Catholic Family Center: Mental Health Support

does catholic family center mental health

Catholic Charities Family and Community Services is the largest provider of family services in Rochester, NY, and the Finger Lakes Region. They offer a range of services to support families and individuals, including mental health and recovery support. Catholic Charities has been providing adoption services since 1917 and has mental health counselors in several local schools. Their Behavioral Health outpatient clinics serve children and adults living with disabilities or special needs, and their direct support professionals provide assistance with daily living, including healthcare and medication administration. Catholic Charities also offers skill-building opportunities to help individuals live independently and has Adult Health Homes services that provide linkage to resources such as access to food and assistance with benefit applications. In addition, they have Mental Health First Aid Training and resources to promote mental health literacy and reduce stigma.

Characteristics Values
Focus Education, accompaniment, and advocacy
Services Individual, family and group psychotherapy, counseling, case management, psychiatric evaluation, medication follow-up, crisis intervention, referrals, mental health first aid training, behavioral health management, peer-to-peer support, family recreation, trauma-informed training, youth support groups, personalized case management, skill-building opportunities, and support for independent living
Target Group Vulnerable families and individuals in need across all stages of life, including children and adults with disabilities or special needs
Locations Rochester, NY; Finger Lakes Region; Jackson Heights, NY; Far Rockaway, NY; Jamaica, NY; Woodhaven, NY; Phoenix, Arizona; Niagara Falls; Lockport; Monroe County; Schuyler County; Steuben County; Wayne County; Erie County; Niagara County; Cattaraugus County; Allegany County; Greece; Penn Yan; Lyons; Brighton; Webster
Payment Options Medicaid, Family Health Plus, private health insurance, sliding fee scale based on family size and income

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Catholic Charities Behavioral Health Center Clinics provide psychotherapy, counselling, psychiatric evaluation, and medication follow-up

The Catholic Charities Behavioral Health Center Clinics provide a range of mental health services to support individuals, couples, and families. The clinics offer psychotherapy, counselling, psychiatric evaluation, and medication follow-up on an outpatient basis. These services are provided by professional and highly trained experts who are equipped to help with day-to-day struggles and more serious concerns.

Psychotherapy

Catholic Charities Behavioral Health Center Clinics offer individual, family, and group psychotherapy. This provides a safe and supportive space for individuals to address their mental health concerns, process emotions, and develop coping strategies. Family psychotherapy can help improve communication, resolve conflicts, and strengthen relationships within the family unit. Group psychotherapy allows individuals to connect with others facing similar challenges, fostering a sense of community and mutual understanding.

Counselling

The clinics provide counselling services to meet a range of needs. This includes individual counselling, where individuals can explore their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in a confidential setting. Couples counselling is also available, helping partners improve their communication, resolve conflicts, and strengthen their relationship. Family counselling creates a safe space for families to address dynamics, improve understanding, and find resolution to ongoing issues.

Psychiatric Evaluation and Medication Follow-up

Psychiatric evaluation is a crucial aspect of the clinics' services. Through comprehensive assessments, psychiatrists and psychiatric advanced registered nurse practitioners evaluate mental health concerns and make informed diagnoses. This evaluation guides the development of individualized treatment plans. Medication may be prescribed if necessary, and medication management services ensure that individuals receive ongoing support and monitoring to optimize their treatment outcomes.

The Catholic Charities Behavioral Health Center Clinics are committed to ensuring access to care. They offer a sliding fee scale for individuals and families without insurance and provide Open Access hours at each clinic location. Additionally, crisis intervention and referrals are available for those in need of immediate support or specialized services.

The mental health services provided by Catholic Charities extend beyond the clinics. They have mental health counselors in several local schools and collaborate with various providers and services, including physicians, dentists, insurance companies, and skill-building programs. Catholic Charities also offers the New Journeys Program, providing early intervention and comprehensive treatment for youth and young adults experiencing their first episode of psychosis. The PACT program serves adults with chronic mental illnesses, including schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, and other psychotic disorders.

