In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the different services available at Shawnee Mental Health Center and how they can aid in enhancing your mental well-being.
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About Shawnee Mental Health Center
Shawnee Family Health Center is a dedicated healthcare team providing high-quality medical care.
Founded in 1973 as a non-profit mental health center, it is the oldest in the region.
Over the years, Shawnee has expanded to offer both primary and behavioral health services.
In 2018, it became a Federally Qualified Health Center – Look-alike, integrating these services for comprehensive care.
The team includes physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, counselors, and support staff who offer personalized care for routine check-ups and chronic conditions.
Shawnee also helps individuals with disabilities find and keep jobs. They accept most insurance, Medicare, and Ohio Medicaid plans, and offer a sliding fee scale for the uninsured or underinsured.
Committed to accessible healthcare, Shawnee does not deny services due to inability to pay. They also provide a discount medication program for eligible patients, ensuring access to necessary medications.
Mental Health Services Provided By Shawnee Mental Health Center
1. Behavioral Health
1.1 Assessments
Shawnee Family Health Center offers assessments to help individuals identify problems and create a plan to address them.
During a “diagnostic assessment,” a licensed counselor or social worker will discuss your symptoms, medical history, and important life events.
This process leads to a personalized treatment plan detailing the services you will receive, how often, and the goals of your treatment.
Anyone seeking behavioral health services, except in emergencies, will receive an assessment at some point.
1.2 Individual Counseling
Individual counseling at Shawnee Family Health Center offers one-on-one sessions with a licensed social worker or counselor to help address specific issues identified in a treatment plan.
These sessions, which may also involve the person’s family, focus on changing behaviors and symptoms to foster healthier habits and reduce problems.
Depending on the individual’s needs, counseling can be short-term, lasting 2-6 sessions, or extended over a longer period.
1.3 Community-Based Services
Shawnee Family Health Center provides community-based services, offering support outside the clinic.
Often called case management, these services are recognized by Ohio Medicaid. They help individuals get resources like Medicaid, find housing, educational, or job services, develop coping skills, and offer support during difficult times or when trying new things.
Counseling can also be provided at home if needed. Nurses visit homes to help people understand their medications, give injections, and monitor symptoms and side effects.
1.4 Psychiatric Services
The Center provides psychiatric services for individuals needing medication to manage symptoms.
They offer medications for anxiety, ADHD, depression, bipolar disorder, erratic behavior, hallucinations, and delusions.
Medication combined with counseling is considered the most effective treatment for mental health disorders.
A psychiatric nurse practitioner or physician assesses each patient, taking into account their physical health and current medications.
If medication is prescribed, follow-up visits are scheduled based on the individual’s needs, ranging from monthly to every six months.
Additionally, some psychiatric nurse practitioners at Shawnee offer medication-assisted treatment for addiction using buprenorphine (Suboxone) or naltrexone (Vivitrol).
For safety reasons, those receiving addiction treatment must also engage in additional services.
1.5 Addiction Treatment Services
Shawnee has partnered with Hopesource to provide specialized addiction treatment.
In Scioto County, Hopesource has an office within Shawnee’s clinic where they offer counseling and arrange for residential and intensive outpatient services.
In Lawrence County, Hopesource is located in a building next to the main clinic.
Shawnee and Hopesource work together to make sure that people dealing with both addiction and mental illness get a well-coordinated and comprehensive care plan.
2. Primary Care
2.1 Preventive Care
Shawnee Family Health Center is committed to preventing health issues. Their primary care providers regularly assess if patients need preventive services such as mammograms or colonoscopies.
They use specific guidelines to provide personalized education on preventive care based on each person’s age and gender.
2.2 Acute Care
If you’re dealing with sinus infections, ear infections, strep throat, or other acute illnesses, you can walk into any of Shawnee Family Health Center’s three clinics for prompt help.
The primary care team at these clinics can test for various infections, including the flu and COVID-19.
Once they diagnose the problem, they will offer personalized care and treatment to help you recover as quickly and effectively as possible.
2.3 Chronic Care Management
Those managing chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and COPD can access detailed monitoring and care from the primary care team at Shawnee Family Health Center.
This dedicated team is focused on tracking these conditions, making necessary adjustments to treatments, and providing ongoing support to manage symptoms and improve overall health.
They collaborate closely with patients, offering regular check-ups, medication adjustments, lifestyle guidance, and coordination with other healthcare providers to ensure effective management of their health conditions.
3. Supported Employment
Having a job can significantly aid those dealing with mental health or substance use issues, helping them recover and manage their symptoms more effectively.
To support this, Shawnee Family Health Center offers a specialized employment program designed to help people with serious mental health conditions and other disabilities find and maintain employment.
The staff at Shawnee works closely with clients to create a career profile, explore their interests, and find appropriate job opportunities.
Once clients are employed, Shawnee provides ongoing support, including assistance at the workplace if needed, to ensure they succeed in their jobs.
Shawnee’s employment program is based on supported employment, a proven approach that research has shown to be effective.
The program meets the standards set by the Ohio Mental Health and Addiction Services (OMHAS), which conducts regular inspections every two years to verify that the program continues to adhere to these standards.
4. School-Based Services
Shawnee offers a school-based program that delivers behavioral health services right where students are—at their schools.
Research shows that early intervention and social-emotional learning are crucial for children’s overall health and success.
Shawnee’s clinical staff collaborates with schools to seamlessly integrate these services into the school setting.
They are available as needed to offer various types of support, including counseling, case management, crisis assistance, information, referrals, and consultations. They can also provide presentations upon request to further support students.
5. Training Programs
5.1 CIT Training
The CIT Training course helps officers understand behavioral health better, improve their communication and engagement skills, use verbal de-escalation techniques, and connect with community resources.
In 32 hours of training, officers learn to spot signs of mental illness and handle crises involving psychiatric conditions, developmental disorders, and substance abuse.
The course includes recognizing symptoms, using de-escalation techniques for safety, and covering key topics like Autism, trauma in children, mental health laws, PTSD, and suicide prevention.
The CIT program enhances safety, builds better community relations, improves crisis response, reduces arrests and injuries, lowers liability, and saves costs through better resource use.
For more details or to sign up, contact Amy Hamm at 740-355-8617 or click the link provided.
5.2 QPR Training
QPR, which stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer, is a training program aimed at suicide prevention using a simple 3-step approach.
This course helps participants identify the warning signs of suicide, provide necessary support, and direct individuals to the right resources.
Anyone can become a QPR Gatekeeper, and increasing the number of trained individuals can significantly enhance the potential to save lives. The training is just an hour long and can be arranged at your convenience.
For those interested in organizing QPR training for their team, please reach out to Amy Hamm at [email protected] or call 740-355-8617.
6. Crisis Services
Shawnee offers 24/7 support for psychiatric emergencies throughout the year. Their team is available to help in various places, including emergency rooms, jails, clinics, and within the community.
If someone needs additional care, Shawnee can arrange ongoing counseling, stabilization at a crisis unit, or short-term hospitalization.
They also assist with medication refills for those who have been discharged from the hospital.
People experiencing a mental health crisis can either visit one of Shawnee’s clinics or call for assistance.
Shawnee is also authorized by the Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services Board to evaluate individuals in psychiatric distress for possible admission to a state-supported hospital.
Want to know more about mental health hospitals, check these out:
- Labette Center for Mental Health: Community Care & Support
- Wyandotte Mental Health Center: Care for Your Well-Being
- My Conscious Mind Mental Health Center: Focused Care & Support
Administration and Providers of Shawnee Family Health Center
The Administration Team at Shawnee Family Health Center is essential for keeping the organization running smoothly. Each member has a key role:
- Cynthia Holstein, the Chief Executive Officer, leads the organization and sets its goals and direction.
- Katy Lewis, the Chief Compliance & Quality Improvement Officer, ensures the center follows all regulations and works on improving the quality of care.
- Anita Bowman, the Chief Clinical Officer, manages the clinical services and supports the staff to ensure high-quality care.
- Chris Parish, the Chief Operating Officer, oversees the daily operations and works on improving efficiency.
- Tricia Martin, the Chief Human Resources Officer, handles hiring, employee relations, and staff development.
- Jill Cottrill, the Chief Financial Officer, manages the center’s finances, including budgeting and financial planning, to keep the organization financially healthy.
Providers Team:
- Dr. Jeffrey Hill, D.O., provides general medical care in Scioto County and has extensive experience in treating patients.
- Patricia Sparks, APRN-CNP, and Lisa Poorman, APRN-CNP, are Advanced Practice Registered Nurses in Scioto County who offer primary care and manage various health conditions.
- Rachael Cottrill, MSN, APRN-CNP, PMHNP-BC, is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in Scioto County specializing in mental health care and psychiatric treatment.
- Erin Smith, PMHNP-BC, and Stephanie Lang, CNP, also work in Scioto County, providing both mental health support and general medical care.
- Amber Roffe, APRN-CNP, delivers both general and psychiatric care in Scioto County.
- Kayla Kelley, PMHNP, offers mental health services in Lawrence County.
- Lacie Smith, CNP, provides general medical care and supports patients in Lawrence County.
- Debora Katz, PMH | FNP-BC, combines her skills in psychiatric and family practice to care for patients in Adams County.
- Amber Irwin, PMHNP | DNP, provides advanced psychiatric care in Adams County and uses her Doctor of Nursing Practice to improve patient care.
Different Locations and Contact Information of Shawnee
Shawnee Mental Health Center operates from three convenient locations:
1. Scioto County Clinic
901 Washington Street
Portsmouth, OH 45662
Phone: 740-354-7702
2. Lawrence County Clinic
225 Carlton Davidson Lane
Coal Grove, OH 45638
Phone: 740-533-0648
3. Adams County Clinic
192 Chestnut Ridge Road
West Union, OH 45693
Phone: 937-544-5581
FAQ’s:
Is depression a disability?
Yes, depression can be considered a disability. While its impact varies from person to person, it can significantly disrupt a person’s daily activities and job performance.
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), depression is acknowledged as a mental health issue that could be eligible for disability benefits if it severely affects one’s daily functioning.
Does depression cause memory loss?
Yes, depression can lead to memory problems. Although it doesn’t cause permanent damage like dementia, it can notably affect short-term memory and concentration.
People with depression often experience brain fog, which can make it hard to recall recent events, stay focused, and make decisions.
Fortunately, these memory issues usually improve as the symptoms of depression are treated and resolved.
Who can see your mental health diagnosis?
Who can access your mental health diagnosis depends on your privacy settings and particular situations.
Typically, your mental health provider will have access to your diagnosis.
To share this information with others, such as family, friends, or employers, you must give explicit permission.
However, there are exceptions, such as when there’s an immediate risk of harm to yourself or others, or if disclosure is mandated by law for certain reasons, like disability claims.
In general, you control who has access to your mental health information.
