Insights for the Helpers
Love, Kindness, and the Work You Do
As behavioral health clinicians, you dedicate your lives to helping others navigate their challenges, build resilience, and move toward healing. While clinical expertise, evidence-based practices, and professional boundaries are essential in your work, there is…
6 Tips for Experienced Clinicians in Private Practice
When you first set out on your private practice journey, you likely relied on various resources to guide you through business ownership and how to practice independently. Though the initial stages were daunting, you managed…
Is It SUD, Substance Induced Disorder, or Co-Occurring Disorder? | Virtual Training
Presented By: Mary-K O’Sullivan, LMFT, LADC, LPC Friday, March 7, 2025 8:30am – 1pm EST Presentation Information: As more varied information is found through ongoing research in the psychology of change, brain maturation, and brain…
Navigating Isolation in Private Practice: Strategies for Connection and Collaboration
Private practice offers clinicians a unique set of opportunities and challenges. Among these challenges is the potential for isolation—a common experience for many practitioners working solo. Collaboration and avoiding isolation are so important to the…
Shifting Your Mindset into the New Year
As the new year unfolds, it’s a golden opportunity to examine and redefine how we speak to ourselves. Shaking off the old patterns and stepping into a new frame of thought can truly set the…
When is the Best Time to Year to Start My Private Practice?
It goes without saying: starting or returning to private practice in the behavioral health space is a significant decision that requires careful consideration. One of the big questions you may be asking yourself is, “When…
Embracing Telehealth in Your Practice with Health Affiliates Maine
Over the years, telehealth has emerged as a crucial service model, transforming the way we think about and deliver mental health and substance use services. It offers unparalleled access, privacy, and convenience to clients who…
Navigating Liability Insurance in Private Practice
Running a private practice as a clinician can be an exciting and fulfilling venture. It allows you to make a meaningful impact on the lives of your clients while experiencing freedom and autonomy. However, with…
Who’s in the Room? You, Your Client, and AI in 2024 | Virtual Training
Presented By: John Yasenchak, Ed.D., LCPC, LADC Friday, September 13, 2024 8:30am – 3:30pm EDT Presentation Information: This will be a six-hour presentation in which participants will explore how technological advances in artificial intelligence, algorithmic…
The Top Tech Items to Purchase for Your Private Practice
Running a private practice in 2024 demands leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance efficiency, organization, and client care. Embracing the latest tech tools ensures your practice stays ahead of the curve, providing seamless and modern services….
Considerations for Your Transition to Private Practice
When thinking about starting your own private practice, moments of excitement and eagerness may quickly be followed by clouds of doubt. You’re not alone in feeling a bit confused or on edge about this big…
Stepping Away Without Stepping Back: A Guide for Preparing for Out-of-Office Time
As a behavioral health professional, just the idea of taking time off may elevate your heart rate. Whether it’s concerns about client care continuity or ensuring the administrative aspects remain in order, it can be…
Time Management Mastery: Essential Strategies for Private Therapy Practice Owners
Feeling submerged under an ever-growing pile of administrative tasks, client sessions, and the constant pressure to balance work with personal life? You’re not alone. Running a private therapy practice brings with it a unique set…
Cultivating Connection: Questions Every Therapist Should Address in Their Online Profile
Many behavioral health professionals are so focused on caring for their clients that they don’t even consider creating a professional profile. They often don’t realize that it’s an important tool for growing their practice. We…
Empowering Your Professional Identity: The Importance of Online Profiles
In our digital-first society, behavioral health professionals should not overlook the importance of their online identities. At Health Affiliates Maine (HAM), we encourage our affiliated clinicians to use the web as a platform to reflect…
Nurturing the Self: Unveiling the Distinction Between Self-Love and Self-Care for Therapists in Private Practice
We can never say this enough: as a therapist in private practice, your dedication to supporting others on their journey toward wellness is remarkable. We at HAM could not be more appreciative of the work…
The Importance of Initial Client Screening in Private Practice
Our series, Managing Your Private Practice, examines how to successfully run your private practice as a behavioral health clinician. Essential to any therapy practice is a clear process for screening new clients. As clinicians, we…
Managing Your Private Practice: Establishing Professional Boundaries with Clients
Our blog series, Managing Your Private Practice, examines how to successfully run your private practice as a behavioral health clinician. Essential to any therapy practice is establishing clear, ethical boundaries with your clients, including how…
Managing Your Private Practice: Finding the Right Office Space
As a therapist, you know that finding the right office space for your private practice is critically important. Your office location can be crucial to attracting and retaining clients and to your quality of life—after…
Health Affiliates Maine named 2023 Agency of the Year
By the National Association of Social Workers Maine Chapter Health Affiliates Maine is proud to have been selected by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Maine Chapter as the 2023 agency of the year….
