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Children and Adolescent Day Treatment

Canvas Health hosts half-day and full-day Adolescent Day Treatment programs at its Oakdale clinic. We also have staff embedded in Elementary Mental Health Classrooms that offer students the opportunity to learn academic and social-emotional skills in a school environment.

Therapeutic Learning Center (TLC) – Half-Day Adolescent Day Treatment Program

The Therapeutic Learning Center (TLC) is a half-day, year-round day treatment program offering hope, healing, and recovery to youth ages 11-17 whose mental health needs are impacting all areas of their lives.

Youth who could benefit from the program may struggle with depression, anxiety, school refusal, and trauma symptoms.

Our philosophy combines intensive therapeutic treatment within an environment that fosters belonging, self-regulation, relationship skills, and lasting positive change. Services take place in the middle school of the Canvas Health’s Oakdale mental health clinic.

Download a flier with more information about TLC.

How the Program Works

Program participants attend three hours of mental health treatment daily. TLC staff work with the participant and their family and school staff to develop an individualized treatment plan with specific goals and outcomes.

Services & Support

  • Group, family, and individual therapy
  • Group skills training
  • Team approach to treatment including collaboration with school staff, psychiatry, case management, social workers, and other providers
  • Coordination of transportation to and from school with school districts and medical transportation
  • Summer programming that fits the youth’s mental health needs
  • Regular family collaboration

Referral Process

Children are referred by school districts, guardians, hospitals, other providers, and others.

TLC Program Manager
Jenny O’Connor, MA, LMFT
joconnor@canvashealth.org, (651) 251-5215

Therapeutic Education Collective (TEC) – Full-Day Adolescent Day Treatment Program

The Therapeutic Education Collective (TEC) program provides mental health child day treatment service to students from ISD 622 ages 12-17 who have struggled significantly with mental health symptoms for more than 6 months. Some examples of these
struggles are symptoms of:

  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Suicidal thoughts and actions
  • Trauma symptoms (hypervigilance, triggered over small things, difficulty sleeping, avoidance, eating difficulties, shuts down, dysregulates easily)
  • Severe difficulty in relationships

These symptoms may have led to the student needing to be hospitalized.

How can an integrated mental health classroom help students?

The classroom will assist students, their families, and school staff in gaining greater understanding of how their mental health symptoms are impacting their ability to engage in academic work, school activities, relationships, and engage in community activities.

Mental health treatment goals will assist the student and their family in learning multiple skills for managing and coping with their mental health symptoms.

The TEC Program provides an environment for the student to experience their symptoms in an academic setting with mental health support so that they can learn new skills to manage their symptoms and put these skills into practice.

Referral process

Referrals can come from school social workers and/or school counselors, school principals. Students appropriate for this level of mental health care will most often have had engaged in other levels of mental health services, such as individual therapy, medication management, family therapy, etc. To qualify for this service, the student will need to either have a diagnostic assessment indicating day treatment services or a willingness to engage in completing a diagnostic assessment with program mental health staff prior to their admittance into the program.

Download a flier with more information on TEC. 

TEC Program Manager
Jenny O’Connor, MA, LMFT
joconnor@isd622.org, (651) 251-5215

Elementary Mental Health Classrooms (EMHC)

In Elementary Mental Health Classrooms (EMHC), Canvas Health partners with school districts to help students learn academic and social-emotional skills in a school environment. Our mental health clinicians work side-by-side with a teacher and education assistants in the classroom.

EMHCs help students avoid hospitalization and out-of-home placement.  The goal is for students to gain the necessary skills to return to their home school district.

Referral process

Referrals can come from school social workers and/or school counselors, or school principals within the schools where Canvas Health has an EMHC presence.

EMHC Program Manager
Jenny O’Connor, MA, LMFT
joconnor@canvashealth.org, (651) 251-5215

Referrals to TLC and TEC Programs

Download TLC Referral Packet

Email
June Kong, Program Support
jkong@canvashealth.org

Phone
(651) 251-5090

Fax
(651) 251-5118

Email
June Kong, Program Support
jkong@canvashealth.org

Phone
(651) 251-5090

Fax
(651) 251-5118

Meet The Team

O’Connor, Jenny – Professional 22

Jenny O’Connor, LMFT

Children’s Day Treatment Manager

Relationships matter: the currency for change is trust and trust comes through healthy working relationships. People. not programs. change People. ~Bruce Perry

Clinic Locations

  • Community-Based

Specialty Areas

  • Children & Adolescent Day Treatment: Therapeutic Learning Center (TLC) & Therapeutic Education Collective (TEC)
  • Ages Served: 0-18
  • Trauma, Depression, Parenting Issues, Emotional Dysregulation, Attachment Disorders, Self Harm, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), Trauma Informed Child-Parent Psychotherapy

Professional Experience

I have over 20 years working with children, adolescents, and their families.

