MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

Join our panelists for a night of conversation and information surrounding the importance of mental health and open conversations about anxiety and wellness. Prior to the panel beginning, take time to view the artwork donations from the community, sharing their mental health story/journey.

These events are FREE and open to the public.

Saint Cloud | Saint Cloud Public Library | 6:30-8:00pm | Thursday, May 4, 2023

Monticello | Monticello Community Center | 6:30-8:00pm | Thursday, May 11, 2023 

Live Stream starts at 6:30pm on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/centralmnmentalhealthcenter @centralmnmentalhealthcenter

About the Panelists:

Allison Sharp, MSW, LGSW | Psychotherapist, CentraCare

My name is Allison Sharp, MSW, LGSW. I work at CentraCare as a psychotherapist in the Internal Medicine and Sexual/Gender Medicine Clinics. I have experience working with ages 7 to 97 in several settings. Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Panic Disorder are two very common diagnoses I have worked with on a day‐to‐day basis. I have extended training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Exposure & Response Prevention for GAD, Panic Disorder, OCD, Social Anxiety, and phobias. I, too, have dealt with anxiety for much of my life. Before getting into the mental health field, I found I knew very little about my individual anxiety. I now surround my work highlighting the importance of helping people understand themselves as an individual.

Steven Loos, Psy.D., LP | Chief Clinical Officer, Central Minnesota Mental Health Center

Dr. Steven Loos is a psychologist and the Chief Clinical Officer at Central Minnesota Mental Health Center (CMMHC). He obtained his bachelor’s degree in psychology at St. John’s University. Steven received both a master’s and Doctoral Degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of St. Thomas. Steven has been the Clinical Supervisor of the Co‐Occurring Disorder Program at Park Ave Center and an Adjunct Professor at the University of St. Thomas. He has extensive training in treating trauma and exploring how this impacts interpersonal relationships. Steven frequently
provide customized community presentations on anxiety, trauma, vicarious trauma, and critical debriefings.

Hannah-Ruth Patterson, LGSW | Executive Director, Rivers of Hope

Rivers of Hope is the domestic violence advocacy center serving Wright & Sherburne Counties. I have been working with this organization for just over four years, and in that time have worked with many youth and adults experiencing various forms of relationship abuse. I have seen firsthand how the intersection of anxiety and domestic violence can have a significant and negative impact on the overall well-being of a survivor, both through my work and personal experiences. As a survivor of domestic violence and someone who has had anxiety for my whole life, I can speak to the power anxiety can have but also to the resiliency of survivors and their ability to find safety from abuse and freedom from the anxiety that can make it so difficult to leave.

Summer Coleman, MSW, LICSW | Behavioral Health Consultant & Psychotherapist, CentraCare

I work as a Behavioral Health Consultant and Psychotherapist in the Integrated Behavioral Health department at CentraCare. I have been in this position for four years and helped develop the rural telehealth program that now
reaches eight rural area clinics, including Long Prairie, Paynesville, Eden Valley, Richmond, Melrose, Willmar Main, Willmar Lakeland, and New London family medicine clinics. I often work with people struggling with anxiety by helping them understand the relationship between the body and the brain and learn coping strategies for anxiety
management.

Tina Johanning | Communications & Development Associate, Anna Marie’s Alliance

I am the Communications & Development Associate at Anna Marie’s Alliance which means I oversee all marketing across the agency. I am excited to join this panel because anxiety has been a part of my life. I have always struggled with anxiety, depression, and ADHD. I have had ADHD combined my whole life, and anxiety is a huge part of that. Anxiety and ADHD can be very difficult to navigate at times and to get under control, but I have tried not to let that stop me from challenging myself and doing my best. Anxiety has impacted my job and personal life in many ways, like stepping out of my comfort zone, getting my job and projects done, and of course, procrastination. I am in a spot in my life where I am still young, but I hope to help people struggling with anxiety, depression, or ADHD be their best selves and get the help they may need. It can be a difficult journey, but it is your journey.