Posts Tagged ‘Minnesota’

Maggie Meyers, MA, LPCC, is a Site Director at The Emily Program’s Anna Westin House for Adolescents and Young Adults (AWHAYA) in Saint Paul, Minnesota. AWHAYA will be expanding from a 10-bed facility to a 16-bed facility in September. 

TEP: Tell us about yourself!

Maggie: I am a Minnesotan through and through. Here at The Emily Program, I have worked as a lead therapist in our Adult Intensive Day Program, done outpatient work, been a Program Coordinator for our Adult Binge Eating Disorder Intensive Outpatient Program, and have been involved in clinical management. I am currently the Site Director of the Adolescent and Young Adult Residential House in Saint Paul. I make sure that things run as smoothly as possible, working directly with providers in the building on a daily basis. I help provide our clients with the best care possible. Outside of The Emily Program, I have a small private practice where I see adults for a variety of mental health issues, and I am currently pursuing my Doctorate in Marriage and Family Therapy.

This is one person’s story; everyone will have unique experiences on their own path to recovery and beyond. Some stories may mention eating disorder thoughts, behaviors or symptom use. Please use your own discretion. And speak with your therapist when needed.

Shannon Caswell resides in Woodbury, MN with her husband and two boys, Declan and Kellen. Recovering from anorexia 21 years ago, Shannon’s mission is to raise awareness around mental illness, to eliminate the stigma and demystify issues that are all too often misunderstood. When Shannon finds time between hockey practices and managing a career, she enjoys writing for her personal blog, Midwestern Mamai, sharing the vulnerabilities and humor of raising a family – and empowering others to do the same. 

Lately, I’ve found myself imagining a world where we all understood mental illness around us. Embraced the mindset to talk about it. Celebrated those who recognized it in themselves. Associated bravery and courage equally as we do for other medical illnesses, like cancer. And extended empathy and grace to those struggling through it.

The Emily Program is excited to announce that we are expanding our Anna Westin House for Adolescents and Young Adults in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The expansion will increase the licensed 10-bed residential facility to a 16-bed facility. The necessary construction will take place throughout August and early September and will not affect current programming. The expansion is expected to be completed by mid-September.

Alex Montes has worked for The Emily Program since 2016 as a Program Assistant and an Outpatient Therapist Trainee at locations in St. Louis Park and Saint Paul, MN. Alex is a queer, second generation immigrant. She identifies as both Mexican and Latina, coming from a mixed race and mixed cultural household.

TEP: Tell us about yourself!

Alex: It is impossible for me to talk about myself without talking about my parents, who have incredible stories filled with resiliency and who have provided and sacrificed for their children to provide wonderful opportunities. Without them, I would not be here and I would not be who I am today, which has me proud to be called their daughter.

At The Emily Program, I have worked in Outpatient, Intensive Outpatient Programs, and Intensive Day Programs both for adults and adolescents. Social work has a long history of advocacy, and I am passionate about incorporating advocacy both personally and professionally. It is a responsibility we hold in our communities to speak out, build capacity, lean into discomfort and we have the opportunity to do so in our workplace. That being said, I am also thankful to have found allies at TEP to increase inclusivity and compassion at work, so thank you to everyone!

Roughly 30 million people in the United States will struggle with an eating disorder in their lifetime, including approximately 200,000 Minnesotans. The Fox 9 morning news team in Minnesota invited our Chief Strategy Officer Dr. Jillian Lampert onto their show to discuss stereotypes and what we can do to encourage individuals to seek professional eating disorder treatment.

An estimated 77 percent of people with eating disorders will never seek treatment, a statistic that resonated with Minnesota’s WCCO News team. We’re grateful they invited our Chief Strategy Officer Jillian Lampert onto their show to explain some of the barriers that keep thousands of people with eating disorders from seeking help.