Behavioral health providers
Many options for treatment in pandemic
Our current state; suicide, trauma, depression, substance use disorder (SUD), PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and widespread anger have increased since the pandemic commenced in 2020. In Taos County, several behavioral health providers offer accessible and individualized treatment.
According to Heidi Wahl, chief operating officer at Pinwheel Healing (a local outpatient facility serving people ages 14 and up):
“The pandemic has provided a challenge for people in rural areas who need transportation for care. We are doing telehealth statewide. We keep our group numbers low and follow best practices.”
At Vista Taos Rehab, a longtime residential addiction treatment center, Executive Director Jae Dennis explains challenges wrought by the pandemic.
“There is a lot of suffering. Bipolar disorder, depression and PTSD are getting worse. We are an abstinence-based program. We are also biopsychosocial and [offer] the 12-step model. We offer discussions about spirituality.”
Butterfly Healing (serves ages 14-18) along with Circle of Life (14 and up) primarily serve the Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council, but do admit non-tribal members and offer both inpatient and outpatient treatment; a variable continuum of care.
‘From a therapeutic perspective we are implementing harm reduction, trauma-informed and abstinencebased approaches to support a truly clientcentered environment. We work in schools and after school for case management to
Take that first step, make the phone call. There is hope on this side. Jae Denni, Vista Taos Rehab Executive Director
youth and families. Our outpatient includes individual therapy, depression, anxiety, PTSD, SUD and alcoholism. All of our services are individually based,” Ellen Durant, residential manager, said. When asked how the pandemic has impacted individuals who seek treatment, Jehan Layne-chavez, Outpatient – Circle of Life, adds that outpatient care has become a go-to during the pandemic, so much so that they are actively hiring clinicians. “There is a high need for services and a high need for clinicians.”
Each treatment center offers an individualized approach, with Pinwheel being the only facility that offers medication assisted treatment for SUD. “We treat medical, behavioral and social aspects of mental health issues and implement unique and diverse programming in all of those areas,” Wahl said.
Durant explains that while behavioral health often includes substance use disorder and alcoholism, it is usually about so much more.
“Most of the time we see people with SUD combined with other trauma. We might get a referral because of substance use. Sometimes we get self-referrals. SUD is often the originating diagnosis, but we often see depression and PSTD. Lots of little things not going well. Things that make people feel not in control of their life at all.”
Getting into treatment makes the difference
“Take that first step, make the phone call. There is hope on this side. About 90 percent of our staff are in recovery — they have stayed sober. You can’t get clean alone. The isolation of the pandemic has twisted this all up. We do best when we are in a community of like-minded people,” Dennis said. Most insurance options accepted at all locations. Contact each center to discuss making financial arrangements.