Education

  • BA - University of Minnesota, Duluth
  • Adler Graduate School-MA-Counseling and Psychology

License and Credentials

  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

Referral Information

To make a referral to the TLC program, contact June Kong, Program Support, jkong@canvashealth.org (651) 251-5118.

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Dominique DeJarlais

Life Skills Counselor, Elementary Mental Health Classroom (EMHC)

Existentialism.

Clinic Locations

  • Community-Based

Specialty Areas

  • Elementary Mental Health Classroom
  • Ages Served: 6-12
  • ADHD/ADD (Children), Anger, Anxiety, Autism, Behavioral Problems, Trauma, Developmental Concerns, Emotional Regulation, Emotional Dysregulation, Attachment Disorders, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Professional Experience

Within the field of human services, I started working as a Direct Support Professional in a group home with adolescent boys with behavioral and developmental disorders, eventually becoming a Program Supervisor for the same company. I worked with adults and children in two different group homes, and I managed them both at the same time. Eventually, I decided to leave that job and pursue something else. I found Karner Blue Education Center and was referenced there by a family member. After applying, I was recruited to join the EMHC program as an Education Assistant Specialist. I worked as an EAS for 3 years with Karner Blue, for I loved the EMHC program. This inspired me to pursue my LPCC licensure and apply to Canvas Health to continue working within the EMHC program. Currently, I am a Life Skills Counselor for Canvas Health.

Education

  • Associates of Arts - Anoka Ramsey Community College
  • Bachelor of Arts - University of Minnesota Twin-Cities

Referral Information

To refer a student to Elementary Mental Health Services in schools where Canvas Health has a presence, talk to your school social workers, school counselors, or school principal where Canvas Health has a presence.

Gassman, Darcy 2 Professional 2024

Darcy Gassman, LP

Therapist, Therapeutic Learning Center (TLC)

Clinic Locations

  • Community-Based

License and Credentials

  • Licensed Psychologist (LP)

Referral Information

To make a referral to the TLC program, contact June Kong, Program Support, jkong@canvashealth.org (651) 251-5118.

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Benjamin Heeringa

Life Skills Counselor Therapeutic Learning Center (TLC)

To improve the overall mental and physical health through recreation and life skills. It is rewarding to see clients smile, laugh, and having fun while having a positive influence on their mental and physical health.

Clinic Locations

  • Oakdale Mental Health & Substance Use Disorder Clinic
  • Community-Based

Specialty Areas

  • Therapeutic Learning Center (TLC) 
  • Ages Served: 6-17
  • Anger, Anxiety, Behavioral Problems, Trauma, Self-Esteem, Self-Worth, Depression, Emotional Regulation, Emotional Dysregulation, Mindfulness, Relationship Issues

Professional Experience

I graduated from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse with a degree in Therapeutic Recreation in December of 2020 and worked at a psychiatric residential treatment facility for about two years before being employed by Canvas Health. I also spent time interning at an inpatient behavioral health unit where I used recreation to enhance the mental and physical health of clients.

Education

  • Recreational Therapy - University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

Referral Information

To make a referral to the TLC program, contact June Kong, Program Support, jkong@canvashealth.org (651) 251-5118.

Martinez Kamin, Natania

Natania Martinez Kamin

Life Skills Counselor

Its all about connection and belonging.

Clinic Locations

  • Oakdale Mental Health & Substance Use Disorder Clinic

Specialty Areas

  • Therapeutic Learning Center (TLC) & Therapeutic Education Collective (TEC)
  • Ages Served: 12-17
  • ADHD/ADD (Children), Abuse, Addiction, Anger, Anxiety, Autism, Behavioral Problems, Bipolar Disorder, Substance Use Disorders, Shame, Trauma, Self Esteem, Self-Worth, Emotional Disorders, Domestic Violence, Depression, Emotional Dysregulation, Eating Disorders, Attachment Disorders, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Professional Experience

I have over 10 years of experience with mind and body health, over 3000 hours of yoga teaching experience. Trained in Yoga for Trauma for kids and Teens. Over 7 years working in a field of Recreational Therapy and Care for kids and Teens with Mental Disabilities. Currently doing my masters degree in Recreational Therapy.