The Smallest Steps Can Lead You to a Happier Life
Making a tiny change each day and seeing an improvement can help move us out of what psychologist Martin Seligman—University of Pennsylvania professor, past president of the American Psychological Association, and best-selling author—calls “learned helplessness”…
Managing Your Private Practice: Finances
In this blog series, Managing Your Private Practice, we explore how to successfully run your private practice as a mental health professional. We started the series by looking at how to market your private practice and…
How to Navigate Parenting and Your Career as a Therapist
Back-to-school time is a time of transition. Schedules shift, kids are returning to classrooms, and as a working parent, you may be pivoting from more caregiving to more professional time. How can you navigate that…
Treating the Anxiety Epidemic in Children and Adolescents
In this webinar, participants will learn how anxiety develops and acquire practical treatment strategies that can be applied immediately. Friday, September 22, 2023 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM EDT About the Training Anxiety disorders are…
Managing Your Private Practice: Writing Policies
In this blog series, “Managing Your Private Practice,” we look at how to successfully run your private practice as a mental health professional. We started the series with a dive into how to market your…
How Gender Norms Affect Men’s Mental Health
In honor of National Men’s Health Month in June, we’re taking a closer look at how traditional gender norms negatively affect men’s mental health in the United States and especially in Maine—a phenomenon that, as…
Managing Your Private Practice: Marketing
In this new series, “Managing Your Private Practice,” we’ll look at various things you can do to keep your private mental health practice thriving. Topics will include marketing and business skills, finances and taxes, writing…
Coming Out of the Pandemic: From Surviving to Thriving, Part 2
On the COVID-19 pandemic’s third anniversary, we’re pausing to honor the 6.6 million lives lost, reflect on the profound experience this disease has had on us as survivors, and look for meaningful paths forward. In…
Coming Out of the Pandemic: From Surviving to Thriving, Part 1
As we approach the third anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic and are hopefully transitioning to an endemic phase, we’re pausing to honor the 6.6 million lives lost, reflect on the profound experience this disease has…
More Effective Time Management
For independently licensed mental health professionals who own their practices, time management is an essential skill. You are juggling your caseload, your schedule, attentive care to your clients, and running your own business. Not to…
Resolutions, Goals, and Setting Yourself up for Success
As Americans, we like to think of ourselves as rugged individualists, self-sufficient and driven to succeed. So, it’s no surprise that when it comes to our New Year’s resolutions or other big goals, we rely…
How to Tackle Your To-Do List and Maintain Your Well-Being
With the winter holidays upon us, we may feel the additional pressure to go, go, go: making holiday cookies, selecting gifts, getting twinkly lights up, seeing family and friends—all on top of our everyday lives,…
Trauma-Specific Self-Care: Part 2
We know that self-care is important for everyone. But how do you practice self-compassion and personal wellness when you have been through trauma or are trying to help someone through a traumatic life event? In…
Ethics and Risk Management Challenges in Behavioral Health
This webinar will provide participants with an overview and in-depth examination of compelling ethical challenges in behavioral health. Thu, November 10, 2022 Wed, November 30, 2022 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM EST Refund Policy No…
Trauma-Specific Self-Care: Part 1
Self-care is important for everyone. But how do you practice self-care and self-compassion when you have been through or are currently experiencing a traumatic life event? In this first of a two-part series on trauma-specific…
How Do I Help Students Concerned about School Violence?
As summer comes to a close, parents and students across America start preparing to head back to school. Some students understandably have anxiety about returning to the classroom in light of the school shooting in…
How to Identify and Treat Summer Depression
Summertime… and the living isn’t easy for everyone. Depression in the summer is more common than you might guess. While many equate summer with school vacation, outdoor camps, water fun, and blooming gardens, others can…
Best Practices for Treating Clients with Co-occurring Disorders
We explore the common co-occurrence of mental health and substance use conditions in this six-hour training for clinicians. Fri, September 16, 2022 Fri, September 30, 2022 9:00 AM – 4:15 PM EDT About this event…
Together for Mental Health
More than 52 million American adults—or one in five—live with a mental health issue. Despite its prevalence, we hold an unhealthy stigma of mental illness. As a result, some individuals who live with mental health…
Restore Your Mental Health: Forest Bathing in Maine
You’re in the middle of a forest on a beautiful day in Maine. Sunshine peeks through the leaves and scatters in fascinating, eye-catching patterns on the moss-covered ground, soft under your feet. You breathe in…
Psychological Flexibility: Flexing Your Thinking to Improve Your Wellbeing
Many things happen in our lives that we cannot control or predict. Unexpected, large-scale traumatic events like the COVID-19 pandemic and the invasion of Ukraine can be sources of stress, as can daily life stressors,…
Motivational Interviewing for Substance Use Treatment
As a compassionate behavioral and mental health care provider, you incorporate many modalities to treat your clients. For those clients seeking recovery from addiction or substance use, one lesser-known, relatively new model is Motivational Interviewing…
Moral Injury Part Two: Self-care Strategies for Clinicians (and their clients)
In a previous blog, Moral Injury Part One, we discussed the differences between workplace burnout and moral injury. While often used interchangeably, the two are markedly different and require a differing approach to addressing and…
Moral Injury Part One: Are You Experiencing Burnout or Moral Injury?
Your mental and emotional health directly affects your ability to provide quality care to your clients. Healthcare professionals in various industries—and mostly due to factors of the coronavirus pandemic—are feeling guilt, shame and exhaustion, all…
One-day Virtual Training Opportunity: March 14 and March 25, 2022
Parts & People: An Overview of the Internal Family Systems Model Presented by HAM affiliate Karen Hardy, LCPC, CADC Six CEUs (contact hours) Monday, March 14 Friday, March 25 8:30 am – 4:00 pm About This Training: An evidence-based…
New Year, New Experiences: Are You Ready for Private Practice?
Thinking about opening your own private practice? Way to go! Health Affiliates Maine is proud to help behavioral health professionals as they venture into entrepreneurship, making that potentially overwhelming experience a little easier to navigate….
MHRT/C Domain 3: Ethics & Professional Conduct
This class meets the requirements for Domain 3, Ethics & Professional Conduct, of the Maine MHRT/Community curriculum. About this event Tickets This class meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00am-12:15pm from February 1 to March…
Maintaining your Mental Health during the Holidays
The holidays can be a time of perpetual joy, faith and connection. However, there are many ways our mental health can worsen during this time. There’s the stress of buying gifts and attending family gatherings….
Private Practice: Creating a Community of Colleagues
Running your own practice allows you to determine your caseload, clients, and your schedule so that your business aligns with your principles. However, if you’ve had your private practice for a while (or even if…
New Training Opportunity: Imagining Our Ethical Future in the Helping Profession
Presented by John Yasenchak, Ed.D. Friday, November 5, 2021 or Friday, November 19, 2021 8:30am-4:00pm About This Training There is no doubt that the pandemic has pushed helping professionals toward new levels of technological competence….
Ask the Experts: How Do I Remain Calm When My Littles Don’t Listen?
This article originally appeared in Macaroni Kid on October 1, 2021, by Mary Gagnon, LMFT, and Clinical Development and Training Specialist for Health Affiliates Maine. Question: I have three children ages 4, 3, and 6 months….
5 Ways to Prioritize Time Management into Your Practice
We know that your time is important to you, but are you using it to your advantage? When running your own practice, it’s easy to let time—and your ability to leverage it—get the better of…
What Does it Meant to Be in Recovery?
