What is horticultural therapy? Horticultural therapy (HT) is an evidence-based therapeutic method that engages participants in growing and caring for plants as a structured, hands-on
Smiling Depression, are you smiling on the outside but struggling on the inside? by Dr. William Anixter, MD, Psychiatrist at CooperRiis Originally published January 4,
By Laura Eshelman It may be astonishing to realize that the COVID-19 lockdowns are now just a little over five years behind us. While the
In a conversation with Lisbeth Riis Cooper, the word purpose comes up more than almost any other. It’s a word heard often around the 94-acre
Asheville, NC-April 15th, 2024 (see newswire press release here) CooperRiis, a non-profit mental health treatment program, announces it is now in-network with Blue Cross Blue
In honor of World Mental Health Day in early October 2023, we hosted an important conversation with our Chief Clinical Officer, Johnnie Featherston, MA, LCMHC. The focus was
A piece by former employee Laura Eshleman, MSW As an MSW (Master of Social Work) I’ve heard folks in the field for years now speak
In honor of World Mental Health Day in early October we hosted an important conversation with our Chief Clinical Officer, Johnnie Featherston, MA, LCMHC. The focus was on
‘…it was Kylie, my sister, who said ‘…you know, you’re going to kick yourself if you don’t try…’ She was the one who told me
“I love about what you guys are doing… I’ve been wanting to see if I can make this beautiful marriage between music and mental health…
In honor of World Mental Health Day in early October we hosted an important conversation with our Chief Clinical Officer, Johnnie Featherston, MA, LCMHC. The focus was on
“…we’re focused on really getting to know the individual, what’s important to them, what are their values, what are their dreams and hopes, and that
“…In terms of the uniqueness of our kind of program and organization… I’ve seen a lot of models that talk about person centered care… and
A message from our Chief Clinical Officer for the 20th anniversary — When I first came to CooperRiis, I knew I had stumbled upon something
Join us in celebrating 20 years of RECOVERY CooperRiis 20th Anniversary A message from Marketing & Outreach Director, Kim Nelson I am honored to have
CooperRiis Healing Community is proud to announce its CooperRiis at Asheville Residential Treatment Program is now in-network with Aetna Insurance. CooperRiis is looking forward to the ability to
When I joined CooperRiis, I had some idea as to what to expect, but not the full picture. Almost four years later, I am proud to
A Message from our Founders Are we living the dream 20 years later? 2023 will be the year we celebrate 20 years of mental health
by Asheville Community Program’s Clinical Director, Lissa Carter MA, NCC, LCAS, LCMHC Decision making takes a tremendous amount of mental energy. Once a routine becomes
CooperRiis has been talking about intentionally serving people with autism/neurodiversity for nearly five years. What does intentionally mean? We have been serving people on the
CooperRiis is pleased to welcome people with autism/neurodiversity at our Farm campus. This enhanced programming will specifically serve people who have mental health challenges that are considered the primary diagnosis and who
Markus Wulliman, HTR, is a horticultural therapist, and he has worked for CooperRiis since 2003 in various positions and now serves as the Community Work and
Negative reviews; the problem is what to do with them? Those of us in the “census-driven” business are always worried about how many beds are
With so much to be grateful for, we want to share the many joyous activities our Healing Communities have been enjoying this holiday season. Our
With the opening of our CooperRiis at Asheville program, we are proud to offer a full continuum of care. Starting with short-term stabilization, with the
Getting to know CooperRiis at Asheville’s Doctor of Psychiatry, Dr. Amy Zimmerman Can you please give us some background on your education and more specifically
Can you tell us about your upbringing and undergraduate experience? Where are you from? We’re curious about your fondness for the Appalachian Culture as well.
CooperRiis at Asheville to open September 1st, 2020 CooperRiis residential mental health treatment and healing community in Western North Carolina is pleased to introduce their
Updated December 8, 2025 Our therapeutic farm in Mill Spring, NC and our residential program in Asheville offer LGBTQ mental health residential treatment that is
These past weeks have been a difficult time for all of us. Organizations and individuals worldwide are declaring their support for peaceful protests and marking
Talking within our community about the concept of Recovery I have spent the past few weeks talking within our community about the concept of Recovery;
Pat Dockendorf works at the Farm and has been a part of CooperRiis for many years. CEO & President, Eric Levine and Pat spent some
Dear Friends, Thirteen years ago we started CooperRiis Healing Community because of our personal experience with the challenging mental health system. We envisioned a place
Dear Samantha, Dear Johnny, As I write, I’m imagining you in a dark space. You began college with hopes and dreams for the future, with
A wonderful New York Times article illustrates something our country has never seen. A growing push that expands the range of options for mental health
Erin Walker, Recovery Coach in our Asheville Community Program (ACP), has been with CooperRiis for three years. As a recovery coach, Erin is part of
