Mental Health Therapy

UCS Healthcare offers mental health services, including psychotherapy and medication management, as part of our integrated treatment and as a stand-alone outpatient mental health service. Our highly qualified therapists are licensed to perform individual, couples, and group psychotherapy and help individuals with co-occurring disorders.

At UCS, we believe in complete evaluation, assessment, and realistic goal-setting to help our patients see their plans and progress. Your total health is considered whether you seek stand-alone services or as part of an integrated treatment plan for co-occurring disorders or other medical issues. We are experienced in treating depression, anxiety, PTSD, grief and loss, anger, sexual abuse and trauma, stress management, relationship, marriage, and family issues. Find your partner in total health at UCS.

UCS Healthcare is proud to offer psychiatric services to our patients as a part of our integrated total care. We seek to be our patients’ medical home – providing medical care and coordinating all health care needs between the patient, their physicians, and, when appropriate, the patient’s family. Call us today to schedule an appointment with one of our providers.

According to the 2017 report by the National Institutes of Mental Health Information Resource Center, 46.6 million adults in America with any mental illness, or 18.9%. The age group of 18 - 25 years has the highest rate of incidence at 25 at 25.8%, followed closely by ages 26 - 49% at 22.2%.
UCS Healthcare offers mental health care services (therapy) to individuals with or without substance abuse issues. Contact us today for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Assessments for Mental Health Care

UCS provides mental health care assessments for anyone seeking help in Ankeny, Knoxville, and West Des Moines.

Our assessments are administered by a dedicated team of licensed mental health professionals, ensuring quick, proper treatment for our patients. Each patient has their needs, and our team will help diagnose the best options after the mental health assessment.

Treatment is provided in an outpatient setting and can include individual or group therapy. Depending on the patient's needs, visits may be scheduled for weekly sessions up to monthly or quarterly check-ins.
As with all of our services, UCS treatment is patient-centered.

What is a Co-Occurring Disorder?

Co-Occurring Disorders, formerly known as Dual Diagnosis, describe the presence of two or more disorders in the same person. In this case, it refers to a person diagnosed with mental health and substance use disorders.

Is this a common occurrence?

Co-occurring disorders are common for individuals with either a substance use disorder or a mental illness. According to a 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health by SAMSHA, 7.9 million people, or approximately 4.3% in the U.S., experience both mental and substance use disorders simultaneously.

Do drugs cause mental illness?

A combination of factors usually leads to any mental health issue.

Some may develop an addiction problem that grows so severe it triggers symptoms that would have remained dormant without substance use. Other people experience mental health issues when they are younger and eventually turn to drugs and alcohol later in life, trying to self-medicate or diagnose themselves.

What are the benefits of using integrated treatment for co-occurring disorders?

    • Integrated treatment consists of the same behavioral health professionals working in one setting, providing appropriate treatment for mental health and substance abuse in a coordinated fashion.
    • Using an integrated model to treat co-occurring disorders means that one condition does not present as "primary" and that mental health and substance use disorder issues are treated simultaneously.
    • Research has shown that integrated treatment of co-occurring disorders can:
      • Reduce the need for coordination with other agencies;
      • Empower the client to treat their illness and manage their recovery;
      • Often leads to higher satisfaction of care.

     

How does UCS implement integrated treatment for co-occurring disorders?

UCS screens all incoming clients for mental health concerns and illness as a part of our intake assessment.

  • If a patient meets the criteria for a mental health disorder, they will be referred to a licensed mental health professional who will further screen them.
  • Patients who meet the criteria will be placed in co-occurring disorder-specific groups that educate on substance use disorder and mental health issues.
  • Patients will also meet individually with their licensed mental health professional as needed.