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December 6, 2025

Talbot Spy

Nonpartisan Education-based News for Talbot County Community

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Health Health Lead Spy Journal

Let’s Talk About It: Human Trafficking with For All Seasons’ Susan Ahlstrom

August 21, 2025 by For All Seasons, Inc.

The Spy is continuing its partnership with For All Seasons this month to shed a light on the mostly hidden and often misunderstood issue of human trafficking on the Mid-Shore. This latest conversation with Susan Ahlstrom, Human Trafficking Regional Director for FAS, shares information about prevention and response efforts across jurisdictions on the Shore, and explores how education, community awareness, and new training initiatives are helping local businesses and residents recognize the signs of trafficking.

This video is approximately six minutes in length.  For more information about For All Seasons please go here. 

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Filed Under: Health Lead, Spy Journal

For All Seasons Offers Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention for the Hospitality Industry

August 13, 2025 by For All Seasons, Inc.

For All Seasons Center for Learning is offering an introductory online training to equip hospitality professionals with the critical knowledge and tools to recognize and respond to human trafficking in lodging environments. Designed specifically for hotel, motel, and short-term rental staff—including front desk personnel, housekeepers, security staff, and managers—this program demystifies human trafficking and empowers learners to take practical action.

Led by Sean Walker, a nationally recognized safety and security expert with over 25 years of experience in hospitality, the course addresses both the myths and the realities of trafficking. Participants will learn how traffickers exploit the privacy and access provided by hotels and motels, what signs to watch for during check-in and throughout a guest’s stay, and how to act when something doesn’t feel right. Emphasis is placed on real-world scenarios, non-confrontational reporting, and establishing proactive relationships with local law enforcement.

“Human trafficking poses a direct threat to our region’s hospitality industry, by damaging reputations, undermining operational efficiency, and increasing costs. For All Seasons’ Regional Navigator Program is actively addressing this issue by training our business owners to improve customer trust, ensure public safety, and enhance employee satisfaction, ultimately driving long-term economic success in the region,” said Susan Ahlstrom, Regional Navigator at For All Seasons.

The online training program includes:

  • A foundational overview of what human trafficking is—and what it is not
  • Common behaviors and red flags at check-in and during a guest’s stay
  • Best practices in response, including communication, policy development, and law enforcement engagement
  • Mental health considerations for frontline workers who may witness or report trafficking
  • Resources for further training, awareness, and organizational readiness

Participants will also hear a follow-up conversation between Sean Walker and For All Seasons’ Chief Clinical Officer, Lesa Mulcahy, focusing on the emotional impact of this work and how agencies like For All Seasons can support staff following traumatic incidents.

Whether you work the front desk or manage operations, this course offers the clarity, confidence, and tools needed to play a meaningful role in preventing exploitation. Completing this training signals a commitment to guest safety and community responsibility because every action, no matter how small, has the power to disrupt trafficking and create hope.

For further information, visit https://forallseasonsinc.lpages.co/human-trafficking-hospitality-training/, and for questions, contact: [email protected].


For All Seasons provides the highest quality mental health and victim services to children, adults, and families across Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Services are offered in both English and Spanish and include therapy, psychiatry, victim advocacy, 24-hour crisis hotlines, outreach, and community education. For information about For All Seasons walk-in hours, contact For All Seasons at 410-822-1018 or visit ForAllSeasonsInc.org.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Filed Under: Health Notes

For All Seasons to Host Annual Back-to-School Resource Fair

August 7, 2025 by For All Seasons, Inc.

For All Seasons will host its annual School Supplies Giveaway and Resource Fair on Wednesday, August 20, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Idlewild Park in Easton. Talbot County Department of Social Services is a key partner, contributing to the purchase of hundreds of backpacks pre-stuffed with supplies for community children in need. In addition to the backpacks and school supplies, the event will offer health and wellness resources, snow cones, raffles, games, and more.

“For All Seasons recognizes the needs that exist in our community. In addition to getting our students ready to return to school with school supplies, the event connects the community to important health and wellness resources, including mental health resources, which can help families get the school year off to a great start,” states Katie Theeke, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at For All Seasons.