An estimated 22 million Americans among every gender, race, and social class are currently in recovery. For those in recovery, it is not a one-size-fits-all situation but one completely unique to one’s life experiences and…
Ask the Experts: Navigating 13 year olds, boundaries, and support
This article originally appeared in Macaroni Kid on September 3, 2021, by Cindy Mailhot, LCSW, CCS, Assistant Director of the Outpatient Therapy Program, Health Affiliates Maine. Question: My 13-year-old is struggling with mental health and starting…
3 Benefits Telehealth Provides Your Practice and Patients
As a nation and throughout Maine communities, there is an ever-increasing need for mental health services. To continue providing quality care during the pandemic, many clinicians, agencies, and mental health workers quickly pivoted from their…
Ask The Experts: Family Troubles and How to Handle Difficulties!
This article originally appeared in Macaroni Kid on August 15, 2021, by Marylena Chaisson, LCPC, Case Management Supervisor, Health Affiliates Maine. Question: My sister is six years older than me. Growing up, she was responsible…
New Training Opportunity: MHRT/C Domain 1 – Behavioral, Psychological and Rehabilitation Intervention Methods
This class meets the requirements for Domain 1, Behavioral, Psychological and Rehabilitation Intervention Models of the Maine MHRT/Community curriculum. Tickets: $300 Location: Online Event Presented By: Mary Gagnon, LMFT Registration: Register Online Refund Policy: Refunds…
Ask the Experts: What Questions to Ask When Looking For A Counselor
This article originally appeared in Macaroni Kid on July 1, 2021, by Lindsay McKeen, LCSW, CCS, Outpatient Therapy Supervisor, Health Affiliates Maine. Question: My husband and I divorced last year and while initially our daughter…
5 Ways to Find Joy and Live a Longer Life
Discovering life’s joyful moments fuels our creativity, our purpose, and our overall wellbeing. Although it can be challenging to allow ourselves to truly appreciate what brings us joy daily, it’s well worth the effort as…
Ask the Experts: Transition for College Kiddo with High Anxiety
This article originally appeared in Macaroni Kid on June 10, 2021, by Marylena Chaisson, LCPC, Case Management Clinical Supervisor, Health Affiliates Maine. Question: My son is a senior and will be going out of state…
9 Ways to Maintain Your Mental Health
Mental health can and should be a daily practice, taken into consideration more often than “when something is wrong” or when going through a particularly difficult time. Taking care of your mental health is a…
Why mental health professionals should be practicing self-care and how to start
As mental health professionals, you may suggest the importance of self-care to your clients, but do you have a difficult time implementing a practice in your own life? During the last year specifically there’s been…
Ask the Experts: Feeling Safe in School
This article originally appeared in Macaroni Kid on May 13, 2021, by Cindy Mailhot, LCPC, LADC, CCS; Health Affiliates Maine. Question: My daughter was touched sexually without consent by a classmate last year. She has…
Ask the Experts: Mom’s Concern—My 17-year-old Son Smokes Marijuana
This article originally appeared in Macaroni Kid on April 29, 2021, by Luanne Starr Rhoades, LCPC, LADC, CCS; Health Affiliates Maine. Question: I recently found out my 17-year-old is smoking marijuana. He said he does…
Do I Have a Problem with Alcohol?
If you are asking this question, you are probably not alone. In fact, 18 million Americans struggle with misusing alcohol or with the symptoms of Alcohol Use Disorders (AUD). If you feel as though your…
Ask The Experts: Fed Up with Mother-in-Law
This article originally appeared in Macaroni Kid on March 25, 2021, by Luanne Starr Rhoades, LCPC, LADC, CCS; Health Affiliates Maine. Question: I am absolutely fed up with my mother-in-law. She has spent pretty much…
Ask the Experts: Teen Son Battles Depression
This article originally appeared in Macaroni Kid on February 23, 2021, by Luanne Starr Rhoades, LCPC, LADC, CCS; Health Affiliates Maine. Question: My son has battled depression and anxiety since late elementary school. He is…
Is Bipolar Disorder More than Mood Swings?
Bipolar disorder is thought to be a rare condition consisting of “mood swings” but it’s much more common and complex than that. Bipolar disorder affects 60 million people worldwide and approximately 5.7 million Americans. Of…
Can Self-Reflection Help My Mental Health?
Are you feeling busy, distracted and exhausted? Even after the emotionally overwhelming year we’ve all just experienced, we haven’t slowed down and taken time for ourselves. Further, our society doesn’t value the practice of introspection,…
Ask the Experts: COVID-19 Isolation
This article originally appeared in Macaroni Kid on January 20, 2021, by Luanne Starr Rhoades, LCPC, LADC, CCS; Health Affiliates Maine. Question: I am a new mom and COVID has been very difficult. My husband works…
Working Successfully with Personality Disorders in Therapy
Deepen your knowledge of personality disorders with this one-day virtual training. We’ll discuss diagnosis, myths, biases, tools, and more. Tickets: $0-$59 Location: Online Event Presented By: Katelyn Baxter-Musser, LCSW, CDBT, Certified in EMDR Register Online:…
New Year, New Mindset
Have you found yourself at the beginning of a new year with good intentions and hefty resolutions, but ended up falling off track? We’ve all been there! Although it can seem discouraging, it is possible…
Ask the Experts: Mom Seeks Help Preparing for Children’s Questions
This article originally appeared in Macaroni Kid on December 17, 2020, by Luanne Starr Rhoades, LCPC, LADC, CCS; Health Affiliates Maine. Question: I am a bi-sexual woman married to a woman. My daughter will be starting…
Ask the Experts: Parents Differ Over Dog
This article originally appeared in Macaroni Kid on October 21, 2020, by Luanne Starr Rhoades, LCPC, LADC, CCS; Health Affiliates Maine. Question: My son is 11 and has some significant behavioral issues including outbursts of…
BHH Provider Profile: Julie Potter, Family Peer Support Specialist
Q: Why do you do this work? A: I do this work because I wish I had had someone who helped me when my child was young. It is hard to parent a child who…
BHH Provider Profile: Deb Mason, Nurse Care Manager
Q: Why do you do this work? A: I like that there is more of an overall wellness focus in this role and that treatment is focused on the whole person. I like that this…
BHH Provider Profile: Carly Mahaffey, Adult Peer Support Specialist
Q: Why do you do this work? A: I like doing peer support and I’m good at it. I like that you can just connect with people as people and you don’t have to worry…
MHRT/C Domain 3: Ethics & Professional Conduct
This class meets the requirements for Domain 3, Ethics & Professional Conduct, of the Maine MHRT/Community curriculum. Tickets: $275 Location: Online Event Presented By: Marylena Chaisson, LCSW & Mary Gagnon, LMFT Registration: Register Online Refund…
How Does Having Gratitude Affect my Wellbeing?