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The Diocese of Phoenix offers Mental Health First Aid Training

The Diocese of Phoenix is committed to addressing the mental health crisis and supporting the mental wellbeing of its parishioners and communities. From January 2025, the Diocese will offer Mental Health First Aid Training at the Diocesan Pastoral Center. This training is designed to educate individuals on how to identify, understand, and respond to the signs of mental health struggles and substance use challenges. It will equip participants with the skills to offer initial help and support to those who may be experiencing mental health difficulties or crises.

The Mental Health First Aid Training is open to individuals and parish teams. The Church recognizes that mental health is an integral part of overall health and wellbeing. The Office of Mental Health Ministry aims to accompany those with mental health needs in a Catholic, sustainable, ethical, and meaningful way. This ministry is not a substitute for clinical treatment but rather a complementary resource. It focuses on education, accompaniment, and advocacy, striving to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness and creating safe spaces for individuals to share their experiences.

The Diocese of Phoenix is dedicated to partnering with coalitions and local leaders in Arizona to advocate for those with mental health illnesses and ensure that mental health remains a priority in discussions and policy changes. The soon-to-be Mental Health First Aid trainers will serve in each of the Diocese's deaneries, bringing diverse professional backgrounds and life experiences. While they will not provide diagnoses or treatments, they will be able to identify mental health issues, offer initial support, and direct individuals to professional help.

The Diocese's Office of Mental Health Ministry provides a pastoral care perspective, emphasizing that anyone can find themselves in need of mental health support. It aims to destigmatize mental health struggles, likening them to physical health challenges such as vision or hearing loss. The Diocese is also committed to educating clergy, parish ministry, school leaders, and laity on mental wellness and illness through training and resources like the "Mental Health Minute," a newsletter combining mental health information with Scripture.

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Catholic Charities provides mental health support in schools

Catholic Charities provides a range of mental health support services in schools across the United States. These services are designed to meet the mental health needs of students, teachers, and staff, as well as to provide resources and support for families.

One such initiative is the School-Based Mental Health program offered by Catholic Charities DC. This program, funded by the District of Columbia's Department of Behavioral Health, provides equitable and accessible mental health care to public and charter schools in Washington, D.C. Licensed clinicians and school-based therapists partner with school administrators, educators, and mental health providers to support the mental well-being of the school community. The program operates across three tiers of service, with Tier 1 including staff professional development and classroom-based social-emotional learning opportunities.

Catholic Charities of Madison also offers mental health support in schools through its Building Bridges program. This initiative provides 90-day intensive wrap-around support to students in grades 4K through 9 with immediate mental health needs. The program aims to decrease mental health crisis events in schools and promote emotional wellness by working collaboratively with students, families, community agencies, and school staff. Additionally, Catholic Charities of Madison offers "Hope," a free 24/7 chat service providing encouragement and strategies for managing everyday stress and anxiety using chatbot technology.

In Southwestern Ohio, Catholic Charities partners with local schools to provide onsite mental health services through highly trained and licensed counselors. They also offer mental health case management and clinical evaluations for specific populations, such as immigrants facing major mental illness or individuals undergoing immigration legal proceedings.

Catholic Charities' Behavioral Health Clinics in New York provide a range of services, including individual, family, and group psychotherapy, counseling, and psychiatric evaluations. They also offer mental health support in schools, with satellite clinics serving children ages 3-21 who present with emotional disorders. Additional services are provided to family members, and referrals are accepted from families and providers of children's mental health services.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix demonstrates its commitment to mental health support by offering Mental Health First Aid Training and establishing an Office of Mental Health Ministry. While this office does not provide clinical treatment or diagnosis, it focuses on education, accompaniment, and advocacy. They aim to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness, encourage open conversations, and create safe spaces for individuals to share their experiences within their parish and school communities.

