Mental health concerns and substance use can affect every part of your life, including your relationships and your physical health. With the right support, you can get all of the information you need and take the next steps. Our counseling therapy in Atlanta, GA, gives you a safe setting where you can speak openly about what you are facing and begin building strategies that support your health.
At Southside Medical Center, we offer healthcare for underserved individuals, including mental health counseling and substance abuse counseling. We connect you with resources that support you and your family in a warm and non-judgmental setting. With consistent sessions, community-based support, prescribed medications and counseling therapy, you can work toward safer habits.
Program Philosophy
About Methadone and Buprenorphine
SBLEC is based on the belief that recovery and healing from any type of emotional imbalance and/or substance abuse is possible through the use of a well-integrated combination of therapies and services. We treat mental health and addiction in a holistic and individualized manner. Lifestyle Enrichment Treatment is managed through a structured, educational, therapeutic and supportive process, which includes culturally competent, licensed and/or certified staff professionally skilled to address addiction, depression, anxiety, trauma, impulsivity, ADHD, etc. We utilize the Matrix Model, Cognitive Behavioral Interventions and Motivational Interviewing to assist with the success of individuals.
Our Approach to Recovery and Mental Wellness
Treating the Whole Person
Effective counseling looks beyond your diagnosis and any single symptoms. We look at the full picture of your health to provide care in any area that may be affecting your well-being. This includes your:
Emotional Health
This is how you respond to stress or handle conflict. We help you identify patterns in thoughts and behaviors that may be contributing to your anxiety, depression, impulsivity or substance use.
Physical Health
Mental and physical health affect each other directly, and struggles in one area can impact recovery in the other. It is important to assess your quality of sleep and blood pressure and manage medical conditions, since things like chronic pain can contribute to depression or anxiety. We coordinate care within our clinic as needed to make sure you get the full range of care.
Social and Family Stability
If you have strong relationships, they can provide stability during difficult times. However, some of our patients have strained relationships that increase their feelings of stress and isolation. We offer family-focused support as part of our substance abuse counseling and mental health services to help everyone get on the same page and improve communication patterns and boundaries to positively impact your home. We can also connect you to community resources in Atlanta to help with housing, food access and other practical needs.
Spiritual and Personal Growth
Meaning and personal values are important for recovery and resilience. We respect your beliefs and create space to explore how your values and sense of purpose influence your goals. Part of our services is helping you clarify priorities and identify your source of strength during difficult lifestyle changes.
Environmental and Occupational Well-Being
Work stress and financial strain have an effect on mental health, as do unsafe environments at your place of work. As we build your treatment plan, we will talk about how your daily surroundings and employment situation may be influencing your mood or substance use patterns.
What We Do at Southside Medical Center
Serve Underserved Communities With Dignity
Many patients delay care because of cost, transportation, past negative experiences or fear of being judged. We work to reduce those barriers by offering behavioral health services within a community health setting where mental health and primary care are connected.
We treat every patient with respect. That means listening without assumptions, explaining options clearly and creating a setting where you can speak openly about substance use, depression, anxiety or trauma. Everything centers around this philosophy, from the way that we schedule appointments to how we help you take an active role in your well-being.
Take a Whole-Person Approach
A diagnosis can help guide treatment, but it does not tell the full story of your life, your stressors, your triggers or your strengths. In mental health counseling, we look at how medical conditions, housing stability, employment, relationships and past experiences may be influencing your current symptoms.
We also coordinate with other services within the clinic when appropriate. If you are managing diabetes, chronic pain, pregnancy or another medical concern, those conditions can affect your mood and how well you are able to function. We address your physical health alongside mental health and substance abuse counseling, so we can be sure to take everything into account.
Break the Stigma Around Mental Health and Addiction
Stigma often keeps people from seeking help and is not helpful. Some patients have been told that addiction is simply a lack of willpower or moral failure, or that depression is a sign of weakness. However, mental health conditions and substance use disorders involve much more complex biological and social factors.
In counseling therapy, we provide our patients with clear and accurate information along with practical strategies. Within our clinic, you can freely discuss relapse, medication concerns, conflict with family and more.
Conditions Treated at Southside Medical Center
Substance Use Disorders
Substance use disorders involve continued use of alcohol or drugs despite negative effects on health, relationships or work. These conditions can affect changes in brain chemistry that make judgment and impulse control more difficult. In substance abuse counseling, the plan may include therapy or medication management, along with referral to additional services when needed.
Opioid Dependence
Opioid dependence can develop after prescription pain medication use or exposure to heroin or synthetic opioids. Physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms can make stopping difficult, along with other complications like long-term depression and reduced energy. We can discuss medication-assisted treatment options like methadone and detailed relapse prevention planning.
Depression
Depression may include low energy, sleep changes, difficulty concentrating and loss of interest in daily activities. In mental health counseling, we evaluate the duration and severity of symptoms and develop practical strategies that can help.
