The mission of the Karuk Tribal Council is to promote the general welfare of all Karuk people, to establish equality and justice for our tribe, to restore and preserve Tribal traditions, customs, language and ancestral rights, and to secure to ourselves and our descendants the power to exercise the inherent rights of self governance.
Services Offered
Behavioral Health Services - This program provides confidential outpatient counseling to children, adolescents and adults. Common issues people seek counseling for include: personal and emotional issues, family and relationship concerns, school and work problems. Our Behavioral Health therapists are sensitive to the cultural perspective and diversity of each client.
The Behavioral Health Department, through Karuk Health and Human Services has contracted with Native American Mental Health Services to provide psychiatric care including assessment and medication management. Clients may be scheduled for face to face appointments in our Yreka clinic and via telehealth at our Happy Camp and Orleans clinic sites.
Fees and Payment
Behavioral Health counseling services are provided at NO COST to eligible Native Americans. Non-Indians are also welcome to receive Behavioral Health services. A sliding fee scale may apply to low income or uninsured patients who apply for this program. Clients with insurance will pay any co-payments or balances unless they are Karuk Tribal members, descendants, employees or other Native Americans receiving direct care services.
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.
