OpenMinds Grows Its Psychiatry Services in Santa Barbara

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) - OpenMinds Mental Health Services is expanding its care options by adding psychiatry services for adolescents, young adults, parents and families in Santa Barbara.

The new services include psychiatric evaluations and medication management alongside the therapy and psychological services already offered through the clinic.

OpenMinds currently serves more than 250 patients each week through a clinical team of 17 providers. The organization plans to continue growing its staff as demand for youth and family mental health care increases.

Clinic leaders believe bringing therapy and psychiatry under one roof can make treatment easier to coordinate, especially for young people dealing with anxiety, depression, stress or other mental health concerns.

The expansion also focuses on the impact those challenges can have on the rest of the household.

Clinical Director Dr. Ali Fleming said parents often devote much of their attention to helping a struggling child while dealing with their own emotional strain.

OpenMinds built its treatment model around supporting the entire family, including parents and siblings when needed.

The clinic also accepts a range of insurance plans in an effort to lower the cost of ongoing treatment and make care available to more families.

OpenMinds is also involved in Cottage Health’s Mind Thrive initiative, working alongside schools and other local mental health providers to improve referrals and access to services.

The organization views psychiatry as the next step in creating more coordinated care for young people and their families across Santa Barbara County.

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