Among the vendors to date who will participate are Anchor Church, CarePacks, Easton Elementary School, Rivers Crossing Wellness Community (Crossroads Community), State of MD Office of Oral Health, Seedco/MD Health Connection, Eastpoint Church, Talbot County Department of Social Services, SHORE UP, Inc., The Village Maternal Holistic Wellness Center, Chesapeake Multicultural Resource Center, Talbot County Free Library, Choptank Community Health, Talbot Humane, Santé, AFSP – American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Talbot County Parks & Recreation, Partners in Care, Talbot County Health Department, Appleseed Books, CareFirst BlueCross Blue Shield, University of Maryland Shore Regional Cancer Center, Shore Legal Access, and Charlie Health.

Additional sponsors for the event include the Talbot County Health Department, the Easton Lions Club, Anchor Church, and the Talbot County Children’s Advocacy Center.  If you are interested in becoming a sponsor for the event, reach out to Kelsey Trumbull-Meyers at [email protected].

For All Seasons Behavioral Health & Rape Crisis Center offers mental health services, victim and crisis support, and education & outreach on Maryland’s Mid-Shore and throughout the state. The agency’s unique model of care ensures anyone can receive the highest-quality, trauma-certified mental health care when they need it, regardless of language or ability to pay. For information about For All Seasons walk-in hours, contact 410-822-1018 or visit ForAllSeasonsInc.org.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Filed Under: Health Notes

For All Seasons Volunteers Assist with Community Outreach

July 29, 2025 by For All Seasons, Inc.

The backbone of For All Seasons’ community outreach has always been its volunteers. For All Seasons heavily uses volunteers for its community and educational events. This includes the Hooper’s Island Resource Fair for migrant women, the School Supplies Giveaway Resource Fair, and Frosty’s Holiday Village – our biggest events held throughout the year.

The agency also has volunteers to help host its information tables at the many outreach events held annually throughout the Shore region. Whether it’s a human resources fair, a festival, or another local event, volunteers play a vital role in helping the agency connect the community with our resources. Students seeking community service hours are also encouraged to participate in volunteer work.

“Volunteers also help us with mailing projects and delivering flyers for our School Supplies Giveaway Resource Fair, and other events,” states Mary Wilson, Community Engagement Coordinator at For All Seasons.

“It is important to have volunteers in our community to help support the vital services For All Seasons provides and help us make deeper connections within the community,” she adds.

Soon, For All Seasons will be launching an online volunteer training and orientation program. To volunteer at For All Seasons, visit https://forallseasonsinc.org/get-involved/volunteer/ or contact Mary Wilson at [email protected].

For All Seasons provides the highest quality mental health and victim services to children, adults, and families across Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Services are offered in both English and Spanish and include therapy, psychiatry, victim advocacy, 24-hour crisis hotlines, outreach, and community education. For information about For All Seasons walk-in hours, contact For All Seasons at 410-822-1018 or visit ForAllSeasonsInc.org.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Filed Under: Health Notes

For All Seasons Offers Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention for the Hospitality Industry

July 24, 2025 by For All Seasons, Inc.

For All Seasons Center for Learning is offering an introductory online training to equip hospitality professionals with the critical knowledge and tools to recognize and respond to human trafficking in lodging environments. Designed specifically for hotel, motel, and short-term rental staff—including front desk personnel, housekeepers, security staff, and managers—this program demystifies human trafficking and empowers learners to take practical action.

Led by Sean Walker, a nationally recognized safety and security expert with over 25 years of experience in hospitality, the course addresses both the myths and the realities of trafficking. Participants will learn how traffickers exploit the privacy and access provided by hotels and motels, what signs to watch for during check-in and throughout a guest’s stay, and how to act when something doesn’t feel right. Emphasis is placed on real-world scenarios, non-confrontational reporting, and establishing proactive relationships with local law enforcement.

“Human trafficking poses a direct threat to our region’s hospitality industry, by damaging reputations, undermining operational efficiency, and increasing costs. For All Seasons’ Regional Navigator Program is actively addressing this issue by training our business owners to improve customer trust, ensure public safety, and enhance employee satisfaction, ultimately driving long-term economic success in the region,” said Susan Ahlstrom, Regional Navigator at For All Seasons.

