talking

Dear Rae: How Do I Talk to My Spouse About Their Drinking?

Updated 1/2/25 Dear Rae: Iโ€™ll get right to the point. Lately, my husband has been using alcohol as a crutch. In other words, he drinks to reduce his stress, but it adds to the stress in our home. He drinks every evening (sometimes starting at lunchtime). It definitely impacts our relationship because when he drinks, […]

Happiness in Recovery – Reset Your Day!

  It has been a long winter, and some of us may be feeling a bit down lately. To be sure, thereโ€™s nothing wrong with feeling down. Happiness is not a prerequisite of recovery for our clients at Sanford Behavioral Health. However, we do teachย coping skills to help our clients move through the rough patches: […]

happiness single sunflower

Awe Walks for Mental Health

I am a self-described, often awestruck, nature nerd. I have written about the joys of Michigan winter in late February (when most Michiganders are tolerating the dreary days until spring). Other topics I have covered are finding joy during the pandemic, how a $75 blowup kayak can change your life, and the mental health benefit […]

Sanford Library of Virtual Recovery Resources

Sanford Behavioral Healthโ€™s use of telehealth to continue providing virtual treatment services and recovery resources receives favorable reviews from many clients, even in the aftermath of the pandemic. Individuals who choose virtual connection express gratitude for the groups and individual services we provide. In addition, our clients say they look forward to telehealth sessions to […]

virtual recovery resources library

How a Winter in Michigan Can Help You

  We have had a gloomy start to the year in Michigan. The sun shined for five minutes in the first eight days of January 2023. Since then, it has been all grey skies and puddles threatening to turn to black ice. So why, you ask, is this woman writing an article about the health […]

Supportive Living – When It’s Not Safe to Go Home

Around recovery meetings, folks always say you need to change people, places, and things to manage an addiction. But what happens if you don’t have the option to change your current situation? If you live at home with parents or siblings who use, for example. It makes long-term recovery look daunting and can keep an […]

supportive living group together

Eating Disorders and the Holiday Feast

  Expert Guidance on Navigating the Holidays: Forget About the โ€œClean Plate Clubโ€ Thanks to The Lakeshore West Michiganย for their informed interview with Sanford Comprehensive Treatment for Eating Disorder’s Gail Hall, LMSW, DCSW, CEDS-S. During the holidays, those recovering from an eating disorder may find family meals stressfulโ€”likewise, the holiday traditions around food. Gail Hall […]

holiday feast cookies

Addressing Workplace Mental Health

  A recent U.S. Surgeon General’s Report cites Five Essentials as “engines of well-being” in the workplace. The essentials to workplace mental health are a guideline for creating a healthy work environment. The framework for workplace mental health contains the following essentials: 1. Protection from Harm – safety and security 2. Connection and Community – […]

workplace

Bulimia Nervosa – Breaking the Binge Purge Cycle

  Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by patterns of consuming a large amount of food in a short amount of time (bingeing) and eliminating calories consumed (purging). The most common compensatory behavior is vomiting. Other compensatory behaviors are using laxatives or diuretics, excessive exercise; extreme fasting; and manipulating insulin or other medications. Someone […]

clinical kitchen

Sanford Behavioral Health Founders Earn Distinguished Alumni Award

Rae and David Green Honored with Top Award from Alma College   ***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*** GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., September 30, 2022 โ€“ Rae and David Green, founders of Sanford Behavioral Health, a regional mental health treatment center, were awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award at the Alma College Homecoming last weekend.   The Alma College Distinguished […]

Rae and David Green ALMA