West County Behavioral Health

02/25/2026

ARTICLE: “Reels, TikToks, and the Things We’re Not Saying Out Loud” by Jennifer Van Luven, MSW, LCSW, CM

In today’s digital age, many of us communicate through memes, TikToks, and Reels as much as we do through words. When we send a funny, sarcastic, or pointed video to our partner about something “that’s wrong with them,” it often feels lighthearted or harmless, but our underlying intention is usually more complex.

Most of the time, we are not trying to attack or shame our partner. Instead, these messages tend to be our way of communicating a deeper need. Click the link below to read more about how and why we use these tactics to speak our feelings….feel free to share!

By Jennifer Van Luven, MSW, LCSW, CM

02/11/2026

BEATING THE WINTER BLUES by Meagan Gerchen, MSW, LCSW

Do you ever go through periods where you just don’t feel like yourself? Do you find yourself feeling heavier or more down during the winter months? You aren’t imagining it. As the days get shorter and we lose access to natural light, our biology shifts. We leave for work or school in the dark and return home in the dark. This lack of sunlight impacts how we think, feel, and act. If you notice significant changes in your mood as the seasons turn, you may be experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Click below to read and share full article!

By Meagan Gerchen, MSW, LCSW

02/03/2026

Check out our newest group! Feel free to share with anyone who might be interested!

02/03/2026

https://conta.cc/45NyBsZ

Email from West County Behavioral Health By Grace Hill, MSW, LCSW West County Behavioral Health 955 Executive Parkway Drive Suite 100 Creve Coeur Missouri 63141 (314)200-5131 www.westcountybehavioral.

01/28/2026

ARTICLE: “What Do You Mean, You’re Playing in Therapy?” By Grace Hill, MSW. LCSW

Take a moment and imagine your 4-year-old child starts to have trouble sleeping, trouble getting along with friends, and saying things like “I’m dumb” or “everyone hates me!”

You have heard that therapy could be helpful, so you bring him to an office that looks way too big for him. You leave the room, and the therapist asks him to sit still on the couch and tell her what he has been feeling at home and school. She asks him to describe why he has been getting mad at friends.

If you have a young child, you might laugh at this request. While some children can say they feel “angry” or “sad,” they often shut down or become distracted when asked to go deeper. Even older children often lack the abstract thought or problem-solving skills needed to self-reflect like adults. Their brains haven’t developed enough to have these skills yet. Thus article explains why using play therapy with kiddos is so essential. Click link below to read the full article! 

By Grace Hill, MSW, LCSW

01/14/2026

ARTICLE: “New Year’s Resolutions and Sobriety: Embracing Change with Compassion” by Jamie Caldwell, LMSW

As we begin the new year, many people reflect on their lives and set intentions for positive change. For individuals struggling with addiction, sobriety often becomes a meaningful and deeply personal resolution. Yet the path toward recovery is rarely simple. Emotions like guilt and shame frequently surface and can make change feel overwhelming. This article takes a deeper look at this complicated issue. Click link below for full article, and feel free to share!

https://westcountybehavioral.com/blog/new-years-resolutions-and-sobriety-embracing-change-with-compassion/

12/14/2025

Parenting through the holidays can feel like a high-stakes performance. We pour our energy into creating the “perfect” experience with elaborate decorations, packed calendars, and thoughtful gifts, assuming we know what our kids want. Or what we think they should want. Or maybe what we wished we had growing up….But what if all that effort is going toward something that doesn’t actually matter most to them?
This article, by our clinician Jenna Poppe, is an excellent and timely resource to help you navigate this crazy time of year. Click below for full article, and please share!

Parenting through the holidays can feel like a high-stakes performance. We pour our energy into creating the “perfect” experience with elaborate decorations,

11/12/2025

Our WCBH team had a wonderful morning volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House! What a beautiful facility - they are doing amazing things for families in need! ❤️

11/06/2025

We’re collecting canned and non-perishable food items to support families in need. Join us in spreading kindness in our community!

10/29/2025

Sometimes the scariest places just need a little light - and a good therapist can help you find it 🕯️

10/28/2025

Check out our most recent article, by our clinician Erica Shick, Ph.D., about an exciting newer therapy treatment! Click link for full article!
https://westcountybehavioral.com/blog/exploring-eye-movement-desensitization-and-reprocessing-emdr-an-evidence-based-treatment-for-trauma-and-beyond/

10/23/2025

Looking for a book recommendation? We’ve got one for you! Check out this read recommend by Meagan Gerchen.