Northern Lakes Community Mental Health (NLCMH) serves adults with mental illness, persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and children with serious emotional disturbance (as defined by the Michigan Mental Health Code) in six counties: Crawford, Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Missaukee, Roscommon, and Wexford.
Services Offered
Mental Health Therapy and Counseling for Adults, Children and Families - Includes therapy or counseling designed to help improve functioning and relationships with other people.
Home-Based Services for Children and Families - Provided in the family home or in another community setting. Services are designed individually for each family, and can include things like mental health therapy, crisis intervention, service coordination, or other supports to the family.
Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) - Provides basic services and supports essential for people with serious mental illness to maintain independence in the community. An ACT team will provide mental health therapy and help with medications. The team may also help access community resources and supports needed to maintain wellness and participate in social, educational and vocational activities. Substance Use Disorders Outpatient Treatment - Includes counseling for the individual, and family and group therapy in an office setting.
Substance Use Disorders Intensive Outpatient (IOP) - A service that provides more frequent and longer counseling sessions each week and may include day or evening programs.
Fees and Payment
We accept Medicare, Medicaid, Healthy Michigan, MI Child and Healthy Kids. If you do not have these forms of insurance, or if your insurance does not cover the full cost of your services, you are assessed on a sliding fee scale based on your income. Any charges will be made known to you prior to treatment. You will not be denied services due to your inability to pay for those 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.
