News and Updates at River Valley BHWC

Our policy for no show/late cancellations has changed. Please take note:

• 24-hour notice must be given to cancel a therapy or medication management appointment without charge. Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays are excluded. Example, if you are to cancel a Monday appointment, you must call the Friday before at the time of your appointment to be within the 24-hour cancellation timeframe.
• The charge for your first 2 missed (late cancel/no show) appointments is $100 each for a therapy and medication management appointment.
• The charge for ALL missed (late cancel/no show) appointments after your first 2 will be charged at the FULL FEE of the missed appointment. Example: missed 60-minute individual therapy will be a charge of $250. Missed 30-minute medication management will be a charge of $225.00.
• For clients under medical assistance, you are given three missed (late cancel/no show) appointments in a calendar year. If you are to miss three appointments, you will be referred out to other providers outside of River Valley.
• The charge is $150 for any intake appointment (established client)
• The charge is $25 for a missed nurse visit

• Everyone will be required to fill out the annual consent form.
• Most insurance plan deductibles will reset on January 1, 2023. If you are on a deductible plan you will have a balance due beyond your copay until your deductible is met.
• Your balance cannot exceed $250.
• All clients are required to have a credit card on file. If you have a balance your card will be ran on the day of your appointment. In addition, all outstanding balances are ran on the 15th and 30th of every month. Having a credit card on file will:
  • Keep balances low
  • Allow our independent contractors get paid in a consistent manner
  • Give more time to our awesome billing and administrative staff to focus in other areas ultimately making your visit a better experience

Please review the service agreement guide for more clarification:

New Team Members at River Valley BHWC

Sandy McMillan - Administrative Assistant
Our front desk staff provides a warm, welcoming environment to assist clients in scheduling intakes and follow-up appointments, managing record requests and care coordination, ensuring timely email correspondence, confirming insurance eligibility, and collecting payments...FIND OUT MORE

Broaden My Knowledge

Book of the Month:

The Year of Living Danishly by Helen Russel

When she was suddenly given the opportunity of a new life in rural Jutland, journalist and archetypal Londoner Helen Russell discovered a startling statistic: the happiest place on earth isn’t Disneyland, but Denmark, a land often thought of by foreigners as consisting entirely of long dark winters, cured herring, Lego and pastries.

This book was very interesting in a lot of ways and it doesn't lead you in the direction you may think. She talks through all the pros, cons, and differences of actually living in Denmark while comparing it to her previous life in bustling London with some shocking realizations.

Video of the Month:

Heal

A documentary film that takes us on a scientific and spiritual journey where we discover that by changing one's perceptions, the human body can heal itself.

The latest science reveals that we are not victims of unchangeable genes, nor should we buy into a scary prognosis. The fact is we have more control over our health and life than we have been taught to believe. This film will empower you with a new understanding of the miraculous nature of the human body and the extraordinary healer within us all.

HEAL not only taps into the brilliant mind's of leading scientists and spiritual teachers, but follows three people on actual high stakes healing journeys. Healing can be extremely complex and deeply personal, but it can also happen spontaneously in a moment. Through these inspiring and emotional stories we find out what works, what doesn't, and why.

Featuring: Dr. Deepak Chopra, Anita Moorjani, Marianne Williamson, Dr. Michael Beckwith, Dr. Bruce Lipton, Dr. Joe Dispenza, Anthony William ' Medical Medium', Dr. Bernie Siegel, Gregg Braden, Dr. Joan Borysenko, Dr. David Hamilton, Dr. Kelly Brogan, Rob Wergin, Dr. Kelly Turner, Peter Chrone, Dr Darren Weissman, and Dr Jeffrey Thompson

Most of our subscribers live in Minnesota, so this message speaks to Minnesotans and everyone that lives in a cold climate. We have to find ways to embrace the winter because we can't sit inside for the entire season! It's important to move our body for our physical and mental health. 

In June 2021, the John W. Brick Foundation released their Move Your Mental Health Report, which provides a scoping review of over 1,000 studies conducted over the last thirty years. The research cast a wide net, including studies on any variety of physical activity, exercise, or movement type and any mental health outcome published between 1990 and 2020. The findings were overwhelmingly positive. Out of 1,158 studies examined, 89% found a statistically significant, positive association between physical activity or exercise and mental health.

Here is a list of activities to keep your body moving in the winter.

• Winter Hiking or Snowshoeing
  This most basic form of exercise can be a very different experience in the winter. When you're walking outside, the snow acts as a sound absorber which makes the world around you especially quiet. It can be very relaxing. In turn, it can also reveal many different sounds from nature. There are many public parks and trails that you can hike at and most of them are free to use. You just need some warm clothes or you can pick up some snow shoes if you would like. Many parks will even have snow shoes to rent or you can rent them at your local sporting goods store. Here are some suggestions of places you can hike: Public Parks or Trails, Dog Parks, Frozen Lakes or Ponds, Your Local Streets!
• Cross Country Skiing
  Do a quick internet search for local cross country ski trails to find some near you. Most locations will have a rental options as well. Check the link button below for more options.
• Downhill Skiing
  The hills in Minnesota are not quite like the mountains, but they can still make for a fun day in the snow. We are lucky to have so many ski hills in Minnesota. If you have never skied, you can rent some skis and take a lesson. Do a quick internet search to find your closest ski hill!
• Ice Skating and Ice Sports
  If you have a pond or lake nearby, you have a ton of winter activities right at your fingertips! Frozen ponds and lakes essentially make an open field to play games in. Here are some of the things you can do on a frozen lake that you may or may not have heard of: Ice Skating, Ice Hockey, Boot Hockey, Ice Fishing, Ice Bowling, Ice Softball/Kickball, Ice Golf.
• Sledding
  It's the oldest trick in the book! Go find a hill (hopefully without many trees) and take a sled along with you. Kids don't realize how much exercise they are getting every time they run up the hill! It seems to be everyone's favorite winter pastime.
• Snowmobiling
  You may not get as much exercise from snowmobiling but it's all the hiking and digging that may come along with riding in deep snow. And not to mention the fresh air, connection with nature, comradery, and adventure!
• Join a Gym (or pay per visit)
  From your local community center to the big name fitness centers, joining a gym is so much more than lifting weights. Even if working out isn't your thing, there are many other fun activities you can do just to keep active in the winter months. Check to see what you have in your area with a quick internet search. Take a look at this short list:
  • Pickup Basketball
  • Swimming
  • Golf Simulators
  • Batting Practice
  • Hot Tubs
  • Saunas
• Home Exercise
  Home exercise is a great option as well. Ever since the lockdowns from Covid, a ton of options have sprung up. You can find free workout regimens online that may just require a few pieces of equipment like free weights, workout bands, pullup bars, or yoga mats. You can also subscribe to streaming workout service. If you want to go big, you can even purchase any number of workout stations such as a stationary bike, treadmill, elliptical machine, or other types of workout machines.