Need help?  We're here 24/7

Call 802.229.0591

INTENSIVE CARE SERVICES

The Frontline for Crisis Support and Stabilization.

Intensive Care Services is a combined service providing a spectrum that ranges from urgent to emergency care. Response teams meet clients in the community, in their homes, and at the emergency room. The focus is to assess a clients needs and provide immediate support in ways that work best for clients. With 24-hour emergency services, Intensive Care Services is on call to help with crisis and encourage stabilization.

  • Emergency Screening Team

    Mental Health Crisis Services are available 24-hours a day, 7-days a week

    The Emergency Screening Team can be reached at (802) 229-0591.


    The Emergency Screening Team is mobile and available 24-hours, 7-days-a-week providing crisis intervention and assessment program covering all of Washington County and the towns of Orange, Williamstown and Washington in Orange County.


    Services Include:

    • Telephone support and consultation
    • On-site crisis intervention
    • Assessment for admission to crisis bed programs and psychiatric units statewide
    • Assessment for incapacitation by substances
    • Referral to brief and extended counseling, psychiatric, and support services

  • Urgent Care/ Access Program

    Brief Urgent Care services are are short-term clinical services providing crisis stabilization, assessment of clinical needs, brief treatment, and referrals to longer-term services. Community-based service programs include:

    • Adult Access - A program providing services to individuals needing immediate, brief therapeutic case management and psychotherapy. Adult Access is an intensive community and office-based service focused on crisis stabilization and needs assessment. Referrals to longer-term services are made when needed.
    • Children’s Access - A program providing services to families in need of crisis stabilization, assessment, and brief treatment. Children’s Access is an intensive, home-based service with a goal of crisis stabilization. Referrals to longer-term services are made when needed.
    • Intensive Family Based Services (IFBS) - A brief treatment program designed to work in the home with children, adolescents, and family systems.  The program is funded by DCF, helping to keep families together.  IFBS provides a clinical assessment of needs, crisis and safety planning, brief treatment, and referrals to longer-term services are made, as indicated.
    • The Law Enforcement Mental Health Clinician Project - A collaborative between ICS and Montpelier and Barre City Police Departments. WCMHS employes a full-time clinician to work directly with Barre City and Montpelier Police Departments. Our clinician jointly responds to emergency calls with the police providing de-escalation and mental health supports during crisis situations.

  • Home Intervention Program

    Home Intervention (HI) is a short-term crisis stabilization/hospital diversion program providing supportive counseling to individuals who would otherwise require hospitalization. The program is a collaborative effort between the Intensive Care Services (ICS) and Community Support Program (CSP) divisions of WCMHS serving both WCMHS clients as well as the general public. HI provides integrated psychiatric, nursing and mental health services in a community-based setting. HI staff provide a high level of supportive counseling, assist with community integration, identify and mitigate stressors, and identify natural and community supports as the individuals served transition home.


    Hospital diversion providing 24/7 supports focusing on safety, stabilizing crises, brief treatment and safe discharge planning for adults.  Referrals made through the emergency screening team, case managers, mobile outreach team and hospitals.

  • The Lighthouse

    The Lighthouse Public Inebriate Program: A safe alternative for people involved with law enforcement, under the influence of substances & in need of a safe, supervised setting.   

  • Adolescent DBT Outpatient Services

    Adolescent Dialectical Behavior Therapy, an evidenced based practice that supports teens and families to strengthen emotional well-being.  The WCMHS Adolescent DBT program includes all the components necessary to ensure fidelity to the treatment model.


  • Access Hub

    A walk-in or referral urgent care program for people experiencing mental health and substance use challenges. Staffed with a

    multi-disciplinary team for crisis stabilization, assessment of needs and safety planning. Open 7am-7pm M-TH and

    7am-4pm Fridays (not open on weekends)

  • How to Find Help

    If this is an emergency please call (802) 229-0591.


    For Crisis Services:

    You can contact the Emergency Services Team by calling (802) 229-0591 or by visiting the office during normal business hours:

    286 Hospital Loop

    Building C, Physician’s Building

    Berlin, VT 05602


    For Intensive Care Services:

    For access to WCMHS services, you can also call (802) 229-0591 and ask to speak to one of our friendly Intake Coordinators. You will be asked what kind of services you are seeking and depending on your answer (children’s services, adult mental health services) you will be directed to the correct person. You may also be asked some routine questions and to schedule a brief interview to begin the process of accessing services. If you are not sure what services you are seeking, or what programs we offer, WCMHS will work with you to help you determine and access the services you may need.


    About Intensive Care Services:

    Intensive Care Services (ICS) is a combined service that provides 24-hour emergency services for individuals and families. The primary goal is to reduce the immediate distressing effects of crisis and encourage stabilization.

How to reach us

AND WHAT TO EXPECT

Getting the help needed, whether for you, your child, a family member or friend, is just a phone call away. We're here to help, 24/7/365.

  1. Call 802.229.0591
  2. Be Heard
  3. Be Understood
  4. Get Referred
  5. Intake
  1. Your call will be answered. Always.

    We're always here, ready to answer your call with compassion and understanding. We're listening.

  2. We're listening.

    When you call us and if in crisis, you'll be connected to a screener who will listen and help put you at ease. If your call is less urgent, we'll schedule you for an assessment and begin the intake process.

  3. We'll need to get some information.

    Conducting an assessment will help us better understand your needs so we can ensure you're connected with the services to best meet you where you're at.

  4. Get the support that meets your needs.

    Once we have an understanding of your needs, we'll provide a referral to appropriate level of care.

  5. Our wait times may be a bit longer...

    There's a lot of need within our community and wait times are longer than usual. But we have options that will help put you at ease until there are openings. We got you. Always.