The Harmful Nature of Health Disparities and Breaking Down Barriers to Health Equity: A Q&A With Thrive’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee

Thrive • April 12, 2022

Thrive Therapists Casey Rollins, LMSW, CSW-Intern and Melanie Aparicio, MMFT offered their insights into how health disparities harm physical, mental, and behavioral health, as well as ways to work toward achieving health equity. 

How would you define health disparities? 

Health disparities are the differences in resources and care that different groups of individuals have access to due to social, economic, and environmental factors. These factors include public policies, racial biases, and sex and gender affiliation. — Casey

What are the implications of health disparities?

Health disparities can diminish one’s quality of life by contributing to poor mental, behavioral, and physical health. Many facing health disparities are underinsured or uninsured and as a result, lack access to appropriate health care. Health disparities can also be fatal, as research has linked an absence of adequate care and resources to premature deaths. — Melanie

What is health equity? 

Health equity describes the goal of all individuals having fair and just access to becoming healthier. Health equity improves quality of life by providing individuals with access to treatment for their health concerns. — Casey 

Why is health equity important, especially in regards to mental and behavioral health?

Health equity doesn’t just refer to physical health, but it also includes mental and behavioral health . Because mental and behavioral health impact overall well-being, we as a society need to develop a deeper appreciation of mental and behavioral health care and a fuller awareness of corresponding disparities, while also exploring ways to remove barriers to mental and behavioral health care. — Melanie 

How can health equity be achieved? 

Research has shown that social and economic challenges, low educational attainment, and exposure to violence can harm overall well-being and contribute to health inequities. These factors, largely associated with poverty and discrimination, need to be addressed to achieve health equity. — Casey

Health insurance is another barrier to achieving health equity, as it can create a gap in individuals’ accessibility to different forms of treatment. Exploring ways to make the health care marketplace fairer and more just can promote health equity. — Melanie 

How does having a therapist who has a similar culture to your own help with healing? 

Seeing a therapist who shares a similar cultural awareness with you can help deepen your relationship with your therapist, which is very important for your experience. Oftentimes, clients can feel isolated when therapeutic relationships lack the trust and safety associated with shared cultural understanding. — Casey

A PLACE TO GROW FOR ALL CULTURES, BACKGROUNDS, AND IDENTITIES

Thrive is passionate about offering equitable and accessible multicultural health services and many of Thrive’s therapists take a culturally-centered approach to treatment. As part of Thrive’s integrated approach, we care for the entire person. In doing so, we recognize how systematic discrimination has impacted and harmed many groups of people. At Thrive, you can expect compassionate treatment that doesn’t discriminate against anyone in regard to their race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, physical or mental disability, gender, gender identity and gender expression. Reach out to learn more about our therapeutic services.

About the Contributors

Thrive Reno Therapist Casey Rollins, LMSW, CSW-Intern

Casey Rollins, LMSW, CSW-Intern, received her bachelor’s degree in psychology with an emphasis in addiction treatment services at the University of Nevada, Reno. She went on to receive her masters degree from Simmons University in Social Work. Casey has experience working with veterans, children with neuro developmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder, eating disorders, anxiety disorders, and behavioral issues. Casey is passionate about working with individuals in helping them to understand that rewriting their story is possible. She believes that we, whether individually, or collectively, are allowed to begin anew at any point along our journey in life. Casey is also dedicated to the treatment and advocacy of the impacts of systemic and interpersonal trauma for Black youth as well as all People of Color. She believes this journey of healing is yours, whenever you are ready, you are welcomed with fierce compassion. Casey sets forth interactions with others with the phenomenal and late Maya Angelou in mind, “just like moons and like suns, with the certainty of tides, just like hopes springing high, still I rise.”

In her free time, Casey enjoys spending time with family and friends, creating artwork, writing poetry, jamming out to music at any given moment, spending time connecting in nature, and is a self proclaimed movie buff.

Thrive Reno Therapist Melanie Aparicio, MMFT

Melanie Aparicio earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in Spanish from the University of Nevada, Reno before earning her master’s degree in marriage and family therapy (MMFT) at Capella University.

As a therapist at Thrive Wellness Reno, Melanie specializes in working with adolescents and young adults who are struggling with mental health issues,  individuals with eating disorders, and clients experiencing perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs). She is particularly passionate about creating a comfortable environment in which she can join her clients in walking on a path towards healing and growth. As an advocate for breaking down barriers and negative stigmas about mental health within the BIPOC community, she strives to provide psycho-education on the positive impacts that prioritizing mental health can have on individuals and communities.

