Behavioral Health Clinic

  So, you have found out that a loved one—be it a family member, partner, or roommate has received a bi-polar diagnosis. It’s expected that you may have some concerns, given how those with bi-polar diagnoses are portrayed in the media—adjectives like ‘moody’, ‘unpredictable’, and ‘unsafe’ litter different creative avenues that utilize bi-polar and other mood disorders as ‘red flags’ in a story. The truth is, living with a person who has bipolar disorder can be just as safe and manageable as living with a neurotypical person—with your understanding and support. Individuals with bipolar disorder have full capacity to lead fulfilling lives and maintain healthy relationships, and by recognizing and supporting that, you have a unique capacity to be able to help and assist that person to have a stable home to return to when facing the world’s prejudices. One common misconception is that bipolar individuals are always unpredictable and prone to violent behavior. However, this is not the c...

 You don’t have to struggle with emotional health alone. Get Started . Get the Help you Deserve Coping with emotional health or learning issues is difficult for everyone and it is important to remember that you are not alone. If you or a loved one is struggling with mental health issues, Behavioral Health Clinic is here for you. We have a number of experienced licensed psychologists and counselors ready to help you develop a get-well plan that works for you! Our mental health professionals each focus on different specialties so you can find the best fit to get the personalized care you deserve. Conditions we Address ADHD Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that can affect attention, impulsivity, memory, and other cognitive functions. Many associate ADHD with kids, but adults are also affected. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder; as such, it is impossible to “grow out of” ADHD with age. Additionally, there are many adults who re...

  WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAW) — After a perfect behavior day at school, your kids return home and let their walls down. That’s when the meltdown comes. What some parents may not know is that this is completely normal and common. “Parents are not alone, a lot of kids go home and they are acting out more there,” said Luke Severt, licensed counselor at Behavioral Health Clinic of Wausau. Learn more at https://wibehavioralhealth.com

  WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAW) — The United States withdrawal from Afghanistan may bring back past trauma for some veterans. That’s why a local licensed counselor, Luke Severt, wanted to tell them about an option for dealing with it. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing or EMDR, is a form of therapy that may be a good fit for veterans rehashing memories. If you’re interested in learning more about EMDR or scheduling an appointment contact Behavioral Health Clinic in Wausau   . Learn more at https://wibehavioralhealth.com  

  A bi-annual tradition since 1966 when the Uniform Time Act was enacted is happening this month whether we enjoy its benefits or not, changing our clocks to daylight saving time. The ritual when going to daylight saving time causes us to lose an hour of sleep, as our day will only be 23 hours long. That one hour we will lose will shift from morning to evening when daylight saving time begins. In 2007, our federal government specified that daylight saving time would apply from 2 a.m. on the second Sunday of March until 2 a.m. on the first Sunday in November. Those dates this year will be March 13th and November 6th. So how do our bodies cope with the changes in daylight saving time? Daylight saving time can affect many people, especially those who battle depression and anxiety. Other health effects from daylight saving time could even include heart attacks and increased headaches. With light changes throughout seasonal changes people have to try and adapt their schedules accordingl...

  The struggles of having an eating disorder, or a dysfunctional relationship with food is very real. In my therapeutic work with teens and adults, I have been an intimate observer, supporter, challenger, educator, advocate, and firm believer in the ability to regain a positive sense of self and true appreciation for the human body. I never cease to be excited (and relieved) when one of my clients reaches a point in their recovery when they “get and accept” themselves for who they are, as they are. When they embrace the understanding of food as fuel to sustain a healthy body, nourishment becomes an integral part of their everyday life. Certainly, in the beginning stage of recovery, it feels like a fleeting acceptance, but when nurtured, it grows into a lifestyle change. I have had the privilege of working with a wonderful young woman, Jennifer, for the past several months who wrote a beautiful story of her “Journey to Love My Body”. I have her permission to share some of what she h...

