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BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE

COMMUNITY-DRIVEN HEALTHCARE, ROOTED IN THE STRENGTH AND RESILIENCE OF RURAL ALASKA.

Our team provides a wide range of services to support individuals of all ages and a variety of diagnoses. We work in close coordination with your medical care team to deliver integrated, whole-person care. Services include psychiatric medication management, substance use counseling, and behavioral health care management to help you access resources and ongoing support.

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We are also committed to maintaining availability for same-day appointments whenever possible, ensuring you can get the care you need, when you need it.

step of the way.

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GROUPS

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RESTORING RESILIENCE

Restoring Resilience is a supportive group focused on building practical, everyday skills to help manage stress, navigate emotions, and handle life’s challenges. Participants learn simple tools to strengthen communication, adapt to change, and move forward with confidence in a judgment-free environment.
 

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ADDICTION RECOVERY

Sunshine Community Health Center’s Addiction Recovery Group provides a supportive, judgment-free space for individuals at any stage of recovery. Participants engage in peer support, guided discussion, and practical skill-building to help manage cravings, strengthen relationships, and build long-term resilience.
 

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PEER SUPPORT

Sunshine CHC’s Peer Support Groups provide a welcoming, judgment-free space to connect with others facing similar challenges. Through shared experiences, open conversation, and guidance from trained Peer Support Specialists, participants gain support, practical tools, and encouragement to build resilience and move forward.

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PAIN MANAGEMENT

R.E.C.L.A.I.M. is an integrated mind-body group designed to support individuals living with chronic pain through evidence-based approaches like CBT, mindfulness, breathwork, and somatic tools. Participants learn to regulate their nervous system, understand patterns related to pain, and build practical skills to improve daily function and overall well-being.

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12:00 PM
Caregiver Compass: An 8-Week Therapy Group
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3:30 PM
Restoring Resilience
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Addiction Recovery Group in Willow
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Peer Support Group - Talkeetna
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INTERVENTIONS USED

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COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a structured, goal-oriented form of talk therapy that helps individuals identify and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors. By understanding the connection between thoughts, feelings, and actions, CBT equips people with practical skills to manage stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns, leading to healthier coping strategies and improved well-being.

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DIALECTICAL BEHAVIORAL THERAPY

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is a structured, evidence-based therapy that helps people manage intense emotions, cope with stress, and improve relationships. It focuses on building skills in mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and effective communication, while balancing acceptance and positive change.

 

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ACCEPTANCE COMMITMENT THERAPY

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an evidence-based therapy that helps individuals accept difficult thoughts and feelings while committing to actions that align with their values. It focuses on building psychological flexibility through mindfulness, acceptance, and behavior change to support a more meaningful, fulfilling life.
 

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EYE MOVEMENT DESENSITIZATION AND REPROCESSING

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based therapy designed to help individuals process and heal from traumatic experiences. It uses guided eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation to help the brain reprocess distressing memories, reducing their emotional impact and supporting recovery.
 

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PERSON-CENTERED THERAPY

Person-Centered Therapy is a supportive, non-directive approach that focuses on creating a safe, empathetic environment where individuals can explore their thoughts and feelings. It emphasizes self-awareness, personal growth, and the belief that each person has the capacity to find their own solutions with the right support.

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SOLUTION-FOCUSED BRIEF THERAPY

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) is a goal-oriented, short-term approach that focuses on identifying strengths and building practical solutions rather than dwelling on problems. It helps individuals create positive change by focusing on what’s working and setting achievable steps toward their desired future.
 

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MOTIVATIONAL INTERVIEWING

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a collaborative, person-centered approach that helps individuals explore and strengthen their motivation for change. It focuses on guiding—not directing—conversations to support individuals in making decisions that align with their goals and values.

 

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NARRATIVE THERAPY

Narrative Therapy is a collaborative approach that helps individuals separate themselves from their problems and reshape the stories they tell about their lives. It focuses on identifying strengths, values, and experiences to empower individuals to create more positive and meaningful narratives.

 

Illustration of a mother, father, and teenage son in a therapy session with a female therapist wearing glasses, with the teenage boy appearing quietly curious.

FAMILY THERAPY

Family Therapy is a collaborative approach that works with families to improve communication, strengthen relationships, and address challenges together. It focuses on understanding family dynamics and supporting healthier interactions to promote overall well-being for each member.
 

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CRISIS INTERVENTION

Crisis Intervention is immediate, short-term support designed to help individuals navigate acute emotional or psychological distress. It focuses on stabilizing the situation, ensuring safety, and connecting individuals to ongoing care and resources for continued support.
 

Illustrated scene of a behavioral health counseling session showing a woman speaking emotionally with a therapist in a calm office setting. A speech bubble says, “It feels so good to finally let it out,” and a wall sign reads, “You are not alone.”

EMOTIONALLY FOCUSED THERAPY

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is an evidence-based approach that helps individuals and couples understand and strengthen emotional connections. It focuses on identifying and expressing emotions, improving communication, and creating secure, supportive relationships.
 

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SCHOOL SERVICES

Our providers currently offer outpatient services at the following locations...

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TEELAND MIDDLE SCHOOL
 

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IDITAROD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
 

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WASILLA MIDDLE SCHOOL
 

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HOUSTON HIGH SCHOOL
 

Circular logo with the words “Redington High School Huskies” around the border, featuring a stylized husky dog head in the center with blue, gray, and white coloring and green eyes.

REDINGTON JR/SR HIGH SCHOOL
 

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HOUSTON MIDDLE SCHOOL
 

Logo featuring gray mountain outlines above the text “Dená’ina Grizzlies,” with a red silhouette of an adult bear and cub to the right. A smaller tagline below reads, “Healthy bodies, active minds, responsible citizens.”

DENA'INA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
 

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WILLOW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
 

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SHERROD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
 

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MEET OUR BH PROVIDERS

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CRYSTAL EDWARDS, LCSW

BH DIRECTOR

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LEXIE PALMER, LPC
 

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BRIE PINERO-BEACH, MSW
 

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TERESA SCHWEITZER, LMSW
 

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RITA SETZKE, LPC
 

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MARY "POLLY' MILDENBERGER, ANP
 

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HELEN MICHAELSON, LMSW
 

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JOY MILLER, MSC
 

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MEET OUR CARE TEAM

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TANYA OLSON

BH ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR

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DERRICK PENNINGTON

BH CARE MANAGER

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HEATHER BARNES

PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST

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RESOURCES

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The place sparkles from the front desk to the exam room to the restroom. And the personalities of the staff match. Everyone I met seemed warm, friendly, caring and concerned about my welfare. Most important, every member of the the staff is also professional and competent. I highly recommend the Sunshine Community Health Center in Willow for your health care needs.

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