Skyway Behavioral Health

With National Grief Awareness Day just around the corner, we sat down with Kevin Stier, MA, LPC, NCC, to talk about his experience in grief counseling. Check out the blog to learn more, link in bio ✨

Supporting a loved one with an eating disorder requires compassion, patience, and a commitment to understanding their struggle. In our blog, we list practical steps to help guide them toward recovery while fostering a safe and supportive environment. Click the link in our bio to read!

If you’ve ever had the chance to work with Richard Smith, you understand his compassion and deep knowledge of the field. Richard started his career in exercise science and personal training when his clients started confiding in him, leading him to transition into counseling. He is now a Clinical Program Manager at Skyway. One of Richard’s key interests is racial equity in mental health care. Read his most recent blog to learn about the impact of racial trauma, the importance of culturally competent care, and explore how we can cultivate mental wellness together. *link in bio*

We are so grateful to be a part of each client’s journey. Thank you to our wonderful team for supporting each client with the highest level of care.

Did you know that hot weather can impact your mental health? In fact, high temperatures can increase anxiety, irritability, sleeplessness, stress and hinder concentration.
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Here are some tips to keep your mind cool and calm during the heat:
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- Hydrate: Drink plenty of water to help improve mood and cognitive function.
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- Take a Cooling Breath: Help counter an energizing or activating sympathetic response to the heat by lengthening your exhale. This can also be beneficial to rest and digestion!
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-Make Time for Mindful Breaks: Practice mindfulness or meditation indoors or in a cool, shaded area.
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- Prioritize Sleep: Keep your bedroom cool and dark to improve sleep quality.
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- Engage in Indoor Activities: Take up activities that calm your mind: reading, puzzles, or yoga support a cooler head, especially during peak heat hours.
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-Stay Connected: Reach out to friends and family for support. A quick chat or meet-up in a cool space can lift your spirits.
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Take care of your mental health and enjoy the rest of summer with a clear and relaxed mind!

Join Thursday, Aug. 8 at 6:30 pm for their free webinar, “Managing Anxiety During Uncertain Times on College Campuses.” A panel of experts will share insight and strategies to support a successful transition to (or back to) college. Students and families are welcome to attend!
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📅 Register now with this link (also in our bio):
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_wE_IQOpVSYWzK5OWZK72eg?fbclid=IwY2xjawEfMTJleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHT6JoaBEWGDmLhYFMpsGEVjvuuCLHA1d26Bc-HwwGtC1f7DqI1FhdJGpDg_aem_9ppQIz2Mgdu9kF4rMrWyhw #/registration
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Hosted by and No Shame On U

New Blog ✨ OCD Myths and Reducing the Harm ✨ The phrase “I’m SO OCD…” is trending on social media, but it often oversimplifies and misrepresents obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Innocently, folks may not realize that misunderstanding OCD can harm those with the diagnosis. At Skyway Behavioral Health, we offer comprehensive, collaborative treatment for OCD, far beyond the (often misguided) advice TikTok videos can provide. Learn how to be a better ally and understand the complexities of OCD to support our loved ones in the best ways we can. *Link to blog in bio*

Skyway Behavioral Health recently hosted our first ever Alumni Network event, which was a truly inspiring and powerful experience. Our Somatic Therapy Manager, Jenna, led us in a mindful moment, followed by three community guest speakers who shared insights into their organizations and resources. Participants engaged in creative activities, made Skyway squares for the program and crafted shadow boxes to take home. Seeing everyone come together to create beautiful art and connect with one another was heartwarming. The event highlighted the reality that recovery is not only possible but profoundly real, as clients expressed gratitude for the space to create art and connect with others. Many were moved to tears upon learning that our staff attended voluntarily, showcasing their genuine care and support. Thank you to everyone who made this event a success and helped foster a sense of hope and community. ❤️  Click the link in our bio to sign up for our Alumni Network.

Ps. Although we’d love to share photos from the event, we value our clients’ anonymity before, during and after treatment.

Thank you to Erica Antonucci, LCPC, CEDS and everyone who attended her motivational presentation, “How to Screen for Eating Disorders in Your Practice & What to Do About It.” We had an engaging discussion on identifying eating disorder behaviors and how to gently approach clients within that space using a harm reduction approach. As we grow, we look forward to hosting more presentations on topics that are relevant to our clients and community.

We are delighted to highlight our spunky Summer Marketing Assistant! Paige is a Psychology major and Creative Writing minor at the University of South Carolina. She wrote a beautiful blog post about her personal experience with Body Positivity vs. Body Neutrality that is a summertime must-read (link in bio). Paige has been a joy to work with in our office, and we’re so sad to be saying goodbye so soon. Wishing you the absolute best junior year, Paige!

Simona is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse (Doctor in nursing practice) at Skyway and just celebrated her 1 one-year work anniversary! Simona is inclusive, open-minded, and passionate about her work. She is a fountain of knowledge, unwavering compassion and holds great intentionality in her work. So many clients love her as do staff!

