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Out of all the nominees, only one stood out. Sakshi Lawande, a Milieu Treatment Counselor with Orchard Place, has won the IMHCA 2025 Emerging Mental Health Professional Award – a distinction that not only showcases her personal achievements, but shows her promise and growth to becoming a dedicated leader of the counseling profession. “I feel…

Nurturing a plant is just like nurturing your mental health. You water the plant; it grows to a full bloom. You feed your mental health with consistent self-care and it can have positive outcomes. Both require patience, nurturing, and a steady effort to grow, flourish, and thrive. This metaphor is being felt across the Orchard…

School-based therapy is essential because it provides mental health support right where children spend the majority of their day—at school. Nearly 1,000 students in the Des Moines metro have benefited from school-based therapy this year. It removes barriers, provides early intervention, gives families the support they need, and helps the student with academic success. Before…

What happens when curiosity meets opportunity? A group of Orchard Place Residential Campus youth found out by taking a trip downtown to the Des Moines Science Center of Iowa. With giggles and interest in the wonders around them, they showed off their progress from treatment at Orchard Place. “It was an opportunity for them to…

Dental visits can be scary for some kids, especially those focusing on their mental health. That’s why Dental Connections has joined forces with Orchard Place to create a friendly and relaxed atmosphere that eases fears and builds trust. By teaming up, Orchard Place children get the best care both for their teeth and their minds,…

Imagine a child lost in the world of their imagination—painting colorful pictures, pretending to be a superhero, or even dancing. For children, creative expression is a powerful tool for mental health. It’s through play that they begin to understand themselves, navigate their emotions, and make sense of the world around them. As children engage in…

A variety of issues could be contributing to the sudden drop in your child’s grades and participation in school. The pre-teen and teenage years are filled with physical, cognitive, and emotional developmental changes that can contribute to increased presentation of different mental health disorders and overwhelm different areas of your child’s life, including school. The…

Orchard Place is thrilled to celebrate Derly Beacom, a Behavioral Health Intervention Specialist (BHIS) Clinical Supervisor, for receiving the National Association of Social Workers 2024 Emerging Social Worker Award. This recognition truly reflects her exceptional dedication to developing strong futures. “Receiving this award meant a lot to me,” shared Beacom. “It reaffirmed that when you…

National PTSD Awareness Day on June 27th shines a spotlight on the serious effects of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), urging everyone to grasp the significance of this mental health challenge and take steps to support those affected. Dr. Stephen Mandler, Chief Medical Officer and Chief Clinical Officer at Orchard Place, says, “However, it is equally…

Every May serves as a reminder of the importance of mental well-being in our daily lives. This dedicated month to Mental Health Awareness, encourages us all to have conversations about mental wellness, and break down the societal stigmas that often accompany mental health challenges. It’s a time to remember that taking care of our mental…