The online training program includes:

  • A foundational overview of what human trafficking is—and what it is not
  • Common behaviors and red flags at check-in and during a guest’s stay
  • Best practices in response, including communication, policy development, and law enforcement engagement
  • Mental health considerations for frontline workers who may witness or report trafficking
  • Resources for further training, awareness, and organizational readiness

Participants will also hear a follow-up conversation between Sean Walker and For All Seasons’ Chief Clinical Officer, Lesa Mulcahy, focusing on the emotional impact of this work and how agencies like For All Seasons can support staff following traumatic incidents.

Whether you work the front desk or manage operations, this course offers the clarity, confidence, and tools needed to play a meaningful role in preventing exploitation. Completing this training signals a commitment to guest safety and community responsibility because every action, no matter how small, has the power to disrupt trafficking and create hope.

For further information, visit https://forallseasonsinc.lpages.co/human-trafficking-hospitality-training/, and for questions, contact: [email protected].

For All Seasons provides the highest quality mental health and victim services to children, adults, and families across Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Services are offered in both English and Spanish and include therapy, psychiatry, victim advocacy, 24-hour crisis hotlines, outreach, and community education. For information about For All Seasons walk-in hours, contact For All Seasons at 410-822-1018 or visit ForAllSeasonsInc.org.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Filed Under: Health Notes

Building Emotional Regulation Through Mindfulness and Art at Critchlow-Adkins Children’s Centers

July 23, 2025 by For All Seasons, Inc.

For All Seasons has been offering a 12-week, in-classroom program to deliver a hands-on social-emotional learning (SEL) and mindfulness experience tailored for preschool-aged children at Critchlow-Adkins Children’s Centers (CACC) in Easton. Created and facilitated by For All Seasons’ Center for Learning, the program introduces students ages 2 to 4 to essential emotional regulation and mindfulness skills through play-based, art-forward lessons.

Led by For All Seasons’ Chief Clinical Officer Lesa Mulcahy, LCSW-C, and mindfulness educator Karen M. Kaludis, the program uses developmentally appropriate techniques to help young learners build emotional vocabulary, recognize body cues, and practice self-regulation through creative expression and movement.

“Mindfulness can be beneficial at any age, and the earlier we introduce these skills, the more they support long-term emotional and self-regulation development. With younger children, especially those aged 2 to 3 years old, mindfulness often looks like co-regulation—where an adult helps the child manage emotions and attention by staying calm, present, and connected,” comments Mulcahy.

Mulcahy explains that at this stage, children are just beginning to understand and respond to internal cues. They often need an adult’s support, not only to model mindfulness but to practice it with them. Repetition and consistency are key. Many young children pick up these skills after several practice sessions, especially when the adult maintains a nurturing presence.

“In our two-year-old classroom, for example, we observed children initiating practice by moving our hands or guiding us to move theirs. This kind of physical, shared learning shows how young children naturally engage in mindfulness through connection. By calmly repeating these actions together, they begin to internalize the skills in a developmentally appropriate way,” she adds.

Each week, trained facilitators deliver back-to-back sessions in every participating classroom. The lessons incorporate sensory activities, stories, and breathwork games that support empathy, connection, and self-awareness—all grounded in a consistent, predictable structure that supports young children’s learning.

“It has been a real privilege to work with the children and staff at the Critchlow Atkins Preschool Site. The children have embraced and utilized the breathing and mindfulness exercises that we have taught them in their day-to-day lives. They have used their creativity and imagination to design their unique calming exercises, many of which we have used in the classroom. It is a true delight and source of satisfaction to see how quickly and earnestly they have taken to learning how to calm themselves,” says Kaludis.

In addition to classroom sessions, the program includes live education support to CACC teachers and take-home gifts for the children to reinforce lessons at home.

“We had spoken to For All Seasons last year about working with children in our programs. We wanted to give them simple, creative ways to slow down and feel calm. Mindfulness through art and movement helps them express big feelings they may not yet have words for. It’s amazing to see how a few quiet minutes with a crayon, blowing bubbles, or a deep breath can help them feel more settled—and that calm often goes home with them, too,” states Cristy Morrell, Executive Director of Critchlow Adkins Children’s Centers.

“We’re so grateful to For All Seasons for sharing this meaningful tool with our children and helping us support their emotional well-being in such a thoughtful, effective way.”

Through this innovative partnership, For All Seasons and CACC aim to lay a strong foundation for mental well-being and resilience in early childhood. The program reinforces both organizations’ commitment to integrating trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate approaches into community-based early learning environments. Through funding secured by Critchlow-Adkins, the program will continue next year.


