MnCAN Care Partner Support Group
While general stroke support groups can be very helpful for care partners, the specific challenge of aphasia often necessitates a different approach. The MnCAN Care Partner support group will provide opportunities for education about aphasia, as well as emotional support and peer sharing.
This group is open to anyone who cares for someone with aphasia. Your person with aphasia does not have to participate in a MnCAN group.
We look forward to meeting you, hearing your stories, and sharing tips for self-care and education about aphasia. Come and gain the support of others going through the same journey.
Group meeting details:
- The group meets the 2nd Thursday of each month from 6:30-7:30pm
- The group meets on Zoom
- A typical meeting includes: introductions, topic sharing and time for comments/questions. Topics include both speech-language aphasia related and self-care/emotional support related issues.
- NEW IN MAY 2024: We are thrilled to be partnering with Sara Nuahn, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and the knowledge she can bring regarding mental health needs. Sara will be co-facilitating with Jessica Wald, speech language pathologist to bring a unique blend of aphasia care and mental health care.
Meet the Care Partner Support Group Co-Facilitators:
Jessica Wald
Jessica Wald, MA CCC-SLP, has been a medical Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) for the past 20 years working in the hospital setting. She graduated from St. Cloud State with a double major in Biomedical Sciences and Communication Disorders and got her Masters degree from the University of MN -Twin Cities.
While in graduate school, Jessica participated in an aphasia conversation group and an intensive aphasia camp. These experiences helped ignite her passion and interest in working with individuals with aphasia. Jessica has worked in acute care, inpatient rehabilitation and outpatient settings and specifically enjoys connecting with individuals with aphasia and their family members with a goal of improving communication and essentially quality of life!
For the past 13 years Jessica has been in a leadership position at United Hospital in St. Paul, and now continues to work as an SLP at multiple Allina Hospitals. She has a passion for education and has taught classes on empathy, communication and patient experience, helped to supervise graduate students and mentor many SLPs alongside her colleagues.
Sara Nuahn, LICSW, PMH-C, has been a Clinical Social Worker for over 20 years. She earned her MSW from Loyola University-Chicago. Sara spent many years in co-located and outpatient services with Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute as a Behavior Professional, working alongside individuals and families who had experienced a Traumatic Brain Injury. She oversaw the navigation and implementation of services, supports, and resources for clients connected under TBI and CADI waivers as well as acted as the Clinical Supervisor for ARMHS (Adult Rehabilitation Mental Health Services). For the last 10 years Sara has been in private practice in Chanhassen, continuing to work with individuals through life changes and transitions. Sara also acts as a clinical supervisor to individuals working towards their LICSW licensure.
