another person’s life, whether they’ve been friends for a long time, or they just met,” she said.
In 2020, she decided to combine her passion for helping people, love of softball, and her desire to honor Alissa into the Annual SOS Softball Tournament. The event is named after the Stomp Out Suicide 5K event, which also honors Alissa and benefits Canvas Health.
In its first year, the tournament raised over $6,000 and has subsequently raised well over $6,000 each year. Alexa donates all of the proceeds to Canvas Health to support mental health and substance use care.
In 2023, the tournament will move to a larger venue to accommodate the growing number of teams who want to be a part of the effort. The 4th Annual SOS Tournament is set for July 21-23, 2023 at Sand Creek Complex in Coon Rapids, MN.
“I’m proud of creating a really fun event that people can rally around and support. I know Alissa would be proud of me,” Alexa said.
Alexa was just 15 when she lost her best friend, Alissa Haines, to suicide. Over the years, Alexa has faced her own personal mental health challenges, and has seen others in her life struggle, too. A self-proclaimed “fighter”, Alexa is passionate about giving back to the people and causes that she loves. “I’ve always believed […]
This article was prepared by Noreen S. Raja as a part of Canvas Health’s APA-accredited Doctoral Internship in Clinical and Health Service Psychology Program. As part of their year-long internships, interns research and present two case conferences. In recognition of Autism Awareness Month (April), following is Raja’s research into communication deficits in Autism.
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), ASD is characterized by “communication and interaction with individuals, restricted interests and repetitive behaviors.” These symptoms affect the ability to function in school, work and other areas. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) describes Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by differences in the brain. Some people with ASD have a known difference, such as a genetic condition and other causes are not yet known.
As children with ASD transition into adolescence and young adulthood, they may experience difficulties with communicating with peers and adults, developing and maintaining friendships or understand what behaviors are expected of them in school or at work. Additionally, co-occurring disorders such as anxiety, depression or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more prevalent in individuals with ASD than in people without.
Communication deficits are one of the core symptoms of autism spectrum disorders. Some people with ASD can be slow to begin talking or may not learn to talk at all, and others may learn to produce words and sentences but have difficulty using them in social interaction with others. This heterogenous subgroup remains under-researched despite the fact that approximately 30% of children with ASD remain minimally-speaking or non-speaking into adulthood.
Although nonspeaking or minimally speaking can make communicating with others challenging at times, the absence of verbal communication does not indicate that an autistic person is not communicating. Some may require extra support to help them communicate effectively through other means. Some features of non-/minimally speaking autistic individuals include cortical structural changes which can impact the processing of language and speech production (Jack and Pelphrey, 2017).
Furthermore, some studies indicate visual processing impairment in minimally speaking children with ASD which can negatively influence the acquisition of language (Ortiz-Mantilla et al., 2019) Additionally, due to limited research in this area, there is no single mechanism that suggest underlying difficulties in learning to speak within minimally speaking individuals. Studies have also shown that impairments in pragmatic speech are a distinctive feature of ASD regardless of language level or age (Valle et al., 2020).
One way to accommodate these individuals is to provide access to augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), which allows them to communicate their thoughts and experiences. Recognizing the importance of valuing non-verbal forms of communication for this population is essential. For example, some studies have indicated that students prefer to use non-speaking modes of communication with their teachers because it helped to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.
Additionally, be aware of the needs of diverse families in addition to the child. As Hanson and Lynch (2013) state: “Working as a culturally responsive educator requires professionals to be sensitive of families’ differences in beliefs, behaviors, languages, viewpoints, ways of thinking, interacting and worshipping; for they can create both texture and tension in the world.”
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Mental Health (Updated 2022). Autism Spectrum Disorder. Retrieved from NIMH autism spectrum disorder (nih.gov)
Jack, A., & A. Pelphrey, K. (2017). Annual Research Review: Understudied populations within the autism spectrum–current trends and future directions in neuroimaging research. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 58(4), 411-435.
La Valle, C., Plesa-Skwerer, D., & Tager-Flusberg, H. (2020). Comparing the pragmatic speech profiles of minimally verbal and verbally fluent individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 50, 3699-3713.
