Bethink

04/13/2026

Meet Brian Paugh, PA-C, MSPAS 👋

Brian is a Psychiatric Physician Assistant who specializes in medication management for both adolescents and adults. With experience across inpatient and outpatient psychiatry, he brings a well-rounded, compassionate approach to treating a wide range of concerns including mood disorders, anxiety, trauma, attention disorders, insomnia, and more.

What sets Brian apart is his thoughtful, whole-person approach to care. He works closely with patients to explore all treatment options while empowering them to make informed decisions about their mental health. He emphasizes that medication isn’t always a lifelong need, often viewing it as a tool to support individuals as they engage in therapy and lifestyle change .

Brian is passionate about helping individuals feel heard and understood from the very first visit. He believes in meeting people where they are, reminding them that we all share similar struggles—and that meaningful improvement is possible.

The most rewarding part of his work? Seeing his patients’ lives improve and stress decrease over time .

Outside of clinical care, Brian values the role of exercise, nutrition, and daily habits in supporting mental wellness, and encourages a collaborative approach that includes therapy and lifestyle changes.

We’re grateful to have Brian as part of our team!

03/09/2026

🌙 March 8th-14th is National Sleep Awareness Week 🌙

Sleep is essential for children’s brain development, learning, and emotional well-being. According to the Mayo Clinic, children and teens need the following amounts of sleep for healthy development:

• Infants (4–12 months): 12–16 hours per day (including naps)
• Toddlers (1–2 years): 11–14 hours per day (including naps)
• Preschoolers (3–5 years): 10–13 hours per day
• School-age children (6–12 years): 9–12 hours per day
• Teenagers (13–18 years): 8–10 hours per day

Getting enough sleep helps support attention, learning, mood regulation, and overall physical health. When children consistently get adequate sleep, they are better prepared to grow, learn, and thrive.

03/03/2026

Provider Spotlight: Stacey Norton-Modrell, LISW, RPT-S ✨

With more than 30 years of clinical experience, Stacey Norton-Modrell brings wisdom, warmth, and steady support to every client she serves. As a Licensed Independent Social Worker and Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor, she provides compassionate, evidence-based care to children, adolescents, adults, and families navigating concerns ranging from everyday stress to more complex mental health challenges.

Stacey spends three full days each week in the clinic, developing strong therapeutic relationships and walking alongside clients as they work toward meaningful change. She shares that the most rewarding part of her work is seeing individuals grow — watching hope emerge where pain or distress once felt overwhelming.

Her approach is collaborative and individualized. During intake, Stacey often incorporates a genogram to better understand family history and relational patterns, helping clients feel heard while identifying clear, achievable therapy goals. She utilizes cognitive-behavioral strategies to support clients in recognizing unhelpful thought patterns and replacing them with more accurate, empowering perspectives.

As a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor with advanced training in play-based and Sand Tray therapy, Stacey creates developmentally responsive spaces where children and adolescents can safely express and process their emotions. She believes the client–therapist relationship is foundational — trust creates the conditions for meaningful healing.

Stacey is also energized by advances in neuroscience that expand our understanding of how trauma, substance use, injury, and lifestyle impact the brain. At BeThink Health, she collaborates with a multidisciplinary team providing therapy, medication management, and psychological testing to ensure continuity of care and treatment plans that reflect the whole person.

If you or your child are feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or simply ready for support, you don’t have to navigate it alone.

📍 Ready to take the next step? Contact our clinic to learn more about therapy services.

02/06/2026

✨ Team Spotlight: Meet Jenny! ✨

We’re excited to shine a light on Jenny Pattee, our Consultative Specialist, and the incredible support she provides to clients and families at bethink.

A school psychologist by training, Jenny partners closely with our clinical teams on autism evaluations, ADHD evaluations, and other psychological testing. Beyond evaluations, she offers highly individualized consultation services to support families in real, practical ways, including:

• Child development guidance and parent support
• Child Find education and navigation
• IEP, 504, and special education guidance
• Academic and learning intervention support
• Support for parents of children with challenging behaviors
• Behavior plan development, tracking, and follow-through
• Support tailored to each family’s unique needs

💛 What Jenny loves most about her work: helping clients and families better understand themselves (or their child) and feel confident taking next steps to improve daily life.

✨ One thing she wishes more people knew: evaluations and diagnoses are meant to be enlightening and supportive—not stressful, limiting, or diminishing.

🌟 What makes Jenny’s role especially valuable at bethink:
Jenny serves as a bridge between the clinic and everyday life, helping translate recommendations into practical, meaningful steps families can feel confident taking. For some, she’s also a starting point—offering support when they aren’t quite ready for a full evaluation or medication. An added bonus? Jenny is a Cogmed Coach, supporting children and adults through a research-based online program designed to strengthen working memory and attention using short daily exercises and weekly virtual coaching check-ins.

With 30+ years of experience in schools, a background as a special education and elementary teacher, and training in autism-specific assessment, Jenny brings deep insight, clarity, and compassion to our team.

📍 Ready to take the next step?
Contact our clinic to learn more about evaluations or consultative services.

01/29/2026

Tomorrow is Parent Mental Health Day 💙

Parenting is one of the most meaningful jobs — and also one of the most mentally demanding. Between schedules, behavior challenges, school stress, work demands, and trying to “do it all,” many parents carry more than they ever say out loud.

Parent Mental Health Day is a reminder that:
• Your wellbeing matters
• Your stress is valid
• Getting support is not selfish — it’s healthy

When parents are supported, families thrive.

