In recent years, the importance of mental health has become more widely recognized, leading to the establishment of numerous clinics and centers dedicated to supporting individuals on their mental health journeys.
This article will explore the services available at the Charleston Dorchester Mental Health Center and highlight the collaborative efforts of their professional teams to assist patients in various ways.
Additionally, BetterHelp offers a convenient platform for quick access to medical attention.
Signing up with BetterHelp allows you to connect with licensed healthcare providers and access their services.
About Charleston Dorchester
The Charleston Dorchester Mental Health Center, managed by the South Carolina Department of Mental Health, stands out as one of the state’s largest and most innovative facilities.
Since it was established in 1989, the center has been committed to delivering various effective treatments for children, teenagers, their families, and adults.
The center is focused on offering exceptional care that supports mental health recovery and leads to positive results.
It specializes in emergency mental health care, featuring a distinctive psychiatric urgent care program and a 24/7 emergency response team.
Charleston Dorchester collaborates with various organizations to enhance community resource access and provide top-notch mental health services.
It also operates the state’s first 24-hour crisis stabilization unit, the Tri-County Crisis Stabilization Center (TCSC), which is a 10-bed voluntary unit situated within the Charleston Center, a local facility for drug and alcohol treatment.
The Assessment/Mobile Crisis team at the center ensures quick access to care, helping to avoid long waits in emergency rooms.
Charleston Dorchester is dedicated to offering timely and effective services, establishing itself as a leading choice for mental health care.
Services Provided By Charleston Dorchester Mental Health Center
1. Emergency & Assessment
Charleston Dorchester Mental Health Center provides comprehensive emergency services through its Assessment/Mobile Crisis (A/MC) Team and the EMS-Mobile Crisis Telehealth Program.
The A/MC Team is available 24/7, offering psychiatric assessments and connecting people with the right treatment resources.
They offer support via phone and in person at local clinics and work closely with law enforcement to manage community crises.
If you’re outside Charleston or Dorchester counties, the Community Crisis Response and Intervention (CCRI) team can assist you.
The EMS-Mobile Crisis Telehealth Program, started in 2017, uses telehealth technology to connect psychiatric patients directly with mental health professionals, helping to avoid emergency department visits.
This program has successfully redirected many patients from EDs, saving over $1.1 million in healthcare costs during its first year and receiving several awards for its innovative approach.
2. Tricounty Crisis Stabilization Center
The Tricounty Crisis Stabilization Center (TCSC) is a 10-bed crisis unit for adults in Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties.
It provides urgent care for psychiatric symptoms, offering an alternative to emergency rooms or jail.
TCSC treats depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, psychosis, and bipolar disorder, with an average stay of 3.5 days.
The goal is to stabilize patients and help them return to their support systems.
Open 24/7, TCSC offers group therapy, psychiatric assessments, nursing services, medication management, individual sessions, and psychosocial rehabilitation.
Referrals come from hospitals, mental health providers, Mobile Crisis teams, and local law enforcement.
3. Outpatient Therapy
Charleston Dorchester Mental Health Center offers unique counseling and psychiatric consultations in the Charleston and Dorchester area, helping individuals make positive life changes.
They provide weekly individual, group, and family counseling using a cognitive behavioral model in a comfortable, private setting with experienced counselors.
The center specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for managing thoughts and behaviors, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) for emotional regulation, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for distressing memories.
They also offer Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) for posttraumatic stress and Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) for effective child management skills.
Additionally, they use Motivational Interviewing (MI) to help patients find their motivation for change. Their dedication to proven methods makes them a top provider of mental health care in the area.
4. Psychiatry & Med Clinic
Charleston Dorchester Mental Health Center (CDMHC) features a skilled team of psychiatrists who work closely with mental health counselors to create personalized treatment plans for patients.
The Medication Clinic provides thorough care, including injections and medication monitoring, with registered nurses and psychiatrists collaborating on these services.
Regional teams of nurses also offer support through home visits and other services.
The center provides outpatient assessments and treatments for children, teens, and adults.
For an initial psychiatric appointment, call the Charleston Clinic at (843) 414-2350 or the Dorchester Clinic at (843) 873-5063.
5. Special Programs
Charleston Dorchester Mental Health Center (CDMHC) offers several key programs to support the community.
The Highway to Hope program uses a mobile clinic to deliver mental health services to underserved areas, funded by The Duke Endowment and the Roper St. Francis Foundation.
FARMACY, in collaboration with local organizations, provides free fruits and vegetables to enhance health and safety in downtown Charleston.
The center also runs Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) to help families with young children improve their behaviour and strengthen relationships.
NAVIGATE/New Directions offers support to individuals facing their first episode of psychosis, while the Unsheltered Outreach Team connects homeless individuals with essential care.
The Fetter Health Clinic offers primary care services on specific days, and the Mental Health Court program helps individuals with mental illness avoid re-incarceration by providing support and treatment.
The First Responder Support Team (FRST) delivers confidential counseling to first responders and their families, addressing needs such as crisis support and substance abuse.
For more details about these special programs check their website.
6. Case Management
The center provides extensive case management and community support through Regional Treatment teams in Charleston and Dorchester.
Services include assessments, crisis help, therapy, skills training, and case management for adults and children, all supported by doctors and nurses.
Care Coordinators work with patients to connect them to necessary resources, such as medical, dental, and social services like food and housing, enhancing but not replacing treatment.
