At Sheppard Pratt, one of our core values is “to meet a need.” This core value is evident in everything we do—and it’s particularly evident in how we continue evolving our care and offerings to help the people in our communities live their best, healthiest lives. One of the ways we have evolved to meet a need: integrating substance use disorder (SUD) treatment into our outpatient mental health centers.
Integrating care, everywhere
This integrated approach has been a mainstay at Sheppard Pratt for years, with everything from inpatient units for people experiencing both conditions, to residential programs that offer safe, sober living environments.
But we know that people need help with both their mental health and substance use before they require an intensive level of care: 28% of the clients in our outpatient mental health centers have co-occurring diagnoses. That’s why we set out to transform how—and where—people access help.
It’s about meeting people where they are. We tailor services to each person’s readiness and capacity, whether that means participating in a group session, attending individual therapy, or simply taking a walk with a counselor to build trust.
Care that meets people where they are
One of the most important parts of our approach is using a harm reduction model. Many programs require immediate abstinence—a high barrier for the vast majority of people. Instead, the harm reduction model focuses on making gradual progress. If someone isn’t ready to stop using, they’re not going to talk to a counselor about anything. That’s why we start with a comprehensive assessment, engagement, education, and practical support.
We use this approach to help people find their own path toward recovery—making it more likely that they will succeed on their journey to a healthier lifestyle.
Six of our seven outpatient centers across Maryland provide SUD services, and we plan to expand further. By offering both types of services under one roof, it means our clients receive coordinated care and don’t have to juggle multiple providers.
We also know that people are more likely to get better and stay better when they are addressing both conditions at the same time. For some, addressing trauma is the first step; for others, harm reduction strategies are the beginning of their journey. No matter the path, we focus on treating the whole person.