Many mental health problems experienced by adults arise in response to family crises, unusually high stress, and traumatic events. Brief adult services provide a variety of therapeutic services for adults experiencing severe psychological and/or interpersonal difficulties. Services are provided in individual and group therapy format. Since interpersonal relationship problems are frequently present, spouses and other family members may also be involved in treatment. Types of problems treated include:
- Depression and anxiety
- Severe relationship problems
- Antisocial behavior
- PTSD and trauma
The needs for mental health services by adults in the community are quite varied. Clients are given a thorough assessment and then therapy begins if appropriate. The general course of treatment is 10-12 sessions. Henrico Area Mental Health & Developmental Services aims its services at those who are unable to receive services in the private care sector and those who tend to experience more severe problems. Often these adults have a history of psychiatric hospitalization or have been involved in the criminal justice system. Therefore, the population served focuses on the following six categories of adults:
- Those individuals over the age of 18 who suffer severe emotional,
relational, or psychiatric problems, but who do not suffer from chronic,
disabling mental illness of psychotic proportions. - Those individuals involved in the court or correctional system for whom
mental health services are deemed important to the individual and
society in general. - Those individuals referred for follow-up treatment following psychiatric
hospitalization or from emergency services related to suicidal or violent
behavior. - Elderly individuals (over age 64) experiencing psychological problems
associated with aging, including depression or other mental disorders. - Those individuals who have been charged with a crime and for whom
a forensic evaluation has been ordered to determine competency to
stand trial, mental status at the time of offense, and/or pre-sentencing recommendations.
Mental health services to the populations described above include a broad range of clinical evaluations and treatment which are provided on an outpatient basis.
- Clinical evaluations include psychological, psychiatric, medication,
and forensic evaluations by court order. - Treatment services include various modes of evidence based psychotherapy and
pharmacotherapy. - Case consultation is provided to other agencies, including social
services, schools, courts, and the Commonwealth Attorney’s office.
Psychiatric hospitalization referrals are made as appropriate.
