Houma, Louisiana is served by a network of mental health care providers offering diverse therapeutic interventions, rehabilitation services, and specialized treatment programs. This article examines the mental health resources available in the Houma area, including treatment approaches, service settings, specialized programs, and access information for individuals seeking support.
Overview of Mental Health Service Providers
The Houma area is supported by multiple behavioral health centers and organizations providing comprehensive mental health services. Terrebonne Behavioral Health Center operates under the Southeastern Louisiana Human Services Authority (SCLHSA) and serves as a primary mental health resource in the region. The facility is operated by regional/district or county, local, or municipal government authorities and provides services in outpatient settings.
SCLHSA serves multiple parishes including Assumption, Lafourche, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Mary, and Terrebonne, with several behavioral health centers throughout the region. The administrative office and Terrebonne Behavioral Health Center are both located in Houma, making them accessible resources for local residents. Additional providers in the area include START Corp, Ascent, BHG Recovery, and private counseling services.
Therapeutic Approaches and Treatment Modalities
Mental health providers in Houma utilize evidence-based therapeutic approaches to address various conditions and concerns. Terrebonne Behavioral Health Center employs several treatment methodologies, including:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Couples/family therapy
- Group therapy
- Integrated dual disorders treatment
- Individual psychotherapy
- Trauma therapy
These approaches align with established clinical frameworks for addressing mental health conditions, with cognitive behavioral therapy being particularly emphasized as an evidence-based intervention for various disorders. The availability of multiple modalities allows for personalized treatment plans tailored to individual needs.
Houma Counselors also offers relationship counseling beneficial for couples looking to strengthen their emotional connection across all stages of their relationship. Therapy sessions provide a supportive environment for discussing issues and developing solutions to enhance relationship dynamics and family functioning. Through counseling sessions, individuals can gain the ability to recover motivation, perspective, and joy while building new adaptive coping skills that lead to awareness and structure during challenging times.
Specialized Programs and Services
Dual Diagnosis Rehabilitation
Terrebonne Behavioral Health Center operates a Dual Diagnosis Rehabilitation Center, serving individuals experiencing both mental health disorders and substance use disorders. This integrated approach addresses co-occurring conditions through specialized treatment protocols that consider the complex interactions between mental illness and addiction. The center utilizes integrated dual disorders treatment as one of its core therapeutic approaches.
Addiction Treatment Services
BHG Recovery provides specialized addiction treatment services in Houma, offering medication-assisted recovery options. Their approach includes:
- FDA-approved prescription Suboxone (buprenorphine) for outpatient treatment
- Methadone maintenance treatment as a gold standard in outpatient recovery
- Addiction counseling using cognitive behavioral therapy in individual, group, and family formats
- Medical screenings and assessments
- Virtual and in-person counseling sessions
The facility operates with specific hours, being closed on Sundays and offering limited hours on Saturdays, with extended hours Monday through Friday to accommodate various scheduling needs. At BHG, patients are placed in the safe and trusted hands of local doctors, nurses, counselors, and support staff who understand their community and are here to help patients on their journey to recovery.
Youth and Family Services
Ascent provides wraparound services for youth through the Coordinated Systems of Care (CSoC) program. Referrals to Ascent can be made by various individuals including parents, relatives, schools, teachers, counselors, mental health professionals, and probation officers. Services are voluntary, with guardians contacted within 48 hours of referral submission. Once enrolled, youth become eligible for additional CSoC programs.
Anyone that knows a youth can make a referral to Ascent, and although referred, services are voluntary so the guardian may choose to accept or decline. The guardian will need to participate in an intake call after the referral is submitted.
Primary Care Integration
START Corp offers integrated care through their Primary Care & Behavioral Health program, addressing both physical and mental health needs in a coordinated approach. This model recognizes the connection between physical and mental wellbeing and provides comprehensive care through various services including:
- HIV Treatment
- Medication Management
- Medical Case Management
- In House Laboratory Services
- Dietician Services
- Pharmacy Services
- Behavioral Health Services
- Dental Services
- Support Groups
Emergency and Crisis Services
Terrebonne Behavioral Health Center provides comprehensive emergency mental health services to address acute psychiatric crises. These services include:
- Psychiatric emergency onsite services
- Psychiatric emergency mobile/off-site services
- Psychiatric emergency walk-in services
These resources ensure that individuals experiencing mental health emergencies have access to timely intervention and support, with both on-site and mobile response capabilities available. The center is equipped to handle psychiatric emergencies through multiple service delivery methods to meet the varying needs of individuals in crisis.
