In support of its academic mission within the Neuroscience COE, the Department has organized into four (4) clinical programs:
Child and Adolescent (C&A) Program
The Child and Adolescent Program treats children and adolescents with emotional and
behavioral problems and developmental disorders. Specialists accept referrals for
difficult-to-diagnose or difficult-to-treat mental health illnesses. Diagnoses include
depression, attention deficit disorder, eating disorders, autism and Asperger's Syndrome,
early schizophrenia, early bipolar disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and disruptive
behavior disorder.Family involvement is not only encouraged, but considered essential
in the treatment of children and adolescents. The treatment program integrates family
participation through family counseling and therapy, parenting classes, and family
education.
MCG offers East Georgia's only inpatient Child/Adolescent unit for crisis stabilization,
and receives referrals from across the state.
Schizophrenia and Mood Disorders (SAM) Program
The Schizophrenia and Mood Disorders Program, or SAM specializes in treating the most
severe and debilitating forms of mental illness. Clinicians use primarily medication
management for the treatment of schizophrenia and psychotic disorders, depression,
and bipolar disorders. Specialists are involved in research and have access to the
most recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of these illnesses.
Health Behavior (HB) Program
This program focuses on conditions that are known to respond best to psychotherapeutic
interventions such as individual therapy, group therapy, relaxation training, biofeedback,
stress management, coping skills education, and hypnosis. Clinicians specialize in
the treatment of Eating Disorders, Women's Issues, Chronic Pain or Medical Illnesses,
Personality Disorders, and Anxiety disorders including Post-traumatic Stress, Obsessive-Compulsive,
and Panic disorders. The Health Behavior Program also provides therapy for adjustment
disorders and depression. Therapies are led by psychologists and psychiatrists. Medication
evaluation and management is also available as an adjunct treatment.
MCG Psychiatry and Health Behavior Team
MCG Psychiatry and Health Behavior Services
The MCG Department of Psychiatry and Health Behavior provides a continuum of care
including evaluation, assessment and referral, outpatient treatment, and inpatient
hospitalization.
Evaluation, Assessment and Referral
Nurses, Social Workers, and Mental Health Professionals, staff our Intake Office and
offer phone triage and assessments. The outpatient clinic facilitates urgent appointment,
and the hospital emergency room provides response for emergent crisis situations.
Our goal is to insure that every patient is evaluated promptly and to initiate the
appropriate level of treatment as quickly as possible.
Outpatient Care
Inpatient Care
The structured short-term program is focused on crisis stabilization and discharge
planning. Treatment is group-oriented, providing psychotherapeutic interventions,
education, and medication management. Dual-diagnosis treatment and medical detoxification
is also offered for substance abusing and chemically dependent patients.
Community Service
The MCG Psychiatry and Health Behavior Program recognizes the importance of integrating
services with the community. MCG utilizes community services in the support of continuum
treatment of patients, and serves as a resource for services not offered anywhere
else. MCG offers Mental Health professional and community education, and serves in
a supportive role for the Medical Health advocacy issues.
Key telephone numbers for assessment: (706) 721-6597 (Outpatient programs); (706) 721-9331 (Inpatient programs)
