Gerard Community Mental Health Services has received a $750 grant from the Austin Area Foundation for play therapy.

The items include books, games, sensory items and more. Gerard therapists use play therapy to help children express what is troubling them.

In play therapy, toys are like the child’s words and play is the child’s language. Therapists help children learn better ways for handling emotions or social stresses. Play therapy helps the child to heal, aids with cognitive development and provides understanding of the child’s inner conflicts and incorrect thinking.

CMHS is an outpatient program offered at Gerard Academy. The program provides mental health counseling to children, teens and adults. Services are available for individual, family and marriage therapy.

In 2017 Gerard served 269 local residents.

For more information about Gerard CMHS please call 507-434-4366 or visit the web at
www.gerardmentalhealth.org.