Ortiz-Mantilla, S., Cantiani, C., Shafer, V. L., & Benasich, A. A. (2019). Minimally-verbal children with autism show deficits in theta and gamma oscillations during processing of semantically-related visual information. Scientific reports, 9(1), 5072.
This article was prepared by Noreen S. Raja as a part of Canvas Health’s APA-accredited Doctoral Internship in Clinical and Health Service Psychology Program. As part of their year-long internships, interns research and present two case conferences. In recognition of Autism Awareness Month (April), following is Raja’s research into communication deficits in Autism. What is […]
With the help of the District 916 Innovation Grant, 916 Mahtomedi Academy has partnered with Cerresso Fort, owner of SIR Boxing, to offer students boxing workshops.
This unique program is designed for students who aspire to learn more about boxing or to reach their wellness goals. The 12 boxing workshops began in January 18 and will continue through mid-April 2023.
Christina Blaszczyk is the Mahtomedi Academy’s Mental Health/Canvas Health School-Based Therapist who kickstarted the partnership with SIR Boxing.
Christina’s goal with the boxing program is to help students work on both physical and mental wellness while learning valuable life skills. Christina knew that boxing is so much more than throwing punches. Like many sports, it requires mental discipline as well as physical discipline.
Cerresso, pictured here with Tricia Giese, Mahtomedi Academy staff member, agrees.
“SIR boxing works with building and strengthening the mind. Mindset is everything. When you practice mindfulness, you improve your ability to respond instead of react. Students practice self compassion, self control. We also are building confidence in our youth. Students are getting out of their comfort zones and developing a weekly routine,” Cerresso said.
The benefits go on and on, but there’s one crucial element that that makes this program a true success: having fun!
One student summed it up perfectly, as only a student can. “So far, it’s been pretty great – all of it has been really fun.”
The program is a great success so far and Canvas Health is looking forward to continuing this partnership between SIR Boxing and 916 Mahtomedi Academy into the future.
For more information on how boxing can impact mental and physical health, see articles below:
Healthline Article – Boxing Benefits: 6 Reasons to Try Throwing a Punch
Harper Bazaar Article – 6 ways boxing can benefit your mental health
CrediHealth Article – Step Into the Ring and Feel the Benefits of Youth Boxing
With the help of the District 916 Innovation Grant, 916 Mahtomedi Academy has partnered with Cerresso Fort, owner of SIR Boxing, to offer students boxing workshops. This unique program is designed for students who aspire to learn more about boxing or to reach their wellness goals. The 12 boxing workshops began in January 18 and […]
Canvas Health is pleased to welcome an amazing team of Adult Case Managers to our agency. With their help, we will be able to do more to assist adults with severe mental health needs in receiving mental health, social, educational, employment, and other necessary services. The goal of Adult Case Management is to help these individuals to function and remain within the community.
Our newest employees embody all the best qualities of what makes case managers special. And through their individual roles, they will help Canvas Health to reach more clients.
Erica Morris leads the team, providing oversight to the Adult Case Management and Housing Services teams.
Megan Swanson serves as our Washington County Adult Mental Health Case Manager. Megan is accepting referrals for clients who live in Washington County and have a PMAP.
Autumn Borgen is our Minnesota Community Healthcare Network (MCHN) Adult Case Manager. She works clients on brief 90-day case management services.
Adding this case management team is just one way that Canvas Health is expanding on services we already provide as a part of our Certified Community Behavioral Health Center (CCBHC) certification. Canvas Health is now one of 13 CCBHCs in Minnesota, and is authorized to provide CCBHC services to individuals on Medicaid in Anoka, Chisago, Hennepin, Isanti, Scott, and Washington counties. Check out our announcement here.
Visit our Case Management page to learn more about eligibility criteria and the referral process for working with our case managers. In addition to offering case management for adults, Canvas Health also offers this service for adolescents and children.
If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Danielle Eliasen, Program Administrator, at deliasen@canvashealth.org.
Photo credit: by Freepik
Canvas Health is pleased to welcome an amazing team of Adult Case Managers to our agency. With their help, we will be able to do more to assist adults with severe mental health needs in receiving mental health, social, educational, employment, and other necessary services. The goal of Adult Case Management is to help these […]
In honor of National Sleep Awareness Week, we asked Virginia, one of our amazing clinicians, to share strategies on how to get the best sleep to help our mental health!
