To be honest, November is not one of my favorite months. It is when things start to freeze, all the trees are stripped bare, and it makes my puppy shiver when she goes outside to pee. However, I appreciate that we take time off to get together with friends and family near the end of the month for Thanksgiving! I love Thanksgiving! Yes, I am fully aware that the origins of the holiday are full of colonial propaganda. I’ve always felt more connected to the indigenous persons rather than pilgrims in said propaganda. That said, I see no reason to throw away an opportunity to connect with our loved ones and pour red chile on mashed potatoes.
I have always loved Thanksgiving ever since I was a kid. In my family, everyone loves to tell the story of how I asked someone to pass more mashed potatoes as a child and didn’t get an answer. I looked up and saw that everyone had already left the table and was laughing at me in the living room! They were taking bets on how long it would take me to notice that everyone had left because I was eating with such focus and intensity. 🙂
The other part of Thanksgiving that I appreciate is reflecting on our current stage of life and expressing gratitude where we can. Expressions of gratitude have been proven to relieve stress and anxiety and alleviate feelings of sadness. This becomes even more impactful when we incorporate expressions of gratitude into our everyday lives.
This year, I am full of gratitude for many things, starting with the continued expansion of Serna Solutions as a training organization and as a behavioral health agency. We are officially up and running in Santa Fe (our home base), Albuquerque, Los Alamos, San Ildefonso Pueblo, and Rio Rancho. Having the opportunity to directly and indirectly positively impact so many lives is an honor and something we take very seriously.
I am grateful for the amazing people that I get to work with at Serna Solutions. I look around the organization, and I see true experts in the field of trauma, addiction, and all manner of mental health challenges. I also see people who are soulful, thoughtful, witty, and hilarious at times.
I’m thankful for my family’s health and that I get to contribute in real and lasting ways to their health and happiness.
What I’m most recently grateful for is my new puppy, Clementine. She tries hard with her training routines and has such a sweet spirit and a warm belly.
Gratitude, at its core, is a powerful emotion that not only uplifts our spirits but also strengthens the bonds we share. Each day, we witness the resilience and courage displayed by individuals working towards recovery and overall well-being. We are honored to walk alongside our clients on their journey and help them develop the skills and strategies to lead more fulfilling lives.
To our clients and their families, please know it is a privilege to be entrusted with your care. We are grateful for the opportunity to support you, providing a safe and empathetic environment where healing and growth can occur.
On behalf of everyone at Serna Solutions, we want to express our deepest gratitude to you for reading this newsletter. We are honored to serve our state’s professionals, communities, families, and individuals.
May this Thanksgiving season be filled with warmth, love, and abundant gratitude. And if you have never had red chile on your mashed potatoes and turkey, try it! You can express your gratitude to me later.
-Brian Serna
Upcoming Events
We are proud to announce Serna Solutions’ new Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) in Rio Rancho. This innovative program is designed for individuals facing addiction and co-existing disorders. Our mission is to empower clients to build skills for a fulfilling, healthier life. Our Intensive Outpatient Program uniquely combines Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and Community Reinforcement Approach (CRA) — two models known for transformative results. We are currently accepting referrals and new clients in Rio Rancho and welcome all New Mexico insurance, including commercial plans and Medicaid options. Please reach out with any questions or for a referral at www.sernasolutionsllc.com/IOP.
Founder and CEO, Brian Serna will be co-hosting the National Latino Behavioral Health Association’s Annual Christmas Fundraiser, “A Mariachi Christmas,” at The Lensic Performing Arts Center in Santa Fe on December 2nd, at 7:00 PM.
Please join us in celebrating this joyous occasion! Tickets are now available for purchase at www.lensic.org/events/mariachi-christmas-2023 and more details, including donation information, will be shared soon
Staff Feature
Arianna Martinez is a LMSW who received her degree from New Mexico Highlands University. She is currently pursuing her LCSW. Arianna received her Bachelor’s in clinical psychology with a minor in sociology from Adam State University. Arianna has worked in several forms of mental health for more than six years. She has worked as a tech at a Youth Detention Center, as an MHT at a Residential Facility- specifically with children with Autism, as a Lead substance abuse tech at a Detox facility, and as an MHT in a psychiatric hospital.
I feel all these positions have helped me as a clinician today, being able to understand the difficulties that people have gone through and ways I can be of support based on my experience. As a therapist, I’m passionate about utilizing Experiential Play Therapy, Trauma Care, Cognitive Behavior Model, Mindfulness, and Client-Centered approaches.
Group Calendar
Monday
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- Adolescent DBT Group in Santa Fe: 4001 Office Ct Dr. Suite 201 from 5:00-6:30 PM MST
- CRAFT for Parents: 12:00-1:30 online via Zoom: Call (505) 230-4949 for more information.
- Kundalini Yoga Therapy from 5:30-6:30 PM on the Southside of Santa Fe. Please call (505) 207-8929 for the location.
Tuesday
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- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Skills Group for adults: 12:00-1:30 PM MST online via Zoom.
- Family Empowerment Groups: online from 5:30-6:30 PM MST.
- Grief Support Group Online from 5:30 – 6:30 PM MST
Wednesday
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- Family Empowerment Groups: from 5:30-6:30 PM MST in Albuquerque at 6000 Uptown Blvd. Ste 140.
- Third Wednesday of each month – DBT for Parents 5:30-7:00 online via Zoom. Please call (505) 230-4949 for more information.
Thursday
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- Grief Support Group: online from 2:00-3:00 PM MST.
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