  As school begins, daylight lessens, and the weather changes, we encourage you to fall back into activities you enjoy this season. The goal is to do something enjoyable either by yourself or with your favorite humans, while enhancing your mental health. This is a challenge to you to engage in various activities that promote your wellness, especially as we begin preparing for the winter months ahead. Let’s discuss what this might look like for you. Physical wellness is focusing on your body’s wellbeing and health. This is beneficial for your mental health and helps keep you feeling well. Engaging in a physical exercise daily or at least 3–4 times per week can improve your overall mood. Be sure to choose something you enjoy. For those who love to run or go to the gym, think about switching up your routine to include things you haven’t tried yet. For those who like nature, take a walk outside, prep your garden for the winter, or rake some leaves. Try a new recipe with a fall theme in...

  Everyone can agree that we’re not in tip-top shape without a good night’s sleep. Unfortunately, it’s on trend for our population to miss out on the amount of sleep we really need to be able to function effectively during the day. It can also be difficult to differentiate these symptoms from mental health disorders in diagnostic testing. According to the CDC, approximately 35 in every 100 people in the United States report having a short-sleep duration (less than 7 hours of sleep per 24-hour period.) Additionally, those who reported sleeping less were more likely to report substance abuse and chronic health conditions-including depression, heart attack, and stroke. For mental health, there are prevalent complications that come with a lack of sleep, as well as a consistent connection between those who have mental health disorders and significant sleep disturbances. Americans in general are sleep-deprived, but chronic sleep problems affect 50–80% of patients in a typical psychiatric...

  WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAW) — Instagram implemented a “Take a break” feature on Tuesday. When scrolling too long, a break reminder pops up. “Too much of anything can be a bad thing,” said Luke Severt, licensed professional counselor at Behavioral Health Clinic in Wausau   . Severt said something many people find themselves guilty of with social media is procrastination. “You’re there all day and then suddenly you’re feeling bad because you didn’t accomplish anything,” said Severt. That’s what the new “Take a break” feature on Instagram aims to diminish. Unlike Tik Tok, which automatically gives these reminders to viewers, Instagrams’ has to be set up. Here is how to set it up. Go to your profile. Click on the three horizontal lines on the top right of the screen. Then click “your activity” and finally “set reminder to take breaks.” It will give an option of 10, 20 or 30 minutes. When you hit the scrolling limit you’ve set, a reminder that will pop up that suggests taking some deep ...

  I have worked with many individuals with chronic pain in clinics and in research studies. My father also lived with chronic pain. From my experiences with these individuals and communities and also based on what we know from the documentation in research is that a large percentage of people with chronic pain conditions, such as fibromyalgia or low back pain, experience mental health concerns such as depression. This means that the two conditions can co-occur, but we are not certain about which condition is more likely to occur first. Regardless, research has shown that the way people think and feel about chronic pain can negatively impact their emotions and stress. Conversely, being more mindful on a regular basis may help people to enjoy and live their lives well in spite of chronic pain. You might be thinking: what does being mindful on a regular basis mean exactly? Everyday mindfulness is described as a tendency to frequently focus on the present moment and to be open, curious...

  As 2021 winds down and 2022 looms, millions of people are motivated to make changes in their lives. Whether you are inspired to practice more good deeds or unleash yourself from undesired traits or practices, you are not alone. New Year’s resolutions are considered a sort of do-over from the prior year, and in many cases, the same resolution gets made year after year. How do you complete your year’s plan with the same motivation as you began? Are you ready, willing, and able? First, believe that change is possible. At the same time, realize it does not happen all at once. What is your desired outcome, and why? Is this outcome for your benefit or to make someone else happy? For example, do you want to lose weight so to be healthier and more energetic, or because you think someone will like you better if you are thinner? The motivation can set the tone for your success. Doing something for yourself, such as getting healthier, is a great way to not only achieve the goal, but build y...

  Everyone can agree that we’re not in tip-top shape without a good night’s sleep. Unfortunately, it’s on-trend for our population to miss out on the amount of sleep we really need to be able to function effectively during the day. It can also be difficult to differentiate these symptoms from mental health disorders in diagnostic testing. According to the CDC, approximately 35 in every 100 people in the United States report having a short-sleep duration (less than 7 hours of sleep per 24-hour period.) Additionally, those who reported sleeping less were more likely to report substance abuse and chronic health conditions — including depression, heart attack, and stroke. For mental health, there are prevalent complications that come with a lack of sleep, as well as a consistent connection between those who have mental health disorders and significant sleep disturbances. Americans in general are sleep-deprived, but chronic sleep problems affect 50–80% of patients in a typical psychiatr...