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!

Coping With Medical Burnout is a group designed to teach skills for managing stress and anxiety related to medical burnout. The group is for individuals ages 18 and up with a current mental health diagnosis and a chronic medical condition impacting their mental health, who are willing and able to participate. It will be held on Wednesdays from 12 PM – 2 PM, from June 18th to August 6th.

The Tabletop Gaming Therapy Group is designed to help school-aged youth develop social strategies, build relationships, improve communication, and manage impulse control through tabletop games. The group will focus on enhancing social skills such as collaboration, understanding cause-and-effect, problem-solving, and teamwork, as well as identity work including exploring identities, building empathy, and improving self-esteem. It is open to students aged 12-17 with a current mental health diagnosis, who are willing to participate, learn new game rules. The group will run on Tuesdays from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, from June 17th to August 26th

This summer, Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Center will host a CBITS program at Lewiston–Altura Elementary School for youth ages 12–14. Through nine weekly group sessions and two individual meetings, participants will learn coping strategies, relaxation techniques, and problem-solving skills to address stress and trauma. The program begins June 17th and concludes August 19th with a graduation ceremony.

Summer 2025 Challengers is a 10-week mental health therapy and skills group for children ages 6-10. 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 on Thursdays from 10-11:30 AM.

Mind to Muscle Skills Group aims to teach children, age 6-10, essential skills for success in school and social settings through physical activity. The group will focus on body movements, compliance, coping skills, accepting defeat, and team-building social skills. The group will run from 10:00-11:30 AM on various days throughout the summer. Activities will include kickball, bags, T-ball, park days, water days, frisbee, tag, and running games.