The impact of resilience
For Justine Broderson and her close-knit family—husband David, daughter Vivienne, and son Guthrie—life in the small rural town of Cornucopia, Wisconsin, has always been lively. Running a seasonal coffee shop, staying active in the community, and managing daily responsibilities keep them busy and feeling deeply grateful. But nothing could have prepared them for the upheaval that came when David’s mother passed away and seven-year-old Guthrie faced a severe mental health crisis. Both events turned their world upside down in ways they never could have imagined.
Looking back, there had always been signs that Guthrie experienced the world differently—sensitivity to loud noises, sudden outbursts—but there had never been a clear explanation. As Justine and David took on the demanding role of caring for David’s terminally ill mother, their absence at home created instability for Guthrie. When his nana passed, his world unraveled. Overcome with fear and anxiety, he became convinced his parents might die next. At school, he struggled to process his emotions, lashing out in distress. Justine began receiving daily calls—sometimes as early as 9 a.m.—asking her to pick him up, as his school day became another battle he couldn’t endure.
“We didn’t know what was going on,” Justine recalls. “Everything was triggering him. He was struggling to make it through the day.”
A school district supervisor suggested Amberwing–Center for Youth & Family Well-Being, a place the family had never heard of. But from the moment they walked through the doors, they knew they had found something special. “It felt like we were being rescued by a knight in shining armor,” Justine says.
Amberwing’s immersive Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) program provided the structure and skills Guthrie desperately needed. He began learning to manage his emotions through DBT skills like TIPP (temperature, intense exercise, paced
breathing—a temporary tool to help navigate overwhelming distress), STOP (stop, take a breath, observe, and proceed mindfully), and Wise Mind (balancing the emotional and rational mind). The daily challenges that once seemed insurmountable became more manageable as Guthrie slowly regained a sense of control.
His therapists also found creative ways to connect with him, incorporating his love for The Wizard of Oz and Alice in Wonderland into his sessions. “They picked up on his interests and used that to help him understand. When he started to spiral, they would remind him, ‘Don’t go down the rabbit hole, Guthrie,’” says Justine.
With an official autism diagnosis, the family was able to work with the school to build a support system. Guthrie now has an Individualized Education Program (IEP), a designated autism specialist, and access to a calming room that he calls his “vacation spot” when he feels overwhelmed.
“He still has tough moments,” Justine admits. “Like in gym class, when he couldn’t jump rope at the level he wanted, he got frustrated. But instead of lashing out, he took five minutes in his ‘vacation spot’ to reset.”
The impact of Amberwing has extended beyond Guthrie. His 12-year-old sister, Vivienne, uses DBT skills, and even his father who has started to recognize traits of undiagnosed autism in himself, uses what Guthrie has taught him.
“We’re learning together,” Justine says. “These skills don’t just help Guthrie; they help our whole family.”
Reflecting on the journey, Justine acknowledges the emotional toll of navigating her son’s struggles. “I used to think, ‘I’m a great parent, I can fix anything.’ But this time, I couldn’t, and that was devastating. Now, I know that advocating for him, finding the right help, that’s what matters.”
To other parents facing similar challenges, she offers this advice: “Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Advocate for your child. Keep calling, keep pushing. If our district supervisor hadn’t suggested Amberwing, we wouldn’t have known about it. It changed everything for us.”
Today, the Broderson family is finding their way back to normalcy, supported by the skills and resources they need. Guthrie continues to grow, navigating his world with confidence and strength.
Amberwing–Center for Youth & Family Well-Being, created and owned by the Miller-Dwan Foundation, focuses on innovative care models to address the root causes of mental health challenges. Its services are designed to build resilience and promote healing. Discover the Foundation’s dedication to tackling the mental health crisis in our region and learn more about Amberwing at mdfoundation.org/mental-health/amberwing.
