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Fenway Health’s Behavioral Health (BH) Department would like to share some updates about the way we are able to care for the important needs of our community.
As noted in a recent Boston Globe article, there is a long wait for primary health care and health services throughout the state. This is the result of extremely high demand – fueled in no small part by the COVID-19 pandemic – coupled with a shortage of medical and behavioral health clinicians.
Fenway Health has been significantly impacted by these constraints and we recently took steps to ensure resources are available to better meet the needs of our patients and more quickly move people off the Behavioral Health wait list into care.
We are happy to share the news that we have significantly reduced our patient waiting list and are no longer capping therapy sessions for BH patients at 12 visits.
The following policies still remain in effect:
Thank you for your patience and understanding, and for allowing us to be your health care home. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us. Please email Jean McClurken at [email protected].
Fenway Health’s Behavioral Health team operates under an Episodic Model of care. Episodic care refers to time limited treatment that encourages an individual to actively engage in therapy through dynamic movement. The focus of this movement through care is the building of skills and finding solutions. This works well for those with clear goals and high motivation.
The arc of treatment is made up of three phases:
Beginning PhaseThe beginning phase is focused on identifying clear goals of treatment. As such, treatment planning is essential because it helps the patient and provider focus care in a way that supports clear goals, movement, and resolution. In this phase, the provider works with the client to identify 1–3 areas of focus, noting that not all issues an individual comes to therapy with may be resolved within an episode. The provider outlines structure and mapping around the treatment experience, which includes the setting of a graduation goal in order to optimize sessions and time between sessions. The provider may begin treatment planning with the client by asking clear questions about their goals for care. |
Middle PhaseThe middle phase focuses on learning and implementing skills through a strengths-based approach. This evidenced based approach builds on an individual’s unique strengths and knowledge that they bring with them as experts in their own lives. As behavioral health providers, our responsibility is to support clients as they build skills, increase self-understanding, and conclude each episode of care with confidence in their ability to actively engage in living. |
Graduation PhaseWe actively support individuals to ready themselves for graduation by using active engagement in sessions and skills practice between sessions. We support and encourage our patients to increase their proficiency, confidence and test the sustainability of their efforts in order to create readiness to conclude their episode of care and return to their active living. We believe that doing intentional termination work is an essential part of therapy as often, individuals do not get to experience planned conclusions of relationships. At the time of graduation, folks are educated about their ability to return for a future episode of care if or when they need it. |
In keeping with Fenway Health’s commitment to care for the whole person, behavioral health is a fundamental part of our primary care model. We offer individual, group, couple, and family therapy; as well as psychiatric consultation.
We can help you deal with a range of personal issues and life events. Whether you are coming out, coping with self-esteem issues, seeking more satisfying relationships, living with HIV, trying to stop drinking, or grieving the death of a partner, we provide high-quality care that is sensitive to LGBTQIA+ concerns.
Services include evaluation and referrals; counseling for myriad issues; therapy and support groups; and psychiatric evaluation and treatment. See our calendar section for selected programs and upcoming special events.
If you are interested in becoming a Fenway behavioral health patient or if you have a general inquiry about behavioral health services, call 617.927.6202.
If you are already registered as a psychiatry patient, then please call 617.927.6204.
For more information or to access services, call 617.927.6250 or 800.834.3242
Contact Joyce Collier, LICSW, Facing Cancer Together, 617.332.5777 to enroll in this group.
7th Floor 1340 Boylston Street Boston, MA 02215
7th Floor 1340 Boylston Street Boston, MA 02215
