Alaska Behavioral Health

04/02/2026

New blog post! Caregivers are key to helping kids heal after trauma.

Caregivers teach children how to understand their feelings, how to calm down when things feel overwhelming, and how to feel safe with another person -- often without even realizing it.

In this blog post, two of our clinicians share some techniques, from getting curious instead of critical to building your own self-calming tool kit.

Check it out ➡️ https://alaskabehavioralhealth.org/how-do-caregivers-and-culture-help-children-heal-from-trauma
Want to dive deeper into understanding trauma? Try our Trauma 101 class on April 17! https://alaskabehavioralhealth.org/trauma-101-training/

04/01/2026

Our Little Tykes program provides comprehensive wrap-around services for children ages 3-5 and their families in Anchorage! 🌟 In our structured, safe environment led by mental health professionals, children learn to express and manage emotions through group therapy while families receive support through family therapy and caregiver groups.

This weekend, Little Tykes staff will be at the Color Blue Day event to kick off Child Abuse Prevention Month!
➡️Saturday, April 4, 2 - 5 pm
➡️Fairview Rec Center in Anchorage

Stop by for fun family activities!
Meet our team, learn about Little Tykes and all Alaska Behavioral Health programs.

03/31/2026

Our spring training calendar is posted!

Our mental health awareness trainings are designed for any community members who want to feel better equipped to help when someone is struggling with their mental health.

April 17: Trauma 101 - to understand how traumatic events affect brains and behaviors
April 28: Mental Health First Aid: like CPR, but for mental health
May 7: QPR: Question, Persuade, Refer - an evidence-based su***de prevention training
May 12: A.I.D.: Awareness, Interaction, Direction - a basic mental health awareness training

Learn more and register at https://loom.ly/c_9AO40

03/30/2026

Proud to have Nevada on our team!

🎬✨ We love celebrating the unique talents and stories within our team!

Our very own therapist, Nevada, recently got to see a film she was part of that was filmed right here in Alaska a few years ago—“Next to North Pole.” While her role (and those of her family members!) was small, the experience carries big meaning.

Watching the film brought a mix of emotions—joy, nostalgia, and even a bit of sadness—as it included special moments with loved ones. Experiences like these remind us how powerful storytelling can be in connecting us to our memories, our relationships, and our emotional world. 💙

At our clinic, we know that reflecting on meaningful life moments—both happy and bittersweet—is an important part of mental health. Stories, whether on screen or in our own lives, can help us process, heal, and stay connected to what matters most.

We’re proud to say… The Cohen Clinic has a movie star! 🌟

If you’re interested in checking it out, “Next to North Pole” is available on Amazon Prime.

03/26/2026

Connections, friendships and relationships are important for teens (and everyone!). Whether it's a romantic relationship or a friendship, it's important to know what healthy relationships look and feel like.

You should feel safe and respected. Differences are resolved though communication and compromise. You maintain your own interests and individuality, and you are a equal in status: one person should not have more power than the other.

For more on healthy relationships, check out these resources:
Star Alaska resources for teens for safe relationships: https://loom.ly/dId__5g
Healthy Relationship toolkit: https://loom.ly/fP3Xiig

03/26/2026

Reminder: you can now reach us at one phone number, across the state!
907-563-1000

We’re upgrading our phone systems! Phone numbers for Fairbanks staff with the 317 prefix will be phasing out. Rest assured, you’ll still be able to connect with live human beings when you call 907-563-1000!

Press 1 for Anchorage
Press 2 for Mat Su
Press 3 for Fairbanks
Press 4 for PHP, Residential and IOP referrals

03/24/2026

In our Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Alaska Behavioral Health's recent webinar presented by Suzette O'Donnell, LCSW, called "Am I Normal?" she gave us some helpful tips on how to overcome fear conditioning. Sometimes we need to reframe our thought process so that we are thinking more positively, rather than harping on the negative.

What tip is most helpful?

03/23/2026

Self harm is fairly common among adolescents, with up to 50% engaging in some form of self-injury.

Be on the lookout for warning signs, including changes in behavior and mood, feelings of hopelessness, and unexplained burns, cuts or bruises.

If you do notice signs, speak and listen without judgement, refrain from punishment, and help the persons struggling get connected to therapy.

03/20/2026

It's springtime! For Alaskans, the longer, sunnier days and evening daylight hours coming can be invigorating, but they can also increase anxiety and depression and mess with your sleep schedule.

Good sleep routines, even on the weekends, can help protect your mental health. Some tips: stick to regular sleep routines, watch what you eat (especially close to bed-time) and get daily exercise.

More tips from the Mayo Clinic: https://loom.ly/6jE6Dt

03/18/2026

Thank you, Alaska Public Media for inviting Dr. Goodman to be part of this important discussion!

03/18/2026

Group therapy may not be your first choice, but evidence shows it can be as effective, or even more effective, than individual therapy. And it might mean you get help sooner!

One of our adult partial hospitalization clients shared his story, from his initial hesitation to what he learned in his three weeks with the program.

Read the blog here! https://loom.ly/6Q7NIXQ

03/16/2026

Teens who report chronic stress are twice as likely to try alcohol before age 15, and research shows using alcohol before age 15 increases the risk of developing an alcohol use disorder later in life.

Helping young people learn healthy coping skills can benefit them throughout their lives!