In our culture of capitalism and individualism, we often celebrate individuals who sacrifice sufficient sleep in order to get the job done. Famous business leaders regularly brag about getting less than the recommended 8 hours of sleep and credit their workaholic lifestyle as to why they have been successful in their careers.
However, studies show that lack of sleep not only hurts our GDP, but exponentially worsens our emotional and behavioral health. Many mental health diagnoses list sleep disturbances as symptoms and 50-80% of patients in behavioral health settings report chronic sleep impairments, as opposed to 10-18% in the general population.
Often, the relationship between mental health and sleep is bi-directional, with depressed patients reporting insomnia and insomniacs reporting higher rates of depression. Insomniacs also report increased suicidal ideation and patients with insomnia are 2-4 times more likely to remain depressed even when the depression is treated with evidence-based clinical care. All of this can be scary to the average American adult, who 1 in 3 of us are chronically sleep deprived, per the CDC. There are simple tools and tricks one can adhere to in order to increase the likelihood of having a good night’s rest.
If you try these tips and ideas and you are still struggling with sleep, talk with your doctor about completing a sleep study. You may have a sleep disorder that can be easily dealt with that you may not know about.
Article author: Virginia Suarez, Canvas Health School-Based Therapist
In honor of National Sleep Awareness Week, we asked Virginia, one of our amazing clinicians, to share strategies on how to get the best sleep to help our mental health! How does Sleep Impact Mental Health? In our culture of capitalism and individualism, we often celebrate individuals who sacrifice sufficient sleep in order to get […]
In February 2023, the Columbia Heights Police Department awarded Canvas Health and our embedded social worker team of Eileen Crosby, Erin Buller, and Jessica Torrey with the 2022 T. Nightingale Community Policing Award.
The award is named after retired police officer Terry Nightingale and is given to those who exemplify a strong relationship with the community as well as above and beyond service.
The text of the award is as follows:
The T. Nightingale Annual Community Service Award is reserved for up to one employee of the Columbia Heights Police Department, and up to one member of another city department, partner, stakeholder or member of the public.
This award may be given to a person who has provided a significant contribution, or several smaller contributions, in the area of Community Policing or service to the community. This person will have an above average relationship with the community. They will be service oriented with a willingness to go above and beyond, while considering no task too great or trivial to tackle. They will demonstrate an above average dedication to their role, project or partnership while showing a commitment to improving the Columbia Heights community. They will be known for their positive attitude and demonstrating the Community Policing philosophy in their words and actions.
“It is an honor for Canvas Health and our embedded social worker team to accept the T. Nightingale Community Policing Award from the Columbia Heights Police Department. This partnership is a beautiful illustration of the good that can come when law enforcement and mental health professionals work together to make our communities safer for everyone, even on their most difficult days,” said Dr. Khu Thao, Canvas Health CEO.
Canvas Health continues to be grateful to the Columbia Heights Police Department for their partnership and are honored to receive this award.
See the Columbia Heights Newsletter article here.
In February 2023, the Columbia Heights Police Department awarded Canvas Health and our embedded social worker team of Eileen Crosby, Erin Buller, and Jessica Torrey with the 2022 T. Nightingale Community Policing Award. The award is named after retired police officer Terry Nightingale and is given to those who exemplify a strong relationship with the community […]
Thanks to a grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services through Northeast Metro 916 Intermediate School District, Canvas Health’s school-based therapists are able to provide enhanced mental health groups in some of the school buildings. Beatrice Ajana, Canvas Health school-based therapist, recently partnered with her school’s social worker, Gaby Reeve, to start cooking classes for students at Metro Heights Academy.
All students at the school, whether or not they are actively involved in therapy, are welcome to join the cooking classes. The focus of the class is making and tasting diverse recipes. In their first class, students made a Mexican guacamole recipe. The next class is going to focus on a Nigerian meal from Beatrice’s family.