We hear a lot about gratitude and its effects but what does it really mean and how can it help us? Gratitude is showing appreciation for what we have and the goodness in our lives….
Ask the Experts: Help Needed for Grandparent Connection During COVID 19
This article originally appeared in Macaroni Kid on October 21, 2020, by Luanne Starr Rhoades, LCPC, LADC, CCS; Health Affiliates Maine Question: My parents live nearby but we have not seen them much in the…
The Ethics of Caring | Presented by Stephen R. Andrew, LCSW, LADC, CCS, CGP
This workshop is designed to help mental health and substance abuse providers explore common ethical decision-making situations. November 12 | November 18, 2020 10:00 AM – 2:30 PM EST About the Training For today’s provider,…
Ask the Experts: School Challenges Mom and Kids
This article originally appeared in Macaroni Kid on September 16, 2020, by Luanne Starr Rhoades, LCPC, LADC, CCS; Health Affiliates Maine Question: My kids suffered greatly when their schools went remote last spring due to COVID-19….
What is Resilience and How Does Having it Help Me?
Mental and emotional resilience takes continuous practice. It’s a commitment to yourself that you will always show up and do the hard work. Being mentally healthy and resilient will allow you to feel more confident,…
Happy 10 Year Anniversary, Health Affiliates Maine!
Our affiliates and staff are the heart of Health Affiliates Maine. Over the last ten years we’ve changed, grown and overcome challenges, because we are—and continue to be—deeply committed to ending the stigma surrounding mental…
Supporting Clients with Eating Disorders | Presented by Sarah Carnahan, MA, MSW, LCSW
Diagnosis, Assessment, and Treatment A day-long virtual training for mental health professionals September 14 | September 18 | September 21, 2020 8:30 am – 4:00 pm About the Training This interactive virtual training will help…
Is Social Media Affecting our Mental Health?
Social media was created for a sense of community—and now, more than ever, we all need interaction with other humans, even if it is over the internet. Through social media, we are able to find…
How to Create Personal Boundaries to Improve Mental Health
What are boundaries? There are two types of boundaries that you should create for yourself: external and internal. External boundaries are guidelines that determine how you allow others to behave towards you. Internal boundaries maintain…
Tough Times, Tough Talk—What to Do When Kids Overhear
This article originally appeared in Macaroni Kid on May 21, 2020, by Luanne Starr Rhoades, LCPC, LADC, CCS; Health Affiliates Maine Question: Our 11-year old daughter overheard my husband and I discussing finances and is…
Teen is Depressed and Disrupted. How Do I Approach Him?
This article originally appeared in Macaroni Kid on June 15, 2020, by Luanne Starr Rhoades, LCPC, LADC, CCS; Health Affiliates Maine. Question: My 19-year-old just finished his first year in college–remotely most of this last…
What is PTSD?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is caused by experiencing or witnessing an event such as an injury, death, war or combat, natural disaster, abuse or assault. Trauma is not rare—it’s estimated that 70% of Americans of…
Coronavirus Uncertainty: Kids and Mom Struggle with Not Knowing
This article originally appeared in Macaroni Kid on May 21, 2020, by Luanne Starr Rhoades, LCPC, LADC, CCS; Health Affiliates Maine Question: Phew. I am having a hard enough time getting through remote schooling with…
Sage Advice for Your Day
This article originally appeared in Macaroni Kid on May 14th, 2020 by Luanne Starr Rhoades, LCPC, LADC, CCS; Health Affiliates Maine “Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could….
How Routine Could Save Your Mental Health
Studies have shown that a daily routine alleviates feelings of stress, anxiety and other mental health issues. It’s also proven beneficial for those working through addiction, insomnia, and helps give structure to children who may…
Coronavirus Tip From Parents: Keeping Kids Secure is Key
This article originally appeared in Macaroni Kid on April 27th, 2020 by Luanne Starr Rhoades, LCPC, LADC, CCS; Health Affiliates Maine We don’t like things that are not clear and understandable. We don’t like feeling…
Changing Your Mindset in Self Isolation
In recent weeks, we’ve all seen changes in our daily lives: our routines, our social connections, and our sense of safety and security. It can be easy—and normal—to find yourself dwelling on the negative. However,…
Parents Need Self Care Strategies for Stress
This article originally appeared in Macaroni Kid on March 26th, 2020 by Luanne Starr Rhoades, LCPC, LADC, CCS; Health Affiliates Maine This is indeed a really strange time—not going to work, having the kids and…
Minimizing Stress During The Covid-19 Pandemic
Now, more than ever, it’s important to be aware of your mental health. Rather than letting anxiety, stress or negativity overwhelm you, it’s best to stay present and minimize stress as much as possible. There…
Event Postponed
All three Working Successfully with Personality Disorders in Therapy events have been postponed. Dear Attendees, Due to our first presumptive case of COVID-19 in Maine and recommendations to postpone large gatherings, at this time we…
Husband’s Gambling is Not a Game
This article originally appeared in Macaroni Kid on Februaury 11th, 2020 by Luanne Starr Rhoades, LCPC, LADC, CCS; Health Affiliates Maine Question: I believe my husband may have a gambling problem. What started as a…
Mom Feels Unsafe with Angry Teen
This article originally appeared in Macaroni Kid on January 9th, 2020 by Luanne Starr Rhoades, LCPC, LADC, CCS; Health Affiliates Maine Question: I am a single mom to two kids. My oldest son is 16…
Working Successfully with Personality Disorders in Therapy
Dear Attendees, Due to our first presumptive case of COVID-19 in Maine and recommendations to postpone large gatherings, at this time we are POSTPONING all three of our “Working Successfully with Personality Disorders in Therapy”…
A warm HAM welcome to our new clinical supervisors!
