Serenity Behavioral Health Services

Listening is a fundamental component of conversation. Being a good listener or becoming a better listener is an active process that includes showing you are listening, asking questions that encourage sharing, and understanding what is being said by the person speaking. Actively listening can help draw out details that otherwise may not have been shared and it is a helpful skill to develop in personal and business relationships. How can you be a better listener? Following are some helpful techniques that can help you get started on your journey to being a better listener. Show you are listening Focus on the conversation and remove distractions. Turn the television off or mute the sound. Put your phone away. If the area you are in is loud, move to a place where you can speak and hear each other. Listen for emotions and meaning, make eye contact, evaluate the tone of what is being said and body language associated with it. Be patient. Don’t interrupt with questions or comments that can le...

Meditation teaches us to focus on the present, one breath or one step at a time. By quieting the mind and focusing thoughts, we can learn how to manage stress and change how we react to stressful situations. Benefits of meditation include restoring calm and inner peace, increasing self awareness, reducing negative thoughts, and improving patience and tolerance. It has also been proven to reduce anxiety, lower blood pressure, decrease pain, improve sleep, and ease depression. There are many different forms of meditation, some may be more effective for you than others. Following is a brief overview of some of the best-known ways to meditate: Mindfulness Meditation combines concentration with awareness to remain present and in the moment. Spiritual Meditation benefits those who enjoy silence and who seek spiritual growth. Focused Meditation involves concentration using any of the five senses. Movement Meditation is good for those who find peace in action and prefer to let their minds ...

From the Oxford Dictionary, “group therapy is a form of psychotherapy in which a group of patients meet to describe and discuss their problems together under the supervision of a therapist.” Joining a group may initially seem intimidating, but groups can provide experiences and insights that individual therapy may not. Group members can offer suggestions on how to improve a situation or challenge and can follow-up with you at a later session providing you with support and opportunities to learn from others who are having, or have had similar experiences. Seeing and hearing others talk openly about their life challenges can help you realize that you are not alone.  Serenity Behavioral Health Services offers a variety of groups to address differing client needs, ages, and identifies. Our groups provide safe, affirming spaces that empower each participant through learning new skills and honoring each person’s experiences. If you are interested in joining a group or learning more about...

Our mission at Serenity Behavioral Health Services is to provide quality mental health services that encourage and support your journey toward personal serenity. Serenity to us means living a healthy, productive, and fulfilling life. Our therapists are committed to helping each client navigate the vulnerable points of their lives with compassion and clarity, so that they can return to a place of mental strength. We provide mental health services to children, adolescents and adults; and offer a holistic approach to each person we serve embracing a client-centered, and strength-oriented approach.   ​ We pride ourselves in embracing an all-inclusive practice, welcoming everyone with total respect to race, religion, culture, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and socio-economic status.  And we seek to provide quality mental health counseling to a wide range of communities, including: GBLTQ, Deaf and Harding of Hearing, Developmental Disabilities and AOD Recovery. If...

  While our health officials and government officials tackle getting our children back into schools, make no mistake, school closures, isolation, and stay-at-home orders have affected the children in our communities and alarming statistics are coming in regarding student/youth suicides. Suicides can be prevented if warning signs are detected and an appropriate intervention is conducted. It is important to recognize the warning signs of a suicidal youth. Following are nine red flag behavior signs to watch for in your child: Change in eating or sleeping habits Unexplained severe, violent, or rebellious behavior Withdrawal from family or friends Sexual promiscuity, truancy, and/or vandalism Drastic personality change Agitation, restlessness, distress, or panicky behavior Talking or writing about committing suicide - even jokingly Giving away prized possessions Doing worse in school
 If you notice any of these warning signs, please contact us. You may not be able to handle this situati...