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders often cause constant worry, panic attacks, muscle tension or avoidance of certain situations. These symptoms can interfere with work and family life. Treatment may involve medication along with identifying thought patterns, practicing grounding techniques and gradually building tolerance to stressful situations or anxiety triggers.
PTSD and Trauma
After a traumatic event, some individuals continue to experience intrusive memories, often along with heightened startle responses and emotional numbness. These reactions are not a sign of weakness. Instead, they are a result of the way that the brain has stored information and responded to distressing experiences. Trauma-informed counseling therapy focuses on safety and stabilization, and patients learn grounding techniques and skills to help process traumatic memories.
ADHD
Those with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often struggle with executive functioning, like planning and organizing. It can also involve a lack of impulse control and frequent job changes. Treatment may include behavioral and executive strategies to improve structure and time management, and discussions of medications when appropriate.
Impulse Control Disorders
Impulse control disorders involve difficulty resisting urges that may cause harm to oneself or others. These behaviors can include compulsive actions and anger outbursts, along with risky decision-making. We help patients recognize early warning signs and develop alternative responses.
Co-Occurring Disorders
Many patients experience several mental health conditions and substance use disorders at the same time. These are known as co-occurring disorders. Treating one condition without addressing the other can make it more difficult to make progress. We consider all of your symptoms and struggles to create a plan that factors in all of your diagnoses.
Therapies Used at Our Practice
Matrix Model
The Matrix Model was originally developed to treat stimulant use disorders, but its framework has been applied more broadly in substance use treatment. It combines education, structured sessions, relapse prevention planning and involvement in recovery-focused activities. It blends several different evidence-based tools into a weekly plan.
With the Matrix Model, the patient is able to understand how addiction affects the brain, why cravings occur and how triggers develop. Sessions often include skill-building exercises and accountability measures, and there is ongoing progress review. The format provides stability for those who benefit from clear expectations and consistent follow-up.
Cognitive Behavioral Interventions
Cognitive behavioral therapy is based on the understanding that thoughts influence reactions and behavior. When thinking patterns become distorted or too rigid, it can lead to an undesirable response. For instance, the belief that “nothing will improve” can lead to withdrawal and inactivity or deepen symptoms of depression.
We work with you step by step to identify unhelpful thinking patterns and test them against evidence. Patients practice reframing automatic thoughts and small behavioral changes that line up with new, more helpful beliefs.
Trauma-Informed Care
Past experiences of violence or neglect affect how a person responds to stress. However, trauma-informed care starts with a different question, asking what has happened rather than what is wrong, to help provide more effective healthcare services. We recognize the impact of trauma on patients and their trust in medical settings while actively working to avoid re-traumatizing during the treatment process. These principles surround everything we do, from setting up appointments to communicating information. We can move forward with collaboration for therapy that is more beneficial and effective.
What to Expect at Your First Appointment
Intake Assessment
During intake assessment, we learn more about the patient’s current symptoms and any history of substance use or previous mental health treatments. We ask about medical conditions and major life stressors that may be affecting well-being, and we discuss current medications.
During this appointment, we can identify any immediate health and safety concerns and talk in depth about what brought you in. You will have a chance to ask us questions about our services and talk about follow-up appointments.
Psychiatric Evaluation
We may have you complete a psychiatric evaluation to assess mood and thought patterns. We review past responses to medication and any side effects you may have experienced. This is a good time to identify your risk factors for different health conditions, like depression, and find out more about your family history of substance use and mental health.
Developing Your Treatment Plan
After the assessment and evaluation, we work with you to create a treatment plan. This may include medications to help with substance use, mental health counseling, family counseling, group counseling and more. We talk about measurable goals that won’t make you feel overwhelmed, and realistic timeframes so you know what to expect. This is a collaborative process, and we always listen to you.
About Medication-Assisted Lifestyle Enrichment Treatment (MAT) for Substance Use Disorders
Medicated-Assisted Lifestyle Enrichment Treatment (MAT) is the use of FDA-approved medications, in combination with counseling, behavioral therapies, and evidence based practices to provide a “whole-patient” approach to the treatment of substance use disorders (i.e., opiate dependency). SBLEC utilizes methadone to assist clients and has services designed and implemented to reach the following goals:
- Support the recovery and stabilization
- Reduce drug-related symptoms (i.e., withdrawals/cravings)
- Support the integration of the client
- Restore dependent individuals to their optimal level of functioning
What MAT Is (and Is Not)
Medication-assisted treatment is a medical approach for opioid use disorder. It involves the supervised use of methadone or buprenorphine, prescribed medications that attach to the same receptors in the brain as opioids to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms without producing a high. MAT is not a substitute addiction, but is based on the understanding that opioid dependence affects brain chemistry and physical functioning. Many patients benefit from medical support while they work on behavioral change and long-term stability.
