Mental Health in the Lehigh Valley: Stigma, Resources, and Hope

Get More LVWITHLOVE Content

Guests:

  • Dr. Amy Lynn Saborsky – Licensed Psychologist, Lehigh Valley Center for Child & Family Development
  • Ronnie Nase – Director, Clubhouse of Lehigh County
  • Jacquelyn Otto, M.Ed., CAADC, LPC – Licensed Professional Counselor, OnTrak Counseling

In this episode of Lehigh Valley with Love, hosts George Wacker and Jeff Warren continue their mental health series, focusing on the resources, challenges, and stories shaping mental health in the Lehigh Valley. Joined by three local experts, they explore the importance of breaking the stigma surrounding therapy, the critical need for community resources, and how programs like the Clubhouse of Lehigh County provide hope and healing.

Links

Watch Episode

 

www.lvwithlove.com
LV With Love Logo

LV with Love Partners

Thank you to our Partners!
WDIY

Wind Creek Event Center

Michael Bernadyn of RE/MAX Real Estate

Molly’s Irish Grille & Sports Pub

Banko Beverage Company

Episode Recap:

Breaking the Stigma

Jacquelyn Otto, a licensed professional counselor, discusses how the stigma surrounding therapy has shifted, particularly for younger generations. She explains how normalizing therapy and fostering open conversations are critical steps forward: “The more we talk about it, the more we chip away at the stigma.”

The Clubhouse Model

Ronnie Nase shares how the Clubhouse of Lehigh County uses peer-to-peer support to provide a sense of belonging for those with mental illness. “Our members own this space,” Ronnie says. “It’s their place to connect, build skills, and feel supported.”

Therapy for the Next Generation

Dr. Amy Saborsky highlights the growing number of children and young adults seeking therapy post-pandemic. “It’s amazing to see a 16-year-old introduce me as their therapist to their friends,” she shares. “This generation is embracing mental health in a way we’ve never seen before.”

Tailored Treatment

From addressing substance use disorders to offering specialized care for OCD and anxiety, the guests discuss how therapy must adapt to meet individual needs. Jacquelyn emphasizes the importance of flexibility: “There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to therapy.”

Looking Forward

As mental health awareness continues to grow, the guests emphasize the need for systemic change, better resources, and increased collaboration. “Tracking outcomes is critical,” Ronnie adds. “We need to show decision-makers the real impact of our work.”


If you or someone you know needs immediate help, you can call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.
Visit 988lifeline.org for more resources and support.

On The Jokes by Jo Podcast

Recently, I had the opportunity to join Jo on the Jokes by Jo Show podcast, where we dove into the humor and heart of the Lehigh Valley. We talked about everything from running a local media company to what makes the Valley such a vibrant place to live and laugh.

The conversation was full of funny moments, genuine insights, and a lot of love for the local community. Being a guest on Jo’s show was an absolute blast, and I’m excited to share this collaboration with you!

🎧 Listen to the full episode here:
https://jokesbyjo.com/jokes-by-jo-show/joking-our-way-through-the-lehigh-valley-with-love

Anthony Sierra Designs: Holiday Magic at Historic Hotel Bethlehem & Beyond

Get More LVWITHLOVE content


Thank you to our Partners!

WDIY

Wind Creek Event Center

Michael Bernadyn of RE/MAX Real Estate 

Molly’s Irish Grille & Sports Pub

Banko Beverage Company

Kaleidoscope Collective: Local Artistry and Creativity in Bethlehem

Get More LVWITHLOVE content


Thank you to our Partners!

WDIY

Wind Creek Event Center

Michael Bernadyn of RE/MAX Real Estate 

Molly’s Irish Grille & Sports Pub

Banko Beverage Company

Gobble Up the Good: New Bethany’s Turkey Drive on November 22 AND Their New Pantry Launch

Get More LVWITHLOVE content


Thank you to our Partners!

WDIY

Wind Creek Event Center

Michael Bernadyn of RE/MAX Real Estate 

Molly’s Irish Grille & Sports Pub

Banko Beverage Company

Conversations with Amy Jo Burns, Shelley Noble, and Meg Shaffer: A Preview of SOTA’s Author Events

Get More LVWITHLOVE content


Thank you to our Partners!

Lehigh Valley Health Network

WDIY

Wind Creek Event Center

Michael Bernadyn of RE/MAX Real Estate 

Molly’s Irish Grille & Sports Pub

Banko Beverage Company

For more information and tickets, visit sotapa.org/lwta.