For All Seasons provides the highest quality mental health and victim services to children, adults, and families across Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Services are offered in both English and Spanish and include therapy, psychiatry, victim advocacy, 24-hour crisis hotlines, outreach, and community education. For information about For All Seasons walk-in hours, contact For All Seasons at 410-822-1018 or visit ForAllSeasonsInc.org.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Filed Under: 7 Ed Notes

For All Seasons Hosts Hoopers Island Migrant Resource Fair

July 14, 2025 by For All Seasons, Inc.

On June 30, For All Seasons sponsored its third Hoopers Island Migrant Resource Fair at the Volunteer Fire House on Hoopers Island in Fishing Creek, Maryland, drawing over 127 participants to learn about the agency’s mental health and rape crisis services, and to gather information and items related to regional medical and dental care, health insurance, the Maryland Food Bank, and other key resources.

“This gathering has always been a beautiful opportunity to meet new people, and this year was no exception. We had the opportunity to touch many lives, each with its unique circumstances and needs, providing important resources and giving them hope,” shares Ivy Garcia, Director of Latino Outreach and Education at For All Seasons.

J M Clayton Seafood Company, Simmons Chesapeake Bay Seafood, GW Hall and Son, Russell Hall Seafood Inc., Lindy’s Seafood, Rippons Brothers Seafood, and Boats and Hose helped encourage their workers to attend the event. Some employers and individuals on Hoopers Island helped provide transportation for the workers, in addition to For All Seasons providing transportation through area bus contractors.

Among the 14 resource vendors at the Migrant Resource Fair were Dorchester County Health Department, Choptank Community Health, Maryland Food Bank, Chesapeake Multicultural Resource Center, Dorchester County Public Library, CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield, Mid-Shore Mediation, Maryland Food Bank SNAP Enrollment, State of Maryland Office of Rural Health, St. Mary’s Refuge of Sinners Catholic Church, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention,  Shore Legal Access,  Priority Partners, and the Comptroller of Maryland. For All Seasons offered participants at the event a free meal prepared by Blue Monkey Tacos. For All Seasons also provided grocery gift cards through a raffle. L & J Event Rentals provided tents, tables, and chairs.

“Over 28 volunteers helped us to pull this event together in oppressive heat. We are grateful to the community members and For All Seasons board and staff who helped to make this year’s event such a great success. We also greatly appreciate the wonderful meal donation for our volunteers from Scossa Restaurant,” commented Carly Palmer, For All Seasons Outreach Coordinator.

For further information on For All Seasons Latino Outreach efforts, contact Ivy Garcia at Ivy Garcia [email protected] or call 410-822-1018, ext. 207.

For All Seasons provides the highest quality mental health and victim services to children, adults, and families across Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Services are offered in both English and Spanish and include therapy, psychiatry, victim advocacy, 24-hour crisis hotlines, outreach, and community education. For information about For All Seasons walk-in hours, contact For All Seasons at 410-822-1018 or visit ForAllSeasonsInc.org.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Filed Under: Health Notes

For All Seasons Prioritizes Community Needs with Renovation Amid Federal Cutbacks

June 30, 2025 by For All Seasons, Inc.

In a strategic move to make mental health care more accessible and visible, For All Seasons is taking its mission straight to the heart of the community—Main Street.

For nearly four decades, this nonprofit behavioral health and rape crisis center has served residents across Maryland’s Mid-Shore region. Although federal and state budget challenges are looming large, For All Seasons is still moving forward with its comprehensive plan to expand, relocate, and renovate its spaces to better serve the growing needs of the community.

The initiative, aptly named “Bringing Mental Health to Main Street,” is not just about geography—it is about visibility, dignity, and meeting people where they are.

Beginning July 1, For All Seasons will launch a significant renovation of its central office at 300 Talbot Street in Easton, one of its busiest and most historic locations. The renovation will modernize and expand the space, allowing the organization to consolidate its Talbot County clinical services and rape crisis response under one roof. This redesign also supports a more welcoming, trauma-informed experience for clients. In tandem, some administrative teams will relocate to 111 E. Dover Street in downtown Easton, a newly secured space that will also house the agency’s Center for Learning. This program offers professional workshops, community classes, and prevention education—critical tools in addressing the root causes of mental health struggles and violence.

