Sober Fun (Holiday Edition)
One of the biggest lies people with an addiction believe is “If I don’t drink/smoke/use, I can’t have fun.” Unfortunately, the lies we tell ourselves are often the hardest to overcome—especially during the holidays. So, what does sober fun look like between November and January? You might be surprised to know it can look both very […]
Home for the Holidays? Go to Detox Now.
The holidays often come with the unrevealed thought: I’ll just get through it. Get through the parties. The stress. The expectations. The drinking that feels unavoidable. But for some, “getting through it” has become more difficult than it should. Perhaps drinking has gotten out of hand, and the thought of getting through the spirited season without […]
New Podcast Launch: Mental Health Working Mom’s Gripe Session
We are excited to announce the launch of our new podcast, Mental Health Working Moms’ Gripe Session. Gripe Session is a candid, funny, and compassionate space created by moms for moms. Our host is Sanford Behavioral Health CEO Tracy Rogers, LPC, LMHC, NCC. Significant, because Tracy is the mother of an 11-year-old boy who spent […]
Holiday Drinking and Panic Attacks: What You Need to Know with Clinical Director Tessa Sterling
If you have ever experienced a panic attack, you will probably agree that it feels like you are having a heart attack. My only panic attack occurred many years ago, when I was in active addiction. I remember it vividly: chest pains, difficulty breathing, numbness in my arms and hands, sweating, palpitations, and tightness over […]
New Traditions: Holidays in Treatment
I spoke with my colleague, Matt VanLiere, in preparation for this article. I wanted his take on the positives of being in treatment during the holiday season. At Sanford Behavioral Health, we have heard all the excuses for putting off treatment till the new year, from “I can’t miss the kids’ pageant” to “Who will […]
Halloween Aftermath: 5 Ways Parents Can Promote a Healthy Relationship with Food
When Halloween falls on a Friday, it seems like the long weekend is even more laden with cookies, cupcakes, and candy. How you approach sweet or salty treats on holidays and every day can promote a healthy relationship with food. How you respond to the onslaught of what society deems “bad foods” can also miss […]
First Responders & Veterans Exclusive Treatment OPENS – Matt VanLiere on WGVU Morning Show
Matthew VanLiere, JOHN Executive Director, has a BA in Criminal Justice and 29 years of experience in law enforcement. He sat down with Shelley Irwin on the WGVU Morning Show to talk about his passion for helping first responders and Veterans with evidence-based treatment in a restored historic home in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Click the […]
Who Says Mental Health Treatment Has to Feel Like a Hospital?
We are proud of the work we’ve done to prepare JOHN (Just One Hero Needed) for its opening this week. While staff members put the final touches on preparing guest spaces, we realized once again that JOHN is a beautiful place to be. From the stained glass windows in the dining room to the leather […]
Changing the Mental Health Admissions Process: Meet Rebecca Wolfslau, LPC
When Rebecca Wolfslau (Wolfi), LPC, came to Sanford Behavioral Health a year ago, she brought the concept of “EZ Admissions” with her. Her idea (and catchy title) was designed to simplify and speed up the admissions process for mental health treatment. She also wanted the Sanford admissions team to serve as a sympathetic ear, helping […]
Breaking the Cycle of Self-Medication with Mental Health Treatment
I have a friend who quit drinking because they realized a cocktail had become a panacea for everything. They said, “When I was excited, I had a drink. Sad? I had a drink. When I was anxious, I poured a cocktail, and when I was mad, I pounded a few beers.” This friend intuitively knew […]