Jay Burrows, LCPC, LADC, CCS Jay Burrows is a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Licensed Alcohol Drug Counselor and Certified Clinical Supervisor. In addition to providing counseling services to clients, Jay assists his colleagues and helps…
How to Market a Private Practice
5 easy steps to start doing now The new year is a great time to ramp up marketing efforts to grow your private practice. You and your clients know that you’re a wonderfully skilled and…
What Is All the Hype About Behavioral Health Homes?
Studies have shown that adults with severe mental illness have a shorter lifespan than adults without a diagnosis by an average of 25 years. Additionally, 68% of adults with a mental health diagnosis have at…
Soon “Empty Nest” Has Dad Sad
Our youngest child is a senior in high school and I am looking at a future empty nest with a heavy heart. My wife is the opposite and talking about our retirement years and being…
Beyond Baby Blues: Sister is Worried About Sister
My sister had a baby two months ago and I am concerned she may have postpartum depression.
The Emotional Ripple Effect of Someone’s Suicide
I have a tough subject to talk with you about: the extreme and extensive impact of a loved one’s suicide.
HAM wins the NAMI Maine Outstanding Partner Agency
This weekend Andrea Krebs, Executive Director and Kate Marble, Case Management Program Director from Health Affiliates Maine proudly accepted the NAMI Maine Outstanding Partner Agency award on HAMs behalf. HAM is dedicated to working toward…
Teen’s Mood Has Mom Confused
How do you tell the difference between teenage moodiness and depression?
Ethics, Decision Making, and Our Professional Commitment to Social Justice
Training events from late November to early December in Orono, Falmouth & Lewiston.
Mom Seeks Alternatives to ADHD Meds
My son is 7 years-old and his teacher recently suggested that he may have ADHD. He is very active and sometimes distracted. I’m very hesitant to ask his doctor about it though because I do…
Divorced Dad Has Disinterested Kids
I am a divorced dad and don’t see my teenage children as much as I would like due to my work requiring significant travel. We’ve grown apart a lot in recent months and now even…
Mid-Life Mom Wants to Fight Fatigue
I am a “mid-life” mom to three kids. I work outside the home. I have recently experienced a lot of fatigue in the afternoons. I find myself reaching for sweets or caffeine (or both) to…
Reconnecting with Friends Divided by Divorce
I divorced my ex almost two years ago. We had quite a few couple friends and initially I was able to maintain being friends with our couple friends but it got harder and I would…
Mom Misses Friends
I have trouble making mom friends. I am fairly shy and not comfortable approaching people. I have brought my kids to a lot of Macaroni Kid suggested events but can never work up the nerve…
Special Needs Child Means Marriage Has Special Needs
I am a married mom of a child with significant special needs. My husband and I have been struggling a lot lately because we both work full-time jobs and then spend most of our free…
Struggling with Sexual Identity
My husband and I suspect our daughter (age 15) is a lesbian. Is it best for us to broach the subject with her or best to wait until she is ready to talk with us?
Teen Suicide: It’s Not Just Drama
Adolescence is a time of change, change that is often frightening and confusing for teens. Their bodies are changing. Their minds, too, are changing, but they are not yet ready for all of the decisions…
Cold Dark Season Has Reader Depressed
Winter is here and it is a difficult time for me. Between the cold, the dark, and the lack of outdoor time, I get really depressed. I know about SAD and have tried light therapy….
Health Scare Calls for Self Care
I recently had a health scare. While I am okay, my doctor has urged me to take better care of myself, in particular, carving out time for reducing stress…
How Do I Feel Better? Recovery After Complex Traumatic Stress, Violence & Abuse | Presented by Julie Colpitts, LCSW. 6 Contact Hours
Clients come to us to heal from complex traumatic stress and the associated health, substance, mental health and social problems…
Mom Is Uncomfortable with Dad’s Honesty
My husband tends to tell our kids way more information than I am comfortable sharing. For instance, he will discuss with them his holiday bonus and how it’s because he works so hard that we…
Past “Baggage” Brings Parenting Problem
This article originally appeared in Macaroni Kid on November 26, 2018 by Luanne Starr Rhoades, LCPC, LADC, CCS; Health Affiliates Maine Question: My relationship with my brother growing up was pretty toxic. While it has…
Teen Attitudes: How to Know When Moodiness Might Be a Bigger Issue
Parents of teens understand there is a certain degree of moodiness that comes with the age. After all, it is a perfectly normal developmental stage for teens to grow away from their parents and want…
“Exciting and Scary” New Marriage Comes with Kids
This article originally appeared in Macaroni Kid on October 25, 2018 by Luanne Starr Rhoades, LCPC, LADC, CCS; Health Affiliates Maine Question: Just found Macaroni Kid through a friend and am so excited for this…
ETHICS & THE LAW | A Primer for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Clinicians
Presented by: Jeri Stevens, PhD., LCPC and Steven Johnson, MA, JD. 6 Contact Hours BangorMon, November 5, 2018 from 8:00am – 4:30pm Spectacular Event Center 395 Griffin Road Bangor, ME Register LewistonFri, November 9, 2018…
Four-Year-Old’s Battles Have Mom Rattled
This article originally appeared in Macaroni Kid on September 13, 2018 by Luanne Starr Rhoades, LCPC, LADC, CCS; Health Affiliates Maine Question: Everything with my four-year-old is a battle. From brushing teeth to getting dressed,…
Teacher-Mom Wants Back-to-School Help
This article originally appeared in Macaroni Kid on August 22, 2018 by Luanne Starr Rhoades, LCPC, LADC, CCS; Health Affiliates Maine Question: The transition from summer to back-to-school is always a difficult one in our…
Introduction to DBT Skills: A Two-Day Training | Monday, September 24 and Tuesday, September 25, 2018 8:00am – 4:00pm each day
Get Tickets Hilton Garden Inn Freeport Downtown 5 Park Street Freeport, ME 04032 About the Program Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a treatment developed by Marsha Linehan, Ph.D., In this program, DBT skills for adults…
Siblings as Strangers
This article originally appeared in Macaroni Kid on July 16, 2018 by Luanne Starr Rhoades, LCPC, LADC, CCS; Health Affiliates Maine QUESTION: We have two children 7 years apart in age. They do not have much…
