BHcare employs an experienced team of psychiatrists, licensed clinical social workers, advanced practice registered nurses, certified alcohol and drug counselors, and other mental health professional who provide a wide range of services for individuals affected by mental illness and co-occurring substance abuse disorders. These services include:

Comprehensive psychiatric and substance abuse evaluations are offered to all persons seeking treatment at our Outpatient Clinics. The evaluations provide a basis for person-centered treatment plans that take into account each individual’s biological, psychological, environmental, and social needs. Treatments routinely include assessment, diagnosis, prescription and administration of psychotropic medications, group and individual therapy, psycho-education, and review of medical health history. Individualized recovery plans are developed in collaboration with each client to address presenting problems and design a course of action to achieve goals. These plans are reviewed and updated regularly throughout the client’s recovery process. Crisis evaluations are performed as needed. Psychotherapy services are based on best practice models. Outpatient groups are based on level of motivation and recovery. 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.
• 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. The curriculums are designed to be completed in 8 to 12 weeks. 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.

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.

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

• Mental Health Counseling
• Dual Diagnosis Counseling
• Substance Abuse Treatment
• Group Therapy

Services are available on the Shoreline 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 x245 to schedule an appointment.

Services are available in the Valley on Thursday from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm and Friday from 9am to 5pm. Please call (203) 736-2905 to schedule an appointment.

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.

Under Connecticut’s Project SAFE (Substance Abuse Family Evaluation) program, BHcare provides a number of services for primary caregivers of children in contact with the Department of Children and Families (DCF). These services include centralized intake procedures, priority access to substance abuse evaluations, drug screens, and outpatient treatment services that address substance abuse, mental health, and trauma services. Offered in Valley location only.

Tobacco Cessation Services include counseling, nicotine replacement therapies, and medicine for nicotine-dependent individuals. The program links individuals with Nicotine Anonymous and the Connecticut Quit-line to help support their recovery. Program features include:

Group I: Tobacco Awareness
This is a weekly group that is held in the clubhouse and is open to all members. You will learn about such topics as nutrition, physical activity, & stress management.

Individuals will be given information about the effects of smoking, what is in cigarettes, the benefits of quitting smoking, ways to quit smoking, and general healthy lifestyle behaviors that will assist you to remain or cut down on your tobacco use.

Group II: Smoke Enders
Is a closed group that will last 8 weeks. This group will focus on creating a quit plan: Take the steps toward quitting and setting a quit date. You will have tobacco NRT (nicotine replacement therapy): There are six different types: nicotine gum, the patch, nicotine lozenges (over the counter) , nicotine inhaler, and the nasal spray (prescription), Buproprion SR, marketed as Zyban and Wellbutrin, and Chantix will also be available. The Tobacco Counselor will work with your doctor in assessing the best nicotine replacement therapy for you.

Group III: Tobacco Relapse Prevention
This is an open group that is intended for individuals who are seeking continued support after they quit smoking. The group will also help participants ease off nicotine replacement therapies. Tobacco Relapse Prevention is available in Branford on Friday’s from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.

BHcare offers on-site primary care services to persons already receiving mental health services at BHcare. The services, provided in conjunction with CommuniCare, Inc, (CCI), and in collaboration with Cornell Scott-Hill Health Corporation, include nurse care management, medical case management, peer support, primary care, and access to a 9-week wellness curriculum.

• Nurse Care Manager to provide assessment and referral and coordination to on-site or off-site primary care
• Peer Health Mentor to provide outreach engagement and education on health and wellness issues and resources
• On-Site primary health care that is available one day per week in both the Valley and Shoreline locations. (Provided by Cornell Scott Hill Health Center)
• 10-week health curriculum focused on various wellness and recovery topics

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.