Merced County's Behavioral Health and Recovery Services department is committed to empowering our diverse community with hope, recovery, and wellness by providing comprehensive holistic care.
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Services Offered
Adult Outpatient Program - BHRS provides Specialty Mental Health Services through our outpatient programs by providing recovery services which include, comprehensive assessment, individual therapy, rehabilitation services, linkage and brokerage services, family therapy when appropriate, group therapy and group rehabilitation, crisis intervention, urgent services, and medication support. Services strive to facilitate and assist with the individual's recovery, symptom reduction and symptom management, in order to improve their functioning and afford the opportunity to lead a full and productive life.
Children's System of Care - Includes two programs: HOPES, (a multi-agency program created to educate and help children and families dealing with sexual abuse), and Partnership for Adolescent Success (a special school program created to target teens in the juvenile system with serious emotional and behavioral problems).
Substance Use Disorder Services (SUD) - The Substance Use Disorder Division provides outpatient and intensive outpatient alcohol and drug treatment and recovery programs, as well as prevention programs to educate adults and youth about the risks of using alcohol and other drugs.
Fees and Payment
Not available.
Services Offered To: Adults Teens Children
Special Groups: Bilingual
Payment: Sliding Scale Pro-bono Medicare Medicaid
If You Call, Please Let Us Know How it Went:
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Do you know the reason they are not accepting clients?
Qualifying for assistance from California's program usually depends on the severity of your condition and financial circumstance. Read our full guide to California'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.