Center for Healing Connections, LLC

CHC is proud to announce that we now offer Medication Management! We accept most insurances for your mental health prescription needs.

Meet Don Gemus, Physician Assistant, PA-C, who has joined our practice. Don comes to us with over 10 years of experience in pediatrics and family medicine. He has a passion for working with patients of all ages and backgrounds. His services include starting or stopping medications, adjusting dosages, or changing the type of medication. Don welcomes existing clients dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, ADHD, and more.

When asked about his approach to working with clients, Don remarked, "I want to change how people experience medical appointments. I want an environment where the provider listens and makes decisions together with the patient. I want to work with you toward your goals, not just get through the appointment as fast as possible. I want to work with the client to come up with a resolution that makes sense!"

Does working with Don sound like something you would like to do? Then give our clinic a call to find out if we accept your insurance. at (734) 344-7432.

CHC is happy to welcome Rain Glynn, LSW, LLMSW, as one of our new Therapists!

Rain brings to our practice wonderful experience working with children, adolescents, and adults. She specializes in working with clients who suffer from anxiety, depression, PTSD, and ADHD. Rain has past experience working with many different treatment modalities, including equine-assisted therapies.

When asked how she approaches her work with clients, Rain remarked, "I strive to make embarking on your therapeutic journey as manageable as possible by working with my clients at the pace that makes them the most comfortable. An extra pillar of support during tough times can make a world of difference. I utilize various therapeutic modalities, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, narrative therapy, and solution-focused therapy, to treat a variety of diagnoses. I employ a strengths-based and person-centered approach and tailor my intervention to each client as an individual to ensure their needs are met."

Rain is fortunate to work from our main Monroe office and our Lambertville satellite office. You can contact Rain directly at (734) 789-3856 if you would like to schedule an appointment or call us at our Main office at (734) 344-7432.

Meet one of our newest therapists, Natalie Colley!

Natalie has joined our practice having 8 years of social work experience. Her area of expertise is treating those who suffer from depression, anxiety, and supporting those within their LGBTQIA+ journey.

About her practice, Natalie commented, "My approach to therapy is with a variety of evidence-based practices which include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Brief Solution Focused Therapy, and Narrative Therapy. I am receptive to learning about new ways to live life and I provide therapy with a strengths based, person-centered focus. I have worked with a diverse group of people throughout my career, and I hope to help everyone learn that their happiness in life is important. Asking for help can feel like one of the hardest things to do, but it is often the first step to feeling hopeful and learning to love yourself again. Everyone deserves to live a life full of happiness."

If you are interested in scheduling an appointment with Natalie, give her a call at (734) 821-7051 or contact our main phone number at (734) 344-7432!

Our main number - 734-344-7432 is back up!! Thanks for all of your patience!

Hello everyone! Unfortunately, our clinic's main phone is currently down. If you need to get a hold of us, please use the following number: (734) 256-4546. Or you can email us at: [email protected]

We will let everyone know when our phone is back up and running again! Thanks for understanding.

We are moving! Announcing our new location:

1645 N. Dixie Highway
Suite 2
Monroe, MI 48162

This location is conveniently located right off of I-75. We have partnered with the Red Cross and are excited about our new location. As of November 21st, we look forward to seeing you there!! Pictures of our new home to come!

We are excited to announce Samantha Beaton, LLMSW who has joined our practice! Samantha has experience working with children, teens, and adults. Her area of focus is working with trauma, behavioral issues, mood disorders, anxiety, spirituality, life transitions, and ADHD.

When asked about her approach to therapy, she remarked, "It can be difficult to know who you are after a difficult or traumatic event. We experience things that can make us feel isolated, hurt, and broken throughout life. I am here to meet you where you are at, empower you, process through trauma, and walk with you in your journey of self-discovery and healing. Through different modalities like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectal Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, and mindfulness, I can assist you in coping with your emotions and creating change in unwanted behaviors!"

Samantha's schedule is flexible and she offers appointments not only at our Monroe location but also at our new Lambertville location! Want to schedule an appointment with Samantha? Give her a call at (734) 984-5307, or call our main number today!

CHC welcomes Riann Webber as a new therapist who has joined our practice. Riann has experience not only working with both children and adults, but she also specializes in working with couples. When asked about her therapy approaches, Riann remarked, “My personal approaches to therapy consist of behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, mindfulness, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused therapy. These approaches can help treat anxiety, depression, and trauma. I can help you process trauma, understand feelings and emotions, and help you grow in self-worth and confidence!”