Friday reminder that healing is not linear 💕

Repost from

We’re excited to hear our very own Erica Antonucci’s presentation on “How to Screen for Eating Disorders in Your Practice and What to Do About It.” Erica, MA, LCPC, CEDS, is our Eating Disorder Clinical Specialist and a vital member of our team! Space is limited, RSVP to [email protected] today 😊

Emotion Sensation Wheel by | How many times have people approached you and asked, “How are you?” for you to respond; “Fine,” “Good” or “Okay” when in fact you had a mental breakdown the night before? What does “okay” or “good” feel like? And what about “fine?” As a culture, we have become accustomed to acceptable responses that, unfortunately, are not an accurate description of what we are feeling at that moment. But how are we supposed to name our actual feelings if we do not know what we are feeling?! Enter: The Feeling Wheel.

The Emotion Sensation Feeling Wheel (from Lindsay Braman, LMHCA), includes emotions we oftentimes feel within our bodies as an additional tool to help us name them. What we love at Skyway about the addition of sensations is that people who might not be able to put their finger on the correct emotion but can recognize their physical body have an easier time relating to the tool. One tip to keep in mind: the physical sensations listed may accompany that emotion, but keep in mind that every “body” is different and you may experience something else.

Taking the first step towards better mental health starts with an assessment. If you or someone you know is ready to address symptoms or behaviors affecting well-being, schedule an assessment today! Link in bio.

Fireworks can be a major trigger for neurodivergent individuals and individuals with PTSD due to their loud noises, bright flashes, and unpredictability. Consider alternative activities that are inclusive and considerate this holiday week.

Minority Mental Health Awareness Month is dedicated to shedding light on the unique mental health challenges faced by racial and ethnic minorities. It aims to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and stigma, promote access to mental health resources and provide support for all communities. Throughout the month we will highlight some of the injustices present for minorities and provide resources for different groups of people to take action not only for yourself but for others. Follow along all July and join us in raising awareness and supporting the mental health of minority communities.

Exciting things coming early 2025! Sign up for our emails to stay in the loop with the link in our bio 🤗

Closing out Pride Month with Rainbow Spirit Day! As you know, we celebrate the LGBTQ+ community year-round and are always learning new ways to support all identities. We are so incredibly grateful to have such an inspired and proud team of people with many different identities. Our clients and teammates thrive and do their best work when they feel safe, even in vulnerable states, and we are fortunate to be a part of their journeys. Thank you for being YOU.

Our LGBTQIA+ Breakout Group is for anyone who identifies as a community member— we love our allies, but this group is not for them. We use this time to create a safe place for clients to talk about their lives and process with their community. Subjects can range from eating disorders within the trans community to struggles with finding doctors, relationships, and much more. This group is overflowing with support, and it is beautiful to see the clients cheer each other on and connect on a deeper level.

Read our new blog “Feeling Like an Outsider in the Gay Community” by Erica Antonucci. Erica plays an important role at Skyway, not only working with clients but also as our Eating Disorder Clinical Specialist. She is incredibly passionate about her clients and prioritizes her own personal education regularly. We’re so lucky to have Erica on our team as her experience and expertise are invaluable.
*link in bio for full blog 🤗*

Juneteenth brings a myriad of thoughts and emotions—freedom, acknowledgement, trauma, activism, and more. This date marks the end of slavery in the U.S. and honors the resilience of African Americans healing from years of racial trauma. Skyway celebrates Black joy and excellence and acknowledges the impact of America’s history on generational trauma.

Check out Maddie Maloon, LPC’s, powerful blog “Pride is a Protest” to read about the history of Pride, its ongoing struggles, and the resilience of the LGBTQIA+ community. This heartfelt piece sheds light on the Stonewall Uprising, the enduring fight for equality, and the transformative journey of healing and Q***r Joy. Click the link in our bio for the blog!

Our leadership team cleans up quite nicely! We were honored to join other community partners at the Light the Darkness gala, where champions for mental health were honored for their valued work in the field. Thank you for all you do, NAMI Chicago!

Repost from ❤️ Pride may look like a fun celebration at times, but it’s more than a rainbow parade. Pride is IMPORTANT and necessary for this community to feel included, represented, and safe. Read more on the To Write Love on Her Arms blog here: https://twloha.com/blog/celebrating-pride/

No, thank YOU! We love being a part of each client’s individual journey 💕

Our clients were thrilled to meet the therapy dogs from 💚 These wonderful pups provide not only emotional support but also a delightful break between programs. We are immensely grateful to our friends at Paws for Patrick! To learn more about the organization, check out their social media or visit their website at pawsforpatrick.org.

Congratulations to our Skyway Sweets Award winners! A huge thank you to Jonathon, Phyllis, Mary, Dr. Prinz, Nick, Judy, Kate, Simona and the entire 6th Floor team for your hard work, compassion and positivity. You are so appreciated!

ICYMI: Skyway Sweets awards are given at the end of every all-staff meeting to reward those who contribute to Skyway’s culture, strive to take the best care possible of staff, clients, families, and providers, make working at Skyway more fun, better, more interesting, or more valuable, and/or put a smile on your face or make you feel supported at work!

Happy Pride Month! At Skyway, we strive to cultivate a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community year-round. This month, we’re taking time to remember historic and progressive moments in this movement, as well as highlighting the initiatives we have established to ensure our clients, teammates, and guests always feel welcome and valued every day 💕