Cocktails & Collecting at the Allentown Art Museum (We Get a Tour)

Get More LVWITHLOVE content


Thank you to our Partners!

Lehigh Valley Health Network

WDIY

Wind Creek Event Center

Michael Bernadyn of RE/MAX Real Estate 

Molly’s Irish Grille & Sports Pub

Banko Beverage Company

Tour The Sayre Mansion in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Get More LVWITHLOVE content


Thank you to our Partners!

Lehigh Valley Health Network

WDIY

Wind Creek Event Center

Michael Bernadyn of RE/MAX Real Estate 

Molly’s Irish Grille & Sports Pub

Banko Beverage Company

Swim Safety Tips with Goldfish Swim School Bethlehem

Get More LVWITHLOVE content


Thank you to our Partners!

Lehigh Valley Health Network

WDIY

Wind Creek Event Center

Michael Bernadyn of RE/MAX Real Estate 

Molly’s Irish Grille & Sports Pub

Banko Beverage Company

James P. Jordan | Touchstone Theatre | Don’t Stop Performing or Creating

This episode is brought to you by Made Possible in the Lehigh Valley 

Learn more about how they are telling Lehigh Valley stories and how it can help you!

——————————————————-

Welcome to the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast.

The aim of this podcast is to connect you to stories and personalities living in or affecting the Lehigh Valley area of Pennsylvania, encompassing the cities of Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton and many other wonderful communities in-between.

We talk to business owners, musicians, authors, students, politicians, and maybe even you.

Get all of our links here.

Want to be a guest? info@lehighvalleywithlovemedia.com

Subscribe to the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast.

——————————————————-

We speak with James P. Jordan, Artistic Director at Touchstone Theatre in Bethlehem, about performing during COVID, adapting, thinking way outside of the box, and looking to the past for guidance.

Be sure to check out their website for upcoming performances.

LINKS

Touchstone Theatre Website

Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast Episode 059: The Alternative Gallery

Brandon Wunder from The Alternative Gallery joins us to discuss his upcoming documentary “Queen City” about the annual Artsfest event held in Allentown.

Hit up The Alternative Gallery website for more information on the documentary, what’s going on at the gallery in downtown Allentown, and what’s coming up!


Subscribe to the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast.

This episode features the Song “Goodbye Syndrome” by Sunsets North. (www.sunsetsnorth.com)

Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast Episode 42: Comedian Kris Fried

We welcome comedian Kris Fried to this podcast.

Check out the regular Fox News contributor on his website, www.krisfried.com, and @KrisFried on Twitter.

We recap our Podcast LIVE! show at SteelStacks, talk about how we’d smuggle some photos onto the Hotel Bethlehem Hall of Fame, and what makes holiday shopping great in Bethlehem.

——–

Subscribe to the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast.

This episode features the Song “Goodbye Syndrome” by Sunsets North. (www.sunsetsnorth.com)

Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast Episode 041: LIVE PODCAST at STEELSTACKS

We had our first Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast LIVE show at SteelStacks on November 17, 2018!

Thank you to Mike Becker from Spin Radio and our special guests, The Bayou Boys!

We were super pumped to have so many people and hope to do this again soon!

——–

Subscribe to the Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast.

This episode features the Song “Goodbye Syndrome” by Sunsets North. (www.sunsetsnorth.com)

Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast: Episode 019 (The Rock’s Mom’s House and Calling Some Friends)

We don’t have a guest this week (and it should be the last time for awhile that that happens) so, Tyler and I decided to talk about The Rock’s Mom’s House (which it isn’t) and call some of our friends on a summer morning.

The Podcast is currently available on iTunesGoogle PlayStitcher, and Pocket Casts.

As always, you can listen to the podcast directly on our website and insert it into your favorite player via our podcast feed.

This episode features the Song “Goodbye Syndrome” by Sunsets North. (www.sunsetsnorth.com)

Lehigh Valley with Love Podcast: Episode 011

We also talk about the Red Ball Project, the Lehigh Valley SteelHawks, and more!
We’re currently available on iTunesGoogle PlayStitcher, and Pocket Casts and you can listen to the podcast directly on our website and insert it into your favorite player via our podcast feed.
This episode features the Song “Goodbye Syndrome” by Sunsets North. (http://www.sunsetsnorth.com/)