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Catholic Charities offers post-adoption support and parenting education

Catholic Charities provides a wide range of post-adoption services for families. The organization utilizes the evidence-based Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) approach, developed by Dr. Karen Purvis and Dr. David Cross. The goal is to provide case management, education, support, and tools to help families maintain successful adoptive placements, especially those with children from challenging backgrounds. Catholic Charities offers free and confidential pregnancy counselling to women facing unexpected pregnancies, empowering them to make informed decisions.

The organization also provides parenting education, including skills training and counselling. They recognize the importance of mental health and have mental health counselors in several local schools. Their clinics in Niagara Falls and Lockport serve children aged 3-21 with emotional disorders, and they offer additional services to family members, such as psychotherapy, psychiatric evaluation, and medication management. Catholic Charities aims to create a supportive network, including health plans and community-based organizations, to meet the diverse needs of youth and families, whether physical, dental, mental, or behavioural.

The Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago, for example, assists families in need with rental, security deposit, and utility assistance. They offer a range of counselling services, including domestic violence counselling, and provide support for mothers and families, both pre and post-adoption. Similarly, the Catholic Charities Behavioral Health Center Clinics provide individual, family, and group psychotherapy, counselling, case management, psychiatric evaluation, and medication follow-up on an outpatient basis. Crisis intervention and referrals are also available.

The Office of Mental Health Ministry of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix also plays a significant role in promoting mental health awareness and support. While they do not provide clinical diagnoses or treatment, they focus on mental health literacy to reduce stigma, encourage open conversations, and create safe spaces for individuals with mental illnesses within their communities. They offer Mental Health First Aid Training and emphasize the importance of mental health as a critical component of overall health and well-being.

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Catholic Charities provides support for those struggling with addiction

Catholic Charities provides a range of support services for individuals and families struggling with addiction and mental health issues. They understand the devastation, isolation, and despair that addiction can cause and are committed to helping people heal and achieve a healthier balance in their lives and communities.

Catholic Charities offers a variety of treatment options, including medicated-assisted treatment, group sessions, and long-term therapies to reduce the chance of relapse. Their services are individualized, allowing for the frequency and intensity of care to be adjusted according to the clinical needs of each person seeking help. They also provide outpatient counseling and residential rehabilitation for men.

The staff at Catholic Charities includes licensed and credentialed professionals such as psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, social workers, and mental health practitioners. They also have Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselors (CASAC) and Peer Advocates to support those struggling with addiction. Most insurances are accepted, and they also offer a sliding scale for self-pay options.

In addition to treatment, Catholic Charities also focuses on the spiritual aspect of recovery. They aim to help individuals build a strong psychological, physical, and spiritual foundation to ensure lasting recovery. This includes adopting spiritual strategies and deepening one's faith in Christ, as discussed in the "Catholic in Recovery" podcast and workbook, which offers a Catholic perspective on the 12 steps of recovery.

Catholic Charities also has mental health counselors in several local schools and satellite clinics, serving children and young people with emotional disorders. They provide a range of services, including mental health assessments, psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and behavior management. They also offer specialized services for those who have experienced physical or sexual abuse.

Frequently asked questions

Catholic Charities Family and Community Services is the largest provider of family services in Rochester, NY, and the Finger Lakes Region. They address issues of need across all stages of life, from adoption services to helping people break free of addiction.

Catholic Charities provides mental health support for vulnerable families and individuals in need across all stages of life. They have outpatient mental health clinics for children and adults living with disabilities or special needs. They also have mental health counselors in several local schools.

Catholic Charities Family and Community Services does not deny services based on race, colour, age, gender, national origin, religion, disability, or sexual orientation. No one will be denied access to services due to inability to pay, and there is a discounted/sliding fee schedule available based on family size and income.

The Office of Mental Health Ministry does not diagnose or treat mental illness but serves as an avenue to provide literacy in mental health. They aim to promote the reduction of mental illness stigma and create safe environments for individuals to share and seek help.

A Health Home is a network of providers, health plans, and community-based organizations that work with youth and families to meet needs such as physical/dental, mental/behavioural health, and general support.

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