Tell us a little about your business (in your own words). – Ellie Mental Health – La Vista is a locally owned and operated outpatient mental health clinic and substance use counseling clinic. We opened our doors in October 2024 and have a team of licensed mental health therapists and substance use counselors to serve our community. Our mission is to provide creative solutions that make mental health care accessible in every community which has led us to accept Medicaid, Medicare and Tricare, along with private insurances.
How did you get started in the business? – I began my professional career as a graduate of Creighton University in 1988 with a degree in occupational therapy. I have always had a passion for helping others attain the highest quality of life and function. Throughout my career as an occupational therapist, I was forever bothered by the fact that I may have been able to help my patients and clients restore, compensate or adapt to make physical function possible upon returning home, but if they were struggling with a mental health related issue, they still could not fully “function,” and their quality of life was limited. An opportunity arose for me to become a business owner and bring Ellie Mental Health to Nebraska, and I have jumped in with both feet! Good mental health is a missing piece for many people to live their best lives. Ellie Mental Health is on a mission to break the stigma and reinforce that mental health care is just as important as physical health care.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – My greatest professional challenge throughout my career as an occupational therapist is the driving force behind my passion to bring Ellie Mental Health – La Vista to Nebraska. This challenge included the limitations faced when helping some clients attain “Quality of Life.” I was able to help restore them back to physical functionality with their activities of daily living, a goal of all occupational therapists, but mental health challenges were a common theme, even when physical health resumed function. I came to my own conclusion that mental health is the even bigger piece in healing and recovery. I witnessed patients and clients with extremely limited physical function who considered their quality of life to be outstanding because their mental health was in a good place. On the other hand, if mental health was not in a good place, quality of life continued to be limited even when physical functionality returned.
Tell us a little about your family. – I have been married for 37 years, have three adult children, two daughters-in-law and four grandchildren, and they are all my treasures.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – One of the biggest turning points in my life is a personal one. Our third child was only given a 15% chance of survival at 20 weeks gestation. Life is precious, fragile, and every life matters and needs to be valued. My desire is for all of our clients to feel that value.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – Anything outdoors! I enjoy spending time with the people I love and basking in the beauty of God’s creation.
Who inspires you? – I am inspired by those I witness who face so many challenges and sufferings, and they overcome. Their strength and faith make them role models for me.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – Email me at ellieNE23101@elliementalhealth.com or maweaver@elliementalhealth.com, or visit our website at (elliementalhealth.com).