Medication Management Approaches
Mental health providers in Houma utilize various pharmacotherapeutic interventions as part of comprehensive treatment plans. Terrebonne Behavioral Health Center employs several medications in their treatment process, including:
- Chlorpromazine (Thorazine®)
- Fluphenazine (Prolixin®)
- Haloperidol (Haldol®)
- Loxapine (Loxitane®)
- Perphenazine (Trilafon/Etrafon/Triavil/Triptafen®)
- Prochlorperazine (Compazine/Compro®)
- Thiothixene (Navane®)
- Thioridazine (Mellaril/Melleril®)
- Trifluoperazine (Stelazine®)
- Aripiprazole (Abilify®)
- Asenapine (Saphris/Sycrest®)
- Brexpiprazole (Rexulti®)
- Cariprazine
These medications represent various classes of psychotropic agents used to manage symptoms of mental health conditions, with newer-generation medications such as aripiprazole, asenapine, brexpiprazole, and cariprazine indicating up-to-date pharmacotherapeutic approaches. The center utilizes both traditional antipsychotics and atypical agents in its medication management protocols.
Service Settings and Access
Mental health services in Houma are primarily delivered in outpatient settings, allowing individuals to receive treatment while maintaining their daily routines. Terrebonne Behavioral Health Center focuses on outpatient rehabilitation, providing flexibility for clients who do not require intensive inpatient care.
Access to services varies by provider, with different hours of operation:
- Terrebonne Behavioral Health Center: Specific hours not provided in source data
- BHG Recovery: Monday-Friday 5:00AM - 1:30PM, Saturday 6:00AM - 9:00AM, Sunday closed
- Houma Counselors: Monday-Thursday 9:00 am - 4:00 pm, Friday 9:00-1:00 pm, closed weekends
Insurance acceptance is also a consideration for accessing services, with BHG Recovery noting that they accept various insurance plans in Houma, though specific plans are not listed in the provided source data.
Access and Referral Information
Individuals seeking mental health services in Houma can access care through various pathways:
Direct contact with providers:
- Terrebonne Behavioral Health Center: 985-857-3615
- SCLHSA Administrative Office: 985-858-2931
- Houma Counselors: Contact available through their website
Referral processes:
- Ascent accepts referrals from multiple sources including family members, schools, professionals, and legal authorities
- Referral to Ascent initiates contact with the guardian within 48 hours
- Services through Ascent are voluntary and require guardian participation
Location information:
- Terrebonne Behavioral Health Center: 805 Barrow Street, Houma, LA 70360
- SCLHSA Administrative Office: 158 Regal Row, Houma, LA 70360
- Developmental Disabilities Regional Office: 803 Barrow Street, Houma, LA 70360
- Houma Counselors: 1340 West Tunnel Blvd. Suite 200, Houma, LA 70360
Conclusion
Houma residents have access to a comprehensive network of mental health services provided by several organizations. These services range from outpatient rehabilitation and emergency crisis intervention to specialized programs addressing dual diagnosis, addiction, and youth needs. Evidence-based therapeutic approaches including cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma therapy, and family counseling are available through multiple providers.
The integration of physical and behavioral health services through programs like START Corp's Primary Care & Behavioral Health initiative represents a holistic approach to wellness. Medication management options include both traditional and newer-generation psychotropic medications, with providers like BHG Recovery offering specialized medication-assisted treatment for addiction.
Individuals seeking mental health services in Houma can access care through direct contact or referral processes, with multiple entry points available depending on the specific needs and circumstances. The variety of service settings, hours, and specialized programs ensures that residents can find appropriate care for their mental health needs within the community.