Serving the people of Preble County, Ohio, Samaritan Behavioral Health – Preble offers a full range of mental health services. These services include mental health counseling, case management, psychiatry and crisis response.

Partially funded by the Preble County Mental Health and Recovery Board, we develop individual treatment plans for each client to best serve his or her needs. We also work with a person’s strengths and abilities to improve their daily functioning in the community.

In addition, our case managers provide ongoing support and monitoring for adults and children with severe mental illness.

We provide individual and group counseling as well as psychiatric services. For individuals, our counseling services are effective with a wide range of conditions, including:

• Psychiatric disorders
• Situational stressors
• Personal problems
• Emotional problems
• Grief and loss
• Health conditions and disabilities
• Abuse and other trauma
• Depression and anxiety
• Family and relationship issues
• Occupational/work-related issues

Psychiatric Services

Medical/Somatic Services evaluate and monitor the needs of adults, children and adolescents exhibiting symptoms associated with a DSM-IV diagnosis. Psychiatric services are provided to adults and children by board-certified physicians specializing in psychiatry. Approximately 25 hours per week of time is available for psychiatric services. The outpatient nurse obtains and reviews a comprehensive medical/health assessment in order to evaluate additional medical needs. Following an initial diagnostic assessment the psychiatrist evaluates an individual's need for psychotropic medications to reduce symptoms associated with psychotic disorders, severe mood disorders, impulse control disorders, bi-polar disorders and other psychiatric conditions impairing daily functioning. The psychiatrist also evaluates individuals requiring a more intensive level of treatment such as inpatient hospitalization. The psychiatrist provides in-house consultations to professional staff as needed. Referrals are made to other physicians/medical services when other physical conditions requiring treatment are noted. An outpatient Registered Nurse ensures client is educated regarding the appropriate use of medications and potential side effects.

The SAFE Program
(Strength-based Alternatives in the Family Environment)

The SAFE Program is an Intensive Home-Based Treatment (IHBT) Program. All child-serving systems in Preble County are involved, and may refer cases to the Program: Juvenile Justice, Children Services, Schools, Mental Health/AOD Treatment Providers, and TASC. Typically, the SAFE Review Committee will meet with the referent to review the case. During this review, the team assesses the family's suitability for the SAFE program services. The SAFE Treatment Team then meets with the family to explain the services and to determine the family's interest in, and suitability for, the program.

Criteria for Admission:

The SAFE Program is an intensive family-centered treatment service that is delivered primarily in the home and designed to stabilize family functioning and preserve the safety of the child, family, community and maintain the child in the home. Family functioning is addressed through building family skills in parenting, conflict/crisis resolution, behavior management, and accessing community supports. Service components include comprehensive assessment of family structure, crisis intervention, individual therapy, service coordination, accessing tangible resources, and the teaching and modeling of family skills. This service may be used as an independent level of care or as an adjunct to another level of care. A team that includes professionals and paraprofessionals who coordinate the implementation of a flexible, individualized and comprehensive treatment plan usually provide services. At a minimum, the team includes a master's level professional trained in family assessment and home-based services. Intensity of treatment varies according to the needs of the family. Treatment usually begins with a more intensive phase, then tapering off based on the needs of the family. Duration of treatment also varies but is usually between 4-12 weeks.

SCA-Preble County collaborates with the Preble County Educational Service Center on several programs.

The 21st Century Program serves children at high risk of academic failure in an after-school setting. Services consist of: education and consultation with school staff and administration; development of program and program materials; research and training in the social emotional learning model; direct services including individual and group interventions; screening and referral for individual students; and data collection for grant maintenance purposes. Mental health clinical counseling may be provided to youth determined to have a mental health disorder with consent of the parent or legal guardian.

The 3rd Street School Program serves children with Severe Emotional Disturbance (SED) as determined by the educational system. Services consist of: face to face mental health counseling services including individual and group interventions; behavioral health screening and referral for individual students; education and consultation with school staff and administration; development of program and program materials; and data collection as required for student Individual Educational Plans. The 3rd Street School also houses the PASS program, which serves the Positive Alternatives to School Suspension program. This program is also funded by the Preble County Juvenile Court.

We provide flexible, individualized treatment for each person. Samaritan Counseling Alternatives – Preble offers a supportive counseling environment while teaching skills for coping and self-management.

To schedule an appointment with a counselor, call (800) 453-3386.