7. School Mental Health Services
School mental health services are offered in schools across Charleston County and in every school in Dorchester Districts 2 and 4.
These programs, run by the SC Department of Mental Health, provide supportive, stigma-free help to students and their families.
They focus on spotting and dealing with emotional issues early and work with parents, teachers, and counselors to find effective solutions.
School counselors provide individual, group, and family therapy, as well as case management.
8. Vocational Services
Since 2002, the Charleston/Dorchester Mental Health Center has been using the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Model to help people with severe and persistent mental illness find and keep competitive jobs.
This approach, developed in collaboration with South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation, involves a multidisciplinary team.
The IPS model stands out for its core principles, including a zero-exclusion policy, prioritizing consumer preferences, rapid job searches, aiming for competitive employment, integrating with mental health services, providing time-unlimited support, personalized benefits planning, and family advocacy.
The program is further strengthened through ongoing discussions with NAMI representatives and family members, recognizing the important role families play in recovery.
For more information, you can contact Vocational Staff at 843-852-4100.
9. Peer Support Program
A peer specialist helps people by sharing their own recovery experiences, using recovery tools, and connecting them with community resources to help them reach their goals.
Certified Peer Support Specialists work alongside clinical mental health staff, offering extra support focused on self-help, personal growth, and advocacy.
They provide crisis support, and housing assistance, and help build healthy social networks.
The Peer Support Program includes various group sessions led by peers that encourage connection, support, diverse perspectives, goal-setting, and problem-solving.
Individual peer support is also available for those who prefer one-on-one interaction. For more information, check their website or call them at 843-852-4100.
Want to know more about mental health hospitals, check these out:
- Dunwoody Mental Health Center: Committed to Your Well-Being
- Alcott Center for Mental Health Services: Empowering Lives
- Shawnee Mental Health Center: Supporting Wellness
Different Clinics of Charleston Dorchester
The Charleston Dorchester Mental Health Center has two clinics serving the Charleston and Dorchester County communities.
1. THE CHARLESTON CLINIC
Established in 1928, the Charleston Mental Health Clinic is known for providing innovative, evidence-based treatment with a team of highly skilled clinicians.
Individuals and families visiting the clinic can expect dedicated therapists and staff who are passionate about supporting those with mental illness, walking alongside them in their recovery journey, and offering hope at every stage.
The clinic is CARF-accredited and offers mental health services, education, advocacy, and support to Charleston County residents.
2. THE DORCHESTER CLINIC
Located in Summerville, SC, the Dorchester Clinic provides mental health services to residents of Dorchester County.
Services vary in intensity and are offered in homes, schools, communities, and clinic-based sites based on client needs and preferences.
The clinic prides itself on delivering top-notch clinical care in a friendly and comfortable setting.
The staff’s passion for their work is evident in the strong relationships they build with clients, their families, and the wider community, enriching lives through their treatment.
Both clinics operate Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.
For more details, visit their website.
Board Members and Team of Professionals
Dorchester Mental Health Center is supported by a dedicated group of professionals who each contribute to the smooth operation and high-quality service of the center.
1. The Board of Directors includes:
- Douglas R. Wurster, the Chairperson, leads the board and sets the center’s overall direction.
- Joann Monnin-Debevec, the Vice Chairperson, supports the Chairperson and steps in when needed.
- Felecia R. Boyd, the Secretary, is responsible for accurate record-keeping and facilitating communication among board members.
- Roxane W. Scott, MD, the Treasurer, manages the center’s finances and ensures proper handling of the budget.
- Maureen Phlegar, the Past Chair, offers valuable insights based on her previous leadership experience.
Board members also include Malinda Terry, Maureen Phleger, Dr. Kendra Stewart, and Mark M. Hood, M.A.
2. Staff Representatives Team
The Staff Representatives Team at Dorchester Mental Health Center is made up of dedicated individuals who ensure the center’s effective operation:
- Jennifer Brush, LPC, CPM, the Executive Director, who leads the center and oversees its overall strategy and operations.
- Stacy Mathis, M.A., CPM, the Chief of Staff and PI Director, who manages the staff and directs various programs for smooth functioning.
- Taryn Reed, CPM, the Administrator, handling daily administrative tasks and supporting overall operations.
- Ashley Wietor, LPC, the Quality Improvement (QI) Director, focuses on enhancing service quality and meeting standards.
- Debbie Thompson, the Executive Administrative Assistant, provides essential support and facilitates internal communication.
- Michael Kassur, MD, the Medical Director, who oversees medical services to ensure high-quality care.
- David Gehr, LPC, CPM, the Clinical Director, supervises clinical services and maintains professional standards.
- Karen Mitchell-Oliver, CPM, the Clinical Director, working alongside David Gehr to manage and support clinical operations.
Together, this team ensures that Dorchester Mental Health Center effectively serves the community while upholding high standards of care.
Address and Contact Information of Charleston Dorchester
The Charleston Clinic is located at 2100 Charlie Hall Boulevard, Charleston, SC 29414. You can reach them at 843-852-4100.
The Dorchester Clinic is at 106 Springview Lane, Summerville, SC 29485, and can be contacted at 843-873-5063.
The Business Office is located at 2125 Charlie Hall Blvd., 2nd Floor, Charleston, SC 29414, and their phone number is 843-212-8980.
To make an initial routine appointment for a child or an adult, please call the Charleston Clinic at 843-414-2350 or the Dorchester Clinic at 843-873-5063.
For more details, visit their website.
