Walking In
When you walk into a CBHC, you will be greeted immediately by a warm, friendly environment. CBHCs aim to remove the cold, sterile setting from the experience of getting care. Crisis services are open 24/7 for walk-ins - no appointment needed.
Every CBHC has a separate waiting room for kids and adults, though don't expect to spend much time there, as we aim to connect you immediately with a clinician upon arrival.
Notably, you do not need health insurance to use CBHC crisis services. Other than a potential copay for those with commercial insurance, crisis services are entirely free and open to all in Massachusetts.
Initial Assessment
Each visit will be customized to your specific needs. You can expect to immediately be connected with an experienced clinician who will take you to a private therapeutic space for a thorough, confidential crisis assessment. This will likely be an in-depth conversation with your clinician about your needs, challenges, and the factors that led you to seek help.
Questions your clinician asks may include:
- What brought you in today?
- How are these challenges impacting your life?
- What does your support system look like?
- What do you need to feel safe?
- What do you think the next steps in your care should be?
Keep in mind that this is not a traditional medical examination. There's no invasive testing, blood draws, clinical examination rooms, or paper robes. Your clinical team's top priority is your comfort and well-being, which you will see reflected throughout your CBHC experience.
Making a Plan
Following the assessment, your clinician will work with you to develop an individualized plan to address your needs. Every person's treatment plan is different. Your clinician's goal is to help you feel better now while also preventing future crises.
Your clinician may:
- Assess your needs and determine an appropriate fit for care.
- Identify an appropriate therapist and make an initial appointment.
- Introduce you to a peer support counselor.
- Begin calling around to find you a place at an appropriate inpatient unit.
- Start setting up appointments for medication management.
- Connect you with a peer support group or other options for group therapy.
- Admit you directly to the CBHC's community crisis stabilization center.
- Secure a detox, stabilization, or treatment bed for you.
There are countless services and strategies that you and your clinician may choose to include in your treatment plan. You two will work together to figure out what makes sense the most for you.
Whether you are 16 or 60, visiting alone or coming with a parent – you, the patient, will always be included in the decision-making process. For families, peer mentors (parents or young adults with lived experience) may be available to discuss options and next steps.
After You Leave
What happens after you leave is mostly dependent on the outcome of the assessment and your personalized treatment plan!
Whether you choose to go home while the crisis team calls around to find you the perfect inpatient spot, are directly admitted to a 24-hour stabilization unit, or are sent home with appointments already made and a plan to have the crisis team follow up with you in the coming days, you can rest assured that you will be leaving the CBHC with a concrete and individualized set of next steps.
Addressing a mental health crisis is a process, not a one-time thing. After your crisis visit, the CBHC team will do everything in its power to ensure you receive the appropriate follow-up based on your needs and the treatment plan developed.