Sanford Behavioral Health

04/28/2026

Host and Executive Director of the JOHN Veterans and First Responders program, Matt VanLiere, sits down with Sanford Behavioral Health CEO Tracy Rogers, LPC, LMHC, NCC, and Clinical Director Tessa Sterling, LMSW, to talk about the fear and stigma that often keep Veterans and First Responders from reaching out for help.

Drawing from his 30 years in law enforcement and his own recovery journey, Matt shares the reality of staying silent and the impact it can have. Tracy and Tessa offer clinical insight into why that stigma exists, how it shows up, and what it takes to begin breaking it.

This conversation is about more than awareness. It is about changing the narrative, creating space for honesty, and reminding those who serve others that support is available for them too.

Listen to the full episode through the link in our bio.

Need to talk but not sure where to start? Call us 24/7 for information, admission to JOHN, or just to talk. Our team will help you find the right care, even if it’s not with us: 844.776.9651 ext. 1.

04/26/2026

Therapy dogs aren’t just comforting, they’re clinically proven healing tools. When you interact with a therapy dog, your body responds: oxytocin (the bonding hormone) and mood-regulating dopamine and serotonin increase, while cortisol (the stress hormone) decreases. Blood pressure drops. Breathing slows. Your nervous system shifts from fight-or-flight to safety and calm. For clients in treatment for addiction, mental health conditions, or eating disorders, this biological shift is deeply meaningful. A tangible reminder that calm is possible, connection is safe, and healing doesn’t always require words. At Sanford Behavioral Health, our therapy dogs are essential members of our treatment team, offering grounding presence and unconditional support when clients need it most.

Sanford Behavioral Health provides 24/7 EZ Admissions so help is available when you need it. Call 844.776.9651 ext. 1.

04/25/2026

Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) are a structured, evidence-based option for those who don’t need detox or 24/7 care but still benefit from consistent support. At Sanford Behavioral Health, IOP includes group therapy three times per week, along with individual and family sessions, all led by a psychiatrist-supported clinical team. Programs typically run about six weeks (18 sessions) and focus on building coping skills, emotional awareness, and relapse prevention strategies. Virtual IOP provides the same level of care in a flexible format, making it easier to stay engaged while managing school, work, or daily responsibilities.

Addiction, mental health and eating disorder care. Call Sanford Behavioral Health anytime at 844-776-9651 ext. 1 or fill out the form in our bio.



04/25/2026

Sanford's COO Katie Vokes on what she does at work and at home to reset the room when things feel tense, or morale is dipping.

Resetting is something we ask our patients to practice regularly, but not something we always challenge ourselves to do as leaders.

04/23/2026

When you’re feeling down, anxious, or just bored, it’s easy to reach for your phone or fall into old patterns. But there are natural, healthy ways to boost dopamine and feel good without relying on screens or substances.

Exercise releases endorphins. Sunlight regulates mood. Spending time with loved ones floods your system with oxytocin. Finishing a task gives you a sense of accomplishment. Even petting a dog or baking cookies can shift your brain chemistry in positive ways.

At Sanford Behavioral Health, we teach clients how to meet their needs in healthier, more sustainable ways, because recovery isn’t about white-knuckling through cravings. It’s about building a life where joy, connection, and fulfillment come from real, meaningful experiences. Read our full list of 27 natural dopamine boosters at the link in bio.

Sanford Behavioral Health provides 24/7 EZ Admissions so help is available when you need it. Call 844-776-9651 ext. 1.

04/21/2026

Detoxification is a critical first step in addiction recovery, and at Sanford Behavioral Health, we provide medically supervised residential detox with 24/7 monitoring to ensure your safety and comfort throughout the withdrawal process.

Our experienced clinical and medical teams assess each individual’s needs before admission, managing both acute withdrawal symptoms and educating clients about post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS): the mood swings, anxiety, cravings, and sleep disturbances that can persist for weeks or months after detox.

We don’t just stabilize withdrawal; we prepare you for lasting recovery through therapy, education, and personalized care in our residential facilities.

Because Sanford offers a full continuum of care on one campus, your transition from detox to residential, PHP, IOP, or outpatient treatment is seamless: no referrals, no starting over, just continued support with the same team. Recovery begins with one call.

Call us anytime, seriously, 24/7 at: 844.776.9651 ext. 1

04/19/2026

In behavioral health, we talk a lot about being client-centered, but that commitment has to start at the very first touchpoint: admissions.

Too often, programs look for the “perfect” or “ideal” client. The right diagnosis. The right acuity. The right insurance. The perfect fit on paper.

But people don’t come to us because they’re perfect. They come to us because they need help.

Sanford is committed to shifting the admissions mindset:
* Client-first, not criteria-first.
* How we can help, not why we can’t.
* Clinical fit, safety, and compassion, not perfection.

When someone reaches out for help, that moment is fragile; our job as an admissions department is to honor that.
* Show up with empathy.
* Create pathways, not barriers.
* Be the point of connection, not the checkpoint.

Because the truth is simple: We take the client because the client needs help, not because they are the “ideal,”  but because they are a human being deserving of care.

Here’s to reshaping admissions in behavioral health, one client-centered decision at a time.

Read the full article linked in bio!

Need help but not sure where to start? Call us 24/7 for information, admissions, or to talk. Our team will help you find the right care, even if it’s not with us: 844.776.9651 ext. 1.

04/18/2026

Detox doesn’t have to be scary, but feeling scared is completely normal. At Sanford Behavioral Health, our therapy dogs help ease those first steps, offering warmth, comfort, and a calm presence when it matters most. Research shows that even brief interaction with therapy dogs can lower anxiety, reduce stress hormones, and increase feelings of connection and relaxation. You don’t have to face the beginning of recovery alone.

Ready to talk? Sanford Behavioral Health provides 24/7 EZ Admissions so help is available when you need it. Call 8447769651 ext. 1.