Goals of the cooking class include:
All of these goals are created with the overarching goal of improving mental health. For more information on how cooking can impact mental health, see articles below:
Cooking Is the Perfect Recipe for Mental Health | Psychreg
Mental Health Benefits of Cooking Your Own Food (verywellmind.com)
Kitchen therapy: Here’s how cooking at home can help your mental health (msn.com)
Thanks to a grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services through Northeast Metro 916 Intermediate School District, Canvas Health’s school-based therapists are able to provide enhanced mental health groups in some of the school buildings. Beatrice Ajana, Canvas Health school-based therapist, recently partnered with her school’s social worker, Gaby Reeve, to start cooking classes […]
Adult Rehabilitative Mental Health Services, ARMHS, is focused integrating community mental health and technology with ARMHS by working with persons who have serious mental illness to overcome their symptoms, to live independently at home and in the community. ARMHS Practitioners regularly meet with clients in their own spaces, allowing people to work toward their desired goals and better connect with their communities.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, insurance companies expanded covered telehealth services, adding flexibility and consistency to mental health services. Technology has enabled us to broaden the scope of ARMHS and ensure that anyone who is referred to us has equal access to the service.
Canvas Health ARMHS is certified to operate in Anoka, Washington, Hennepin, Ramsey, Chisago, Dakota, and Isanti counties. Telehealth has allowed everyone in the ARMHS program to connect across distances, breaking down the potential barriers of transportation, location, and even Minnesota weather.
Technology also connects people to their home communities, as it allows ARMHS Practitioners to work with clients to better understand what resources are available to them.
Canvas Health ARMHS Practitioners are actively working on integrating community by educating clients on the skills they can learn and resources they can access via telehealth to work on their mental health and ultimately, to live more independently. ARMHS Practitioners are willing and able to help clients to improve their technological literacy so they are able to navigate resources and form deeper connections within their community.
Who Qualifies for ARMHS?
What insurance is accepted?
We provide ARMHS services as part of our community mental health certification. For questions regarding ARMHS eligibility criteria or the referral process please reach out to us!
ARMHS Providers are certified to operate on a county level within Minnesota. Canvas Health ARMHS Program is certified in Anoka, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti, Ramsey, and Washington counties. Please view our certification status here: https://mn.gov/dhs/partners-and-providers/policies-procedures/adult-mental-health/adult-rehabilitative-mental-health-services/armhs-certified-providers/ ”
Author credits: Tara Burklund, MSW, ARMHS Supervisor & Michael Mann, MPH, ARMHS Program Administrative Coordinator
Adult Rehabilitative Mental Health Services, ARMHS, is focused integrating community mental health and technology with ARMHS by working with persons who have serious mental illness to overcome their symptoms, to live independently at home and in the community. ARMHS Practitioners regularly meet with clients in their own spaces, allowing people to work toward their desired […]
Canvas Health is proud to be participating in year-round Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) work, and as a part of that effort, our agency’s Diversity Committee has compiled historical context for the month as well as some ways for individuals to honor Black History Month (February) locally, or further their own study of African American History.
Black History Month began in 1926 when historian Carter G. Woodson of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) established the second week in February as “Negro History Week.” The second week of February was chosen because it includes the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Fredrick Douglass, who according to the ASALH are “great American symptoms of freedom.” The ASALH further states, “However, Woodson never confined Negro History to a week. His life’s work and the mission of ASALH since its founding in 1915 represent a living testimony to the year-round and year-after-year study of African American history.”
Please consider reading more about Black History Month and the ASALH’s 2023 Theme – Black Resistance.
Activities and Events:
Book Recommendations (consider purchasing from Black Garnet Books, a Black-owned and operated bookstore in Saint Paul):
Civil Rights Queen: Constance Baker Motley and the Struggle for Equality by Tomiko Brown-Nagin
The Desegregation of Public Libraries in the Jim Crow South: Civil Rights and Local Activism by Shirley A. Wiegand and Wayne A. Wiegand
All That She Carried: The Journey of Ashley’s Sack, a Black Family Keepsake by Tiya Miles
How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America by Clint Smith
American Sirens: The Incredible Story of the Black Men Who Became America’s First Paramedics by Kevin Hazzard
The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead
Kindred by Octavia E. Butler
Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez
Four Hundred Souls: A Community History of African America, 1619-2019 edited by Ibram X. Kendi and Keisha N. Blain
Caste: The Origins of our Discontents, by Isabel Wilkerson
You Are Your Best Thing: Vulnerability, Shame Resilience, and The Black Experience edited by Tarana Burke and Brene Brown
Rondo: Beyond the Pavement – a student-produced film and podcast presented by Saint Paul Almanac, in partnership with St. Paul Neighborhood Network and High School for Recording Arts, chronicling the history of the Rondo community of Saint Paul.
