News and Updates at River Valley BHWC

History is a window to our past. When history founded in truth, it cannot lie. River Valley would like to highlight the history of African Americans every month, not just in February. So please take some time to broaden your knowledge and remind yourself of the trials and tribulations and the celebrated resilience of African Americans. Here are "12 Ideas & Activities for Black History Month" along with a book and a documentary sharing stories of our black history.

Eating Disorders Awareness Week is a collective effort of individuals from every walk of life: folks with lived experience, family members, and friends; students, educators, and coaches; professionals, health care providers, and organizations committed to raising awareness of eating disorders. Our Eating Disorders Awareness Week Collaborators page includes ideas for sharing resources with your community and engaging in the #EDAW2023 campaign.
 

Please note, regarding "statement/balance notifications", we are requiring all of our clients to be opted into e-mail notifications if they have a opted out of text notifications. If you have communicated that that you still want a paper statement, you will still receive one. You only receive a statement notification if you have a balance. This is to minimize paper waste and the use of other resources while embracing the amazing technology we have access to.

• Everyone will be required to fill out the annual consent form.
• Most insurance plan deductibles will reset on January 1, 2023. If you are on a deductible plan you will have a balance due beyond your copay until your deductible is met.
• Your balance cannot exceed $250.
• All clients are required to have a credit card on file. If you have a balance your card will be ran on the day of your appointment. In addition, all outstanding balances are ran on the 15th and 30th of every month. Having a credit card on file will:
  • Keep balances low
  • Allow our independent contractors get paid in a consistent manner
  • Give more time to our awesome billing and administrative staff to focus in other areas ultimately making your visit a better experience

Please review the service agreement guide for more clarification:

New Team Members at River Valley BHWC

Shawn Gravelle - MEd, LPCC - STARTING IN FEBRUARY

Shawn earned his Master’s Degree in Counseling from North Dakota State University in 2004.  He has worked in a variety of settings including community mental health, Juvenile corrections and private practice. He has experience working with adults, children and adolescents who have concerns regarding their moods anxiety/stress related symptoms. He uses a person-centered approach with getting to know and understand a client's needs and applies Cognitive Behavioral Therapy/Solution Focused techniques to help educate and support therapy direction and goals....FIND OUT MORE

Broaden My Knowledge

Book of the Month:
"I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou, Foreword by Oprah Winfrey"

Here is a book as joyous and painful, as mysterious and memorable, as childhood itself. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings captures the longing of lonely children, the brute insult of bigotry, and the wonder of words that can make the world right. Maya Angelou’s debut memoir is a modern American classic beloved worldwide.

Sent by their mother to live with their devout, self-sufficient grandmother in a small Southern town, Maya and her brother, Bailey, endure the ache of abandonment and the prejudice of the local “powhitetrash.” At eight years old and back at her mother’s side in St. Louis, Maya is attacked by a man many times her age—and has to live with the consequences for a lifetime. Years later, in San Francisco, Maya learns that love for herself, the kindness of others, her own strong spirit, and the ideas of great authors (“I met and fell in love with William Shakespeare”) will allow her to be free instead of imprisoned.

Video of the Month:
"Slavery By Another Name"

Slavery by Another Name “resets” our national clock with a singular astonishing fact: Slavery in America didn’t end 150 years ago, with Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 Emancipation Proclamation. Based on Douglas A. Blackmon’s Pulitzer Prize-winning book, the film illuminates how in the years following the Civil War, insidious new forms of forced labor emerged in the American South, persisting until the onset of World War II.

After the excitement of the holidays, January and February seem to drag on a bit--at least in the northern US. Early sunsets and overcast weather can really have an effect on us. However, we can take action to counter the "winter blues" by drinking citrus juices. We all know orange juice has vitamin C but we forget some of the other nutrients found in it, such as potassium, folate, and thiamin; all of which are anti-inflammatory and contribute to our immune system. It also helps keep your skin hydrated healthy because of colorful plant pigments called carotenoids. Camille Style's Orange Juice Elixir contains a fusion of delicious juices and spices to exploit all of these benefits.

Ingredients:

1 cup Organic Orange Juice
1 lemon, juiced
1/4 cup carrot juice
3 tablespoons freshly grated ginger
2 tablespoons freshly grated turmeric
pinch black pepper
1/4 cup coconut milk
optional: pinch cayenne pepper and 2 teaspoons honey

Step 1:

Add all ingredients into blender and blend together.

Step 2:

Simmer on the stove for 5 minutes.

Enjoy!