At SBH, we are committed to supporting our community mental well-being. We provide a range of services for mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, and mood disorders, with care from skilled psychiatrists, psychologists, and mental health professionals tailored to each patient’s needs.

The Department of Psychiatry at SBH offers a wide range of clinical services to children, adults and geriatric patients. Our priorities include providing the highest quality of care for individuals and families who seek clinical care.

Many services for our patients are provided by SBH Behavioral Health (SBHBH), our affiliated comprehensive mental health outpatient program.

Upon admission to the Psychiatric Service, each patient is assigned a treatment team consisting of a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, primary nurse, and activity therapist. This team oversees every aspect of patient care and, in collaboration with the patient themselves, assumes responsibility for developing an individualized treatment plan. The plan is formally reviewed and revised as goals are met.

A psychiatrist evaluates all patients and prescribes medication. All patients are evaluated medically and any medical issues are addressed.

Patients are also provided with group and milieu therapies. Groups typically focus on helping patients cope with their illness, and assisting them in reducing their potential for relapse. Patients may receive individual psychotherapy as appropriate.

The discharge planning process is an important aspect of treatment, and is begun as soon as a patient is admitted to the psychiatric service. We involve each discipline in this process. The primary goal of discharge planning is the development of a safe and appropriate discharge plan that maximizes the individual’s ability to function as independently as possible in the community and reduce the patient’s potential for relapse. This goal is accomplished by ensuring that each patient is referred for appropriate follow-up and aftercare services to help them cope with their illness and life stressors. For many of our patients, these services are provided by SBH Behavioral Health.

This service ensures comprehensive mental health assessments across all areas of care, helping to address psychiatric needs as part of the overall treatment plan. Additionally, the service supports patients in the Emergency Department, which handles a combined census of 100,000 visits per year, through dedicated psychiatric evaluation and management.

Within the Emergency Department, there is a designated suite, ED 3, specifically for the evaluation and management of psychiatric patients. This facility is equipped with a private office and an interview room, allowing for focused and confidential assessments. By offering these dedicated resources, the Consultation-Liaison Service enhances the quality of care for patients requiring psychiatric support in acute and emergency settings.

We offer a range of therapeutic interventions including individual, group, and family psychotherapy, as well as psychopharmacological services for adults aged 18 and older. Each treatment plan is carefully developed based on the results of thorough assessments and evaluations, ensuring that care is tailored to the unique needs of each patient.

The team providing these services includes licensed social workers, mental health workers, nurses, and psychiatrists, all committed to delivering high-quality care. Under the leadership of Milagros Arce-Tomala, LCSW-R, and Clinical Supervisor Dahlia Wareham, LCSW-R, our programs strive to address a wide variety of conditions, including:

• Anger issues
• Anxiety
• At-risk behaviors
• Bereavement
• Depression
• Domestic violence
• Family conflicts
• Hyperactivity
• Marital difficulties
• Mood disorders
• Poor socialization skills
• Schizophrenia
• Substance abuse

These services are available for individuals aged 5 to 21 and their families, addressing a wide range of emotional and psychological needs. Our programs are designed to support children and adolescents from various backgrounds, including those attending local schools such as P.S. 32 and 205.

Under the expert direction of Jenna Cooper, LCSW-R, DCCS ensures that all therapeutic interventions are delivered with the highest level of professionalism and care.

This centralized approach ensures that individuals in need of mental health support can connect with our programs efficiently and effectively.

Upon receiving a referral, patients undergo an initial evaluation consisting of two appointments to complete a Comprehensive Psychosocial Assessment. This thorough assessment helps determine the most appropriate course of action for each individual. Following the initial evaluation, patients are referred to one of our specialized programs where they may receive further evaluation by a psychiatrist for medication management and ongoing psychotherapy from a clinical social worker.

The treatment planning process begins after the initial evaluation, where patients collaborate with their treatment team to establish clear treatment goals. A personalized treatment plan is then developed, incorporating evidence-based psychopharmacologic care and psychotherapy to meet these goals. The Centralized Intake Program is guided by the expertise of Jenna Cooper, LCSW-R, and Shirley Rodriguez, LCSW-R, who ensure that patients receive coordinated and effective care throughout their treatment journey.