Riann comes to us having experience working with clients who have experienced victimization and violence. When asked about her time helping clients who have been faced with this type of trauma, she stated, “Ernest Hemingway once said, ‘The world breaks everyone, and afterword, many are strong at the broken places.’ Life is full of experiences that can be overwhelming and scary. Although at times you may feel like you are broken, with the proper tools and resources, you can mend yourself to become the greatest version of yourself. I believe in a client-centered approach, and I base my therapy style on each client’s differing needs.”

Interested in scheduling an appointment with Riann? Give our office a call today. She is seeing clients at our Monroe location and now also in Lambertville!

The Devastating Effect of Parental Alienation on Children Anger, guilt, grief, disconnection, and low self-esteem.

Did you know this month is Social Work Month? There are about 720,000 social workers in the United States and 60% of mental health services are provided by licensed social workers! How much do you really know about the social work profession? Let's find out! Here is a quiz to test your knowledge.
http://www.helpstartshere.org/?page_id=13358

How much do you know about social work? | Help Starts Here Social work is the helping profession. Each day, social workers help millions of people address personal and systemic barriers that prevent them from optimal living. And social workers are committed to ensure equal rights for all.

Want to know more about our partner site, Little Blessings? Check out this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wji6b2lY7s

Little Blessings Veteran & Community Outreach - Donor/Sponsor Video

The Center for Healing Connections supports this unique and wonderful program which is making a difference in the lives of veterans and their families. Mary Beth Wright, Lee Kelly, and Heather Frederick are mental health specialists working within the Eagala model. (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association) They witness the growth that happens through this model where the horses are a valued team member and their intuitive nature adds tremendously to the process. Please like and share!
https://lbveteranoutreach.org/

CHC is proud to announce that Erin Husting has joined our clinic! Erin has experience working not only with adults but with children and teens as well. We asked Erin what inspires her about working in this profession and she remarked, "I think the words of famous character Albus Dumbledore said it best, 'Happiness can be found in the darkest of times if one only remembers to turn on the light.' Everyone experiences dark times in our lives; sometimes, we just need help to turn the light back on. If you feel like life is really overwhelming and hard right now, I want you to know that you’re not alone and I can help."

Erin's approach to therapy incorporates a variety of evidence-based practice styles including CBT, Narrative Therapy, DBT, and Collaborative Problem-Solving.

"By addressing the current and/ or past pain in our lives in a safe environment, we can move past it into a healthier, brighter future.
Often, reaching out for help is the scariest part, but it is also the first step towards feeling better and finding the light again."

Erin is licensed in both Ohio and Michigan, so she is available for both in-person sessions and telehealth! To schedule an appointment with Erin, give our office a call today.

It's out there, looming. And we know what you are thinking. Not again! Not another variant! How am I going to protect my mental health in the face of yet another COVID variant?

If you haven't heard, the COVID virus has mutated once again and delivered to us this new one, the Omicron (or what I call the "Oh my God") variant. Because of this new development, you may have found your mind filled with worries, or it’s put a damper on your Christmas spirit. For a lot of you, the news might be causing you to experience a wave of emotions. That’s OK.

We already know that the pandemic has made an enormous dent in people’s mental wellbeing. In fact, a report found on VeryWellHealth.com indicated that serious conditions, such as depression and anxiety, more than doubled compared to rates before the pandemic. So if the news right now and the uncertainty surrounding this new variant has you feeling anxious, uncertain, worried, or disheartened - know that you are not alone.

Then how do you cope with it?

First, acknowledge your feelings. It’s not the time to judge your emotions or to suppress them. Instead, allow yourself to feel them. Are you worried? Anxious? Sad? That’s OK. Acknowledge them by writing them down or sorting through them during a gentle meditation.

Take a moment to breathe. It’s time to close your eyes for two minutes and focus on your breath. Try to breathe out all of those worrying thoughts and breathe in nothing but air. Focus on the rhythm of your breath and allow your racing mind to calm down. This can be challenging, but with a bit of persistence, it can be just what you need to slow your anxious mind and gain some perspective.

Limit your news exposure. This was a tried and tested method throughout the pandemic. You don’t need to be up to date on every second of the news! Take a break from scrolling through the latest restrictions and spend time doing something you enjoy.