Examples of promising work being done by other organizations and the Minnesota legislature:
Saint Paul Promise Neighborhood Facebook post: The CROWN Act
Saint Paul Promise Neighborhood Facebook post: Black trailblazers in Minnesota
Canvas Health is proud to be participating in year-round Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) work, and as a part of that effort, our agency’s Diversity Committee has compiled historical context for the month as well as some ways for individuals to honor Black History Month (February) locally, or further their own study of African American […]
Team Mission Moment! What brings a mission to life are the people who exemplify it every day. Canvas Health team mission members are dedicated to providing excellent clinical care and making a positive impact in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Our team is motivated by a shared mission to help others and make a difference in the diverse communities we serve.
Meet some of the dedicated individuals who bring our mission to life through their work in the clinic, on staff, or as volunteers. We are grateful for their service.
“I am so proud and grateful to walk alongside my clients’ journey of growth and healing. Their ability to remain resilient, hopeful, and driven despite difficult circumstances of mental illness, grief, and trauma is incredible and astonishing.” ~ Sydney Bartz, MSW, LGSW; Outpatient Psychotherapist Practitioner
Learn more about Canvas Health’s Outpatient Therapy for all ages
“As a practitioner at Canvas Health I have been trained to not only provide counseling for my clients, but to also empower them. By providing professional guidance and connecting them with the wide variety of services available throughout our agency, we equip our clients with the tools necessary for them to thrive.” ~ Nina Mattson, MA; Mobile Crisis Practitioner; Scott County Mobile Crisis Response Team
Learn more about Canvas Health’s Crisis Response Services
“As the youngest of eight siblings, I came to the United States as a refugee at the age of 11 years old. I am grateful for all the help I have received in my life. I joined the Board of Directors at Canvas Health because it allowed me to leverage my experience, both personally and professionally, to provide help to those in need, just as others have done for me.” ~ True Thao, MSW, True Thao Counseling Services, Canvas Health Board Member
Learn more about Canvas Health’s Board and Leadership
Team Mission Moment! What brings a mission to life are the people who exemplify it every day. Canvas Health team mission members are dedicated to providing excellent clinical care and making a positive impact in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Our team is motivated by a shared mission to help others and make a difference […]
Communities across the Twin Cities, and across the country, are having conversations about how best to balance public safety with the needs of individuals in distress. More than merely talking about how police and social workers could work together, Canvas Health partnered with the Columbia Heights (Minnesota) Police Department to make it a reality. The Embedded Social Worker program teams law enforcement officers with social workers and mental health professionals to respond collaboratively when police are called.
Captain Erik Johnston of the Columbia Heights Police Department spoke about this partnership at our Valley Vine & Harvest Throwdown event in October.
“From the start, Canvas Health was an obvious partner for this program. Not only were they currently providing high-quality after-hours crisis response and support to our community, but they also quickly embraced the partnership and demonstrated the knowledge and passion to make a program like this work.
In the first 6 months of the program, 106 of 107 co-responses by social workers and police were resolved without the use of force. 103 of those situations were resolved without needing a transport hold.
During this same period, the social worker provided services to 183 clients and had nearly 800 interactions. Many of those contacts would previously have been handled by police. It has been clear to us that there is an unmet need for this type of service in our community. Additionally, both the officers and the mental health professionals are learning from each other and improving how we deliver our co-responder services to the community.”
Expanding the program to increase its impact
The goal is to expand this program to more police departments across the Greater Twin Cities area. In November, Canvas Health’s law enforcement embedded social workers, Eileen Crosby and Erin Buller, were proud to participate in the Criminal Justice Mental Health Summit hosted by Eckberg Lammers, P.C. Eileen and Erin worked directly with the Columbia Heights Police Department and participated in an “Embedded Social Workers in Police Departments” panel discussion with other agencies and social workers.
