Chestnut Health Systems (Chestnut) is a private, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. Chestnut offers a comprehensive scope of behavioral health and human services in Illinois, U.S.A. Our professional and experienced staff is committed to providing high quality care and services to the communities we serve. From drug and alcohol addiction treatment facilities (residential and outpatient), to work-life and employee assistance programs, to a research institute, Chestnut continuously works to achieve its mission to make a difference and improve quality of life through excellence in service.
Services Offered
Addiction Treatment
Chestnut offers a full range of addiction treatment services for adolescents and adults. These innovative and research based services are anchored in a commitment to the highest standards of professional excellence. Our doctors, psychiatrists, nurses, licensed primary counselors, residential counselors, recreation coordinators and case managers all work together to create a unique treatment plan for each individual. Our addiction treatment services are designed to help individuals work on both addiction issues and mental health illnesses at the same time.
We are continually changing and expanding to better meet the needs of the communities we serve. We offer a variety of services at our facilities in Illinois for both adolescents and adults including but not limited to: Assessment Inpatient Intensive outpatient Outpatient
Mental Health
If problems in your life are piling up, if relationships are strained, if feelings of sadness and hopelessness are affecting your work, if your life is feeling out of control--there's help available at Chestnut Health Systems. Chestnut's professional staff is ready to listen, help you consider your options and work on resolving problems. Depression, anxiety, frustration and stress all take a considerable toll on your health and happiness.
Children And Youth Services
Chestnut Health Systems provides comprehensive treatment for children and youth ages zero to 21. We emphasize the importance of both the child and the parent understanding children's needs, behaviors and symptoms.
Our services for children and youth consist of important treatment elements: Advocacy Case management Community support Consultation and evaluation by a psychiatrist (when needed) Crisis services Education classes for parents Family counseling Group therapy Individual counseling
When we accept families with children for services, we ask that they commit to participating in all programs recommended by treatment staff. Programs include: Early Intervention of Children of Incarcerated Parents (EICIP) Mental Health Juvenile Justice (MHJJ) Child and Adolescent Medication Plus Program (CAMPP) Screening and Assessment, Support Services (SASS) Early Childhood (Mental Health for 0 - 5 years old) Outpatient Child and Adolescent School Based Services
Crisis Stabilization
Chestnut Health Systems provides 24 hour short term supervised care for persons aged 18 years and older experiencing an acute psychiatric crisis that do not require hospitalization. The average length of stay is 14 days. Admission to our crisis unit is voluntary; we only accept those individuals who choose to come to the unit. The facility is not prepared to work with persons who may be actively suicidal or homicidal or who are experiencing serious medical problems or complications. The unit is staffed with nurses and behavioral health technicians and is not a hospital.
Groups And Workshops
We offer various group services throughout the year. Currently we offer:
Anger Management WRAP (Wellness Recovery and Action Planning) Parenting Skills Through a unique collaboration with The Cadence Online Company, Treatment Research Institute and Dr. Robert J. Meyers, a research-supported online course that teaches parents how to effectively interact with their children in order to change drug and alcohol behavior is now available. Please visit www.cadenceonline.com to learn more about ParentCRAFT and how parents CAN make a difference. Individual And Family Counseling
Do you need someone to talk to? Our trained Master level and Licensed clinicians are available to assess your needs and provide therapy services for all ages, both individually and families. The type and intensity of services depends on the needs of each individual or family.
Concerns addressed in counseling may include (but are not limited to): Stress, anxiety and/or depression Relationship issues Traumatic events Grief and loss Chronic pain School or employment stresses Life changes such as marriage, divorce, parenthood, adolescents, adulthood, retirement, moves Family conflict or abuse Parenting issues
Our staff are trained to respect the privacy of all persons whom we serve, and we adhere to all state and federal regulations regarding the confidentiality of your treatment records.
Psychiatric Services
Chestnut Health Systems' outpatient treatment team includes consulting psychiatrists who provide expert evaluation and medical management of mental health and substance abuse issues.
*Within Chestnut, psychiatric consultation occurs when a person or family is engaged in a treatment program. The psychiatrist is a member of the treatment team. Most of the counseling, therapy and support provided to the persons we serve is provided by trained therapists, social workers, nurses, and counselors. *Persons and families in treatment will benefit from conferring with both their therapist and a staff psychiatrist to determine the most appropriate treatment methods for them. *Medication can sometimes be useful in relieving symptoms of panic, confusion, obsessions, tics, anger, depression, sadness, and hyperactivity. Medication is prescribed as part of a treatment plan, which typically includes therapy, education, and community support.
Psychiatric services are available at our Belleville and Granite City locations. Early Intervention for Children with Incarcerated Parents (EICIP)
EICIP provides comprehensive clinical services to children ages four through 17 who have at least one parent currently incarcerated or who has been recently (within the past six months) released from jail or prison. Whenever possible, services are delivered in the child's natural setting, generally in the home or school and to include (again, to the extent possible) the child's incarcerated parent. Family stability: environmental, financial, emotional and relational is the goal. EICIP is available in Madison and St. Clair counties.
Advocacy Case management Community support Consultation and evaluation by a psychiatrist (when needed) Crisis services Education classes for parents Family counseling Group therapy Individual counseling
Screening, Assessment and Support Services (SASS)
SASS is a program within the Child and Adolescent Outpatient Mental Health Program in St. Clair and Bond Counties.
Services are available for children with a mental illness or emotional disorder and are at risk for psychiatric hospitalization and include: Pre-admission screening Crisis stabilization Follow up services for 90 days Psychiatric evaluation when necessary
Fees and Payment
Chestnut Health Systems is committed to providing quality services while maintaining affordable fees. Our Financial Intake Specialists will help you through the steps of determining fees including checking your insurance benefits. Payment at the time of service is preferred. Chestnut accepts medical insurance, Illinois Medicaid and direct client payment by cash, check or credit card. Chestnut can also help with loans. For some clients, state-funded financial assistance may also be an option. A Financial Intake Specialist will help determine your eligibility.
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.
