Level Up Mental Health Collaborative

Level Up Mental Health Collaborative Individual Psychotherapy Services

Vision isn't just something your eyes do to see. Vision is one of the largest signals your nervous system reads for safe...
07/03/2026

Vision isn't just something your eyes do to see. Vision is one of the largest signals your nervous system reads for safety.

A couple of months ago, Dr. Aimie asked me to step in and host a conversation on her behalf for the Biology of Trauma® community — and it was my honor to accept.

I was privileged to sit down with Neuro-Optometrist Dr. Bryce Appelbaum to talk about something most of us never notice — how your eyes and your nervous system are in constant conversation.

Under stress, your peripheral vision narrows and the world closes in. As you settle, it softens and opens back up. Your eyes aren't only taking in the world, they're scanning it for safety, continuously.

The narrowing was never a flaw. It's your body doing exactly what it learned to do to keep you safe. And what narrows can open again — gently, no forcing.

It's a small window into the bigger thing we work from at Level Up MHC — healing happens in the body first, underneath the thoughts. Roots, not symptoms.

🎧 Biology of Trauma®, Episode 178 — on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

Save this for a quiet moment. And if these two aren't already on your feed — Dr. Aimie and Dr. Bryce Appelbaum are both well worth the follow.

This is my work family.Some days are full sessions, hard stories, and the quiet privilege of holding space for someone e...
07/02/2026

This is my work family.

Some days are full sessions, hard stories, and the quiet privilege of holding space for someone else's healing. Some days are the tasks of keeping a practice running — scheduling, paperwork, insurance headaches — the part no one sees. And some days, we're the ones holding space for each other, guiding one another back to steady.

Through all of it, these are the women beside me. They show up for our clients with care and compassion, and they show up for each other the same way.

I started Level Up MHC wanting to build something different. I didn't expect to also build a family along the way. I couldn't be more proud of who we've become!

Grateful for every one of these ladies. 🤍

Sometimes the smallest hands leave the biggest reminders. 🤗One of Ashlei’s young clients made this sticker for her — and...
05/20/2026

Sometimes the smallest hands leave the biggest reminders. 🤗

One of Ashlei’s young clients made this sticker for her — and honestly, it says more than any polished testimonial ever could.

For children, trust is built slowly. Through safety. Through consistency. Through play. Through regulation. Through feeling seen without needing to have all the words yet.

Ashlei brings that kind of presence into her work with children, teens, and young adults — creating space for them to feel understood, supported, and safe enough to grow at their own pace.

This little handmade sticker is such a sweet reminder of what meaningful connection can look like in therapy.

We’re so grateful for the families who trust Ashlei and our team with their child’s healing journey.

If your child, teen, or young adult could benefit from extra support, Ashlei is currently accepting new clients.

Reach out to schedule or learn more about working with her! 🩵

04/09/2026

To some, they’re just stuffed turtles.

To us, they’ve been part of helping littles feel safe, connected, and supported through big feelings.

So yes, two missing turtle stuffies at the office is, in fact, a minor crisis.

We’re doing everything we can.

Please send sightings, support, and 🐢 emojis.

What if a child shutting down isn’t defiance… but a nervous system response?When children experience overwhelm, their ne...
03/16/2026

What if a child shutting down isn’t defiance… but a nervous system response?

When children experience overwhelm, their nervous system may briefly activate to fight or flee. If escape or action isn’t possible, the body can rapidly shift into a protective shutdown state called freeze.

This can look like silence, withdrawal, or appearing disconnected.

When we understand the body’s stress responses, we can respond with curiosity and support rather than pressure.

Safety, calm presence, and time help the nervous system come back online.

Save this post to revisit when a child seems shut down.

Perfectionism can feel like protection… but most of the time it quietly keeps us stuck.Your nervous system was never des...
03/11/2026

Perfectionism can feel like protection… but most of the time it quietly keeps us stuck.

Your nervous system was never designed to perform flawlessly.
It was designed to learn, adapt, and grow through experience.

Mistakes are not proof that you are failing.
They are part of the process of becoming.

When we loosen our grip on perfection, something powerful happens—
we create space for curiosity, compassion, and real change.

You do not need to be perfect to grow.
You only need to stay engaged in the process.

You are allowed to be a work in progress.

Address

2300 Library Circle
Grand Forks, ND
58201

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+17017570477

Website

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