“The beautiful thing about learning is nobody can take it away from you”
-BB King

News and Updates at River Valley BHWC

Coming in 2026: New Client Portal & EHR Upgrade

We’re excited to announce that beginning in the new year, River Valley will be upgrading to ProsperityEHR for all electronic health record (EHR) and client portal services.

More information will be shared soon about the new features and enhancements coming with this system. One key update to note now is that telehealth appointments will transition from your provider’s current platform, Doxy, to Prosperity’s integrated Zoom Health feature.

Once the upgrade is complete, you’ll be able to access your telehealth appointments directly through your client portal.

Stay tuned for more details on this exciting update and the simple steps to continue your telehealth visits with your River Valley provider!

New Team Members at River Valley

KATY MCGUIRE, LPCC 

LOCATION(S):  NORTHFIELD

AGES SEEN: 12+

Katy is a licensed professional clinical counselor (LPCC) and mental health therapist who works with adolescents, young adults, and adults in an individual setting. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Nutrition at the College of Saint Benedict in 2019, her Masters of Psychology degree at Arizona State University in 2021, and completed her license credit requirements at Saint Mary’s University in 2025. She has a background in working with group therapy programs, individual outpatient therapy, and supporting young adults with eating disorders and children with autism....find out more

Broaden My Knowledge

Book of the Month: "10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People: A Groundbreaking Approach to Leading the Next Generation―And Making Your Own Life Easier" by David Yeager

In 10 to 25, David Yeager explains the emerging science of adolescent and young adult brains to reveal how we can engage, teach and support the young people in our lives. Neuroscientists have discovered that around age ten, changes in the brain spur young people to crave socially rewarding experiences, such as pride, admiration, and respect, and to become highly averse to social pain. This sensitivity to status and respect continues into the mid-twenties. 10 to 25 helps adults to use this science to learn how to encourage young people and avoid frustrating patterns of miscommunication and conflict.

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Video of the Month: "Dark Days"

For years, a homeless community took root in a train tunnel beneath New York City, braving dangerous conditions and perpetual night. Dark Days explores this surprisingly domestic subterranean world, unearthing a way of life unimaginable to those above. Through stories simultaneously heartbreaking, hilarious, intimate, and off the cuff, tunnel dwellers reveal their reasons for taking refuge and their struggle to survive underground. Filmed in striking black and white with a crew comprised of the tunnel’s inhabitants and scored by legendary turntablist DJ Shadow (Endtroducing…), Dark Days remains a soulful and enduring document of life on the fringe.

As the days grow shorter in November, nourishing your body with seasonal, nutrient-rich foods can have a powerful impact on your mood and mental clarity. This Roasted Chickpea Salad with Kale and Walnuts is more than just a comforting dish—it’s a thoughtful recipe designed to support mental well-being. Packed with fiber, plant-based protein, and healthy fats, it helps stabilize energy and blood sugar levels, which play a key role in regulating mood. Ingredients like chickpeas and kale provide magnesium and B vitamins to ease anxiety and promote relaxation, while walnuts offer omega-3 fatty acids known to support brain function and reduce symptoms of depression. Together, these elements nourish the gut-brain connection, making this salad a grounding, feel-good choice for both body and mind.
 

Ingredients:

• 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 1 bunch of kale, stems removed, chopped
• 1/2 cup walnuts, roughly chopped (excellent source of omega-3s)
• 1/4 cup pepitas (pumpkin seeds, rich in magnesium)
• 1/3 cup dried cranberries (optional, for a touch of sweetness and
• brightness)
• Pomegranate Arils
• 2 tbsp olive oil (for roasting chickpeas)
• Spices: 1 tsp turmeric, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to
• taste
• Dressing:
  • 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
  • 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
  • Salt and pepper to taste

1. Roast the Chickpeas: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat the chickpeas dry with a towel. Toss them with 2 tbsp olive oil, turmeric, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes, or until crispy.
2. Prepare the Kale: In a large bowl, add the chopped kale. Drizzle with a little olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice, and massage with your hands for 2-3 minutes until tender.
3. Mix the Salad: Add the roasted chickpeas, walnuts, pepitas, pomegranate arils, and dried cranberries to the massaged kale.
4. Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients until well combined.
5. Assemble: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well to coat everything evenly. Serve immediately.

Be sure to utilize all the techniques and recipes from our previous newsletters in the "Cue to Be Well" archive: