Alaska Behavioral Health

02/25/2026

Excellent work, MaryBeth! 🥳

Our Cohen Clinic team works hard to provide the highest quality mental healthcare to our active duty service members, veterans and their families.

We are so proud to serve you!

02/25/2026

When someone says they're spiritual, John McDougall asks what they do to actually nourish that connection. McDougall shared his thoughts about the connections between spirituality and mental health, and ideas for practicing spiritual fitness for the Clinic's Winter Mental Health Lunch & Learn series.

Read more on our website!
https://loom.ly/4aKCPog

02/24/2026

Want to sharpen some of your parenting skills or learn new ones? Here are 12 ways to embrace positive parenting within your household ✨

Read our latest blog post here: https://loom.ly/IzBfIsM

Parenting is one of the most rewarding—and challenging—journeys we undertake. In the Cohen Clinic’s most […]

02/23/2026

this , we're sharing facts about eating disorders. Want to learn more? Check out Alaska Eating Disorders Alliance and National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) for resources and information.

02/19/2026

Eating disorders in boys and men appear to be on the rise. One study found as many as 20% may meet the diagnostic criteria. Boys and men are more likely to be focused on muscle mass than overall size, but that muscle dysmorphia can lead to disordered eating. Eating disorders in men may be missed in standard screenings focused on food restriction, fewer treatment options exist for boys, and there's a "double stigma": it may be even harder for boys to talk about eating disorders because they are seen as a female issue.

If you're worried about anyone's eating, male or female, start a conversation, or reach out for help.

02/18/2026

“We’re not meant to absorb the stress of 8 billion people," says Dr. Angie Salvato, PhD, Cohen Clinic Clinician. "We have never consumed as much trauma and stress in the past as we do now from our phones."

Dr. Salvato shared information about how our nervous systems work, and some of her favorite nervous system calming techniques at a recent lunch and learn.

Read more here: https://loom.ly/DERahO0 or watch the full video on YouTube. https://loom.ly/oLZCPcE

02/16/2026

Eating Disorders affect 1 in 10 people in the United States sometime during their lifetime. Anyone can experience an eating disorders, but women are 5 times as likely to be diagnosed and 1.5 times as likely to seek treatment. Some people are at greater risk: athletes are 2 to 3 times as likely to develop an eating disorder.

02/12/2026

Eating disorders are not just a problem for girls and young women: 13% of middle age women report symptoms of eating disorders. Some may be long-standing issues, long-ignored and rising to the surface. Others may develop in middle age as life changes and the physical changes of menopause play a role in self-perception and mental health.

Eating disorders in midlife can contribute to poor bone health, muscle loss, and heart disease.

Recovery is possible with effective treatment! Reach out for help today.

02/11/2026

You can now reach us at one phone number, across the state!
907-563-1000

We’re upgrading our phone systems! Phone numbers for Fairbanks staff with the 317 prefix will be phasing out. Rest assured, you’ll still be able to connect with a live human being located in Fairbanks when you call 907-563-1000!

02/10/2026

Recently staff were trained in Family Based Treatment, the leading evidence-based treatments for anorexia in children and teens. FBT involves the whole family in solving their child's eating disorder. Parents are the experts on their children, and FBT puts them in charge.

Training in a new EPB is a lot of work, with lectures, role playing (pictured), and follow-up consultation and supervision with our trainers from Stanford University. But it's worth it: Alaska needs more effective in-state treatment options for eating disorders, and we're proud to be able to meet this need.

We are now accepting new patients for FBT in Anchorage, Wasilla, and Fairbanks, and statewide via telehealth.

Call us at 907-563-1000!

02/09/2026

What's the difference between an eating disorder and disordered eating?

Both include problematic eating behaviors and often distorted body image, but eating disorders are marked by more obsessive thoughts about food, feelings of distress around eating, significant changes in weight and impaired functioning.

Both are cause for concern: disordered eating is a risk factor for developing an eating disorder and early intervention improves treatment outcomes.

If you're concerned about someone's eating behavior or attitude, help them connect and seek support.

disorders

02/06/2026

📣 Calling all Alaskans who are interested in learning how to make an impact!

Our next Mental Health First Aid class will be held virtually via Zoom on Tuesday, February 17th from 9am - 4pm. This class is all about learning the signs and symptoms of a mental health challenge and how to intervene appropriately. This class is free of charge and still has a few openings! We'd love to see you there.

Click here to register: https://loom.ly/DtTyWks

AKBH and The ACTC provide training in trauma care through partnerships with the National Childhood Traumatic Stress Network and the State of Alaska’s Trauma Training initiative.