Integrative Mental Health Care Orientations Modules

Web Modules

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Integrative Mental Health

Integrative mental health considers the needs of the whole person. Many experts in the field of IMH agree that psychiatric medications play a part in IMH, sometimes a big one, as does therapy. But medications and therapy should not be the only tools in our box like sometimes happens in the mental health care system. With integrative mental health, providers work closely with each client to understand his or her wishes and then carefully consider a variety of treatments or approaches. They typically start with the least intrusive approach in an effort to help the person heal and recover.

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Touchstone Mental Health

Recovery from mental illness and whole person wellness starts at Touchstone Mental Health where our mission is to "inspire hope, healing and well-being." We consider each person as a whole; integrating treatment, care and resources which support a healthy mind, body, and spirit. We are a point of reference guiding clients, community members and residents toward recovery and well-being We encourage each person to define their life goals — physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, social, vocational and interpersonal - and we provide the tools so people achieve them. In this module you'll have the chance to learn more about our team approach by engaging in an interactive case story about a typical Touchstone resident.

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Amherst H. Wilder Foundation

The Amherst H. Wilder Foundation is a nonprofit community organization that helps children, families and older adults in the greater east metro area of St. Paul through direct service programs, research, leadership development and community building. The Wilder family willed their estate over a century ago to help the poor, sick and needy of Saint Paul, beginning a legacy of service. The Amherst H. Wilder Foundation believes that investing in people, enhancing relationships, and promoting health and resilience will help create a vibrant community. Through our direct service programs, Wilder Research, and community building, we are helping people reach their full potential.

Audio Modules

Lois Egan

Lois Egan, MA, MSW, LICSW

Lois is currently a licensed psychotherapist in private practice in Minneapolis, Minnesota; she has been working in the field of health care and integrative mental health services in various capacities for 30+ years. She is devoted to the development of embodied consciousness and comprehensive healing for individuals, families, communities and as part of the larger collective evolution in the world. To that end she weaves together an extensive background in social work, public policy, occupational therapy, physical healing arts, somatic and psychodynamic psychotherapy. Her love of the natural world, movement, improvisational dance, interplay, expressive arts and cultural healing practices informs her life and work.

Audio of Lois Egan

Henry Emmons

Henry Emmons, MD

Henry is a psychiatrist who integrates mind-body and natural therapies, mindfulness teachings, and compassion and insight into his clinical work. His career has been animated by the desire to develop more integrative (holistic) approaches for such common mental health problems as depression and anxiety. He practices with Partners in Resilience, where they offer Pathways to Resilience, a program that integrates the best of movement, nutrition, natural therapies and the psychology of mindfulness to help restore resilience and rediscover joy.

Henry is a sought-after presenter, book author and a respected consultant on such topics as integrating natural and mindfulness therapies in psychiatry, the interface between spirituality and mental health, and personal and professional renewal. He has developed several transformational programs, including A Year of Living Mindfully and The Inner Life of Healers through the University of Minnesota’s Center for Spirituality and Healing; and Resilience Training at the Penny George Institute for Health and Healing. He is also a founding board member of the International Network for Integrative Mental Health.

Audio of Henry Emmons

Lori Knutson

Lori Knutson, RN, BSN, HNB-BC

Lori is the senior director of health and wellness services for Touchstone Mental Health in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She is the founding executive director of the Penny George Institute for Health and Healing, Allina Health, named the largest integrative health program in the United States. She also held the position of executive director for Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute. Lori is a member of the Advisory Council for the Academic Consortium of Complementary and Alternative Health Care, and core faculty for Duke University’s Integrative Healthcare Leadership program. Lori has authored several book chapters and published peer-reviewed articles. In 2006, the American Holistic Nurses Association honored Lori as the Holistic Nurse of the Year.

Audio of Lori Knutson

Mark Schneiderhan

Mark E. Schneiderhan

Mark is a Board Certified Psychiatric Pharmacist (BCPP) who has been providing psychiatric pharmacy consultations and teaching since 1994. Education: Ferris State University, Michigan, BS Pharmacy; 1981-1986, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Doctor of Pharmacy, 1990-1992; Western Missouri Mental Health Center, Kansas City, MO, Psychiatric Pharmacist Residency and Fellowship, 1992-1994. Clinical Practice: Collaborative Practice and Comprehensive Medication Management (CMM) at the Human Development Center, Duluth, MN. Teaching: UMN, College of Pharmacy Faculty, Psychiatry and Neurology course co-facilitator and lecturer. Recent Publication: Schneiderhan ME, Shuster S, Davey CS. “12-month prospective randomized study of pharmacists utilizing point-of-care screenings for metabolic syndrome and related conditions in subjects prescribed antipsychotics.” Prim Care Companion CNS Disord 2014;16(5):

Audio of Mark E. Schneiderhan

Laura Sandquist

Laura Sandquist

Laura graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree in May of 2012 with a dual specialty in Integrative Health and Healing and as an Adult and Geriatric Nurse Practitioner. While a student at the University, Laura received a fellowship from the George Family Foundation through the University’s Center for Spirituality and Healing to study functional medicine. She also holds certification as an Intrinsic Health Coach. Her undergraduate nursing degree and minor in psychology are from Winona State University. The first six years of her career Laura worked in inpatient acute care at a large hospital in Minneapolis. Upon graduating from the DNP program, she worked as a Functional Medicine Nurse Practitioner at a private practice in Edina, MN and a Health Advisor and Clinical Resource for a Minneapolis based corporate wellness company. She also co-authored the chapter “Nutrition and Integrative Nursing” in the textbook Integrative Nursing. In March 2014 she transitioned to her new role as the Health and Wellness Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Lead at Touchstone’s Community Health and Wellness Center which is a nurse-designed and nurse-led wellness care model.

Audio of Laura Sandquist

Sue Towey

Sue Towey

Sue is an ANCC Board-Certified Advanced Practice RN, a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Adult Psychiatry and Mental Health, (with prescriptive privileges) as well as a Licensed Psychologist. Her extensive professional experience (30 years) includes program development, clinical supervision, and practice in psych/mental health.

While on faculty at the Center for Spirituality & Healing at the University of Minnesota from its inception in 1995 through 2014, Sue created several courses for the Center's Graduate Minor in Integrative Therapies and Healing Practices.

Sue is currently in private practice as a mental health practitioner (Integrative Health Consultants). She works collaboratively with clients and other health practitioners to integrate holistic mental health modalities into treatment.

Audio of Sue Towey