A few gentle reminders for tomorrow (and every day):
✔ Take one small break without guilt (even 5 minutes counts)
✔ Lower the “perfect parent” expectations
✔ Ask for help before you hit burnout
✔ Talk to someone you trust (or a professional)
✔ Remember: caring for yourself models emotional health for your child

Our clinic is here to support parents and caregivers with:
• Parenting stress & burnout
• Anxiety & depression
• Family stress and life transitions
• Child behavior support
• Therapy for individuals

You don’t have to do this alone. 💙

Tomorrow is Parent Mental Health Day 2026 💙

Tomorrow, Friday 30th January 2026, we mark Parent Mental Health Day (PMHD) — an annual awareness day founded by youth mental health charity stem4.

PMHD highlights the vital link between parental wellbeing and the health of the whole family, encouraging open conversations about parental stress, burnout and the challenges of the digital world — and sharing resources that can help.

Because when parents are supported, families thrive.

01/05/2026

✨ Meet Our New Therapist at Bethink! ✨

We’re so excited to welcome Brooke Vollmer, tLMHC, to the Bethink team!

Brooke brings warmth, compassion, and a strong clinical foundation to her work. She specializes in working with children and adolescents, but also works with adults. She is passionate about supporting individuals across the lifespan—helping them build coping skills, confidence, and insight as they navigate emotional, behavioral, and life stressors.

We are thrilled to have Brooke joining our growing team and know she will be a wonderful support to the children, families, and adults we serve 💙

👉 Now accepting new clients!
To schedule with Brooke or learn more, visit www.bethinkhealth.com or give us a call at 712-202-2255.

Mental health care for children, adolescents, and adults.
{Psychology, psychiatry, & therapy}

12/18/2025

The holiday season can be a time of togetherness and celebration for families, but it can also bring added stress, emotional ups and downs, and changes in routines—especially for children and teens.

Research shows that:
• Nearly 40% of adults report increased stress during the holiday season
• Children and adolescents may experience heightened anxiety when routines change
• Family stress, financial pressure, and social expectations can impact emotional well-being

For families of children with autism, ADHD, or sensory processing differences, the holidays may include additional challenges. Busy environments, loud gatherings, changes in routine, and increased expectations can feel overwhelming. Supporting regulation may look like allowing movement breaks, offering quiet spaces, preparing children ahead of time, or adjusting expectations to meet individual needs.

Small, intentional supports can make a meaningful difference. Keeping parts of daily routines consistent, using visual schedules or countdowns, honoring sensory preferences, and celebrating flexibility can help children feel safe and understood.

Prioritize your mental health throughout this holiday season! Focus on self-care, set clear boundaries and reach out to friends, family, or professionals for support when needed. 😉

Remember, it’s okay to feel a mix of emotions—acknowledge them and take proactive steps to enhance your well-being! 💙

12/04/2025

Siouxland Choice Awards are in full swing and we’ve made the top six of mental health clinics in Siouxland! Help us take home the official title by voting everyday! You can text 156 to 712-481-4363 or by visiting this link: https://siouxcityjournal.com/exclusive/readerschoice/ballot-2026/

12/02/2025

As we move into December — Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Awareness Month — it’s a good time to check in with ourselves and each other.

SAD is a form of depression that follows a seasonal pattern, most often appearing in the fall and winter when sunlight is limited. ☁️

SAD is more common than many people realize. About 5% of adults in the U.S. experience SAD, and another 10–20% experience a milder version often called the “winter blues.” If you’ve been feeling more tired, down, or less motivated lately, you’re not alone.

Evidence-based ways to cope include:
🌞 Getting daily exposure to natural light
🧠 Talking with a mental health professional
🏃‍♀️ Staying active and maintaining consistent routines

This time of year can be tough, but small steps can make a big difference. Be gentle with yourself and reach out if you need support.

As the days get shorter, some people start to feel the effects of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) — a form of depression linked to reduced sunlight. 🌥️
If you’ve been feeling more tired, unmotivated, or down lately, you’re not alone. Small steps like getting outside, using light therapy, or talking to someone can make a big difference. 🌞💛

11/11/2025

Happy National Nurse Practitioner Week!
(November 9–15, 2025)

This week, we celebrate the incredible work of nurse practitioners and the vital role they play in providing quality care. We’re proud to recognize Erin Hodgson, DNP, ARNP, PMHNP, our dedicated Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. 💚

Erin provides compassionate, holistic care for children and adolescents, focusing on their mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Her collaborative approach ensures each patient receives thoughtful, individualized support.

Thank you, Erin, and all nurse practitioners, for your expertise, compassion, and commitment to your patients every day! 👏

11/06/2025

🌿 Today is National Stress Awareness Day! 🌿
Take a moment to check in with yourself 💭

Managing stress is an important part of caring for your mental health. Check out this post from NAMI for practical ways to support your well-being.

11/04/2025

Honoring the Heart of Caregiving this November 💙

November is National Family Caregivers Month—a time to celebrate the extraordinary individuals who give their time, patience, and hearts to care for their loved ones.

For families of individuals with autism, caregiving often means navigating unique joys and challenges each day—supporting communication, fostering independence, and creating spaces where their loved ones can thrive. These caregivers embody resilience, advocacy, and unconditional love in every moment.

Let’s take this month to recognize their dedication, listen to their stories, and offer the gratitude and support they so deeply deserve.

To all caregivers—you are seen, appreciated, and profoundly valued. 💛

We recognize November as National Family Caregivers Month, a time to celebrate and honor family caregivers everywhere for their dedication and support.