Education

  • Bachelors in Law - State University of Maringa. Brazil
  • Masters in Recreational Therapy - in process- Northwest Missouri State University

Referral Information

To make a referral to the TLC program, contact June Kong, Program Support, jkong@canvashealth.org (651) 251-5118.

Aaron Thao

Aaron Thao

Life Skills Counselor

I provide services which will help increase a person’s mental and emotional well-being. I understand that every individual comes from a different background and will listen to an individual with an open mind. I believe in building relationships with others and providing a safe space for individuals so that everyone has a sense of belonging.

Clinic Locations

  • Forest Lake Mental Health & Substance Use Disorder Clinic

Specialty Areas

  • Therapeutic Learning Center (TLC) & Therapeutic Education Collective (TEC)
  • Ages Served: 15-18
  • Abuse
  • ADHD/ADD (Children)
  • Anger
  • Anxiety
  • Attachment Disorders
  • Behavioral Problems
  • Child Protection Crisis Response
  • Co-Occurring Disorders
  • Depression
  • Emotional Disorders
  • Emotional Dysregulation
  • Emotional Regulation
  • Grief
  • Mindfulness
  • Mood Disorders
  •  Panic Attacks
  • Parenting Issues
  • Relationship Issues
  •  Self-Harm
  • Self-Esteem, Self-Worth
  • Shame
  • Trauma
  • Trauma Informed Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP)

Professional Experience

I am experienced with assisting individuals ages 9-70 years of age with physical, emotional and mental health issues. This has given me experience with many different age groups.

Education

  • Bachelor's in psychology - Metropolitan State University
  • Associates in Gender Studies - Metropolitan State University

Referral Information

To make a referral to the TLC program, contact June Kong, Program Support, jkong@canvashealth.org (651) 251-5118.

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Arthur Tuttle

Life Skills Counselor, Therapeutic Learning Center (TLC)

We are all a work in progress, and I believe in community and relationship building in order to achieve goals personally and professionally.

Clinic Locations

  • Oakdale Mental Health & Substance Use Disorder Clinic

Specialty Areas

  • Therapeutic Learning Center (TLC) 
  • Ages Served: 13-18
  • Behavioral Problems, Personality Disorders, Emotional Disorders, Mood Disorders, Mindfulness, Personality Disorders

Professional Experience

I worked at a residential treatment center for 6000 clinical hours before moving on to doing General Education mental health work at an elementary school.

Education

  • B.A. German Studies- University of Minnesota- Duluth
  • B.S. Teaching German- University of Minnesota- Duluth

Referral Information

To make a referral to the TLC program, contact June Kong, Program Support, jkong@canvashealth.org (651) 251-5118.

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Daniel Unruh

Practitioner, Elementary Mental Health Classroom (EMHC)

Clinic Locations

  • Community-Based

Specialty Areas

Referral Information

To refer a student to Elementary Mental Health Services in schools where Canvas Health has a presence, talk to your school social workers, school counselors, or school principal where Canvas Health has a presence.

Emily Wood

Emily Wood, LPCC

Therapist

Clinic Locations

  • Forest Lake Mental Health & Substance Use Disorder Clinic
  • Oakdale Mental Health & Substance Use Disorder Clinic

Specialty Areas

  • Therapeutic Learning Center (TLC) & Therapeutic Education Collective (TEC)
  • Ages Served: 13-18
  • ADHD/ADD (Children), Anger, Anxiety, Attachment Disorders, Autism, Behavioral Problems, Depression, Emotional Disorders, Emotional Dysregulation, Emotional Regulation, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Mood Disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Panic Attacks, Self-Harm, Self-Esteem, Self-Worth, Substance Use Disorders, Suicidal Ideation, Trauma

Professional Experience

I am a dynamic, relational therapist that uses my experience in diverse settings to instill hope and incite change. I collaborate with clients to help them explore ways to utilize and enhance their skills and journey through dynamic and decolonized approaches to mental health.

Education

  • Anoka Ramsey Community College - Associate of Arts
  • University of Alaska Anchorage - Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology
  • Alaska Pacific University - Master of Science in Counseling Psychology

License and Credentials

  • Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)

Referral & Appointment

To make a referral to the TLC program, contact June Kong, Program Support, jkong@canvashealth.org (651) 251-5118.

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You are welcome at Canvas Health. We're looking forward to serving you.

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