Q&A: Adult Outpatient Behavioral Health Clinic

Ryan Ellis, a National Certified Counselor with Mary Greeley’s Adult Outpatient Behavioral Health Clinic, explains why the clinic’s services are important to people struggling with mental health issues.

How does the Outpatient Clinic fit into Mary Greeley Behavioral Health services? 

Mary Greeley offers a range of services depending on the needs of individual patients. The medical center’s Adult Inpatient Unit offers 24-hour care in a secure environment. We provide crisis assessments in our Emergency Department. A Transitional Living Program-Subacute Care facility helps adults who need supervised help but not necessarily in an inpatient setting.

The Outpatient Behavioral Health Care Clinic is another level of care for members of the community that want to establish mental health care for typically longer duration and in an outpatient setting. In the outpatient setting we manage mental health conditions, ideally to avoid hospital admissions to the inpatient behavioral health unit. If hospitalization is needed, we provide follow-up care after discharge.

What services does the Outpatient Clinic provide? 

We offer psychiatric evaluation and medication management and individual therapy.

Appointments can be in-person or virtual.

Who is providing services at the clinic?

There is a lot of need for mental health care in our communities and, honestly, not enough people to provide it. We are fortunate to have strong staffing, including a board-certified psychiatrist, three board-certified psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners, and a therapist.

Does insurance cover your services?

Most insurances do but the insurance coverage situation for mental health services is evolving and, depending on the insurance provider, ever-changing. 

We do everything we can to help patients with insurance issues and, if necessary, find them other resources.

Why come here instead of somewhere else?

In addition to having skilled, experienced staff, we tend to have availability, and many people come here because other facilities often have wait times that are weeks to months out because the demand for mental health services is so high right now.

How do people connect with your services?

We often get referrals from throughout the state, including patients from inpatient care that discharge out and want to establish longer term care, from other providers in the community, or from outside calls from people looking for services.

Why seek help?

People seek help because they’ve finally accepted, whether they themselves or with the help of their loved ones or doctors, that they need help. Whether you are coping with depression, anxiety, mood disorders, substance abuse issues, or a range of other conditions, we are here to help you.

Fortunately, the long-held stigma on mental health is breaking, people are starting to see that just because someone struggles with their mental health doesn't mean they are weak or inept. Seeking help is actually a sign of strength in that they are taking the initiative and responsibility to get the help they need.

NEED HELP?

You can self-refer to Mary Greeley’s Adult Outpatient Behavioral Health Clinic or be referred by your primary care physician or another provider. For more information, contact the clinic at 515-239-6888.