Times Observer photo by Stacey Gross Left to right: Shawna Dosser, Joel Davison, Frankie Johnson, and Tracy Passaro

“She’s welcoming to all kinds of opportunities,” said Shawna Dosser, an exercise physiologist, personal trainer, and health and wellness educator, of Tracy Passaro.

Standing in the front room of Mindful Journeys, Passaro’s new mental health practice on a Tuesday evening, surrounded by children’s books in the warmly-lit office that’s more primitive-chic than clinical sleek, Dosser and Passaro – along with fellow providers Joel Davison and Frankie Johnson – spent some time trying to put into words just what MJ is all about.

While a number of people practice offer a number of different mental health services out of the building, Passaro doesn’t recruit them. “I just welcome them,” she said. And providers for whom the nontraditional space dovetails nicely with their approach to the treatments they provide have been finding their way there almost instinctively.

Among those who’ve taken up residence at MJ is Joel Davison, a licensed clinical social worker who’s been providing therapy through his private practice, Riverside Counseling, at MJ since earlier this year. “I remember the first time I came here,” said Davison, “I walked in the door and saw Tracy sitting on a little beanbag chair, and I’m like, ‘this lady’s cool.'” The beanbag chair drew him in, Joel said, but it’s Tracy’s passion for the work that encouraged him to put down roots. “Her passion for this, her dream of doing this…it was catching.”

Matt Menard, an elementary school counselor and private therapist, found his way to MJ when it came time for him to find a new space to devote to his own private practice. Like the others, it was a combination of Passaro’s approach to mental health – mindfully existential – as well as the unique functionality and feel of the space that made him want to call it home.

The space itself is unique in that it can function on multiple levels based on the needs of clients. From yoga studio to play therapy space to traditional(ish) office to pop-up library, MJ offers individual settings throughout its two main rooms. Whether the therapy being provided is done through yoga or traditional active listening, the space is dynamic and flexible enough to fit that need.

But, said Passaro, what she ultimately wants MJ to become is more than just a mental health practice. She wants it to be a community resource. All of her efforts with every client are in the hopes of strengthening that client to become their own advocate and, eventually, their own provider. That, said Passaro, is the goal of all therapy regardless of where it falls on a the spectrum of tradition.

From nutrition to exercise to art to music to support groups, Passaro said that MJ is poised to become a hub of mindfulness and wellness in Warren County, and that’s exactly where each provider working there wants to drive it.

A few of the ways that Passaro said she wants to reach out to the community at large, rather than only clients, is through community events like seminars, psychoeducational opportunities, and the hosting of support groups.

Perhaps the most unique idea Passaro has for the place is one she hopes to roll out in the coming months. “One of the things I’m going to start doing here very soon is opening up that space to the community on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. So if you want to take 15 minutes out of your lunch break and just commit it to mindfulness and balancing yourself? Bring a mat, use a chair, sit on the floor, draw on the chalkboards. Whatever.” It’s going to be free and open to anyone, client or not, Passaro said, and anyone who wants to leave donations will be contributing to a bowl of fresh fruit she plans to leave by the door.

“Take care of yourself a little bit every day,” said Passaro. “And take an apple back to work with you.”

Learn more about Mindful Journeys by visiting the office at 436 Pennsylvania Avenue West, or call Tracy Passaro at (814) 723-3200 to learn more about what services are offered or to request services for which there is a need. “I’m open to anything,” said Passaro.