Why MAT Is Used
MAT is used because opioid dependence carries medical and safety risks. Those who receive methadone treatment are generally healthier and less likely to experience overdose or hospitalization and are less likely to commit crimes. Longer participation in methadone maintenance is associated with improved stability and reduced exposure to infectious disease.
How MAT Supports Long-Term Recovery
To meet the goals discussed above, the following intervention strategies are utilized:
- Daily Dosing Monitoring by a Board Certified Pharmacist
- Nursing Services
- Medical Evaluation and Follow-Ups
- Individual Therapy
- Group Therapy
- Family Education and Therapy
- Drug Evaluation and Assessments
The Lifestyle Enrichment program offers individuals who are using, abusing, or dependent on substances a comprehensive outpatient treatment protocol in a structured environment. Our goal is to assist individuals with leaving a drug-free life so that they and their families may enjoy optimal functioning and a healthy lifestyle. The program is 90 days, but can also be individualized to meet the needs of the individual.
Individuals are expected to meet the requirements of the program created for them, which include group and individual therapy, along with random urine screens.
Aftercare and Continued Support
The DATEP program also provides After-Care for those who have graduated from the program, who may benefit from returning at least 1 per month to process with their therapist their continued recovery and to gain additional support.
Mental Health Services
What Is Mental Health?
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood. Over the course of your life, if you experience mental health problems, your thinking, mood and behavior could be affected. Many factors contribute to mental health problems, including:
- Biological factors, such as genes or brain chemistry
- Life experiences, such as trauma or abuse
- Family history of mental health problems
Signs You May Benefit From Mental Health Counseling
- Persistent Sadness or Anxiety: Ongoing low mood or a sense of dread that lasts for weeks at a time may indicate depression or an anxiety disorder. When these feelings begin to affect your sleep or appetite, you can come in to identify the next steps.
- Difficulty Managing Stress: Stress is a normal response to life demands, but constant tension and irritability or physical symptoms like headaches and fatigue may be signs that you need more help.
- Trauma History: If you experience intrusive memories or avoidance of certain places and things because of previous trauma, therapy can provide the right support.
- Mood Swings: Shifts in mood that feel intense or unpredictable can be related to underlying mood disorders, substance use or medical conditions, and evaluation can help determine the cause.
- Relationship Struggles: Therapy can help you manage ongoing conflict or difficulty maintaining stable relationships to make home life more peaceful.
- Difficulty Focusing or Impulsivity: Problems with attention, organization or impulse control can interfere with school and work. These symptoms may be related to ADHD or other behavioral health conditions.
Why Adult Mental Health at Southside Mental Health Services Center (SMC)?
Clinicians will meet with the client to develop a holistic individualized plan of care to address the dimensions of wellness (i.e., social, emotional, environmental, physical, spiritual, financial, occupational and intellectual). It is our goal to assist with restoring individuals to their optimal level of functioning by addressing brain chemistry and mental illness.
We recognize that health is shaped by more than just your symptoms or diagnosis. Each person brings a unique history and set of strengths into the clinical setting, and those factors matter in planning care. Our work was founded through a desire and a commitment to serve the medically underserved of Metropolitan Atlanta. Our values are Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Excellence and Service: SMC C.A.R.E.S.!
An Overview of Our Mental Health Services
Services Provided
- Individual & Group Therapy
- Family/Couple’s Counseling
- Psychiatric Assessment
- Medication Management
- Daily Dosing monitored by Board Certified Pharmacist
- Nursing Services
- Case Management
- Drug Evaluations/Assessments
Program Requirements
- 18 years old
- Government Issued ID
Fees
Insurance accepted: Medicare, Medicaid, Peach State, Amerigroup, Care Source and WellCare for substance abuse services. All insurance plans are accepted for the Adult Mental Health Program, and please feel free to contact our front desk specialists for confirmation.
Self-Pay Clients
Self-Pay clients are defined as clients who do not have insurance and have to pay out of pocket for their services. SMC utilizes a sliding fee scale based on household income and family size to determine the cost of treatment.*
*If there are changes to the prices, individuals will be notified.
Client Quotes
This is what some clients have actually said about our program:
“It’s like a home. People here really care about you like you were family.”
“You all see me as a person – not an addict and I am thankful for that.”
“At first I didn’t want to be here. But I found out later at this is exactly where God knew I needed to be. My case is closed, and now I am the responsible mother I know I could be.”
Contact Us Today for Substance Use and Mental Health Support
Consistent participation in counseling therapy in Atlanta, GA can support safer decision-making, improved daily functioning and more stable management of mental health and substance use concerns. At Southside Medical Center, we combine primary care and behavioral health services so patients can address medical and psychological needs in one place. Our highly trained staff is also able to diagnose and treat a broad range of health conditions. If you are ready to begin structured support, complete our online form or call 404-688-1350 to request an appointment and take the next step.