Divorced Dad Cares About Connecting
This article originally appeared in Macaroni Kid on June 19, 2018 by Luanne Starr Rhoades, LCPC, LADC, CCS; Health Affiliates Maine Question: My wife and I are split. She is a teacher and will spend…
Ask the Experts: Addiction in the Family Worries Mom
My ex-husband is an alcoholic. My kids have a good relationship with their dad and see him regularly. Their dad refuses to admit he is an alcoholic or seek help…
Curious Kids and Awkward Questions: Kids Notice Differences
This article originally appeared in Macaroni Kid on April 16, 2018 by Luanne Starr Rhoades, LCPC, LADC, CCS; Health Affiliates Maine Comment: I really love this Q & A column. I always read it and even…
Parent Finds it Hard to Talk About School Shootings
This article originally appeared in Macaroni Kid on March 21, 2018 by Luanne Starr Rhoades, LCPC, LADC, CCS; Health Affiliates Maine Question: All of these school shootings that are happening are really scary to me…
College Ahead for Mom’s Disorganized Teen
This article originally appeared in Macaroni Kid on Jan 31, 2018 by Luanne Starr Rhoades, LCPC, LADC, CCS; Health Affiliates Maine Question: I have a junior in high school. He gets good grades, has lots…
Ask the Experts: What to do when the MIL shares her faith
This article originally appeared in Macaroni Kid on Jan 3, 2018 by Luanne Starr Rhoades, LCPC, LADC, CCS; Health Affiliates Maine Question: We are not a religious family. However, my mother-in-law is quite religious. I…
Best Practices and Affirming Treatment for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ) People
Contracted, active affiliates of Health Affiliates Maine may attend this training for FREE! Clinicians who are not contracted affiliates may attend for only $89! This includes continental breakfast, lunch, and 6 contact hours! About the…
Ask the Experts: Overbuying at Christmas
This article originally appeared in Macaroni Kid on Dec 6, 2017 by Luanne Starr Rhoades, LCPC, LADC, CCS; Health Affiliates Maine Question: I have always been a giver. This is especially true at Christmas. I…
Ask the Experts: Name-Calling
This article originally appeared in Macaroni Kid on Nov 15, 2017 by Luanne Starr Rhoades, LCPC, LADC, CCS; Health Affiliates Maine Question: My husband and our son do not get along very well. My husband has…
Educating Mental Health Professionals Through Personal Perspective
James Bellmore (Jimi) is reaching out to the community to share his endeavor to educate professionals by offering his personal perspective about living with mental illness. Jimi hopes to continue to grow his motivational speaking…
Ethical Considerations in the Clinical Response to Violence and Abuse | Presented by Julia Colpitts, LCSW
This workshop will help clinicians and behavioral health organizations identify and respond to common ethical issues in the context of family and intimate partner violence. Since technology plays a significant role in clients’ lives and in…
How Old is Too Old for Trick-or-Treating?
This article originally appeared in Macaroni Kid on Oct 10, 2017 by Mary Gagnon, LMFT; Health Affiliates Maine Question: I have a thirteen-year-old son. He brought up his desire to go trick-or-treating with friends this…
Disciplining My Child’s Friend
This article originally appeared in Macaroni Kid on Sep 21, 2017 by Luanne Starr Rhoades, LCPC, LADC, CCS; Health Affiliates Maine Question: My son’s friend has ADHD. He often comes to our house to play…
What is Gender Fluid?
This article originally appeared in Macaroni Kid on Aug 24, 2017 by Luanne Starr Rhoades, LCPC, LADC, CCS; Health Affiliates Maine Question: My 13-year-old daughter recently told me that she is gender fluid. I’ve heard…
Parenting Through Politics
This article originally appeared in Macaroni Kid on Jul 19, 2017 by Luanne Starr Rhoades, LCPC, LADC, CCS; Health Affiliates Maine Question: My husband and I do not agree politically. It has never been too…
Blending Family Needs Careful Process
This article originally appeared in Macaroni Kid on Jun 21, 2017 by Luanne Starr Rhoades, LCPC, LADC, CCS; Health Affiliates Maine Question: I was widowed last year and am now the single mum to 2…
How to Help Someone Who Is Thinking of Suicide
This article originally appeared in Macaroni Kid on May 30, 2017 by Mary Gagnon, LMFT; Health Affiliates Maine What do you do when someone you love is feeling down? We’ve all been down at some…
Stop That Whining!
This article originally appeared in Macaroni Kid on May 11, 2017 Question: My seven year old whines a lot….a lot…a whole lot. He whines so much that I am beginning to get resentful and lose…
Body Changes Cause Self-consciousness
This article originally appeared in Macaroni Kid on Apr 12, 2017 Do you have a question for our experts? Email kaytd@macaronikid.com with “Ask the Experts“ in the subject line. (Please note: If we select your…
Help! My Son is Angry All the Time.
This article originally appeared in Macaroni Kid on Mar 9, 2017 Do you have a question for our experts? Email kaytd@macaronikid.com with “Ask the Experts“ in the subject line. (Please note: If we select your question…
Health Affiliates Maine Joins Red Cross Disaster Response Team in West Virginia
Three clinicians from Health Affiliates Maine (HAM) have responded to a request from the American Red Cross of Maine in providing relief efforts within areas of West Virginia. We are deeply grateful for the volunteer…
Guess Who’s Watching? | Modeling Safe Drinking Behavior
Have you ever had that haunting feeling that you’ve become your mother, or that you sound just like dad? That’s because you probably studied them as you were growing up. You studied their mannerisms, their…
#strikeoutthestigma Inaugural Co-Ed Softball Tournament
Play Ball! Join us for the Inaugural #StrikeOuttheStigma Co-Ed Softball Tournament. We are pleased to accounce Health Affiliates Maine is partnering with NAMI Mainein support of raising behavioral health awareness in our community. Let’s #StrikeOuttheStigma together! This…
Self-Worth & Acceptance
Hi again! I am back with another blog. I was re-reading my first one “Shame: Managing Stormy Days” the other day and thought it was, “to my surprise” not bad.I say this not with an…
Ending Stigma Around Mental Illness
If you’ve read my blog on What Is Mental Health Anyway? then you will know that everyone has mental health concerns at time’s throughout their life. Truly this includes every person, every family, relatives, everyone in…
Resilience: Do You Have It?
