Minnesota Is Waiting for Families
In Minnesota there are 733 children waiting for families. Foster families play a critical role as many children in foster care have experienced trauma during their critical developmental years.
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Empathy Is Essential in Residential Treatment
We are quick to judge parents, even when we don’t know the backstory. In residential treatment, we work hard to recognize the parent’s effort in trying to find help for their child, no matter how they show up throughout the treatment process.
Why Is Caregiver Involvement Important in Child Therapy?
It is very important for the caregiver to be involved in their child's therapy. As the caregiver you provide the most treatment, your therapist needs your input, and the therapists are here to support you.
One Cup at a Time
The Cornerstone Café serves as a vocational program of Nexus-Onarga Family Healing where youth in residence build real-world skills by applying, interviewing, training and working at the café.
Rewriting the Story
Fostering or adopting a child can be one of the most rewarding experiences as you help a child rewrite the story of their future. We sat down with Melissa Moore, a foster and adoptive parent, to ask her what rewriting the story means to her and her family.
Fostering Hope
It can be easy to mislabel foster youth, but it’s important to recognize the trauma and loss they often carry—and their resilience in navigating it. Foster parenting goes far beyond providing basic needs; it’s about supporting emotional growth, validating experiences, and helping children feel seen, valued, and worthy.
Supporting a Child Exposed to Trauma
We know more about childhood trauma and its effect on the developing child than we ever have before. The resiliency of the developing brain provides an opportunity for us to intervene and provide healthy, safe, and nurturing experiences that grow the brain and help heal.
What is Childhood Trauma?
One in four children experiences a traumatic event before age 16. Trauma differs from everyday stress in that it involves a real or perceived threat, an overwhelming sense of fear or helplessness, and a strong physical stress response such as rapid heart rate, shaking, or increased breathing.
Life after Foster Care
With celebrations, graduation parties, and college preparations underway, many young adults are eager to leave home and step into new independence. In doing so, they may not always recognize the support systems that have helped them along the way. For youth in foster care, this transition can look very different.
Building New Families through Foster Care
The idea of becoming a foster parent can bring both excitement and uncertainty. In a podcast episode, a foster parent and social worker share their experiences to help ease concerns and offer insight into building families through foster care.
Fishing for Health
Sport fishing is central to the Mille Lacs Lake area and offers more than just recreation. Beyond fresh air and relaxation, fishing can support mental health, strengthen relationships, and provide space for self-care, helping reduce stress, ease anxiety, and improve overall mood.
Talking to Children about Difficult Topics or Events
While adults often try to shield children from difficult topics, it’s not always helpful—especially when they’re already exposed to real-life events. In these moments, open conversations are important to help children process, understand, and make sense of what’s happening around them.
The Top Five Myths of Foster Care
There are many myths about becoming foster parents. Some of these myths may even stop an amazing potential foster family from inquiring because they don’t believe they would qualify. We’re here today to debunk what tend to be the top five myths of foster care and set the record straight!
The Elements of Wellbeing
We all share the same fundamental needs to wellbeing regardless of who we are. These five universal needs are equally important and interconnected and if one need is lacking or having a negative impact on another, our wellbeing is out of whack.
5 Things to Know if Your Family Is New to Telehealth Therapy
Telehealth therapy offers real-time, two-way communication with a therapist through technology, providing continuity of care for individuals, couples, and families. It’s a flexible option for those seeking support for depression, anxiety, or stress.
When Does Your Child Need Professional Mental Health Care
Adolescents experience a wide range of emotions and behaviors, making it hard to define what’s “normal.” While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, understanding key warning signs can help parents recognize when it may be time to seek support from a mental health professional.
Parent Resources
Nexus is committed to involving families in the treatment process. That includes providing information and resources to help you better understand your child's mental health and family needs during this time.
Talking to Your Kid about Their Drug or Alcohol Problem
Many parents may not recognize signs of substance use right away, and problems can develop before concerns arise. Teens often hide their use, while parents may underestimate the risk—highlighting the importance of awareness, open communication, and early intervention.
Understanding Self-Harm
Intentional self-injury is a leading cause of ER visits among teens and young adults. It can take many forms, including cutting, burning, or skin picking. Recognizing the signs of self-harm is an important step in helping your child get the support they need.
Responding to Your Child’s Anger
All humans experience anger, and your child is no different. A child's brain often cannot process their emotions, especially during a stressful time. That can result in an emotional or behavioral outburst. Parents typically resort to one of two reactions when their child is acting out.
How Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Can Help Your Child
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a common treatment that helps children understand the connection between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It supports them in identifying negative thinking patterns and responding to challenges in healthier, more effective ways.
A Parent’s Shame
Parents of children with mental health challenges often lack the support they need. Relationships may change, leaving them feeling isolated or even blamed for their child’s struggles. This highlights the need for greater understanding, compassion, and support for families.
Mental Health Issues & Problems at School
Mental health issues in youth and teens often present themselves as difficulties in school, and, if left untreated, can result in school drop out. The U.S. Department of Education reports that approximately 50% of students, ages 14 and older, with mental health problems, eventually drop out of high school.
When Does Discipline Cross the Line to Abuse?
When does disciple become abuse? Each state has its own definition of what constitutes child abuse, but a story in the Boston Globe states that generally, “any intentional physical contact that causes bodily injury or extreme physical pain to a child can be prosecuted as a criminal act.”
Resources provided through our website are informational in nature and not meant to take the place of consulting your physician, mental health professional, or other qualified health providers regarding your well-being or the well-being of others.