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Canvas Health is hiring in all areas! Check out our career opportunities here.

Canvas Health’s Psychological Services program provides comprehensive or targeted psychological evaluation and consultation. These evaluations may assist diagnostic decision making, treatment planning, risk assessment, placement, employment, or court dispositions.

question marks - Psychological Evaluations Q&A

What is a Psychological Evaluation?

Psychological Evaluations provide an in-depth understanding of an individual’s mental health status and provide diagnostic clarification and treatment recommendations, using psychological tests and extensive review of collateral information. Psychological Evaluations can focus on cognitive functioning, neurocognitive development, or risk assessment for problematic behaviors.

When do I need a Psychological Evaluation?

A psychological evaluation is usually completed when a specific diagnostic question needs to be answered and a routine mental health assessment is not able to address the concern. Psychological Evaluations are often based on a referral made by the examinee’s Primary Care Physician, Psychiatrist or Psychotherapist.

How long does a Psychological Evaluation take?

Depending on the testing that is to be completed, a Psychological Evaluation can take 2 to 8 hours.

What do I need to bring to a Psychological Evaluation?

Any past mental health assessments, current medication information, School-based IEP assessments and plans.

What kinds of questions are given in a Psychological Evaluation?

Clinical history, social and family history, review of mental health symptom presentation.

Does insurance cover Psychological Evaluation?

Yes, with the extent of the coverage varied depending on the insurance plan.

How do I make a referral or appointment for a Psychological Evaluation?

Referrals are accepted from contracting court and social services programs and from other community health care providers, as well as from Canvas Health clinical staff. Please download and fax a request for assessment to the Psychological Services Support Specialist, at (651) 251-5059 with referral or appointment questions.

Psychological Evaluations: Questions and Answers

Canvas Health’s Psychological Services program provides comprehensive or targeted psychological evaluation and consultation.

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Canvas Health was founded in 1969 by a group of concerned citizens who identified a need for increased availability and access to mental health services for their community’s most vulnerable residents. This mission continues today in a variety of different ways, including:

Broad insurance acceptance: Canvas Health accepts a wide range of insurance plans, including Medical Assistance, and other public and private options. This makes it easier for people with different types of coverage to access our services.

Financial assistance available: For those who may not have insurance or who need extra help with costs, a sliding fee scale and flexible payment plans are available. This ensures that everyone can get the care they need, regardless of their financial situation.

Commitment to access: Canvas Health’s focus on insurance acceptance and financial assistance options demonstrates our commitment to making sure that everyone in our community has access to quality mental health and substance use disorder care.

To verify your insurance, talk to our Intake Coordinators by calling (651) 777-5222.

Ensuring Access to Quality Clinical Care

Canvas Health was founded in 1969 by a group of concerned citizens who identified a need for increased availability and access to mental health services for their community’s most vulnerable residents. This mission continues today in a variety of different ways, including: Broad insurance acceptance: Canvas Health accepts a wide range of insurance plans, including […]

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Canvas Health is proud to recognize Native American Heritage Month and honor the significant contributions the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the U.S.

One of the ways in which Canvas Health works with federally recognized Tribal Nations is through our Suicide Prevention Program Tribal Liaison, Adam Preuss. Adam is a member of Upper Sioux Community, and acts as the Suicide Prevention Program’s Tribal Liaison for the four Dakota Communities: Upper Sioux, Lower Sioux, Shakopee Mdewakaton Sioux, and Prairie Island.

Adam Preuss, Minnesota mental health clinics, ccbhc Minnesota

Adam has been with our suicide prevention program for over five years.  In his role, Adam provides research- and evidence-based culturally responsive presentations as well as Question, Persuade and Refer (QPR) suicide prevention trainings.

Adam has done extensive work to increase engagement in the suicide prevention program through teaching mental health skills and activities. Activities include leading foraging events where he will take a group into the woods to work on identifying plants and mushrooms.  In the winter, he facilitates painting classes.

“It feels good to be self-sufficient. Taking care of yourself and being mindful of your mental health is really suicide prevention if you think about it,” Adam said.

