Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Center (HVMHC) is offering specialized summer therapy and group skill-building programs for children. Referrals can be made by providers, caregivers, or current clients, with evaluations required for participation.

Providers: Please consult the child’s authorized representative before referrals and attach a signed Release of Information (ROI) for follow-up on the referral status.

Clients New to HVMHC: To register your child for a summer program the first step is to request an appointment on our website. While you can express program preferences, a Comprehensive Evaluation is necessary to determine diagnoses and medical recommendations before beginning programming.

Referrals for Current Clients of HVMHC: Current clients of HVMHC should email AndyB@hvmhc.org to register for a specific group. For those who do not currently receive services at HVMHC, please use the referral form on our website to get started.

If you have any questions, email Andy at AndyB@hvmhc.org!

Outdoor Adventure Group is a program made to help children learn social skills, problem solving skills, critical thinking, and creative coping skills. The group is for individuals ages 6 to 12. It will be held at Spring Grove School on Thursdays from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm, from June 22nd to July 30th. Contact Jake Kirschner at jakek@hvmhc.org or Ed Hedin at edh@hvmhc.org with any questions.

Join us for a 9-week mental health therapy and skills group this summer, where we will be engaging with nature, art, and games to support mental and behavioral health. For current HVMHC clients. Children ages 7-11 Wednesdays 2:30-4:00 pm and ages 12-18 Thursdays 2:30-4:00 pm. Program runs June 17-August 13. The program will take place at our Wabasha location at Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Center 611 Broadway Ave, Wabasha MN 55981. Reach out to KayleeH@hvmhc.org or HeidiT@hvmhc.org for more information.

Turning the Page is a 10-week small group designed to help children build emotional awareness, coping skills, and confidence through engaging storybooks, hands-on activities, and guided discussions. Children learn how to understand feelings, manage big reactions, strengthen friendships, and solve problems in a safe, supportive environment. Turning the Page is intended for children entering 1st-4th grade and may struggle with anger or frustration, worry or anxious thoughts, peer conflict, impulse control, or big emotions. The program includes story-based learning, interactive skill practice, guided small group discussion, and weekly take-home materials for caregivers. A current comprehensive evaluation must be on file. Tuesdays 9:30-10:00 am, June 16 – August 18, 2026 at our Winona location at Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Center 420 E Sarnia St., Winona, MN 55987. Contact Mandy Morris at mandym@hvmhc.org for more information.

DBT Group is a structured, skills-based therapy group that teaches practical tools to manage emotions, improve relationships, and reduce impulsive or challenging behaviors. Participants learn and practice skills in four key areas: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. This group focuses on building concrete coping strategies that can be used in everyday situations. Sessions include education, guided practice, and structured homework to help members apply skills outside of group. DBT Group is designed to support individuals who may be experience intense emotions, relationship challenges, or difficulty managing stress. DBT helps individuals with various mental health needs by decreasing harmful patterns and building healthier, more effective behaviors. The program will run from the week of June 15th to August 17th at Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Center at 420 E. Sarnia St. Winona, MN 55987. Ages 7-11 will be on Mondays from 10:00-11:00 am and ages 12-17 will be on Wednesdays from 10:00-11:00 am.  Contact Rebecca Gilmore at rebeccag@hvmhc.org or call 507-905-0655.

2026 Summer Challengers is a 10-week mental health therapy and skills group for children ages 6-10 who are current HVMHC clients. It will combine S.T.E.M. projects, nature-based therapeutic activities, and animal-assisted therapy. Participants will learn critical thinking and problem-solving, emotional expression and regulation, social skills, teamwork and collaboration, self-awareness and self-esteem, resilience, and creative and fun coping skills. The group will meet June 11th to August 27th on Thursdays from 10:00-11:30 am. The program takes place at La Crescent Elementary School at 504 South Oak St. La Crescent, MN 55947. Contact kellil@hvmhc.org or danielp@hvmhc.org for more information.

Play a new or old favorite, learn a new skill, and make art! Build social, impulse and mindfulness skills in a group setting. This program is for children ages 8-13 and takes place at our Winona location at Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Center 420 E Sarnia St. Winona MN 55987. Art and Games takes place June 25th to August 13th on Thursdays 9:00-10:30 am, with no session July 2nd. Contact paytonk@hvmhc.org or melissaf@hvmhc.org for more information.