Get back to your routine. When you were under lockdown, you likely found ways to help cope with your worries. Just because life is closer to normal doesn’t mean it’s time to give those habits up. Get back into your daily walks and spend time journaling, chatting to friends, and learning new skills.

Find connection. When you were under lockdown, you likely found ways to help cope with your worries. Just because life is closer to normal doesn’t mean it’s time to give those habits up. Get back into your daily walks and spend time journaling, chatting to friends, and learning new skills. Connecting with others can be so important in bringing your worries under control.

Focus on yourself. Rather than looking out onto the world, consider turning in on yourself and developing your mental wellbeing. Try building your self-love practice, and learn to be kinder to yourself during periods of uncertainty.

Don't forget, you’re living through a global pandemic. These are difficult times. Maybe you aren’t in lockdown anymore, but that doesn’t mean you won’t still feel anxious, worried, or sad. Remember it's OK to feel this way. Try to help yourself in whatever way you can. Never be afraid to reach out to a professional for some more support!

Want some more information on how to protect your mental wellbeing? Check out this article from VeryWellHealth:

https://www.verywellhealth.com/staying-covid-safe-mental-health-5196752?utm_source=ENGAGED%2030&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Weekly%20Email%20DECEMBER%206TH%20Sending%20to%20engaged%20%28TL8cy5%29&_kx=xm1dUMoM5dY5qnoRfBqhYzs6QzIABHaKMVBVD44DE0EoPlwxbbPj6VXcrtVcb9TT_9UzZhGuyRFW54EvXGk6Og%3D%3D.VVcYfX

How to Protect Your Mental Health Amid a COVID-19 Surge COVID-19 mask and safety guidelines keep changing, for the unvaccinated and vaccinated alike. This is leading to what some describe as mental whiplash.

Did you know CHC now offers Reiki?

Special Introductory Pricing - November/December
$40 for one hour
Teisha Rafko, Reiki Master/Teacher

Call or text for an appointment
(734)755-4513

What is Reiki?

Reiki is a Japanese energy healing modality, a subcategory of alternative medicine, used to promote healing on a physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual level. It is a safe, gentle, and non-invasive practice, working with the energy fields of your body. Energy can stagnate in the body where there has been physical injury or emotional pain.

According to The Cleveland Clinic, Reiki is also used to balance and restore the body’s natural energies for the purposes of increasing vitality, balancing emotions, and improving health.

Dr. Mikao Usui, a Buddhist monk, developed reiki in the early 1900s, deriving the term
from the Japanese words rei, meaning “universal,” and ki , which refers to the vital life
force energy that flows through all living things. Now, reiki is used all over the world.

Some of the hospitals using it today are affiliated with Yale, Harvard, John Hopkins and The Cleveland Clinic, to complement other forms of health treatments.

As the western medicine field is rediscovering the power of universal life force energy,
reiki is being used to impact a wide variety of health benefits. These include:
--Bring about a peaceful, deep state of relaxation;
--Dissolve energy blockages and tension;
--Detoxify the body;
--Support the well-being of a person receiving traditional medical treatment that is
debilitating (e.g., chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, kidney dialysis); -
--Supply universal life force energy to the body;
--Stimulate the body’s immune system;
--Help to relieve pain;
--Stimulate tissue and bone healing after injury or surgery;

Gentle Yoga Class with Teisha Rafko is now offering 5 FREE introductory classes!

Starting December 3rd - Fridays 11:50-12:50
Please call (734) 344-7432 to register.

December 2021 Yoga Schedule

CHC is excited to welcome our new therapist, Michelle Edwards, Limited Licensed Psychologist, MS, LLP! Michelle works with children ages 6 to 17 and adults ages 18 and up. She a state-certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapist and trained in EMDR. She also has experience in treating anxiety, depression, mood and personality disorders, Disrupted Mood Dysregulation Disorder, Reactive Attachment Disorder, trauma, (PTSD), and grief and loss.

When asked about her approach, Michelle said, " I provide an accepting, compassionate, warm, and empathic environment where we work together to discover and make better, the parts of us and our environment that interfere with daily life. It's my belief that we are all capable of positive change with a focus on the person as a whole. Our growth touches and impacts not only ourselves but the relationships we are a part of and the environment we live in. It's my personal belief that it is never too late for positive change no matter what our experiences have been. I will work collaboratively, mindfully, and from a place of authenticity to help you achieve your goals, conquer challenges, and find peace and contentment in life."