One of the coalitions he founded, the Upper Minnesota Suicide River Valley Suicide Prevention Coalition, adopted a highway, which helps the group make personal contributions to a cleaner environment.  He also is working on a crisis prevention procedure manual in conjunction with and for “Pact for Families” in
Willmar, Minn.

Recently, Adam worked with the Middle School Native Club at the Montevideo School to paint a mural. The mural depicts Traditional, Grass, Fancy, Fancy Shawl, and Jingle Dress dancers.

Contact Tribal Liaison Adam Preuss at apreuss@hsicrisis.org.

Learn more about Canvas Health’s Suicide Prevention Program here.

Canvas Health acknowledges that our clinics are on Indigenous lands, which are the historical, ancestral, and contemporary homelands of eleven federally recognized Dakota and Ojibwe tribal nations throughout Minnesota. Mni Sota (the water that reflects the sky) is centered as the birthplace for the Dakota, with Bdote (where the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers meet) and Bde Wakan (Spirit Lake, now Lake Mille Lacs) highlighted in Dakota creation stories.  The Ojibwe (Anishinabe), who are the most populous tribe in the United States, occupy land around the entire Great Lakes, including in Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ontario (Read more:  Minnesota Historical Society). 

This article was researched and written by Emily Johnson, MSW, LICSW as a part of the Canvas Health Cultural Diversity Committee’s efforts to highlight culturally relevant work within our agency.

Meet our Suicide Prevention Program Tribal Liaison, Adam Preuss

Canvas Health is proud to recognize Native American Heritage Month and honor the significant contributions the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the U.S. One of the ways in which Canvas Health works with federally recognized Tribal Nations is through our Suicide Prevention Program Tribal Liaison, Adam Preuss. Adam is a member of Upper […]

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Canvas Health is thrilled to celebrate our 2023 doctoral intern graduates: Bria Haynes, Noreen Raja, and Natalia Witkowska.

Canvas Health - Graduates

On September 1, 2022, Bria, Noreen, and Natalia embarked on Canvas Health’s Doctoral Internship in Clinical and Health Service Psychology. Since then, they have actively engaged in diverse areas of psychology such as individual psychotherapy, clinical and forensic evaluations, and adherent DBT services, accumulating a total of 2,080 hours since their initiation.

This accredited internship by the American Psychological Association (APA) presents an exceptional and multifaceted experience. Throughout the year, interns participate in an array of training opportunities, spanning outreach, program development, outcomes measurement, trauma-informed care, cross-discipline collaboration, consultation, research, and more, allowing for a comprehensive skillset development.

Beyond its established framework, this internship maintains an ongoing evolution, continually adapting to address the needs of interns, the agency, as well as the clients and community we serve. Many of the present internship practices and procedures have sprung from the innovative ideas of our interns. They bring with them concepts and techniques from other agencies, knowledge of cutting-edge research and practices, and a spirit of innovation that mirrors the essence of the program itself.

“I am incredibly proud of Bria, Natalia, and Noreen for all they have done in the past year. All three of our interns this year stepped out of their comfort zone, tackled new learning experiences, and continued to hone their already impressive skills. I am excited to hear about all of their successes in their future endeavors!” – Morgan Krause, PsyD, LP, Lead Clinical Psychologist & Director of Psychology Training

Congratulations graduates!

Learn more about our Doctoral Internship in Clinical and Health Service Psychology >>

The application deadline for the next internship is November 20, 2023.

Congratulations Graduates: Doctoral Interns in Clinical and Health Service Psychology

Canvas Health is thrilled to celebrate our 2023 doctoral intern graduates: Bria Haynes, Noreen Raja, and Natalia Witkowska. On September 1, 2022, Bria, Noreen, and Natalia embarked on Canvas Health’s Doctoral Internship in Clinical and Health Service Psychology. Since then, they have actively engaged in diverse areas of psychology such as individual psychotherapy, clinical and […]

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Canvas Health offers mental health therapy services in more than three dozen schools throughout the Twin Cities area. In 2023, we are expanding our reach to include St. Michael-Albertville High School, as well as both Middle Schools in the district. See a list of all schools served by Canvas Health’s School-Based Mental Health Team >>

TAP team artworkLast month, our School-Based Mental Health therapists gathered for a wonderful back-to-school retreat. The team brushed up on paperwork, celebrated successes, learned new clinical skills, and had some fun! The team, which provides diagnostic assessments and therapy services to students at their schools, values the time they can get together, swap ideas, and learn best practices from each other.

