Comprehensive Clinical and
Diagnostic Assessments
A diagnostic assessment is a comprehensive, written evaluation conducted by a mental health professional who works closely with an individual to determine the need for care and recommend appropriate services.
The mental health professional conducts an interview and gathers information such as:
-
The nature, severity and impact of current symptoms
-
Functional impairment
-
Relevant family and social history
-
Strengths and resources
The mental health professionals completing the Diagnostic Assessments are licensed psychologists, social workers, professional counselors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, psychiatrists or marriage and family therapists with expertise in a wide range of conditions such as: depression and anxiety, grief and loss, trauma, and family/relational issues.
Individual, Group, and Family Therapy
What happens in individual, group and couples or family counseling sessions depends on the unique needs and contributions of the individual(s) seeking help. Our psychologists, social workers and licensed professional counselors work to empower individuals to build the skills needed to maximize their potential for positive growth and change.
Individual Therapy
Individual therapy is a collaborative, personal relationship between an individual and a counselor that takes place in an open, supportive, and confidential environment. Individuals will receive guidance and develop insight to help maximize their potential for positive growth and change. Individual therapy can assist with resolving an issue, recovering from traumatic experiences, exploring thoughts and feelings, examining beliefs and working toward making healthy changes in your life. The frequency and length of treatment varies depending upon the specific concerns.
Group Therapy
Unlike individual therapy where there is only a relationship between a patient and counselor, group therapy offers multiple relationships to assist the individual in growth and problem solving. Group members are encouraged to discuss the issues that brought them into therapy openly and honestly. The therapist works to create an atmosphere of trust and acceptance that encourages members to support one another.
The number of sessions in group therapy depends upon the group's makeup and the goals. Some groups are time limited, with a predetermined number of sessions known to all members at the beginning. Others are general - and the group, a group member and/or therapist determines when they are ready to disband.
Community Support Team (CST)
CST is an intensive community based, team delivered approach that assists people with complex treatment needs in all areas of functioning so that they can achieve and maintain their mental health stability and/or meet their recovery goals. CST clinicians help individuals reduce crisis episodes, obtain stable housing, connect with vocational opportunities, improve social skills, coping skills, and activities of daily living to help them be more independent.
CST is provided primarily in natural settings such as homes, libraries, shelters and other various community environments. Services are delivered face to face or by telephone with each individual and their family/significant others, as appropriate. The intensity of CST varies to meet the changing need of the individual. Typically, staff provides multiple contacts a week.
CST includes, but is not limited to, the following interventions, as clinically indicated:
-
Individual therapy using the CBT model
-
Substance use treatment interventions
-
Development of relapse prevention and disease management strategies to support recovery
-
Psychoeducation for the individual, families, caregivers, or others that are involved with the
individual about their diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment
-
Psychoeducation regarding the identification and self-management of the prescribed medication regimen, with documented communication to prescribing practitioner(s)
-
Case management, including assessment, planning, linkage, and referral to paid and natural suports, monitoring and follow-up
-
Psychiatric rehabilitation interventions to improve activities of daily living
-
Crisis management, including crisis planning and prevention
Medication Management
The use of psychiatric medications does not cure mental illness. However, the right medication, taken as prescribed, may significantly improve symptoms. Medication Management often helps make other treatments, such as counseling, more effective.
Together, with a member of our psychiatric team, individuals will receive a psychiatric evaluation. This information, along with any necessary medical records, laboratory or psychological tests, will lead to the creation of a comprehensive treatment plan. Every plan of treatment developed is unique and will be based on each individual’s concerns and needs.
Assertive Community Treatment (ACT)
Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) services at Carolina Outreach assist adults with persistent mental health and/or substance abuse issues that require intensive interventions to remain stable in the community due to one or more of the following additional difficulties:
-
Numerous visits or admissions to the hospital
-
Repeated jail time, homelessness
-
Difficulties making or keeping friends
-
Thoughts of hurting themselves or others
-
Feeling like people are out to get them
-
Hearing things other people can’t hear
-
Money problems
-
Medication and medical problems
ACT services assist individuals to improve all areas of functioning so that they can live independently and reach their full potential. Treatment empowers individuals to improve and stabilize symptoms, physical health, housing, employment, and social opportunities, while at the same time reducing hospitalizations and legal problems. Treatment is primarily in the community, but does include some clinic-based services. The ACT Team consists of a nurse, an employment specialist, mental health professionals, substance use professionals, a psychiatrist, and a peer who has recovered after services. The ACT program provides individuals with 24/7/365 availability.
Our teams annually submit to a Tool for Measurement of Assertive Community Treatment (TMACT) review. TMACT is an internationally used tool that measures adherence to the ACT model. In North Carolina, this measurement is a requirement that is enforced by NC ACT Technical Assistance Center and DHHS. In 2014, our Durham team was the first team in the state to achieve TMACT high fidelity. In 2015 our Durham, Raleigh, and Goldsboro teams achieved high fidelity. Our Kinston team is also recognized as one of the higher scoring fidelity teams in the state. We expect that our ACT program will continue to maintain and develop exceptional ACT teams.
We take pride in our proven ability to transform low-fidelity teams into some of the highest quality teams in the state, and in the process provide individuals optimum service and treatment.