Mental Health Services

At Southwest Health Behavioral Services we make life better. We provide people of all ages individualized and professional emotional and mental health care in a warm, supportive atmosphere.

hopeAll of us face challenges from time to time, and unfortunately, helpful services are not available in many communities. The good news is we’re easy to find, and easy to work with. Our staff are experts, dedicated to helping others in a completely confidential manner.

The most important thing to remember is the first step begins with a simple phone call. You can read more about us here, or you can talk with your primary care practitioner. Or, you can pick up the phone and dial us direct (608-348-3656) for more information or for help. We’re here for you.

View our Mental Health Providers

 

Outpatient Care_MG_3018

For us, no two patients are alike. At SBS, we help people overcome life’s challenges, and most often, that does not require an overnight hospital stay. That’s what outpatient services is all about. We help people of all ages get help and improve their lives while living their lives.

Our staff includes an experienced and highly knowledgeable psychiatrist, TJ Norton, MD, as well as Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioners, Valerie Herber, FPMHNP , and Noelle Hebgen, APNP, FPMHNP, Psychotherapists Lacy J. Taylor, MA, LPC, ATR, and Rachel Andrews, LPC and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Lauren Skemp, PMHNP and Katie Glanville, APNP, PMHNP-BC  and Licensed Clinical Social Workers Ashley Dixon, MSW, LCSW and Jennifer Kass, MSW, LCSW, who is also the Director of the Outpatient Mental Health Clinic. When it comes to confidential help, there’s nowhere you will feel more cared for.

How can you benefit from outpatient care?

Every person is unique, and every one’s needs and situations is different. Some of the benefits you might get from outpatient treatment at SBS include:

  • Get help managing medications
  • Get a helpful evaluation or assessment
  • Find healthy balance through wellness activities
  • Find out how to change unhealthy thoughts and behaviors
  • Understand and practice coping strategies
  • Learn how to improve your relationships
  • Overcome anxiety
  • Learn to cope with illness and difficulties
  • Gain confidence using new life skills
  • Get help building a better life
  • Live and feel happier

Inpatient Care

A mental health crisis sometimes requires direct personal care in surroundings that offer safety, security, and around-the-clock care. Our geriatric inpatient care is provided in a warm and supportive environment to ensure patients’ well-being.

Our professional team conducts a thorough evaluation to determine the cause of behavioral and mental changes in older adults. We then work with patients and families to develop a course of treatment.

mindTypes of treatments, how often, and length of stay will all vary according to one’s needs and preferences. Treatments can include education, individual meetings with our psychiatrist, medication, or group therapy. Additionally, our social worker, nurses, psychiatrists, and activity therapists help with all aspects of a patient’s life.

Additionally, our inpatients may have limited mobility or chronic health problems. Or, one’s care may be complicated by illnesses like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease. With the help of our inpatient staff, such added difficulties can be made easier for patients and their families. 

Our Inpatient Care Team

Our care is personal, and our team of healthcare professionals includes our psychiatrist, physicians, our social worker/counselor, nurses, and activity therapists. They work as a team to provide the best care possible. Our 10-bed inpatient care facility for older adults also includes professionals from other departments at Southwest Health, such as occupational, physical, and speech therapists, all available as needed.

Because no two patients are exactly alike, we develop a comprehensive treatment plan based on the results of a thorough physical and mental health evaluation. Our therapies are designed to help our geriatric patient’s better care for themselves. We work to ensure patients follow their provider’s instructions about taking medicines and live as safely and as healthy as possible.

Treatment may include:

  • Counseling for life stress
  • New ways to adapt to illness and stress
  • Education about mental illness
  • Understanding and using medication appropriately

To ensure the best possible care, we offer:

  • Confidential initial consultation to determine the appropriate level of care
  • Follow-up care to ensure long-lasting improvements
  • Management of patients secondary medical needs

Admission

Typically, older adults are admitted with the following conditions:

  • Depression
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Obsessive/compulsive behaviors
  • Combativeness or violence against themselves or others
  • Early stages of dementia caused by an illness such as Alzheimer’s disease

Referrals to geriatric inpatient care may be made by physicians, psychologists, social workers, mental health professionals, social service agencies, family members or friends. Admission decisions are made by our psychiatrist.

Admissions are accepted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our safe and secure inpatient facility for older adults is located at 1185 North Elm Street in Platteville (608-342-3010).

Program services are covered by Medicare and most other insurance policies.

Patient Packing List

Referral Checklist- Hospitals

Referral Checklist – Facilities

Click here for a Virtual Tour of the Inpatient Care Facility

Memory Diagnostic Clinic

Memory loss is treatable and our personal care is always here to help improve you and your family member’s lives. At SH’s Memory Diagnostic Clinic, our mission is diagnosing and treating dementia as early as possible.

Diagnostic Structure

We follow internationally recognized protocols for diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease, related dementias, and other causes of memory impairment. Our interdisciplinary team includes psychiatrist TJ Norton, MD and psychotherapist Jennifer Miller-Kass, MSW, LCSW.

We memoryprovide on-going monitoring and support and we assist patients and families in planning for the future. We’re also happy to communicate with a patient’s primary care physician upon request.

Details

  • The first visit to the clinic is a two-hour appointment, followed by a half-hour appointment one month later. Three to six-month follow-up appointments are scheduled as appropriate.
  • The patient/caregiver(s)/family provide a history
  • The patient receives a neuropsychological examination, depression screenings, functional and sensory exams and a targeted physical examination.
  • Laboratory and radiological testing is ordered as appropriate.
  • Appropriate services such as occupational, physical, speech therapy and nutritional consults are scheduled as indicated.
  • The patient, family, and caregiver are given the diagnosis and treatment recommendations.
  • Patients and family are counseled and provided further information regarding dementia, future planning and community resources.
  • Patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s are linked with the Dementia Care Alliance and the Alzheimer’s Association for further education and support.

The clinic is located at the Platteville Clinic on Southwest Health’s hospital campus at 1450 Eastside Road in Platteville.

We invite you to call us to learn more (608-348-3656).