Loma Linda University Behavioral Medicine Center launched an outpatient therapy program on Aug. 1, adding another layer of service to the center’s mission to provide behavioral health and substance use care. The program’s offices are located in the Behavioral Health Institute building, 1686 Barton Road, across the street from the main Behavioral Medicine Center facility.
The Behavioral Medicine Center currently offers inpatient treatment, partial hospitalization (PHP) step down services, and intensive outpatient (IOP) services for children, teens and adults. The current PHP and IOP programs offer therapy in group settings, meeting for several hours per day, multiple days per week.
Mental health outpatient services have been provided by Loma Linda University School of Medicine’s Department of Psychiatry; however, the addition of the Behavioral Medicine Center’s new outpatient therapy program will add additional capacity to serve this growing patient population.
“Our Behavioral Medicine Center outpatient services program will offer a safety net for patients who are stable, but still need some support,” said Dragana Pitargue, LCSW, MBA, director of outpatient services for the Behavioral Medicine Center. Sessions will occur on a weekly or biweekly schedule, providing mental health care for people who do not require hospitalization. Individual therapy, couples and family therapy, and support groups will be offered.
“We know there is strong community interest in this type of mental health service,” said Edward Field, MBA, Behavioral Medicine Center vice president/administrator. “Every member of the outpatient services team looks forward to making a significant difference in the lives of the patients they will see.” Field added that while many people find it easier to talk about heart disease or cancer, treating mental illness is a key component of healthcare Loma Linda University Health makes available to the public.
The outpatient therapy services will also offer a number of programs to meet the unique needs of children and teens who are struggling with emotional challenges. This includes attention deficit disorder, anxiety, depression, anger management, alcohol and substance use, as well as obsessive-compulsive disorder.
An initial assessment visit will allow the therapist to determine if a patient needs psychotherapy, medications or both. Continuing therapy will seek to address underlying issues that are causing a person’s mental health issue and teach coping skills that will lead to emotional wellness. The Department of Psychiatry, also headquartered in the Behavioral Health Institute building, will partner with Behavioral Medicine Center's outpatient program to prescribe and monitor needed medications.
According to Pitargue, there remains some social stigma to suffering from mental health issues, which may keep a person from acknowledging the problem or seeking treatment.
“Someone may say ‘snap out of it’ to a person dealing with a mental health problem,” Pitargue said. “We would never say that to a cancer patient. I see courage and strength in a person who comes in to get help. Stigma is a cultural myth.”
For more information about the Behavioral Medicine Center’s outpatient therapy services, contact 909-558-9500.