Outside of her mission-driven work, Melanie enjoys watching sports such as football and baseball. She also finds peace and joy in caring for plants at home and at the office.

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By Erin McGinty Fort, MS, MHA, CPC, LPC-S, CEDS-C December 18, 2025
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December 2, 2025
Like the fir tree, a symbol of endurance rooted in hope, our Family Inclusive Recovery (FIR) approach reflects the strength that grows when families face challenges together. At our new residential center “The Greenhouse”, FIR is more than a treatment model, it’s a philosophy of healing that places families at the heart of recovery for adolescents and young adults navigating eating disorders, anxiety disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). We believe lasting healing doesn’t happen in isolation; it’s built with the support of families through perseverance, hope, and compassionate care. What Is Family Inclusive Recovery (FIR)? Family Intensive Recovery (FIR) is a specialized and immersive approach that actively engages caregivers as central agents in their child’s healing process. Rather than seeing families as contributors to a problem, we view them as essential partners in recovery. Drawing from two evidence-based frameworks, Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) and Family-Based Treatment (FBT), FIR helps families cultivate resilience, confidence, and connection throughout the journey to recovery. Grounded in SPACE and FBT Through the SPACE model, parents learn how to recognize and reduce well-intentioned but unhelpful behaviors known as accommodations that can reinforce anxiety and OCD symptoms. By shifting from rescuing to supporting and challenging, parents develop the confidence to guide their child through discomfort, helping them build distress tolerance and self-trust. Simultaneously, Family-Based Treatment (FBT) empowers families to take an active, compassionate role in their child’s nutritional and emotional recovery. Parents learn how to support weight and nutritional restoration, disrupt the eating disorder’s patterns, and reestablish boundaries that promote health and growing autonomy. Together, these approaches strengthen both the individual and family system, allowing recovery to take root within an environment of empathy and optimism. From Blame to Collaboration A cornerstone of the FIR model is removing blame. At Thrive, parents are not viewed as the cause of their child’s struggles, but rather as key partners in recovery. Treatment focuses on joining forces to create a safe, supportive environment where: Families learn to sit with their child's discomfort alongside them without rushing to fix or control it. Parents practice compassionate firmness, setting boundaries grounded in care and safety. Teens and caregivers rebuild trust through open, honest communication. This collaborative framework helps families reestablish a sense of connection and confidence, fostering long-term resilience and open communication that extends beyond the treatment setting. Why Family Matters in Recovery Recovery from eating disorders, OCD, or anxiety isn’t a one-person job, it requires integrated care including the family. When families learn to navigate challenges together, they can model emotional regulation, reinforce healthy boundaries, and create conditions for sustained recovery. Through FIR, we aim to strengthen attachment bonds, reshape family interactions, and empower every member of the family to grow. The result is not only symptom reduction but also a deeper sense of unity, hope, and shared endurance, just like the steadfast fir tree that stands resilient through every season. Moving Toward Hope Family Inclusive Recovery invites caregivers and loved ones to become active participants in change. It’s a journey of learning, letting go, and leaning into love and acceptance. Together, families and clinicians can cultivate the courage in clients to face uncertainty, and in doing so, help them discover that recovery is not just possible, but enduring. If you’d like to learn more about Family Intensive Recovery at The Greenhouse or how we support families in eating disorder and OCD treatment, reach out to our team today.
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The Greenhouse at Thrive Wellness A New Chapter of Hope and Healing in Nevada On Friday, November 14 , we gathered with our partners at Molina Healthcare to share an important moment for our community. Together, we celebrated Molina’s generous $50,000 grant , an investment that is helping bring The Greenhouse to life. Their support is not only a financial contribution—it’s a statement of belief in the young people and families of Nevada who deserve access to compassionate, evidence-based mental healthcare close to home. This gathering marked the beginning of something we’ve dreamed about for years: a place designed specifically for adolescents and emerging adults to receive the care, connection, and support they need during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. Something New Is Growing In early 2026 , Thrive Wellness will open The Greenhouse , Nevada’s first residential treatment center devoted to adolescents and emerging adults navigating eating disorders, anxiety, and OCD . For too long, families have faced a heartbreaking dilemma—send their child far from home for treatment or go without the specialized care they need. The Greenhouse is our answer to that gap. It will be a place where young people can settle into an environment built for healing, where they are understood, supported, and surrounded by a team that believes in their capacity to recover. The Greenhouse represents a natural extension of our mission. It’s a living expression of our belief that recovery is possible—and that with the right support, families can find their footing again. 
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