Alaska Behavioral Health

04/17/2026

Nominations are now open for Best of Alaska 2026!
Receiving the award for best behavioral healthcare provider over the last few years has truly been an honor.

Let's do it again - nominations are open through May 10!

Click the link, choose the Behavioral & Mental Health Provider category, and add "Alaska Behavioral Health" as a write-in.

Thank you for your support!

04/15/2026

The stress-anxiety cycle — and how to break it.

Chronic stress can wire your brain toward anxiety. When stress hormones stay elevated too long, your brain starts treating everyday situations as threats. Sleep, movement, and connection are among the most powerful circuit-breakers.

Read more about regulating your nervous system on our blog!➡️https://alaskabehavioralhealth.org/tips-for-regulating-your-nervous-system/

Our nervous systems are taking on more and more stress as we bombard them with information; here are some tips for helping to calm it down.

04/13/2026

Physical symptoms of anxiety people often miss ⬇️

Anxiety isn't only emotional. It can show up as headaches, tight chest, digestive issues, fatigue, or muscle tension. Many people visit a doctor for physical symptoms before they realize anxiety is the root cause.

04/10/2026

Here's a grounding technique you can try right now:

When stress spikes, your nervous system needs a reset.
Try the 5-4-3-2-1 method: name 5 things you see, 4 you can touch, 3 you hear, 2 you smell, 1 you taste.
Anxiety shrinks when you return to the present moment.

04/09/2026

How prevalent are stress and anxiety, really?

Anxiety disorders affect ~40 million adults in the U.S. — about 18% of the population. About half of Americans report feeling daily stress. You are far from alone. Awareness is the first step toward change.

04/08/2026

Anchorage, we'd love to see you next week!

We host regular sessions in all locations to get feedback from clients and community members on how we're doing, what's working well, and what needs to improve.

Stop by our Gambell Clinic on Tuesday, April 14, 4:30 - 6:00 pm!

1231 Gambell Street in Anchorage
2nd floor

An RSVP at the QR Code/link is helpful, but not required.

https://loom.ly/xw6tomw

04/07/2026

Stress vs. anxiety — what's the difference?

Stress is usually caused by an external trigger and fades when the situation resolves. Anxiety lingers even when the stressor is gone. Both deserve attention. This month we're talking about both — openly and honestly. 💙

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.