The Advice Corner: My teen says they’re fine, but I know they are not. How do I approach them?

Posted 7 days ago

This months’ question: If you’ve asked your teen how they are feeling and get a quick response of, “I’m fine,” it may feel like the topic is closed. You may be left wondering, is there a way to effec[...]

Resources to support parents and families in wake of the Annunciation shooting

Posted 2 weeks ago

By Angela Cowan, MSW, LICSW • Counseling Manager; and Leah Persky, PhD & CFLE • Parent Coach and Professional and Community Education Program Manager The horrific school shooting at Annunciation Cathol[...]

Social workers serve on the front lines of challenges our communities face

Posted 6 months ago

March is Social Work Month – this year’s theme is Social Work: Compassion + Action By Jill Kozberg • JFCS Mental Health and Senior Services Director Social workers have had a positive impact on so[...]

2 JFCS clinical staff participate in trip to Israel focusing on trauma response

Posted 6 months ago

Two JFCS staff members – one from Senior Services and one from Counseling – recently participated in a trip to Israel designed to create cultural connection, learning, and contribute to impactful mental hea[...]

The productivity trap

Posted 9 months ago

By Samantha Shepherd, MSW, LICSW • JFCS Therapist “There’s not enough time in the day…” “I’m so tired after work…” “I wish I had time for that…” So many folks have internalized messa[...]

Gut microbiome and mental health

Posted 11 months ago

By Samantha Shepherd, MSW, LICSW • JFCS Counselor “It’s not all in your head” Do you get that “gut” feeling when something is not right? Have you ever been told to “listen to your gut?” Turn[...]

Engaging in honest conversations about mental health and suicide helps reduce stigma

Posted 1 year ago

By Angela Cowan • JFCS Counseling Program Manager Throughout the month of September, you may notice #YouMatterMN and #StartTheConversation popping up on social media platforms. September is Suicide Preventio[...]

The mental health benefits of riding a motorcycle 

Posted 1 year ago

By Mark Kaufman, MSW, LICSW • JFCS Therapist “You never see a motorcycle parked outside a therapist’s office.”  You may be surprised to hear that riding a motorcycle has mental health benefits,[...]

Compassion – both for others and yourself – is key component on path to positive mental health

Posted 1 year ago

By Mark Kaufman, MSW, LICSW • JFCS Therapist May is Mental Health Month, and we continue to live in a world that exposes us to trauma, heartbreak, and fear. The intersectionality of anti-Semitism, Islamophob[...]

Disrupting diet culture

Posted 2 years ago

By Samantha Shepherd, MSW, LICSW • JFCS Therapist Food brings people together, gives us sustenance, plays an integral role in both secular and religious traditions, and is even seen as medicine. While food i[...]