Mental health is important for overall well-being, and clinics and counselling centres help people get the support they need. Suncoast Mental Health Center helps people deal with emotional struggles like anxiety, stress, and depression.
They focus on teaching useful skills that not only reduce symptoms but also help people live more balanced, fulfilling lives.
By helping clients become more self-aware and offering personalized treatment, Suncoast makes sure their solutions fit each person’s lifestyle, so the benefits of therapy last beyond the sessions.
On another note BetterHelp is another option, offering online therapy through video, chat, or phone, making mental health care easy and convenient from home. Whether through a clinic or online, the goal is to provide effective care that supports long-term well-being.
Now, let’s take a look at Staten Island Mental Health Counseling and the positive impact they are making in their community.
About Suncoast Mental Health Center
Suncoast Mental Health Center (SMHC) was started in 1998 by three clinicians who wanted to help at-risk children and families with limited resources in their community.
Now, it’s a leading mental health agency with four locations in Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, and Okeechobee counties, offering counselling, case management, and psychiatric services.
As a non-profit organization accredited by The Joint Commission, SMHC is dedicated to providing quality mental health care to people living on the Treasure Coast.
They focus on client-centred, community-based, and family-oriented care to support everyone’s mental health.
Services are offered in various settings, including schools, homes, and community spaces, as well as through telehealth.
SMHC partners with organizations like the United Way to fulfil its mission.
They aim to help individuals reach their full potential by embracing values such as celebrating diversity, promoting recovery, and providing quality programs.
The staff works together in all areas, including intake, billing, therapy, and medication management, to provide comprehensive and caring support for children, teens, and families.
Mental Health Services Provided By Suncoast
1. Therapeutic Services
Suncoast Mental Health Center offers a range of therapeutic services tailored to the needs of individuals across the Treasure Coast.
They provide individual therapy in their offices, which are open Monday to Friday, with evening and weekend appointments available.
Therapists also work in schools to address issues faced by children, adolescents, and teens right in their environment.
For families, home-based therapy helps teach coping skills and improve relationships, extending support to both adolescents and adults.
Additionally, community-based therapy allows therapists to meet clients in safe, private locations that are convenient for them, while telehealth services provide the flexibility to receive therapy from home, making it easier to fit into busy schedules.
The centre also conducts thorough psychiatric evaluations by a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner to determine if medication is needed, along with ongoing medication management to ensure treatments are effective and tailored to each individual’s needs.
2. Psychiatry/Medication Management
At Suncoast Mental Health Center, a psychiatrist and a psychiatric nurse practitioner are available to assist clients who are interested in medication to help manage their mental health symptoms.
During the initial visit, the provider conducts a comprehensive evaluation that combines feedback from the client with their observations.
This assessment helps the provider decide whether medication is needed.
They will explain the suggested medications, how they can help, and potential side effects, and make sure the client agrees before prescribing anything.
The provider also holds monthly appointments to check on how well the medication is working and to make adjustments if necessary.
3. Targeted Case Management
Suncoast Mental Health Center provides Targeted Case Management services for children and adults to help them access the support they need.
For children, the centre works in homes, schools, and offices to identify ways they can improve their daily functioning and overall quality of life.
They assist in setting short- and long-term goals, connect families to community resources, and help facilitate communication between parents, teachers, and other professionals.
The centre also links families to free or low-cost social activities, housing and utility assistance, food and clothing aid, school supplies, and medical and dental services.
They provide support for navigating the school system, including help with Individual Education Plans (IEPs), and connect clients to therapy services, psychiatric care, and inpatient care if needed.
For adults, Suncoast offers case management in homes and offices, helping them access medical, social, and educational resources.
They assist with legal support, financial difficulties, and parenting classes. Adults can also receive help finding free or low-cost housing, utility assistance, food aid, and job resources.
The center guides college applications, and financial aid, and connects clients to psychiatric services and medication management as needed.
4. Comprehensive Behavioral Health Assessment (CBHA)
Their Comprehensive Behavioral Health Assessments (CBHA) for children aged 0-17 who have been taken from their parents by the Department of Children and Families.
These assessments look closely at the child’s emotional, social, medical, behavioural, and developmental needs while also highlighting their strengths.
A CBHA is funded by Medicaid and is required by Florida law for children who have faced abuse, neglect, or abandonment and are placed in shelter care.
The assessment combines past information, previous evaluations, and direct observations to make recommendations for the child’s care and plans.
It also includes a diagnosis based on all the gathered information and the assessor’s observations of the child.
Team of Experts at Suncoast
Suncoast Mental Health Center has a talented team of experts, including directors, management staff, and board members.
Here, we highlight a few of them, but you can find more information about the entire team on their website.
1. Directors & Management Team
- Debra S. Engle, MS Chief Executive Officer Provides strategic leadership and vision for the center.
- Lindsey Proffitt Chief Financial Officer Oversees the organization’s financial health and management.
- Mary Weiss Clinical Director Guides clinical practices and ensures quality care for clients.
- Amanda Weatherman as a Director of Case Management and Therapy Coordinates care and provides therapeutic support to clients.
- Tracy Hernandez Human Resources Specialist Manages the workforce and promotes a positive organizational culture.
2. Board of Directors
- Morgan Lee President Provides leadership and oversight to board activities.
- Eileen M. Emery Vice President and Secretary Ensures effective governance and communication within the board.
- Patricia M. Baum as a Treasurer Manages the organization’s financial responsibilities.
- Dave Cook is a Board Member who Contributes to strategic direction and governance.
- Mary Torres is a Board Member who Offers diverse perspectives to guide the centre.
Career Opportunities at Suncoast Mental Health Center
Suncoast Mental Health Center is hiring for several positions, including a Credential Coordinator, Mental Health Therapist for Martin and Okeechobee counties, Targeted Case Manager for St. Lucie County, and Administrative Assistant for Okeechobee County.
Full-time Mental Health Therapists should be skilled in areas like screening, intake, assessments, treatment planning, counselling, record keeping, discharge planning, and working with other professionals, and some local travel may be required.
Targeted Case Managers help clients connect with the resources they need for mental health services, offering support in different settings like homes, schools, and offices.
The Administrative Assistant role is full-time, involving 40 hours a week focused on administrative tasks, managing referrals and intakes, and handling medical requests for clients, with no supervisory duties.
Want to know more about mental health hospitals, check these out:
- Oasis Center for Mental Health: Nurturing Wellness
- Lakeland Mental Health Center: Care for Healthier Minds
- Grand Mental Health: Elevating Care
Locations and Contact Information
Suncoast Mental Health Center has several locations across different counties to serve the community.
- Their main office is in Fort Pierce, St. Lucie County, at 2222 Colonial Road, Suite 100, with contact numbers of 772.489.4726 for phone and 772.489.0423 for fax.
- In Martin County, they have an office at 850 NW Federal Highway, Suite 125 in Stuart, which can be reached at 772.221.8585 by phone or 772.221.8371 by fax.
- The Okeechobee County office is at 408 NW 3rd Street, Okeechobee, with the phone number 863.824.0300 and the fax number 863.824.0024.
- Additionally, their Indian River County office is located at 1617 14th Avenue, Vero Beach, where you can contact them at 772.564.8616 or fax them to 772.299.3757.
To learn more about their other locations or for additional information, please visit their website.
