Seva Health – integrative approach to brain health
Jessica Goltz is Founder/President of Seva Health Center for Well-being, a Mental Health Specialist at MFL MarMac Community School, and certified 500-hour yoga teacher. Above, she provides yoga classes to students in the classroom. (Photo submitted)
By Caroline Rosacker
Clayton County's Seva Health Center for Well-being is a 501c3 non-profit on a mission to provide an integrative approach to support brain (mental) health.
Seva Health Center Founder/President and CEO Jessica Goltz was inspired to create the highly-successful program after experiencing and overcoming postpartum depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) as a young wife and mother. When she witnessed her teenage son struggle with depression and anxiety she decided there had to be a better approach.
Goltz is employed as a Mental Health Specialist at MFL MarMac Community School, where in addition to meeting with individuals she provides yoga classes to students and stress management education to the freshman health class.
She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Upper Iowa University, is a National Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach, (NBC-HWC), certified 500-hour yoga instructor, and motivational speaker.
Goltz, who has over 21-years experience in healthcare and community education, and Seva staff and board members Heidi Dickman, secretary; Tamara Butikofer, treasurer; and board members Reagan Butikofer, and Jordan Schubert, firmly believe in the value of education when it comes to improving quality of life. "Even though a provider tells a patient how to change, the patient doesn't always have the tools to do so," Goltz pointed out. "Seva Health is here to change that by bridging the gap and supporting whole person healing."
Peace for your Mind
Seva's Peace for your Mind project includes working with individuals to support brain health through nutrition, exercise, stress management, education, coaching, and mind-body practices. The project provides wrap-around services that take place beyond the walls of the traditional clinical setting focusing on:
• Bridging the gap between the patient and their provider to improve brain health.
• Educating and supporting individual brain health through health coaching.
• Practice of integrative techniques that strengthen an individual’s ability to improve their brain health.
Impact and outreach
In the past year the Peace for your Mind project has impacted:
• 240 high school students
• Provided yoga and mindfulness education for 300 elementary students
• Provided a stress management workshop for 20 teachers and school staff, and 15 Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs)
• Joined the Iowa Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) coalition
• Provided over 50 health-coaching sessions to community members
• Presented to the Clayton County Foundation for the Future board meeting on brain health
• Provided chair yoga education to a local Parkinson’s support group
• Advocated at state and local government levels in regards to brain health resources.
Service options
Individuals who seek Seva Health's evidence-based services have options to meet both one-on-one and in group settings either in person or via telehealth. "I currently see people in an office at the school in Monona, but can also do phone, telehealth Zoom, or via text messages, Goltz explained. "It's important to know that we do not provide counseling. We provide brain health coaching to help individuals set goals to improve quality of life."
Whole health approach
Seva Health strives to meet individuals where they are on their wellbeing journey. "I think people are more open to integrating a holistic approach. I have a few therapists who even refer patients to me for coaching since we have the ability to work with the individuals on a regular basis and check in more frequently," Goltz told The Press. "I think many people are looking for support beyond the walls of the clinical setting."
Bridging the gap
Through personal experience Goltz realized that a lack of support and knowledge on ways to improve mental health often prevents individuals from getting better or making changes.
"That's where we come in. We are there to bridge the gap and provide that support," she noted. "I think people are more open to looking into adding holistic treatments into their treatment plan along with traditional medicine. Our goal is to somehow marry traditional healthcare with an integrative approach."
Insurance companies are slowly embracing holistic healing, but have a long way to go. "Some companies will allow individuals to use their Health Savings Account (HSA) funds to pay for health coaching which is a great first step," commented Goltz.
Although Seva Health is their own non-profit organization they do work in collaboration with other non-profit organizations, healthcare professionals and have partnered with the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque to develop a Clayton County Mental Health Coalition.
Donations accepted
In the past year, Seva Health has been awarded $9,500 dollars in grant money; raised $3,000 dollars in a successful fund-raising drive; received $2,200 dollars in donations.
