By Dr. Sara Polley, M.D. Establish your comfort level. Each one of us are individuals with our own feelings and beliefs about substance use. We all have our own tolerance for risk in working with individuals with serious health concerns. It is...
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By Anastasia Sullwold Ristau, PhD, Licensed Psychologist Clinical Supervisor of all youth Intensive Outpatient Programs within PrairieCare Medical Group This time of year is one transition after another. Changing from summer to school schedules...
More InfoA Time of Transition
Summer is here, hip-hip-hurray, the cheers will go. Especially after such a long winter of snow, polar-vortexes and the buzzing stress of work, school and after school activities. Summer, through the lens of media is a time for celebration, a...
More InfoMental Health Challenges Don’t Take a Holiday By: Anastasia Sullwold Ristau, PhD, LP
A Hard Holiday Season Is Not a Parent Fail! Oh boy, the holidays are just around the corner. Many of us parents say it every year – how is it already coming up on Thanksgiving and aaaaack that means the next holiday is just __ days away! It’s...
More InfoEarly Identification + Early Interventions = Improved Health Outcomes for the Treatment of Psychosis By: Suzanne Jasberg, MD
In the current culture when one develops symptoms of illness or injury, they perhaps wait a few days to see if it gets better. They may take some over the counter medications; or take a day off to rest. If the issue persists for a few days or...
More InfoWhat is #RecoveryMonth all about? By Ashley Christianson, LPCC, LADC
National Recovery Month (Recovery Month) is a national observance held every September to reinforce that behavioral health is essential to overall health, that prevention works, treatment is effective and people can and do recover. Recovery Month...
More InfoDive Into a Resilient School Year: Proactive Mental Health Buffers for the Whole Family By: Anastasia Ristau, PhD, LP
There it was, my fellow parents! Did you relish in it as long as it lasted? I’m talking about that solid 30-45 minutes of pure satisfaction and sense of peace you felt after getting the kids off to their first few days of school. AH yes, here we...
More InfoGearing up for Back to School Part 2 By: Anastasia Ristau, PhD, LP
As we discussed in Part 1 – going back to school is a shift for the entire family! In the previous blog we touched on parents getting themselves ready – both mentally and emotionally! Now it is time for the whole family to get...
More InfoGearing Up: Back to School Readiness Starts with Parents! By: Anastasia Sullwold Ristau, PhD, LP
I don’t know about you, but for me – this time of year sneaks up on me every dang year. One minute I’m sinking into an enjoyable rhythm of summer and then BAM – the realization that Fall is just around the corner. AACK! My mind fast-forwards to...
More InfoMotivational Interviewing Therapy for Substance Use By: Sara Polley, MD
“If you aren’t ready to change, then there is no point in seeking help for your substance use.” “You need to hit rock-bottom, then you will know you have a problem and be ready for treatment.” Did you know that the above statements are...
More InfoHarm Reduction and Substance Use in Teens and Young Adults By: Sara Polley, MD
“I’m not going to stop smoking marijuana.” “It isn’t a big deal anymore.” “It is even legal in some states and everyone smokes now.” These words can be frustrating and upsetting for loved ones bringing a teen or young...
More InfoParents’ Frenemy Relationship with Screens Part 2: Finding a middle ground By: Anastasia S. Ristau, PhD, LP
If you happened to have read part 1 of this blog, you may recall we covered some of the impacts of screens seen on kids and teens: good, the bad and the ugly. Part 1 covered, in my opinion as both a clinical child psychologist and a parent right...
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