“I feel confident in saying at this point that our program has been a success, and that would not have been possible without the strong and generous support of Canvas Health, and my hope is for a long-lasting partnership going forward.” – Capt. Erik Johnston, Columbia Height Police Department
Communities across the Twin Cities, and across the country, are having conversations about how best to balance public safety with the needs of individuals in distress. More than merely talking about how police and social workers could work together, Canvas Health partnered with the Columbia Heights (Minnesota) Police Department to make it a reality. The […]
What is the “holiday spirit?”
When you boil it all down, it’s two things: It’s love. It’s hope.
It’s about loving our families and working towards a better tomorrow, even when it’s hard. The holiday season can be tough, especially for those struggling with their health or trying to provide basic necessities. But it’s important to make space for joy and the holiday spirit, especially for families with children. By prioritizing health and wellbeing and refusing to give up, we can find hope and love in the midst of challenges.
That’s why Canvas Health hosts an annual Fill the Sled Fundraiser to provide a special holiday for their clients and their families. This year, thanks to the generosity of their staff and donors, they were able to raise over $7,000 and provide gift cards to 30+ families in need!
With those funds, we are able to provide gift cards to 30+ families in need. Families like the Wallaces* who are progressing through our Children’s Mental Health Case Management program:
“The Wallaces exemplify the meaning of family. In addition to their grown children and grandchildren, they have extended their care to their grandchildren’s friends believing it is better to have them at their house than on the streets. Despite financial, emotional, and physical challenges, they have never given up. They see a glass as half full not half empty.”
Our staff also wrote about Corrine* and Marielle*, two other Canvas Health clients whose stockings were filled this year.
“Corrine has fought an amazing battle with her addiction to Fentanyl. She sought safe housing through SHARE for her children so she could complete inpatient treatment, and is currently in IOP Substance Use Treatment. Corrine is a wonderful mother who is committed to her sobriety and recovery for a better life for herself and her children.”
Learn more about Substance Use Disorder Services and Housing Services
“Marielle has struggled with receiving adequate and appropriate state/county services to make ends meet, but has remained resilient, hopeful and determined. Though working with her therapist, she has fought through intense grief and loss that shows remarkable strength and resilience.”
Learn more about Outpatient Therapy and Care Coordination
As with everything Canvas Health does, Fill the Sled is inspired by the community we serve. Staff from all service areas nominated patients for this program and included some of their stories. Despite their challenges, what stands out the most to us is that holiday spirit of love and hope.
*Client names changed to protect privacy.
What is the “holiday spirit?” When you boil it all down, it’s two things: It’s love. It’s hope. It’s about loving our families and working towards a better tomorrow, even when it’s hard. The holiday season can be tough, especially for those struggling with their health or trying to provide basic necessities. But it’s important […]
On December 2, 2022, Canvas Health and Wilder will present the 5th Annual Conference on Psychotherapy and Mental Health. Radical Healing for Racial Trauma: Applying Theory to Practice will be presented by Bryana French, PhD, LP from the University of Saint Thomas. The conference will offer up to 6.5 CEUs.
During the Radical Healing for Racial Trauma: Applying Theory to Practice conference, participants will learn to how to:
Register for this conference here.
Bryana H. French, PhD, LP, is an Associate Professor in the Graduate School of Professional Psychology within the Morrison Family College of Health at the University of St. Thomas. She graduated from the University of Illinois’ Counseling Psychology PhD program and completed an American Psychological Association (APA) Accredited pre-doctoral internship at the University of Maryland Counseling and Psychological Services Center. From there, she worked as an APA MFP Policy Fellow for SAMHSA and began her teaching career at the University of Missouri before moving back to her hometown, Minneapolis.
Her research, teaching, and community engagement focuses on racial and sexual trauma and recovery, specifically among Black, Indigenous and People of Color. Her recent first authored article from the Psychology of Radical Healing Collective, “Toward a psychological framework for radical healing in Communities of Color” published in The Counseling Psychologist (2020) is ranked in the top 5% on Altmetrics publication data with over 30,000 views and downloads in the first two years. Her research on men’s sexual victimization has been featured in several news outlets including Time, US News, and Huffington Post.