The School-Based Mental Health Team is committed to supporting students, families, teachers, and administrators. Therapists work within the school’s community setting to help identify and address mental health concerns, eliminate barriers to accessing care, and provide services in a way that makes the most sense for students.

TAP team posing in a gymnasium underneath a basketball hoop

Mental Health services provided through school

School-based therapists can provide mental health services to students during the school day or after school. We can help students work through things like depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship issues, behavioral issues, and more. Canvas Health therapists work collaboratively with others in the school, consulting with school administrators, teachers, and other treatment providers.

Parents, legal guardians, and caregivers also can access support from the therapist by scheduling a telehealth appointment. During these sessions, the therapist can provide support and strategies for helping the child at home. Uninsured families can apply for grant funding to help cover the cost of therapy and support.

Services are offered in person as well as via telehealth, which is accessible by computer, tablet, or smartphone. Learn more about Canvas Health’s School-Based Mental Health Services and meet the fantastic members of our team!

School-based Therapists Kick Off Another Great Year

Canvas Health offers mental health therapy services in more than three dozen schools throughout the Twin Cities area. In 2023, we are expanding our reach to include St. Michael-Albertville High School, as well as both Middle Schools in the district. See a list of all schools served by Canvas Health’s School-Based Mental Health Team >> […]

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The Partnering for Jobs Individual Placement and Support Services program is dedicated to bringing hope, healing, and recovery to individuals by assisting them with finding and keeping competitive employment.

Dr. Khu Thao, Canvas Health’s CEO, reflects on the importance of the Partnering for Jobs program to clients in our programs. “Canvas Health understands that for adolescents and adults alike, stable employment is an important part of an individual’s mental health. Working can offer an individual confidence, a sense of self-worth, and valuable social connections.”

The Partnering for Jobs Program’s specific services to individuals include: job placement, coaching, and support; vocational counseling; benefits counseling; job retention and follow-along supports; and integration of mental health care with Partnering for Jobs services.

“We’re so proud of Canvas Health’s collaboration with Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, and Minnesota Vocational Rehabilitation Services on the Partnering for Jobs program. Together, we’re meeting individuals where they are currently functioning and supporting them through every step of their employment journeys,” said Thao.

Along with employment support, Partnering for Jobs offers supported education to those enrolled in the Young Adult Program (ages 14 – 26). This service is focused on the specific needs of the individual, but can include education exploration, study skill development/homework support, financial aid/application assistance, course enrollment and accommodation advocacy.

For questions regarding eligibility criteria or the referral process please ask your Canvas Health provider or Case Manager for a referral or contact: Sierra Dooley at (651) 338-7559.

Canvas Health CEO Reflects on Importance of our Vocational Program

The Partnering for Jobs Individual Placement and Support Services program is dedicated to bringing hope, healing, and recovery to individuals by assisting them with finding and keeping competitive employment. Dr. Khu Thao, Canvas Health’s CEO, reflects on the importance of the Partnering for Jobs program to clients in our programs. “Canvas Health understands that for […]

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Alexa was just 15 when she lost her best friend, Alissa Haines, to suicide.

Over the years, Alexa has faced her own personal mental health challenges, and has seen others in her life struggle, too.

A self-proclaimed “fighter”, Alexa is passionate about giving back to the people and causes that she loves. “I’ve always believed that everyone has the power to bring sunshine to another person’s life, whether they’ve been friends for a long time, or they just met,” she said.

In 2020, she decided to combine her passion for helping people, love of softball, and her desire to honor Alissa into the Annual SOS Softball Tournament. The event is named after the Stomp Out Suicide 5K event, which also honors Alissa and benefits Canvas Health.

In its first year, the tournament raised over $6,000 and has subsequently raised well over $6,000 each year. Alexa donates all of the proceeds to Canvas Health to support mental health and substance use care.

In 2023, the tournament will move to a larger venue to accommodate the growing number of teams who want to be a part of the effort. The 4th Annual SOS Tournament is set for July 21-23, 2023 at Sand Creek Complex in Coon Rapids, MN.

“I’m proud of creating a really fun event that people can rally around and support. I know Alissa would be proud of me,” Alexa said.

SOS Softball Tournament Spotlights Suicide Prevention

Alexa was just 15 when she lost her best friend, Alissa Haines, to suicide. Over the years, Alexa has faced her own personal mental health challenges, and has seen others in her life struggle, too. A self-proclaimed “fighter”, Alexa is passionate about giving back to the people and causes that she loves. “I’ve always believed […]

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In honor of National Sleep Awareness Week, we asked Virginia, one of our amazing clinicians, to share strategies on how to get the best sleep to help our mental health!

How does Sleep Impact Mental Health?

In our culture of capitalism and individualism, we often celebrate individuals who sacrifice sufficient sleep in order to get the job done. Famous business leaders regularly brag about getting less than the recommended 8 hours of sleep and credit their workaholic lifestyle as to why they have been successful in their careers.

However, studies show that lack of sleep not only hurts our GDP, but exponentially worsens our emotional and behavioral health. Many mental health diagnoses list sleep disturbances as symptoms and 50-80% of patients in behavioral health settings report chronic sleep impairments, as opposed to 10-18% in the general population.

Often, the relationship between mental health and sleep is bi-directional, with depressed patients reporting insomnia and insomniacs reporting higher rates of depression. Insomniacs also report increased suicidal ideation and patients with insomnia are 2-4 times more likely to remain depressed even when the depression is treated with evidence-based clinical care. All of this can be scary to the average American adult, who 1 in 3 of us are chronically sleep deprived, per the CDC. There are simple tools and tricks one can adhere to in order to increase the likelihood of having a good night’s rest.

Best Sleep Tips & Tricks:

  1. Use your bed ONLY for sleep:

    • When we use our beds for other activities, our beds begin to symbolize sleep incongruent behaviors and we start to struggle with sleep.
  2. If you are in bed and awake for more than 10-20 minutes, get out of bed and go to another room:

    • Try doing a somewhat boring activity such as watching CSPAN/The Weather Channel/Informercials, organizing or decluttering something around the house, creating a shopping or to-do list, or reading light materials, like magazines or nonfiction books.
  3. Maintain a consistent wake time 7 days a week:

    • Sleep in no later than a half hour past your normal wake time, even on weekends.
  4. Avoid napping:

    • If you must nap, sleep for only 15-30 minutes and try to nap 7-9 hours after wake-up time.
  5. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, and chocolate

    • no less than 3 hours before bed time
  6. Do not have a clock in your bedroom that is visible from the bed:

    • This can cause counting down until wake time instead of relaxing and sleeping.
  7. Limit screen time 1 hour before bed:

    • Try reading or journaling instead of watching TV or scrolling on your phone
  8. Get regular exercise:

    • You do not need to be a body builder or marathon runner, but incorporating joyful movement into your day helps your body maintain its circadian rhythm.
  9.  Use your bed ONLY for sleep:

    • When we use our beds for other activities, our beds begin to symbolize sleep incongruent behaviors and we start to struggle with sleep.
  10. Adjust your bedroom environment:

    • You do not need to be a body builder or marathon runner, but incorporating joyful movement into your day helps your body maintain its circadian rhythm.The ideal room temperature for sleep is 65 degrees F and the darker the room, the better.
  11.  Develop a relaxing bedtime routine:

    • This looks different for everyone but having a calm, predictable routine helps signal to our brains that it is time for sleep.
  12.  Deal with your worries before bed:

    • Create a to-do list for tomorrow before bed or set a “worry timer” where you allow yourself to worry without judgment for a period of time.
  13. For  chronic pain or a physical health condition that interferes with sleep

    • talk with your doctor or specialist to develop strategies to maximize efficient sleep.
  14. Do not “try” to sleep:

    • You cannot make yourself sleep but you can set the stage for sleep to occur naturally.

If you try these tips and ideas and you are still struggling with sleep, talk with your doctor about completing a sleep study. You may have a sleep disorder that can be easily dealt with that you may not know about.

Article author: Virginia Suarez, Canvas Health School-Based Therapist

How Sleep Impacts Mental Health

In honor of National Sleep Awareness Week, we asked Virginia, one of our amazing clinicians, to share strategies on how to get the best sleep to help our mental health! How does Sleep Impact Mental Health? In our culture of capitalism and individualism, we often celebrate individuals who sacrifice sufficient sleep in order to get […]

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Lady cutting up food on table, Minnesota mental health clinics, ccbhc MinnesotaThanks to a grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services through Northeast Metro 916 Intermediate School District, Canvas Health’s school-based therapists are able to provide enhanced mental health groups in some of the school buildings. Beatrice Ajana, Canvas Health school-based therapist, recently partnered with her school’s social worker, Gaby Reeve, to start cooking classes for students at Metro Heights Academy.

All students at the school, whether or not they are actively involved in therapy, are welcome to join the cooking classes. The focus of the class is making and tasting diverse recipes. In their first class, students made a Mexican guacamole recipe. The next class is going to focus on a Nigerian meal from Beatrice’s family.

Goals of the cooking class include:

  • Create a stronger sense of community for our Metro Heights scholars
  • A nice learning break from pure academics
  • Voluntary student participation; create the menu and lessons
  • Attain new knowledge
  • Motivate diverse food choices
  • Spread lessons to household and community

All of these goals are created with the overarching goal of improving mental health. For more information on how cooking can impact mental health, see articles below:

Cooking Is the Perfect Recipe for Mental Health | Psychreg

Mental Health Benefits of Cooking Your Own Food (verywellmind.com)

Kitchen therapy: Here’s how cooking at home can help your mental health (msn.com)

 

Cooking Classes for Mental Health Improvement

Thanks to a grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services through Northeast Metro 916 Intermediate School District, Canvas Health’s school-based therapists are able to provide enhanced mental health groups in some of the school buildings. Beatrice Ajana, Canvas Health school-based therapist, recently partnered with her school’s social worker, Gaby Reeve, to start cooking classes […]

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Adult Rehabilitative Mental Health Services, ARMHS, is focused integrating community mental health and technology with ARMHS by working with persons who have serious mental illness to overcome their symptoms, to live independently at home and in the community. ARMHS Practitioners regularly meet with clients in their own spaces, allowing people to work toward their desired goals and better connect with their communities.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, insurance companies expanded covered telehealth services, adding flexibility and consistency to mental health services. Technology has enabled us to broaden the scope of ARMHS and ensure that anyone who is referred to us has equal access to the service.

Canvas Health ARMHS is certified to operate in Anoka, Washington, Hennepin, Ramsey, Chisago, Dakota, and Isanti counties. Telehealth has allowed everyone in the ARMHS program to connect across distances, breaking down the potential barriers of transportation, location, and even Minnesota weather.

Technology also connects people to their home communities, as it allows ARMHS Practitioners to work with clients to better understand what resources are available to them.

Canvas Health ARMHS Practitioners are actively working on integrating community by educating clients on the skills they can learn and resources they can access via telehealth to work on their mental health and ultimately, to live more independently. ARMHS Practitioners are willing and able to help clients to improve their technological literacy so they are able to navigate resources and form deeper connections within their community.

Who Qualifies for ARMHS?

  • Adults 18 years and older
  • Clients must be residents of Anoka, Washington, Hennepin, Ramsey, Chisago, Dakota, or Isanti counties
  • Diagnosed with mental illness for which adult rehabilitative mental health services are determined to be medically necessary by a qualified mental health professional

What insurance is accepted?

  • Medical Assistance/PMAP, or self-pay (sliding scale options available)

We provide ARMHS services as part of our community mental health certification. For questions regarding ARMHS eligibility criteria or the referral process please reach out to us!

ARMHS Providers are certified to operate on a county level within Minnesota. Canvas Health ARMHS Program is certified in Anoka, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti, Ramsey, and Washington counties. Please view our certification status here: https://mn.gov/dhs/partners-and-providers/policies-procedures/adult-mental-health/adult-rehabilitative-mental-health-services/armhs-certified-providers/

Author credits: Tara Burklund, MSW, ARMHS Supervisor & Michael Mann, MPH, ARMHS Program Administrative Coordinator

Integrating Community Mental Health & Technology with ARMHS

Adult Rehabilitative Mental Health Services, ARMHS, is focused integrating community mental health and technology with ARMHS by working with persons who have serious mental illness to overcome their symptoms, to live independently at home and in the community. ARMHS Practitioners regularly meet with clients in their own spaces, allowing people to work toward their desired […]

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Canvas Health is proud to be participating in year-round Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) work, and as a part of that effort, our agency’s Diversity Committee has compiled historical context for the month as well as some ways for individuals to honor Black History Month (February) locally, or further their own study of African American History.

Black History Month began in 1926 when historian Carter G. Woodson of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) established the second week in February as “Negro History Week.”  The second week of February was chosen because it includes the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Fredrick Douglass, who according to the ASALH are “great American symptoms of freedom.”  The ASALH further states, “However, Woodson never confined Negro History to a week. His life’s work and the mission of ASALH since its founding in 1915 represent a living testimony to the year-round and year-after-year study of African American history.”

Please consider reading more about Black History Month and the ASALH’s 2023 Theme – Black Resistance.  

Activities and Events:

Book Recommendations (consider purchasing from Black Garnet Books, a Black-owned and operated bookstore in Saint Paul):

Civil Rights Queen: Constance Baker Motley and the Struggle for Equality by Tomiko Brown-Nagin
The Desegregation of Public Libraries in the Jim Crow South: Civil Rights and Local Activism by Shirley A. Wiegand and Wayne A. Wiegand
All That She Carried: The Journey of Ashley’s Sack, a Black Family Keepsake by Tiya Miles
How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America by Clint Smith
American Sirens: The Incredible Story of the Black Men Who Became America’s First Paramedics by Kevin Hazzard
The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead
Kindred by Octavia E. Butler
Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez
Four Hundred Souls: A Community History of African America, 1619-2019 edited by Ibram X. Kendi and Keisha N. Blain
Caste: The Origins of our Discontents, by Isabel Wilkerson
You Are Your Best Thing: Vulnerability, Shame Resilience, and The Black Experience edited by Tarana Burke and Brene Brown

Rondo: Beyond the Pavement – a student-produced film and podcast presented by Saint Paul Almanac, in partnership with St. Paul Neighborhood Network and High School for Recording Arts, chronicling the history of the Rondo community of Saint Paul.

Examples of promising work being done by other organizations and the Minnesota legislature:

Saint Paul Promise Neighborhood Facebook post: The CROWN Act
Saint Paul Promise Neighborhood Facebook post: Black trailblazers in Minnesota

 

Local Opportunities to Honor & Celebrate Black History Month

Canvas Health is proud to be participating in year-round Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) work, and as a part of that effort, our agency’s Diversity Committee has compiled historical context for the month as well as some ways for individuals to honor Black History Month (February) locally, or further their own study of African American […]

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On December 2, 2022, Canvas Health and Wilder will present the 5th Annual Conference on Psychotherapy and Mental Health. Radical Healing for Racial Trauma: Applying Theory to Practice will be presented by Bryana French, PhD, LP from the University of Saint Thomas. The conference will offer up to 6.5 CEUs.

Bryana French, PhD, LP

5th Annual Conference on Psychotherapy and Mental Health

During the Radical Healing for Racial Trauma: Applying Theory to Practice conference, participants will learn to how to:

  • Explain the psychological impact of racism and signs of racial trauma.
  • Describe five components of the psychological framework of radical healing from racial trauma.
  • Identify differences between traditional coping and radical healing.
  • Apply the psychological framework of radical healing to clinical case examples.

Register for this conference here.

About the Presenter

Bryana H. French, PhD, LP, is an Associate Professor in the Graduate School of Professional Psychology within the Morrison Family College of Health at the University of St. Thomas. She graduated from the University of Illinois’ Counseling Psychology PhD program and completed an American Psychological Association (APA) Accredited pre-doctoral internship at the University of Maryland Counseling and Psychological Services Center. From there, she worked as an APA MFP Policy Fellow for SAMHSA and began her teaching career at the University of Missouri before moving back to her hometown, Minneapolis.

Her research, teaching, and community engagement focuses on racial and sexual trauma and recovery, specifically among Black, Indigenous and People of Color. Her recent first authored article from the Psychology of Radical Healing Collective, “Toward a psychological framework for radical healing in Communities of Color” published in The Counseling Psychologist (2020) is ranked in the top 5% on Altmetrics publication data with over 30,000 views and downloads in the first two years. Her research on men’s sexual victimization has been featured in several news outlets including Time, US News, and Huffington Post.

Her training interests focus on multicultural counseling development and social justice pedagogy, and she provides intersectional consultation for universities, nonprofit organizations, and corporations across the country. She also has a private practice, offering psychotherapy for adults. Dr. French has held multiple leadership roles in APA the including currently serving on the APA Council of Representative Leadership Team. Her work has been recognized with awards throughout her career, including the APA Minority Fellowship Program, APA Leadership Institute for Women in Psychology, APA Divisions 17, 35, and 45, the Minnesota Psychological Association, and the Minnesota chapter of the Association of Black Psychologists.

Register for this conference here.

Radical Healing for Racial Trauma: Applying Theory to Practice Conference

On December 2, 2022, Canvas Health and Wilder will present the 5th Annual Conference on Psychotherapy and Mental Health. Radical Healing for Racial Trauma: Applying Theory to Practice will be presented by Bryana French, PhD, LP from the University of Saint Thomas. The conference will offer up to 6.5 CEUs. 5th Annual Conference on Psychotherapy […]

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Just like humans are born with the right to be free, equal and safe, teens need to know they have rights within their romantic relationships and friendships. Healthy relationships are not a given, and as a school based therapist, I have become familiar with many examples of unhealthy – and even unsafe – relationships. Many relationships are plagued with jealousy, power, control, and manipulation.

Learn more or talk to a professional in Canvas Health’s Sexual Assault Education, Therapy, and Crisis Services.

teen talking to parent

Healthy Teen Relationships

Teenagers need supportive adults to help them learn about what a healthy relationship does and does not look like, and a conversation about this with an adult they trust can offer an alternative perspective from what they see on the internet and other forms of media.

One way to start a conversation about relationship rights is to ask the young person about what human rights are. You and the young person could even take a look at the Declaration of Human Rights put out by the United Nations. You could ask them what their thoughts are about education and health care, and whether or not they think those should be human rights. From this understanding of what human rights are, the conversation can easily shift to what rights in relationships should be.

Relationship Rights

Basic Human Rights for Self-Development is one resource that emphasizes that people in relationships have

  • “the right to choose how to spend my time”
  • “the right to not be responsible for the feelings of another”
  • “the right to make honest mistakes and admit those mistakes without being humiliated”
  • “the right to grow as a person and accept new challenges”

Which of these rights would the young person prioritize on a wish list for a relationship? Are there any rights they realize they are not being given in a current relationship?

If you or a child you know might benefit from counseling, contact you can contact Canvas Health here or call (651) 777-5222.

Supporting young people in navigating relationships can help them understand their own worth as people while also helping them figure out what their own ideas and values about relationships are. Adolescence is a time of growth and self-discovery, and learning about what healthy and fulfilling relationships are about in high school can lay the foundation for safe relationships for a lifetime.

Author: Emily Johnson, MSW LICSW, School-Based Mental Health Supervisor

Relationship Rights for Teens

Just like humans are born with the right to be free, equal and safe, teens need to know they have rights within their romantic relationships and friendships. Healthy relationships are not a given, and as a school based therapist, I have become familiar with many examples of unhealthy – and even unsafe – relationships. Many […]

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There are many factors that influence mental health, but lifestyle factors such as sleep and exercise are often overlooked. Sometimes lifestyle factors can be a quick or short term fix to help with symptoms while working through a lengthier intervention, or could be just what a young person needs for symptom relief. Being tired, hungry, or in pain can make the stress of anything else feel so much worse.

mental health therapy - therapist near me

Lifestyle and Mental Health

Here are some lifestyle factors to consider:

  • Sleep – Is the young person getting enough sleep? Do they feel rested when they wake up? Are they napping a lot throughout the day? Are they going to bed at a reasonable time? Are they sleeping too little or too much?
  • Eating – Does the young person eat three meals per day? Are they getting enough water? What does their junk food and caffeine consumption look like? Are they struggling with a low appetite or overeating? Is the young person dieting or restricting food to lose weight?
  • Physical Illness – Are there any underlying medical conditions that need to be treated with medication? If there are chronic conditions like diabetes, is the young person following their doctor’s instructions for treating them?
  • Exercise – How often does the young person move their body? What type of exercise and how long?
  • Drugs and Alcohol – Is the young person smoking, vaping, using alcohol, marijuana, or other drugs? How much and how often? Is their use impacting their ability to function, or causing them to make poor decisions they regret later?

If you or a child you know might benefit from counseling, you can contact Canvas Health here or call (651) 777-5222.

If any of these areas is a problem, guiding young people toward a manageable goal like “I am going to increase my sleep from 3-4 hours per night to 5-6 hours per night,” “I am going to take my dog for a walk 2x a week,” or “I am going to smoke marijuana one night on the weekend instead of two” is more attainable than trying to achieve perfection right away in some or all categories. Successfully achieving small goals can be baby steps towards a larger healthy lifestyle goal.

Author: Emily Johnson, MSW LICSW, School-Based Mental Health Supervisor

Lifestyle Factors that Impact Mental Health

There are many factors that influence mental health, but lifestyle factors such as sleep and exercise are often overlooked. Sometimes lifestyle factors can be a quick or short term fix to help with symptoms while working through a lengthier intervention, or could be just what a young person needs for symptom relief. Being tired, hungry, […]

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Canvas Health CEO, Khu Thao, was recently featured in the Gustavus alumni magazine about young people’s mental health. Read the Q&A below or click here for the full article.

From your perspective as a practitioner and a parent to two adolescents—how are the kids?

THAO: I would say the kids are resilient, but the kids need support to continue to be resilient and to thrive. Our kids have had to go through COVID, social unrest, war, and lots of other social changes and challenges. They survived and they thrived. Our kids are resilient, but we need to continue to provide them with the support that they need in the evolving environment that they live in.

Why is it so important for children and adolescents to receive culturally sensitive and appropriate mental health services?

THAO: It makes such a big difference, not just to the child, but for the entire family. For providers, before you can even start helping the child, you have to help the parents or guardians feel comfortable with who you are. If they don’t feel like their therapist or provider understands them, or has the capacity to invite diversity and differences, they’re not going to come for services, and seeking and accepting services is one of the biggest barriers in healthcare. As a person of color who is also a therapist, that’s been the biggest factor to success with clients, being able to be open to diversity, being flexible to different cultures. That openness opens so many doors.

How can parents, caregivers, and policy makers support kids’ mental health?

THAO: Human beings are very complex; and that’s a little bit different from being complicated. When something is complicated, it means that you don’t understand it. If it’s complicated, with time, you can understand it, and then it’s no longer complicated. But when something is complex, it means that there are many things woven together. It’s this tangled ball of yarn. Adolescence is a complex time. The best way that I can describe the support adolescents need is “allow space”—for discovery, for some of this complexity to work itself out. And, we have to listen. That’s the biggest thing—just listen. Ask them what part of that big, old, tangled ball of yarn they want to start with.

Do you feel hopeful about the future for our kids?

THAO: Even though we’ve gone through a lot, even though young people today have experienced things that we’ve never imagined and have never experienced before, there is just so much positivity with our adolescents. I need people to understand that this is our future, and they are so bright and resilient. And with some help and some support, and by listening to them, they will take us to places we’ve never imagined.

For the full article, click here for Gustavus Quarterly.

Gustavus Quarterly: Four Questions with Khu Thao

Canvas Health CEO, Khu Thao, was recently featured in the Gustavus alumni magazine about young people’s mental health. Read the Q&A below or click here for the full article. From your perspective as a practitioner and a parent to two adolescents—how are the kids? THAO: I would say the kids are resilient, but the kids […]

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