This is not For All Seasons’ first leap toward a more visible presence. In recent years, the agency has relocated offices in Denton and Chestertown to downtown storefronts, making services more accessible without stigma or confusion. The next step? Cambridge. A new main street location is expected to be announced in September, continuing the trend of neighborhood-based, highly accessible care.

While the agency’s long-term goals remain unchanged, significant reductions in state and federal funding have prompted For All Seasons to adjust the timeline of its Main Street expansion. Rather than halt progress, the organization is launching a comprehensive fundraising campaign to ensure the project’s continued momentum. This pivot allows the agency to proceed with renovations at 300 Talbot Street and relocate some services while giving time to secure the remaining capital needed for future phases of the plan. The shift reflects both flexibility and resilience, ensuring that growth remains steady without compromising care.

“We are pivoting—not pausing,” said Beth Anne Dorman, President & CEO of For All Seasons. “Our supporters have always believed in the power of accessible mental health care. This moment gives us the opportunity to rally our community and build something even stronger, together.”

To date, the agency has secured critical project support from the Talbot County Council, the State of Maryland, and the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, helping to launch the renovation phase in Easton. The next steps will depend on community fundraising and donor engagement, ensuring that the full vision of “Bringing Mental Health to Main Street” can be realized.

Renovations at 300 Talbot Street will take place between July 2025 and March 2026. To ensure continuity of care, For All Seasons:

  • Open Access services will temporarily be relocated to 8221 Teal Drive in Easton.
  • Remote appointments will be expanded to reduce disruption.
  • Clients are urged to stay informed through email, mail, the On-Call platform, and by contacting For All Seasons Client Services directly at 410-822-1018.

“Our ‘Bringing Mental Health to Main Street’ initiative sends a powerful message to the community: mental health care is not hidden, it’s central. It’s not distant, it’s here. With the community’s support and the agency’s unwavering commitment, help is never far away,” shares Dorman.

For All Seasons provides the highest quality mental health and victim services to children, adults, and families across the Mid-Shore and throughout the state of Maryland. Services are offered in both English and Spanish and include therapy, psychiatry, victim advocacy, 24-hour crisis hotlines, outreach, and community education. For information about For All Seasons walk-in hours, contact For All Seasons at 410-822-1018 or visit ForAllSeasonsInc.org.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Filed Under: Health Notes

Prioritizing Children’s Mental Health in the Summer

June 18, 2025 by For All Seasons, Inc.

Summer is supposed to be a happy time for children, but sometimes it requires special attention to children’s mental health. Although prioritizing children’s mental health is important every day, the summer months bring several changes that make it one of the most crucial times of the year to monitor how children are adjusting.

Summer Challenges for Children:

  • Changes in routine can cause anxiety or difficult adaptation
  • Increased free time can lead to social isolation, feelings of rejection, or fear of missing out (FOMO)
  • Pressure and expectations of new summer programming and activities can contribute to stress and anxiety
  • Feeling disappointed that summer vacation didn’t live up to expectations
  • Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) can appear in the summer months and lead to mood, sleep, and appetite changes

Signs of Children’s Depression/Anxiety:

  • Persistent sadness or irritability
  • Changes in sleep patterns – difficulty falling asleep, frequent nightmares, or excessive sleepiness
  • Changes in appetite: a significant decrease or increase over time
  • Social withdrawal – lack of interest in activities or spending less time with others
  • Loss of interest in activities or hobbies previously enjoyed
  • Decreased energy and fatigue – consistently tired, lack of energy, or decrease in activity level
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Physical symptoms – headaches, stomachaches, or other physical discomforts without a medical cause
  • Self-critical or negative thoughts – having an overly negative view of themselves

Ways to Help:

  • Spending time outdoors doing physical activity has been shown to have a positive effect on mental health
  • Connecting daily (even for short periods) to do an activity together, such as going for a walk, or playing a game
  • Creating a supportive environment with open communication and where children are encouraged to discuss how they feel
  • Have children take a break from social media – setting limits and modeling your own limits on screentime
  • If you notice persistent or concerning signs in your child, seek guidance from a qualified mental health professional

For All Seasons provides the highest quality mental health and victim services to children, adults, and families across the Mid-Shore and throughout the state of Maryland. Services are offered in both English and Spanish and include therapy, psychiatry, victim advocacy, 24-hour crisis hotlines, outreach, and community education. For information about For All Seasons walk-in hours, contact For All Seasons at 410-822-1018 or visit ForAllSeasonsInc.org.

