Mental Health Services

Availability:

  Over The Phone

  In Person

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:

1. 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.
2. Those individuals involved in the court or correctional system for whom
   mental health services are deemed important to the individual and
   society in general.
3. Those individuals referred for follow-up treatment following psychiatric
   hospitalization or from emergency services related to suicidal or violent
   behavior.
4. Elderly individuals (over age 64) experiencing psychological problems
   associated with aging, including depression or other mental disorders.
5. 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.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), developed by Marsha Linehan, is an evidenced-based, compassionate, and non-judgmental form of behavior therapy that assists individuals diagnosed with and/or experiencing some symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder. DBT focuses on helping clients learn and apply coping and problem solving skills to improve their overall quality of life. The overarching goal of DBT is to help individuals work towards building a meaningful life worth living. In order to achieve this, clients learn how to tolerate and manage their emotions, control their behaviors, be mindful of the present moment, and interact more effectively with others.

Treatment includes 1 hour of weekly individual psychotherapy, 2 hours of weekly DBT skills class, and DBT telephone coaching as needed.