Interested in scheduling an appointment with Michelle? Give her a call at 734-390-4587 today!

Announcing Gentle Yoga Class with Teisha Rafko

This class blends two styles of yoga into one practice to help bring balance to the body, mind, and spirit. Combining Gentle Flow & Yin Yoga, students of all levels, ages, and abilities will enhance awareness, strength, and flexibility while cultivating inner peace in this class. This works deeply into the tendons, ligaments, fascia,
and joints with the aim to increase circulation, improve/maintain flexibility and mobility, and reduce chronic pain.

Gentle Yoga (60 minute class - Non-Athletic)

When: Starting November 3rd and every Wednesday following.
Where: Center for Healing Connections 111 E. First Street Suite 200 Monroe MI 48161
Cost: Your first class is FREE.
$15 drop-in, or 10 classes for $100. Class purchases expire after 6 months.

Please call (734) 344-7432 to register

Is there someone in your life with whom you would like to cultivate deeper awareness and connection? We are now offering FREE Partner Yoga / Thai Massage Classes to help you with that journey.

Students enjoy fun and gentle partner stretches, followed by the exchange of a therapeutic massage. All body types are welcome and there is no need for prior yoga experience. Bring a partner if you wish - family, friend, or even a new person you are ready to get to know! Classes are on Fridays.

When: Friday, November 5
Time: 6:00 p - 7:30 p
Where: Center for Healing Connections 111 E. First Street Suite 200 Monroe MI 48161
More info? Contact: [email protected]

Register at: https://www.centerforhealingconnectionsllc.com/classes

Welcome our new Therapist, Sarah Bollenberg, LLMSW! Sarah offers various therapeutic approaches to treat depression, anxiety, trauma, and many other emotional stressors. Through interventions such as CBT and motivational interviewing, she can help clients discover ways to cope with their emotions. Her approach is person-centered which allows her to tailor each session to meet each client’s specific needs.

When asked about her approach with clients, Sarah remarked, "Your struggle doesn’t define you; it is just a temporary experience that will someday be a piece of your past. I love this quote from Abraham Maslow. 'In any given moment, we have two options: to step forward into growth or to step back into safety.' If your feelings have become overwhelming, upsetting, and scary, I can help you make them more manageable. Whether you have been struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, or addiction, I can help you to identify and accomplish your goals and achieve the life you want to live."

Interested in scheduling an appointment with Sarah? Contact her at (734) 259-7798 and make an appointment today!

Are you dealing with renewed COVID anxiety with the resurgence of the Delta variant? Check out this NPR interview on how to cope:

https://www.npr.org/2021/08/12/1027198541/how-to-deal-with-renewed-covid-anxiety

How To Deal With Renewed COVID Anxiety America's approach to tackling the contagious delta variant has dramatically shifted. NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with Dr. Lucy McBride about the emotional whiplash many in the U.S. are feeling now.

CHC welcomes our new Limited Licensed Psychologist, Dana Root, MA, LLP!

Dana uses a strength-based, humanistic approach to work with children, teens, and adults. She specializes in mood disorders, anxiety, trauma, and personality disorders. Dana uses multiple treatment modalities to include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT), and Mindfulness Therapy. She also holds a certification in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), from The DBT Institute of Michigan.

When asked about her therapeutic approach, Dana remarked, "Life can change in an instant and it can be hard to adjust when dealing with things like death/illness, breakups, financial issues, substance abuse, existential crises, etc. Dealing with life changes, past trauma, and future anxieties can seem like too much to handle and clients may feel alone in their struggles. If life circumstances have led to anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation/attempts, psychoticism, PTSD, substance use, or other mental illness I am here to help. I believe the client is the expert on their path to recovery and I will be a helping hand for guidance."

Interested in booking an appointment with Dana? She can be reached at (734) 270-6962 or contact CHC for more information!

What is Bipolar disorder? Often I hear people commenting that they believe someone has a bipolar disorder because they are "happy one minute and then sad the next." But it's much more complex than that. While it is true that people with bipolar disorder shift between periods of depression, mania, or hypomania, these cycles usually take place over long periods of time, like weeks or even months. So what do mood changes of mania or hypomania mean? Check out this article from Psycom to find out more.
https://www.psycom.net/bipolar-depression-headquarters-facts-stats

Bipolar Depression Headquarters: Facts & Stats Whether you’ve just been diagnosed with bipolar depression, suspect you may have it, or someone in your family has it, you may be wondering what exactly this label really means.

