Winona, Minn. — As Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Center (HVMHC) celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2025, the organization is proud to highlight the continued growth and evolution of its Outpatient Mental Health Services—a cornerstone of its mission to provide compassionate, accessible care to individuals and families throughout southeastern Minnesota.
What began as a small clinic in Winona in 1965 has since expanded to include outpatient offices in Wabasha, Caledonia, and Red Wing. Today, HVMHC’s outpatient department is staffed by a robust team of 21 dedicated professionals, including licensed psychologists, clinical social workers, and professional clinical counselors. The team offers both in-person and telehealth therapy options to ensure flexibility and accessibility for all clients.
“Our goal is to meet people where they are and walk alongside them toward healing and growth,” said Michelle Monerson, PsyD, LP, Director of Outpatient Mental Health. “Over the past six decades, we’ve seen remarkable progress in mental health treatment, and our team remains committed to staying at the forefront of evidence-based care.”
HVMHC’s outpatient services begin with a comprehensive evaluation to better understand a client’s history, symptoms, needs, and potential barriers. From there, individualized treatment recommendations are made, and psychological testing may be used when additional clarity is needed. Therapy options include individual, couples, family, and group counseling, all tailored to address a wide range of mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, trauma, psychosis, and personality disorders.
The department has embraced the evolution of mental health treatment, drawing from a variety of therapeutic models. In addition to foundational approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and humanistic therapy, HVMHC’s clinicians integrate contemporary and trauma-informed modalities including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Internal Family Systems (IFS).
“We have adopted a more holistic, individualized, and integrated approach to care,” said Dr. Monerson. “By utilizing a range of treatment modalities, we aim to help individuals enhance their self-awareness, develop greater distress tolerance, improve their ability to regulate both their body and emotions, and modify their responses to better align with their personal values and goals.”
Clients often seek outpatient services to navigate life’s many challenges—whether it’s recovering from abuse, coping with grief, handling major life transitions, or building healthier relationships. With a compassionate, professional team and a commitment to innovation, HVMHC continues to be a trusted partner in mental health care across the region.
In alignment with its commitment to innovation and progress in mental health care, HVMHC has implemented Eleos Technology—an augmented intelligence note-taking tool designed to streamline clinical documentation. This cutting-edge platform has significantly improved the documentation process for therapists, allowing them to stay more present and engaged during client sessions. The result has been increased therapist confidence, improved adherence to documentation standards, enhanced focus on client care, and a noticeable reduction in burnout.
As part of its 60th anniversary celebration, HVMHC extends heartfelt gratitude to the communities it serves and reaffirms its dedication to providing high-quality, person-centered mental health care for decades to come.
For more information about HVMHC’s outpatient services, visit www.hvmhc.org. To schedule an appointment for services through HVMHC, individuals can call 1-800-657-6777 or visit www.hvmhc.org/contact/make-an-appointment. As a nonprofit, HVMHC relies on donations to support its programs and expand access to care. To contribute, visit https://www.hvmhc.org/donate/ and help make a difference.
SE MN mobile crisis unit overseen by HVMHC is available 24-hours a day in Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Wabasha, and Winona counties at: 1-844-CRISIS2 or 1-800-274-7472.