For further information, visit the For All Seasons summer tips page at https://files.constantcontact.com/36143a1c701/cd902690-5ed1-4964-849c-940cef4e13ec.pdf.

 Sources: https://www.brylin.com/prioritizing-childrens-mental-health-in-summer/; https://prairie-care.com/resources/type/blog/summer-depression/.


For All Seasons provides the highest quality mental health and victim services to children, adults, and families across the Mid-Shore and throughout the state of Maryland. Services are offered in both English and Spanish and include therapy, psychiatry, victim advocacy, 24-hour crisis hotlines, outreach, and community education. For information about For All Seasons walk-in hours, contact For All Seasons at 410-822-1018 or visit ForAllSeasonsInc.org.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Filed Under: Health Notes

For All Seasons Event Debuts Heart to Heart: Coloring Together

June 3, 2025 by For All Seasons, Inc.

Heart to Heart: Coloring Together, a unique new coloring book produced by For All Seasons and created by the agency’s art therapist Jane P. Gordon, LCPAT, ATR-BC, recently debuted at a special tea party for girls and their adult female caregivers. The event held at Brookletts Place in Easton featured a tea party-themed lunch for girls and their parents, mentors, or caregivers.

“For All Seasons wants to share the therapeutic expertise of our staff with the broader community. This book provides a therapy-based activity for parents and caregivers to engage in during their leisure time. The book is universal – whether a family has experienced trauma or just wants to connect – it offers a wonderful exercise for everyone,” states Katie Theeke, Vice President of Marketing & Communications at For All Seasons.

According to Gordon, coloring is a universally loved activity that can be very fun and relaxing for participants.

“Adding the special element of coloring with someone on the same page can promote a beautiful connection. Creating together inspires and reinforces a closer relationship,” states Gordon.

“I originally came up with this concept while working with elementary school clients who, at times, were hesitant to engage in therapy, and had difficulty expressing their concerns and feelings. This activity almost immediately set their minds and hearts at ease. Sharing this positive experience with me sparked communication and began the development of rapport and trust,” she adds.

Heart to Heart: Coloring Together was created for children and families to enjoy a shared activity while building strong connections and relationships, developing healthy attachments, and promoting conversation. It serves as an effective therapeutic process for children and families who have experienced trauma. It provides a fun, relaxing activity that reduces stress and fosters a joint feeling of joy and comfort.

The book can be shared at home to wind down after a long day or reconnect after a conflict; for hospital visits and doctors’ offices to reduce stress and fear; for school celebrations, indoor rainy day activities, and “buddy” programs; in areas affected by natural disaster, helping children feel a sense of normalcy and hope; and anytime, anywhere you want to enjoy coloring with a partner.

Gordon’s first book, Color Me Closer, has been used in multiple settings, including schools, offices, homes, assisted living settings, hospital visits, and in areas of trauma (most recently the California wildfires).

“My granddaughter Winnie says that Color Me Closer is her favorite book, and we color every time we are together. This inspired me to create another separate book, Heart to Heart: Coloring Together, with her character as the hostess,” Gordon shares.

“It truly warms my heart to see and hear about coloring partners in action. We’re excited about launching this book. It is a unique therapeutic tool, an opportunity to develop positive attachment and to simply enjoy the experience with a special person,” she adds.

Gordon is a board-certified, licensed art therapist with a career spanning 40 years. She has been a licensed clinician for For All Seasons for many years, sharing the mission of serving the community by providing mental health services.

Heart to Heart: Coloring Together will be released for sale to the public in the coming weeks. Reach out to Carly Palmer at [email protected] to preorder a copy.


For All Seasons provides the highest quality mental health and victim services to children, adults, and families across the Mid-Shore and throughout the state of Maryland. Services are offered in both English and Spanish and include therapy, psychiatry, victim advocacy, 24-hour crisis hotlines, outreach, and community education. For information about For All Seasons walk-in hours, contact For All Seasons at 410-822-1018 or visit ForAllSeasonsInc.org.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Filed Under: Health Notes

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