Being Here and Now
If we examine the toll that modern life takes on our minds and souls, we quickly realize that we are bombarded by work stress, endless distractions, manufactured outrages, and a steady stream of global tragedies. We are lured from one entertainment and amusement to the next. In the process, our brains can feel hijacked. We […]
Braking the Brain: The Art and Science of Midwestern Contentment
I credit neuroscientist Dr. Kyra Robinet for introducing me to the importance of a tiny, overlooked structure in the middle of the brain: the habenula. The fascinating role of the habenula is to keep us from feeling bad. Your immediate reaction might be, “Well, isn’t that the same thing as wanting to feel good?” Surprisingly, […]
Putting the Past in its Place
The past is the past—except when it isn’t. This is one of the definitive challenges of being human: deciding what to do with our personal history. For a fortunate few, “leaving it all behind” is an effective strategy. But for many others, the past is an unwelcome visitor, intruding into our thoughts, emotional undertows, and […]
Awe: Living Life with Radical Amazement
By Tim Walsh, M.A., L.P.; DPA, Executive Director of Beauterre In 2017, I suffered what should have been a life-ending heart attack. A severe blockage struck my left anterior descending artery—an event aptly nicknamed the “widowmaker” because it is rapidly fatal without immediate intervention. Given my circumstances, my survival rate was a mere 5%. My cardiologist later […]
Feeling Good
By Tim Walsh, MA, LP, DPA, Executive Director of Beauterre We are facing an epidemic of historic levels in the United States. Reported rates of anxiety and depression are skyrocketing, accompanied by a devastating rise in what public health experts call “deaths of despair.” The crisis is hitting close to home. In Minnesota, the data reveals a […]
Addiction Rates in LGBTQIA+ Communities: Why Inclusive, Culturally Relevant Treatment Matters
Understanding Addiction in the LGBTQIA+ Communities Substance use disorders impact people from all walks of life, but research consistently shows that individuals in LGBTQIA+ communities experience significantly higher rates of addiction and mental health challenges compared to the general population. From alcohol misuse to drug dependency, LGBTQIA+ individuals face unique stressors that increase vulnerability to […]
Resilience: The Spirit of Rising Again
Tim Walsh, M.A.L.P. DPA, Executive Director of Beauterre Most of us will experience trauma at some point. We all face periods of overwhelming stress and must adapt to seismic shifts in our world. As the Japanese and Biblical proverb suggests, we “fall down seven times and rise up eight.” Yet, I frequently wonder if we […]
Your Mind’s “Superpower”: Taking Back Control in an Age of Distraction
By Tim Walsh, M.A., L.P.; DPA, Executive Director of Beauterre Perhaps the word “superpower” captured your attention. Good. But that illustrates both the problem and solution in this modern world: what captures attention. Every ad, every headline, every billboard, every device, game, product, and food item is designed to capture and keep your attention and cause […]
Are You Living Your “Best Life”?
By Tim Walsh, M.A., L.P.; DPA, Executive Director of Beauterre People tend to project an idealized image of themselves on social media, carefully choosing and editing content to showcase a perfect version of their existence. Over the last 15 years, this trend has coalesced into a single popular phrase: “living my best life.” This trope is ubiquitous, […]
True Love vs. the Myths of Romance
By Tim Walsh, M.A., L.P.; DPA, Executive Director of Beauterre I realize I am treading where angels fear to tread; love and romance are deeply personal, often marked by our unique scars. In my therapy practice, I’ve treated patients whose experiences were so painful they vowed to the universe never to let anyone close again. Others […]