“The oak fought the wind and was broken, the willow bent when it must and survived.” ― Robert Jordan, The Fires of Heaven Resilience can be described as the process of returning to normal daily functioning…
New Counselor Joins Health Affiliates Maine
(Auburn, Maine) Health Affiliates Maine a statewide substance abuse and mental health agency announces the recent hiring of Kim Morrison, LMSW-CC. Morrison joins Health Affiliates Maine’s growing team of affiliate counselors as a Licensed Master…
Behind Every Overdose Are Friends & Family Left Suffering
This fact could not have been made clearer than in a conversation with Theresa Russell*, who agreed to talk about how heroin has touched her life.Theresa began by handing over a list of six people’s names, their ages,…
Shame: Managing Stormy Days
Hi, everybody! I am attempting my first blog for Health Affiliates Maine. They say it simply. ”Everyone needs help now and then” and in my experience, that has certainly been true. What I like is…
Understanding Depression
Depression has been called having “the blues”, “feeling down”, “sad” or “in the dumps” but that doesn’t begin to cover what depression is and does. Depression affects the body, mind and spirit. It can be devastating…
Addiction and the New Year: Recognizing the Signs
In Maine, over the last 10-15 years, the rising tide of prescription painkillers abuse and other opiates based drugs (legal and illegal) has reached epidemic proportions. The abuse of alcohol and other addictive drugs like…
Seasonal Affective Disorder: What You Need to Know
For some people, the shorter days of the fall and winter months bring with it an increase in depressive symptoms. This type of depression has been called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). It usually impacts people…
How to Maintain Sobriety at the New Year’s Party
For those in early recovery, it is probably not a good idea to go to a New Year’s party where there is going to be alcohol. Even those who are well established in their sobriety…
A New Year, A New You?
Each January, millions of people attempt to improve something in their lives by committing to a New Year’s Resolution – a promise to themselves that, this year, things will be different. By February, many of…
Sometimes the Holidays Hurt
Sometimes holidays hurt. The holiday cards and promotions are full of pictures of beautiful families smiling around a fireplace or dinner table. For some families, the reality doesn’t match that picture. Family relationships come with…
What is Mental Health Anyway?
That’s a good question isn’t it? Most of the time when people talk about mental health they are talking about mental health treatment or a person who was given a mental health diagnosis, (which is…
20 Unique Ways to Get Into the Holiday Spirit.
Have you ever felt as though you need a little help getting into the spirit of the holidays? It can be true for many of us, because let’s face it; this time of year can…
Holiday Stress: When The Holiday’s Aren’t So Merry
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Anxiety About Terrorism: How to Manage Your Fear
Sometimes the news is just plain scary. For most everyone, events of terror shake our foundations and change the way we view our safety and well-being. That’s the point of terror. Anxiety happens to everyone,…
Maine’s Opiate Epidemic
According to Maine’s Attorney General’s Office, the evident opiate epidemic in Maine has resulted in 50 more deaths in 2014 from just 4 years ago. In response to WMTW’s series on Maine’s Heroin Epidemic this…
Time Change and Your Body: What’s the Deal?
Daylight Savings Time began on November 1st this year. The first Sunday of the month. There are over 70 countries all over the world that use Daylight Savings Time. That means that over a billion people…
Health Affiliates Maine Statement on Lisa Cox and Suicide Prevention
“To those feeling hopeless, no matter how bad you are hurting, we want you to know …you are not alone and you matter.” In light of the recent news from the Brunswick Police Department regarding missing…
Health Affiliates Maine & NAMI Maine Call on Everyone to “Go Stigma Free” and Learn the Symptoms of Mental Illness
(Auburn/Lewiston, Maine) October 4 – October 10, 2015 is Mental Illness Awareness Week. Health Affiliates Maine a statewide substance abuse and mental health agency, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Maine are…
Health Affiliates Maine Exceeds Fundraising Goals for NAMI Maine
(Auburn, Maine) Health Affiliates Maine a statewide substance abuse and mental health agency is thrilled to announce they exceeded this year’s fundraising goal for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in Maine by over…
Health Affiliates Maine Awarded Contract to Provide Services to Maine National Guard
(Auburn, Maine) Health Affiliates Maine (HAM) is proud and honored to announce it has been awarded a contract with the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to provide services to members of the…
2015 Fourth Annual Consortium
Health Affiliates Maine (HAM) recently celebrated their 4th Annual Consortium, which honored HAM’s fifth year as an Agency and was a time to celebrate all of HAM’s nearly 400 mental health professionals and staff. The…
New Tobacco-Free Policy at Health Affiliates Maine Paves the Way for Health and Wellness
(Auburn/Lewiston, Maine) on July 1st 2015, Health Affiliates Maine (HAM) a statewide substance abuse and mental health agency, will take an important step in supporting the health of its employees, clients, vendors and visitors by…
HAM Clinician, Asa Gustavsson, Spotlighted On WCSH 6 For Equine Therapy
Have you ever heard of Equine Assisted Therapy? Horses can really connect to human emotions, which is why this approach helps multiple mental health disorders, such as eating disorders and drug/alcohol abuse. One of our…
HAM Aids MMCC With Child & Adolescent Psychiatric Services
“In my work with MMCC, I partner with educational personnel, school psychologists, and behavioral analysts to treat youth with developmental disorders, autism, and mental health diagnoses.” -Dr. Bowker-Kinley (Auburn, Maine) Health Affiliates Maine (HAM)…
New Counselor Joins Health Affiliates Maine
(Portland, Maine) Health Affiliates Maine (HAM) a statewide substance abuse and mental health agency announces Dawn Stratton, LCPC, as a new affiliate. Stratton joins HAM as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and will be providing…
