Behavioral Health Services

Did you know that your mental health and physical health can affect each other, both positively and negatively? At HealthLinc, we make sure that your body and mind get the attention they deserve. Our behavioral health team offers compassionate, confidential support for a variety of mental health, substance use and physical health concerns. Whether you’re dealing with stress, depression or a physical condition like diabetes, we’re here to help.

HealthLinc offers a variety of behavioral health services, including:

• Therapy
• Medication support for mental health and substance use disorders
• Peer recovery support for substance use
• Community resource support

In addition, if you have a primary care provider at HealthLinc, our behavioral health team will collaborate with them to ensure all areas of your health are being taken care of.

Therapy

Our integrated behavioral health therapists (BHTs) provide a variety of support for all ages and conditions, including mental health, substance use and physical health concerns. For children under the age of five, our therapists work primarily with the parents on how to support their young child.

Many people believe medication alone will make their symptoms go away. While medication can help, it works best when combined with therapy. Studies show that medication alone helps about half of people. However, adding therapy can make treatment up to 25% more effective. Working with a BHT helps you build coping skills, manage symptoms and improve overall well-being.

Number of Therapy Visits

Evidence shows that even a single session of therapy improves your mental health and well-being. At HealthLinc, we know life can be busy, and you may not have time for ongoing therapy visits. This is why we offer several options. Whether it’s a single visit, on an as-needed basis or regularly scheduled visits, we’re here to meet your needs and support your health.

Length of Therapy Visits

Your first visit is usually 30 to 40 minutes. Your therapist will determine how long your follow-up visit will be, though they are generally 20 to 30 minutes long.

Therapy for Physical Health Conditions

Did you know that mental health conditions can make your physical conditions worse? Talking to a therapist about concerns related to your physical health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, gastrointestinal (GI) discomfort, pain or COPD can be an effective way to improve your health and reduce physical symptoms.

Warm Handoffs

At HealthLinc, your care team works together to support your whole health. If you’re seeing a medical provider, they may personally introduce you to one of our therapists. You can also request an introduction at your next appointment.

Medication Support

Our primary care providers can prescribe medication to help manage mental health and substance use disorders. For those who need more specialized medication to support these conditions, referrals to our psychiatric team are available.

Medication support is only available to patients six years and older receiving all primary care services at HealthLinc and who need additional mental health and/or substance use medication support. Patients referred to a psychiatric provider must see a BHT at least once.

Medication for Addiction Treatment (MAT)

We offer MAT programs to patients receiving primary care services at HealthLinc and who are appropriate for the program, such as having an opiate use or alcohol use disorder. Patients also receive regular services from an integrated behavioral health therapist and a peer recovery coach.

Peer Recovery Support for Substance Use

HealthLinc provides peer recovery support services through our mobile integrated response team (MIRT) to support substance use recovery at no cost. Our peer recovery coaches have personal experience with addiction and are currently in recovery. They offer guidance, encouragement and support during your recovery journey.

Peer recovery support services also help participants connect to recovery-oriented activities such as hiking, link them to treatment and provide assistance with food, housing and other social service programs. They also support access to medical, dental and other healthcare services.

You do not have to get primary care or other services through HealthLinc to access our peer recovery support services. If you or a loved one want recovery support, call 219-319-5044 or click here to submit a referral. Peer recovery support is available in Lake, LaPorte, Newton, Porter, Starke and St. Joseph counties.

Community Resource Support and Navigation

HealthLinc has community health workers (CHWs) who provide resources for food, rent/utility assistance programs, employment, education, referrals to legal assistance and other social services at no cost to patients, and tailor services based on your needs and preferences. CHW services are only for patients receiving other services at HealthLinc, such as primary care, behavioral health or other specialty services.

Mental Health Support That’s Affordable for All

At HealthLinc, we believe everyone deserves access to quality behavioral health services, regardless of insurance status or the ability to pay. We accept Medicare, Medicaid and most commercial insurance plans, and welcome those who do not have insurance. We also offer a sliding fee discount based on household size and income.

If you’re unsure about healthcare coverage, speak with our team to get connected with an insurance specialist to explore your options. Schedule an appointment with one of our insurance specialists by emailing Navigator@HealthLincCHC.org or calling 888-580-1060 Ext. 4405.