Are you having "Re-Entry Anxiety?" Most of us are! Coming out of a year of caution and isolation due to COVID and then being thrust back into "normal" life, is causing many people anxiety. So how do we cope? Check out this article from Psycom with some tips on how to reduce re-entry anxiety.
https://www.psycom.net/anxiety-after-covid

Anxiety After Covid: How to Cope with Reentry Stress Anxiety after COVID or cave syndrome, is real. If you've adjusted to a new normal & feel nervous about reentry, you aren't alone. Expert tips to help you cope.

We hear this buzzword floating around: Mindfulness. But what does it exactly mean? When we engage in mindfulness, our minds are fully attending to what’s happening, to what you’re doing, to the space you’re moving through. That might seem trivial, except for the annoying fact that we so often veer from the matter at hand. Our mind takes flight, we lose touch with our body, and pretty soon we’re engrossed in overwhelming thoughts about something that just happened or fretting about the future. And that makes us anxious.

Practicing mindfulness can help stop those obsessive, racing thoughts. Focusing on the here and now can actually improve our moods. But many say they don't have time to "sit and meditate." But mindfulness isn't really about meditating. Here is a great article for those who want to incorporate mindful practices in their lives but feel they don't have time. https://www.psycom.net/mindfulness-for-the-busy-schedule/

The Mindfulness Guide for People Too Busy to Meditate Do you want to practice mindfulness but don't have time in your busy schedule to sit down and meditate? Try these simple ways to pause and be mindful throughout your day

Introducing our new Therapist, Amy Root, LLMSW!

Amy provides treatment to children, adolescents, adults, and older adults using Play, Cognitive Behavioral, and Solution-Focused therapies. She uses a strengths-based approach to help clients and parents/caregivers working through emotional and behavioral problems, unhealed wounds of abandonment, abuse, betrayal, grief, loss, and neglect. Amy provides space within her treatment to explore new directions/choices and develop relational, coping, and self-care skills.

When asked about her therapeutic approach, Amy remarked, "Asking for help can be a challenging, yet oftentimes necessary, step to getting clients on their path to well-being. My goal is to help them rediscover their strengths by providing support and guidance tailored to each person and their individual needs. We are inherently social beings, so developing competencies in these areas enhances our mental health, success in work, and ability to achieve life tasks. I treat everyone in a compassionate and respectful way that is mindful of individual differences, cultural norms, and ethnic diversity, respecting the dignity and worth of everyone I serve. I will listen without judgment to difficult emotions and challenges or affirm the client's thought process so they can break old negative cycles, develop new coping skills, reduce symptoms and have greater self-worth. If you are looking for guidance, feel stuck in your life, facing a challenging situation, or just ready to move in a new direction in your life, take that first step so we can get you on your path to well-being!"

Interested in scheduling an appointment with Amy? Contact us for more information!

With more and more people getting vaccinated for COVID-19, we are beginning to see a return to socializing and outings outside of the home. But what you may have noticed is some anxiety in social situations or becoming exhausted after engaging in social activity. Why? Here is an article that explains this phenomenon and what we can do to ease ourselves back into social life.

https://www.dw.com/en/covid-why-were-anxious-about-returning-to-normal-and-what-to-do-about-it/a-57359157

COVID: Why we're anxious about returning to normal ― and what to do about it | DW | 28.04.2021 Most of us want lockdowns and restrictions to be over. But that doesn't mean that going out into the world again will be easy for everyone. Mental health experts explain how to deal with post-pandemic anxiety.

Has there ever been a time when your thoughts were so overwhelming or when your emotions have gotten you down, and it was very hard to get yourself to think about anything else? The more mental energy you give to these thoughts/feelings, the worse you will sink into the mental mud. So how do we get ourselves out of it? During these times it is important for us to shift our perspective onto something else. And feel-good movie watching can be one way that can lift us out of that mental mud! Here is a list of feel-good movies that may help. https://b2b.happify.com/hd/11-uplifting-movies-to-stream-when-you-are-feeling-down/?et=a203815f-1e74-4140-85f4-a97238366448

11 Uplifting Movies to Stream When You’re Feeling Down Watching a movie can be the perfect pick-me-up when your spirits are low. Here are some of cinema's best bad-mood busters.