Health Affiliates Maine Opens New Clinical Office
ELLSWORTH – Health Affiliates Maine (HAM), a growing mental health and substance abuse agency based in Auburn, is opening a brand new clinical office in Ellsworth. HAM is hosting an open house on Wednesday, April…
Health Affiliates Maine offers Free Trainings for Case Managers
(Auburn/Lewiston, Maine) Health Affiliates Maine (HAM) a growing statewide substance abuse and mental health agency is excited to offer a free cutting edge seminar open to all mental health case managers on “A Recovery-Based, Trauma-Informed…
Kevin Mannix to Speak at HAM’s Annual Consortium
Health Affiliates Maine is excited and proud to announce Kevin Mannix as their Keynote Speaker at this years’ annual Consortium on June 19th at the Ramada in Lewiston. For nearly 24 years Kevin has been the morning weather…
New Psychiatrist Joins Health Affiliates Maine
(Bangor, Maine) Health Affiliates Maine (HAM) a growing statewide substance abuse and mental health agency announces the hiring of Board Certified Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Jessica Manaker MD. Dr Manaker joins HAM’s expanding team of…
Health Affiliates Maine offers Seminar on Trauma & Neuroscience
(Auburn/Lewiston, Maine) Health Affiliates Maine (HAM) a statewide substance abuse and mental health agency is excited to offer a cutting edge clinician seminar on “Working with Trauma: Looking through the lens of Neuroscience” presented by…
New Medical Director Joins Health Affiliates Maine Team
(Lewiston/Auburn, Maine) Health Affiliates Maine (HAM) a statewide substance abuse and mental health agency announced the hiring of Melissa M. Bowker-Kinley, MD, PhD. Dr. Bowker-Kinley joins HAM as the new Medical Director, expanding and overseeing…
Health Affiliates Maine Opens New Augusta Clinical Office
AUGUSTA – Health Affiliates Maine (HAM), a growing mental health and substance abuse agency based in Auburn, is opening a new clinical office in Augusta. HAM is hosting an open house on Wednesday, November 5th…
HAM’s Free School Trainings Get A Thumbs Up
Back to school can be both a blessing and hardship for families. Anxiety about going back to school, financial strains, peer pressure, and changes in routine can all impact student performance. Now more than ever…
Executive Director Andrea Krebs Reflects On The Passing of Robin Williams & Our Mission
I, like many of you, have spent this week going about my daily tasks with Robin Williams and the tragedy that occurred Monday constantly in my thoughts. I have thought about the hopelessness and the…
Health Affiliates Maine Announces New Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
(Auburn/Lewiston, Maine) Health Affiliates Maine (HAM) a statewide provider of outpatient therapy, case management and medication management services have announced the hiring of Kati DeRevere, PMHNP-BC. DeRevere joins HAM’s team of Affiliates and will be…
Health Affiliates Maine Sponsors Local Youth In Obstacle Course
Thanks to the support of Health Affiliates Maine, 21 young people from Tree Street Youth participated in the 2014 Bands on the Run Fitness Run. For the third consecutive year, Auburn based Health Affiliates Maine…
HAM Hosts Their 3rd Annual Consortium!
HAM is thrilled to announce that they will be hosting their 3rd Annual Consortium on Friday, June 27th at the Ramada Inn in Lewiston! This is open to all providers and staff as a celebration…
Notice of Privacy Practices
Attention Clients: Health Affiliates Maine has updated our Notice of Privacy Practices. This document describes the legal obligations of Health Affiliates Maine and your legal rights related to your protected health information under HIPAA. It…
Twelve Stress Remedies
Feeling stressed lately? These remedies can help! Get up fifteen minutes earlier in the morning. The inevitable morning mishaps will be less stressful.Do nothing that, after being done, leads you to tell a lie.Make duplicates…
How to Get the Most From Outpatient Therapy
Use these 8 helpful tips to assure you are getting the most of Outpatient Therapy Keep your appointments as scheduled whenever possible.Reschedule if needed with 24-hour notice: Missed appointments impact on you, your counselor,…
Rights of Recipients of Mental Health Services
The following is a summary of your rights as a recipient of outpatient (nonresidential) services under the Rights of Recipients of Mental Health Services. 1. Basic Rights. You have the same civil, human and legal…
Substance Use and Social Events
Social events can be difficult to attend for some people. They can be even more challenging to someone who is trying to cut down or quit using alcohol or drugs. If this applies to you…
HAM Sponsors MaineFocus Film Festival
HAM is a proud sponsor of this years MaineFocus Film Festival, that features videos submitted by teens across the state sharing stories of how substance abuse has changed their lives. The festival is hosted by Bangor…
NAMI Maine Walk
Health Affiliates Maine Team- Reducing Stigma One Step at a Time with NAMI Maine. Health Affiliates Maine is pleased to be participating in the NAMI Maine Walks “Walking for Mental Health” event to raise funds…
Health Affiliates Maine recognized by Inc. Magazine
Inc. magazine today ranked Health Affiliates Maine (based in Auburn, Maine) NO. 1049 on its 32nd annual Inc. 500|5000, an exclusive ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies. The list represents the most comprehensive look…
Second Annual Consortium
In celebration of our providers and Health Affiliates Maine as an agency. Health Affiliates Maine held it’s Second Annual Consortium on June 28th, 2013 All affiliates, per-diem employees, and regular employees were invited to attend…
Health Affiliates Maine Adds to Leadership Team
Health Affiliates Maine (HAM) , a state-wide provider of mental health counseling announced Luanne Starr Rhoades has joined their leadership team as the new Director of Outpatient Therapy Services. Rhoades, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor…
Health Affiliates Maine Creates New Outpatient Program
(Auburn-Maine) Health Affiliates Maine, a state-wide provider of mental health counseling has created a new outpatient substance abuse program designed to meet a critical need in the community. Based in Auburn, Health Affiliates Maine (healthaffiliatesmaine.com)…