Outpatient Clinical Services

Recovery from mental health and addiction issues is possible, and we provide a wide range of innovative behavioral healthcare services to meet your unique needs.

We employ an experienced team of psychiatrists, licensed clinical social workers, advanced practice registered nurses, certified alcohol and drug counselors, and other mental health professionals who provide a wide range of services for individuals affected by mental illness and/or substance abuse disorders. We are dedicated to treating the whole person and offer integrated primary care services and tobacco cessation services.

Our outpatient services provide individual and group therapy to help you build on your strengths and improve your overall quality of life.

Not all disabilities are visible, and mental health issues can affect every area of a person’s life. Our clinicians use a person-centered approach and will work with you to develop a treatment plan that meets your individual needs and helps you achieve your goals. Treatment is designed to:

• Explore symptoms, stressors, and strengths
• Develop new coping skills
• Improve emotional, behavioral, and social outlook

Throughout treatment, you are encouraged to express your needs, desired outcomes, and expectations of the services delivered.

Services provided include:

• Individual and Group Therapy: Allow clients to increase their strengths, self-esteem and interpersonal relationships at a pace that is comfortable for each client.
• Substance Abuse Treatment: Provides support and education around issues related to recovery from alcohol and drug addiction. Medication assisted treatment for opioid addiction also available.
• Dual Diagnosis Treatment: Therapy, medication and supportive services for clients who are struggling with both a psychiatric illness and drug/alcohol abuse or addiction.
• Intensive Outpatient Program: The Intensive Outpatient Program provides specialized treatment to individuals whose needs cannot be met through weekly group or individual treatment alone. Clients attend three to five days a week and participate in three hours of specialized and focused group activities daily. Four tracks are available to meet the needs of these individuals: Dialectical Behavior Therapy-DBT Skills Training, Dual Diagnosis, Symptom Management, and Evening Substance Abuse. Evening substance abuse offered at Shoreline location only.
• Medication Management: Clients who request a medication evaluation are seen by a psychiatrist who reviews (with the client) the risks, benefits and alternatives of taking medication. If the client chooses to try or continue medication, his/her progress is monitored closely and at regular meetings between the client and the psychiatrist. Input from the client’s therapists enhances this process, allowing for the utmost in continuity and clinically effective care.

BHcare is designated by the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services as the Behavioral Health Home for the Shoreline and Valley, and as such facilitates access to behavioral health services, medical care, and community-based social services and supports for individuals with serious and persistent mental illness. BHcare provides Comprehensive Care Management, Care Coordination, Health Promotion Services, Individual and Family Support Services, Comprehensive Transitional Care, and Referral Services for nearly 450 individuals. Contact us and learn more

BHcare provides both on-site and mobile crisis services, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, for those clients who experience severe or critical mental health episodes. Any call to BHcare after normal business hours is answered by a professional medical answering service. After initial triage, when necessary, the answering service will arrange for telephone contact with a licensed behavioral health clinician. When necessary, BHcare has the capacity to summon a mental health professional to the site of an unresolved crisis.

Walk-in crisis services are available at our Outpatient Clinics during normal business hours. Mobile crisis services are also available during these hours for persons who are homebound.

After hours, weekend and holiday crisis services can be reached by calling the main BHcare numbers, (203) 736-2601 in Ansonia or (203) 483-2630 in Branford, and following the service prompts. Emergency Room Crisis Services are provided via your local hospital Emergency Room.

In conjunction with CommuniCare, Inc and the Connecticut Latino Behavioral Health System, BHcare provides evaluation and counseling services in Spanish for adults coping with stress, substance abuse or other mental health issues. Services offered include:

• Mental Health Counseling
• Dual Diagnosis Counseling
• Treatment for Drug and Alcohol Abuse
• Group Therapy

Counseling services in Spanish are available in Branford, Monday from 8:30 am to 2:00 pm, and on Wednesday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Please call (203) 483-2630 x2245 to schedule an appointment.

Services are available in Ansonia on Thursday from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm and Friday from 9am to 5pm. Please call (203) 736-2601 to schedule an appointment.

The Jail Diversion Program provides clinically appropriate evaluation and linkage with the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services’ (DMHAS) system and other community resources for court-referred individuals. Individuals referred to the program are pre-trial clients with symptoms of mental illness or current DMHAS clients for whom community care will provide an alternative to incarceration. The Jail Diversion team consists of a clinician and community support specialist who assess individuals at the Superior Courts. The team also works collaboratively with the Bail Commissioner to divert mentally ill offenders from incarceration to community care. Participants in the Jail Diversion Program are provided with assessment, assistance in the development of conditional release plans, respite care, and crisis management.