Mental Health (Psychiatry)

St.Vincent Mercy Hospital Stress Center, a not-for-profit corporation, is committed to providing quality services to assist chemically dependent individuals and their families in recovery through programs of prevention, intervention, testing and treatment.

Treatment Works

Studies show dramatic improvements when individuals participate in addictions treatment. You are worth a happy and hopeful life! Don’t wait—please call (765) 552-4611.  

Types of Conditions and Treatment

Although many of our patients at the Stress Center are being treated for anxiety and depression, our professionals also provide treatment for substance abuse and addictions.

We aim to empower men and women in ways that give dignity, hope and a healthier sense of self while in recovery from misuse, abuse or chemical addiction.  The group is designed to help patients learn in a familiar, safe environment.

We provide mental health services to adults, teens, and children when help is needed, whether for behavioral problems, emotional issues, or addiction struggles.

Not Just for Adults 

Children aged 4 and up may also be seen at the Stress Center for problems, such as:

• Adjustments to problems in the family 
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) 
• Depression  
• Developmental disorders 
• Grief and loss 

Services

All services are provided without regard to sex, sexual orientation, race, color, age, religion or national origin. The program is accessible to persons with physical constraints. Our services include:

• Assessment
• Outpatient Services: Individual therapy, group therapy
• Referral services for treatment centers, half-way houses
• Women’s support group
• Aftercare
• Medication management
• Relapse recovery
• Psychoeducation 
• Family involvement and support

Individual Assessments

An individual assessment is provided to accurately develop a service plan that is tailored to meet the unique needs of each person --- adolescent, adult and senior adult.

Court-Ordered Treatment

The Stress Center works with various court systems to provide services that promote abstinence and treatment to offenders. We meet the requirements for court-ordered treatment and are certified by the Indiana Department of Addiction Services.

8-Hour Alcohol/Drug Education Program

The 8-Hour Alcohol/Drug Education program is a psychoeducational curriculum. The goal of the program is to reinforce positive changes and to deter a repeated offense.

Relapse Prevention Program — IOP Treatment Program

Our Relapse Prevention Program is an intensive research-based program that meets two hours each week for 24 sessions and has the following requirements:

• Weekly group attendance
• One weekly AA or NA meeting
• A monthly family component

All members of the family are affected by the painful issue of chemical dependency. Family participation and involvement is an integral part of the program, with one family session per month.

Thinking for a Change Program

The Thinking for a Change Program is a two hour per week for nine weeks program. The program integrates cognitive, social skills development and problem-solving to help offenders learn how to change thinking patterns and behaviors.

Individual Therapy

Therapy is provided to individuals who have co-occurring disorders with chemically dependent issues. The program offers a cognitive-behavioral intervention designed to achieve abstinence and reinforce the value of Twelve Step participation.  Family therapy and conjoint sessions are encouraged.

Staff

We are staffed by highly skilled mental health professionals and are committed to providing counseling services for the community. Regardless of the kind of problem, each patient works with his or her therapist to determine which plan of treatment will work best.

The Stress Center clinicians, all experts in their fields, include:

• Gail Joy Smith, M.S.W., licensed clinical social worker, licensed marriage and family therapist, national board-certified addictions specialist
• Jodi Behlmer, M.S., licensed mental health counselor
• Charla Hazen, M.S.W., licensed clinical social worker  

Location

St.Vincent Mercy Hospital Stress Center 
Across the street from the main building
1448 South A Street
Elwood, IN 46036

(765) 552-4611
Outpatient services: Monday - Wednesday, 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.; Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to noon