Psychological/Mental Health AssessmentThis service (also referred to as the intake) is a clinical evaluation provided by an eligible individual either at specified times or in response to treatment, or when significant changes occur. A clinical evaluation provided by an eligible individual either at specified times or in response to treatment, or when significant changes occur. It is a process of gathering information to assess client needs and functioning in order to determine appropriate service/treatment based on identification of the presenting problem, evaluation of mental status, and formulation of a diagnostic impression. The outcome of mental health assessment is to determine the need for care, and recommend appropriate services/treatment and/or the need for further assessment. Results of the mental health assessment shall be shared with the client.

The Mental Health Assessment is completed at the center.This assessment could include the consumer only,or if consent is given, an entire team of support staff who may have initiated the referral to the center.If in fact the individual is found to have a mental health diagnosis he or she is then referred to one of our psychologists, psychology assistant/interns, or social worker for individual counseling/psychotherapy.Intakes will be conducted as individuals are referred to the clinic.

Psychological Testing & Diagnostic Clarification: This service is a comprehensive clinical evaluation for determining the clients current behavioral, emotional, cognitive, and mental health functioning including a measure of adaptive functioning or related level of adaptive behavior.Quite often there are a variety of diagnostic labels given to the individual and therefore clarification is required to determine the correct treatment modality. Additional Assessments offered at the clinic include evaluating high risk individuals and require evaluations such as Sexual Risk Assessments and Violence Risk Assessments For individuals involved in court related issues, Competency Education and Training is also offered at this facility.

Behavioral Health Counseling and Therapy Service:means interaction with a person served in which the focus is on treatment of the person's mental illness or emotional disturbance. When the person served is a child or adolescent, the interaction may also be with the family members and/or parent, guardian and significant others when the intended outcome is improved functioning of the child or adolescent and when such interventions are part of the overall patient care. Behavioral health counseling and therapy service shall consist of a series of time-limited, structured sessions that work toward the attainment of mutually defined goals as identified in the treatment plan. Subsequently,Behavioral Health/Counseling intensive psychotherapy treatment module used will depend on the diagnosis and related disturbances the individual is afflicted with. It is not unusual for a single consumer to have multiple diagnoses and therefore the professional will also determine the most serious presenting issues which need to be addressed. Treatment diagnosis range in type and severity and tend to occur more frequently in individuals who are also diagnosed with mental retardation. Individual psychotherapy depending on the severity of the illness can range from twice weekly, weekly, biweekly, monthly, or as needed and lasts between 30 to 60 minutes per session. Since all the mental health professionals are under the same roof, this arrangement allows for a comprehensive treatment approach since information can be shared with other treatment providers almost simultaneously. The all inclusive approach allows our agency to be unique and necessary due to the challenges this population presents to the clinicians. Ultimately, this will allow for a comprehensive treatment approach facilitated by a treatment team of skilled professionals all encapsulated within a single agency.

Group Therapy/Training:ASPIRE

Many treatment centers for individuals residing in Franklin County and surrounding areas have long delays and waiting lists for individuals afflicted with mental illness.Once these individuals are seen there could easily be several weeks until their next appointment.On many occasions and instances when individuals who suffer with both mental illness and mental retardation are evaluated at these centers they are often told that the problems they are exhibiting are “behavioral” and they are subsequently sent home. Over the years it has become apparent that these so called “problems” are not simply “behavioral” in nature but instead are often related to a more serious disturbance which if left untreated can result in chronic disturbance and disruption coupled with self-injury and harm to others. However, with the appropriate evaluation and diagnosis, the correct treatment, management, and ongoing level of care these individuals can enjoy a dramatic change in their quality of life, often becoming less isolated, less violent, more independent, productive, motivated, and ultimately appropriately integrate back into the community without continued disruption.

At the same time additional services will be explored which are essential for these individuals to function appropriately across all settings of involvement. Many of these individuals also lack adequate social and sexual knowledge skills, have limited interpersonal skills, exhibit poor judgment, and have severely impoverished self-esteem. Therefore adjunctive therapy programs will be explored to address these highly needed areas. In summary, this population has been poorly understood and grossly underrepresented in terms of mental health services necessary in an effort for them to obtain the appropriate treatment interventions to reduce their suffering and improve the quality of life they have long deserved.