Her training interests focus on multicultural counseling development and social justice pedagogy, and she provides intersectional consultation for universities, nonprofit organizations, and corporations across the country. She also has a private practice, offering psychotherapy for adults. Dr. French has held multiple leadership roles in APA the including currently serving on the APA Council of Representative Leadership Team. Her work has been recognized with awards throughout her career, including the APA Minority Fellowship Program, APA Leadership Institute for Women in Psychology, APA Divisions 17, 35, and 45, the Minnesota Psychological Association, and the Minnesota chapter of the Association of Black Psychologists.
Register for this conference here.
On December 2, 2022, Canvas Health and Wilder will present the 5th Annual Conference on Psychotherapy and Mental Health. Radical Healing for Racial Trauma: Applying Theory to Practice will be presented by Bryana French, PhD, LP from the University of Saint Thomas. The conference will offer up to 6.5 CEUs. 5th Annual Conference on Psychotherapy […]
Just like humans are born with the right to be free, equal and safe, teens need to know they have rights within their romantic relationships and friendships. Healthy relationships are not a given, and as a school based therapist, I have become familiar with many examples of unhealthy – and even unsafe – relationships. Many relationships are plagued with jealousy, power, control, and manipulation.
Learn more or talk to a professional in Canvas Health’s Sexual Assault Education, Therapy, and Crisis Services.
Teenagers need supportive adults to help them learn about what a healthy relationship does and does not look like, and a conversation about this with an adult they trust can offer an alternative perspective from what they see on the internet and other forms of media.
One way to start a conversation about relationship rights is to ask the young person about what human rights are. You and the young person could even take a look at the Declaration of Human Rights put out by the United Nations. You could ask them what their thoughts are about education and health care, and whether or not they think those should be human rights. From this understanding of what human rights are, the conversation can easily shift to what rights in relationships should be.
Basic Human Rights for Self-Development is one resource that emphasizes that people in relationships have
Which of these rights would the young person prioritize on a wish list for a relationship? Are there any rights they realize they are not being given in a current relationship?
If you or a child you know might benefit from counseling, contact you can contact Canvas Health here or call (651) 777-5222.
Supporting young people in navigating relationships can help them understand their own worth as people while also helping them figure out what their own ideas and values about relationships are. Adolescence is a time of growth and self-discovery, and learning about what healthy and fulfilling relationships are about in high school can lay the foundation for safe relationships for a lifetime.
Author: Emily Johnson, MSW LICSW, School-Based Mental Health Supervisor
Just like humans are born with the right to be free, equal and safe, teens need to know they have rights within their romantic relationships and friendships. Healthy relationships are not a given, and as a school based therapist, I have become familiar with many examples of unhealthy – and even unsafe – relationships. Many […]
There are many factors that influence mental health, but lifestyle factors such as sleep and exercise are often overlooked. Sometimes lifestyle factors can be a quick or short term fix to help with symptoms while working through a lengthier intervention, or could be just what a young person needs for symptom relief. Being tired, hungry, or in pain can make the stress of anything else feel so much worse.
Here are some lifestyle factors to consider:
If you or a child you know might benefit from counseling, you can contact Canvas Health here or call (651) 777-5222.
If any of these areas is a problem, guiding young people toward a manageable goal like “I am going to increase my sleep from 3-4 hours per night to 5-6 hours per night,” “I am going to take my dog for a walk 2x a week,” or “I am going to smoke marijuana one night on the weekend instead of two” is more attainable than trying to achieve perfection right away in some or all categories. Successfully achieving small goals can be baby steps towards a larger healthy lifestyle goal.
Author: Emily Johnson, MSW LICSW, School-Based Mental Health Supervisor
There are many factors that influence mental health, but lifestyle factors such as sleep and exercise are often overlooked. Sometimes lifestyle factors can be a quick or short term fix to help with symptoms while working through a lengthier intervention, or could be just what a young person needs for symptom relief. Being tired, hungry, […]
