“Persistence and resilience only come from having been given the chance to work through difficult problems.”
-Gever Tulley
 

News and Updates at River Valley BHWC

River Valley BHWC and Dr. Henry Emmons

We are so proud to announce that our nursing department will now be in consultation with Dr. Henry Emmons on a quarterly basis. He will be guiding us with his expertise to elevate our level of care to be the very best in this field. Dr. Henry Emmons is a highly renowned holistic psychiatrist. In his own words, "Most of my work these days centers around resilience, which I see as a key to natural mental health. I believe resilience is an innate gift—you were born with it and you still have it, no matter how you might feel right now." He believes that "you are innately resilient" and his mission is to have you believe that too.

The Chemistry of Joy presents Dr. Emmons' natural approach to depression, combining the best of Western medicine and Eastern teaching to create your body's own biochemistry of joy. Dr. Emmons creates a practical program for each of the three types of depression: anxious depression, agitated depression, and sluggish depression.

Please take a moment to explore the wonderful work of Dr. Emmons and what he can bring to River Valley BHWC and your care here as our consultant.

Joylab Podcast

Hosts, Drs. Henry Emmons and Aimee Prasek, bring you the ideal mix of soulful and scientifically sound tools to help you not only create resilience in mind and body, but bring more joy back into your life.

Joy Lab’s unique and powerful program integrates concepts of positive psychology, cognitive behavioral techniques, the science of mindfulness, and the wisdom of one's soul. It’s a surprisingly real-world relevant approach to not only support your mood and calm anxiousness, but to help you uncover and nurture your joy while reconnecting with your deepest self.

New Team Members at RVBHWC

Katherine Fick, MA, MDiv

Location: Northfield

Katie is working as a mental health therapist under supervision after completing her Master of Arts degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. She also has a Master of Divinity degree from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN, and has worked as a pastor and chaplain since 2010, providing care and support for people from many religious and non-religious backgrounds...find out more.

Solveig Erickson, MSW, LGSW

Location: Waconia

STARTING 2/12/2024

Solveig earned her Master’s degree in Social Work and chose to begin her career working as a mediator. Solveig transitioned into therapy to help people explore, learn and grow. Whatever you need, Solveig believes that a calm, accepting demeanor, and her knowledge of relationship dynamics will be helpful to you...find out more.

Broaden My Knowledge

Book of the Month: "The Power of Showing Up: How Parental Presence Shapes Who Our Kids Become and How Their Brains Get Wired" by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson

One of the very best scientific predictors for how any child turns out—in terms of happiness, academic success, leadership skills, and meaningful relationships—is whether at least one adult in their life has consistently shown up for them. In an age of scheduling demands and digital distractions, showing up for your child might sound like a tall order. But as bestselling authors Daniel Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson reassuringly explain, it doesn’t take a lot of time, energy, or money. Instead, showing up means offering a quality of presence. And it’s simple to provide once you understand the four building blocks of a child’s healthy development. 

Video of the Month: "Breaking the Silence"

A bold, genuine, honest, sincere, and intimately personal account of struggles with mental health, the film tracks an uplifting, inspirational, and moving story of catharsis, redemption, and renewal, interwoven with a plethora of educational information about the origins, diagnosis, and treatment of these phenomena from some of the most notable and knowledgeable experts in the field. It's a profound look at how the mind can break, and how it can ultimately heal.

Walking meditation comes straight out of Dr. Emmons book, "the Chemistry of Joy Workbook". As a supplement to his book of the same name, it offers useful worksheets and activities to apply to your daily life. Walking meditations can be done in the privacy of your own home or out in the natural world. They can last anywhere from 30 seconds to 30 minutes. Don't limit the opportunities you have during the day. It can be simple as a walk from your home to your car or from your desk to the water cooler. In the end, it can be quite relaxing and rejuvenating! Here are your guidelines:

• Pay attention to your posture, being alert yet relaxed. Arms should be comfortably at your side.
• Your gaze should be soft and directed at the ground a couple of feet ahead of you. If you are walking outside, you may need to remain aware of your surroundings, but keep your gay, soft and receptive, without scanning, or focusing on what surrounds you.
• Plant your feet firmly on the ground and place your attention on the sensations in your feet as they meet the ground. You might find it helpful to mentally know each step as a sequence of lifting, moving, and placing the foot.
• Be conscious of your breath, using it as another anchor for your attention. Let your breath be natural, and you might find that, after a time, it becomes synchronized with your footsteps.
• You may vary your pace. If you are walking indoors, take smaller steps and move at a slower pace. If you are out of doors, walk at a pace, that feels relaxed and easy.
• Enjoy your walking. There’s no need to hurry, no pressure to arrive.

Be sure to utilize all the techniques and recipes from our previous newsletters in the "Cue to Be Well" archive: