Blogs

February Walk with a Furry Friend

Jessica Borzansky

Feb 25, 2026

Blogs

One snowy February morning, when every part of me wanted to stay in my bed, I put my dog on a leash and stepped outside. There was no sun, the ground was covered with snow, and my to-do list for nursing school was overwhelming. But my dog did not care about my deadlines – she only cared that it was time for our walk. So, we went.

The Fear that Hinders Us

Kayla Vargas

Feb 4, 2026

Blogs

Once upon a time, there was a woman who was feared. She was kind and tender-hearted, but her childhood had been filled with misfortune. Because of this upbringing, she developed a problem—not with her lungs, eyes, or ears, but with her mind. She began to hear little voices in her head. No, not voices anyone else could hear, they only spoke to her. But when people learned about these voices, they became afraid.

Surviving Suicide Loss and Finding Hope

Dr. Claudia Robertson

Sep 10, 2025

Blogs

You matter. There is help and there is hope. If you or someone you know is considering suicide, call or text 988 immediately. Losing someone to suicide is accompanied by heartbreaking and complex forms of grief. It's not just about mourning your loved one; it often comes with feelings of confusion, guilt, anger, and deep sadness. If you’ve lost someone this way, you’re not alone—even though it can feel that way. The important thing to remember? There is hope, and healing is possible.Complex Grief

teenage girl laying on her bed on her phone

The Paradox of Parasocial Relationships

Kayla Vargas

Sep 3, 2025

Blogs

As I scroll through the Kardashians' Instagram, I often feel a tinge of jealousy. I cheer for my favorite athletes as if they can hear me. I find myself crying during movies when a main character loses their dog. And I feel a sense of outrage when a character in a book I’m reading faces an unjust ending. Why do I care so deeply about these fictional characters and celebrities I will never meet?

Viewing the World Through a Lens

Michele Gulley

Aug 19, 2025

Blogs

The way we perceive and interpret the world around us has a profound impact on our emotions and behavior. This concept is central to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which highlights the role of thoughts in shaping our actions. Interestingly, a similar principle applies to photography through a technique known as framing, where the way a subject is composed within a photo can dramatically alter its meaning.

Breastfeeding: A Boost for Mom's Mental Health

Kayla Vargas

Aug 4, 2025

Blogs

Let’s cut to the chase. You’ve likely heard about the many benefits breastfeeding offers to your newborn. But did you know that breastfeeding also provides significant mental health benefits for mothers? Being a new mom is challenging, and taking care of your mental well-being is just as important as caring for your baby. Here’s how breastfeeding can support your mental health: Reduced Stress and Anxiety:

photo of occupational therapy patients in a talking circle

The Impact of Occupational Therapy on Mental Health

Claudia Robertson, OTD, and Holly Belcher, MS, OTR/L

Jun 10, 2025

Blogs

Occupational therapy (OT) plays a vital role in promoting mental health and well-being. By focusing on the relationship between the individual, their environment, and meaningful activities, OT helps individuals experiencing mental health challenges engage in their daily lives in fulfilling ways. The therapeutic process involves helping clients increase activities of daily living performance, develop self-regulation strategies, improve social skills, and increase over-all independence.

Creativity in the Workplace

Kylie Pemberton

May 30, 2025

Blogs

You may think about creativity and ascribe it to artists, photographers, and architects. But creativity is for all people, even those who are not in “artistic” professions. Do you ever find yourself combining unusual elements in a dish for dinner, perhaps simply to use up expiring ingredients? That requires creativity. Having an eye to find the perfect item at a thrift store takes creativity. Dancing at a wedding takes creativity to move your body in unique ways. How you organize your closet takes creativity! These everyday examples highlight the regularity that creativity can have in our lives.

Prioritizing Mental Health for Transgender Individuals

Mar 31, 2025

Blogs

Transgender Day of Visibility, held annually on March 31st, recognizes the resilience and accomplishments of the transgender community. The is a day to raise awareness of unique challenges faced by the transgender and gender non-conforming community. As a mental and behavioral health research team, BH WELL is focusing on the mental health needs of transgender individuals. For many in the trans community, mental health struggles can stem from societal pressures, discrimination, and challenges in accessing affirming care.

Finding Calm Among the Tornadoes

Claudia Robertson

Feb 2, 2025

Blogs

As a student completing my clinical experiences, I often meet amazing patients who find themselves in difficult circumstances. It is as if they have come face to face with a tornado. This happens often enough that I decided to write a blog about how one might begin to see the tornado for what it is and realize that they get to choose how they will face their difficult circumstances.

Dispelling Myths: Exercise During Pregnancy

Jan 30, 2025

Blogs

Have you ever heard any of these statements? Exercise is not good for pregnant women. Women should not move much when pregnant. Exercise will make the baby come early. The baby cannot tolerate the stress of exercise. Pregnant women should not lift anything heavy...

Experiencing Grief in a Healthy Way After Losing a Parent

Claudia Robertson

Dec 19, 2024

Blogs

Losing a parent is one of the most intense, heart-wrenching experiences anyone can face. The grief that follows can feel overwhelming. Sometimes, it may be difficult to know how to navigate life without the presence of someone who played such a significant role. Grief is natural, but how we approach it can shape our healing journey. Allowing ourselves to experience grief in a healthy way is crucial for moving forward while honoring the memory of the parent we’ve lost.Understand that Grief is a Personal Journey

First Generation Student

Kayla Vargas

Aug 26, 2024

Blogs

The life of a first-generation student is a triumphant one! Hold on, before you continue. I must introduce myself. My name is Kayla Vargas. In this blog, I’ll tell you my story as a first-generation student. The life of a first-generation student is a triumphant one but sometimes it can feel isolating.

Alcoholics Anonymous: A Reflection on Peer Support and Solidarity

Meaghan Haddix

Jun 24, 2024

Blogs

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is an international fellowship that was founded in 1935. The fellowship serves individuals who are struggling or have struggled with alcohol addiction. AA operates under its main principle of mutual aid and support.

LGBTQ+ Pride Month: Questions to Ask Behavioral Health Providers

Jun 6, 2024

Blogs

As we honor LGBTQ+ Pride Month, it is important to acknowledge the health inequities experienced by the LGBTQ+ community, highlighting the importance of LGBTQ+ behavioral health which embraces both mental health and well-being. This blog explores how you can advocate for your well-being when seeking behavioral health services as an LGBTQ+ individual.

Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Dr. Kehler

Apr 8, 2024

Blogs

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This month we are provided the opportunity to listen and honor survivors in our community. It is a time to show those who have been impacted by sexual assault that they are not alone, and we hear them. It is a time to educate yourself about sexual assault and the stigma associated with these acts. It is a time to start the change in how society treats victims of sexual assault. It starts with you.

Self-Injury Awareness Month

Katie Wakeman

Apr 1, 2024

Blogs

March is designated as Self-Injury Awareness Month to highlight self-injury which is often misunderstood, not discussed, or simply suppressed. It can be difficult to understand self-injury and it is a challenging topic for many to discuss. So, we welcome you to delve deeper into this topic with us. This blog is dedicated to casting light on this misunderstood and stigmatized issue by providing insights, resources, and support for those who may be struggling with self-harm or are seeking guidance on how to help loved ones struggling with self-injury.

Therapy that Activates Joy and Healing

Feb 29, 2024

Blogs

As Recreational Therapy Month comes to an end, it is important to reflect on the many ways this therapy impacts individual well-being and wellness. Recreational therapy uses music, games, and crafts to promote healing. It focuses on mental, physical, emotional, social, and spiritual functioning by organically integrating these activities into the week. Are you still wondering, what recreational therapy is?

Social Well-Being: The Importance of Having Healthy Relationships

Claudia Robertson

Feb 14, 2024

Blogs

Ah, relationships! We love them. We hate them. We are challenged by them. So why do we need them to be well socially? Social well-being is defined as the ability to interact in a healthy way with those around us. This involves having supportive friends and family, the ability to develop deep connections, and communicate in healthy ways. Social well-being is one of the 8 dimensions of wellness.

Does End-of-Life Mental Wellness Matter?

Claudia B. Robertson

Aug 29, 2023

Blogs

Quality of Life: One’s satisfaction with life in terms of self-concept, hopes for oneself, health, functional abilities, and socioeconomic factors (American Occupational Therapy Association, 2020).

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