Highlands Community Services has provided mental health, substance abuse, and developmental services to the residents of Washington County and Bristol, VA for over forty years. HCS is dedicated to discovering, implementing, and sustaining valuable services that assist our community and those who live in it. What will you find here at HCS? Integrity, respect, hope, genuine empathy, and caring individuals who have a passion for improving lives and discovering possibilities.
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Services Offered
Outpatient Services - Providing short-term help with long-term impact to consumers with significant substance abuse or emotional challenges that do not warrant hospitalization.
Psychiatric Services - Psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, and LPNs working together to provide appropriate medication services for qualifying HCS consumers.
Adult Recovery Services - Providing a comprehensive community support system with meaningful relationships for people in recovery who have a serious mental illness.
* Adult Case Management * Psychosocial Rehabilitation Services at Stepping Stones * Mental Health Skills Building at the Oasis
Children & Family Services - Meeting the needs of at-risk children and their families in schools, homes, in the community, and at HCS clinical office locations.
* Infant & Toddler Connection * Interchange: Therapeutic Alternative Schools
Crisis Services - Delivering 24/7 emergent care to consumers and families who present as needing immediate assistance.
Autism Services - Offering an array of services for those on the autism spectrum including diagnostic and treatment options.
Children's Advocacy Center - Leveraging the efforts of the community to provide a seamless, comprehensive system of support for child victims of neglect, sexual, and physical abuse.
Parenting Programs - Offering free parenting classes in Bristol and Washington County to help you become the best parent you can be.
* Early Childhood Parenting * Strengthening Families
Fees and Payment
HCS charges fees for most services based on the consumer's ability to pay. No one shall be denied services due to the inability to pay. Detailed information on fees may be obtained by contacting the HCS administration office at 276-525-1550. The School System charges no fees other than the "out-of-area tuition" for individuals not living in the county limits.
Services Offered To: Adults Teens Children
Special Groups: Bilingual
Payment: Sliding Scale Medicare Medicaid
If You Call, Please Let Us Know How it Went:
Were You Able to Make an Appointment?
One quick last question. Who was seeking counseling today?
Do you know the reason they are not accepting clients?
Qualifying for assistance from Virginia's program usually depends on the severity of your condition and financial circumstance. Read our full guide to Virginia's program.
A community counseling agency is a group therapy practice that offers affordable mental health services. Most are independent non-profit agencies, state agencies, or publicly-funded agencies. A few may restrict who is eligible for services, so it is a good idea to check when you call.
Community counseling agencies are generally more affordable than other therapy providers, but how much more affordable they are will depend on whether you qualify for a discount or sliding scale fee (or if they accept your insurance). Many, but not all, have a policy that they won't turn away anyone due to inability to pay. You should ask about their fees when you first call.
Expect to talk to kind people who want to help you find the care you need. Most community agencies strive to connect you with a live person within 24 hours, if not immediately. If you're asked to hold or leave a message, don't give up; just leave a message and wait. You should hear back pretty quickly.
Most agencies try to set up an initial assessment appointment within a week (some do within 24 hours), though the waitlist to start therapy is usually longer—about a few weeks on average. If you're not eligible or if the agency is not right for you, it's usually still worth it to call or drop in, because staff are knowledgeable about local options and can often refer you to one.
