Family of therapists launch mental health urgent care clinic in Vancouver
Oct 8, 2024
auto_awesome
In this enlightening discussion, Gayle Fielding, a licensed clinical social worker, and her son Brandon, also a licensed clinical social worker, team up with psychologist Kelly Fielding to unveil their new Birchstone Mental Health Urgent Care clinic in Vancouver. They share their vision of bridging the gap between emergency services and traditional therapy to provide immediate mental health support. The trio tackles the challenges of insurance, highlights the increasing demand for mental health services post-COVID, and advocates for a cultural shift encouraging help-seeking as a strength.
Birchstone Mental Health Urgent Care clinic aims to bridge the gap between emergency care and regular therapy by offering immediate mental health support.
The clinic's decision to operate without insurance aims to simplify access to care and enhance flexibility for individuals seeking mental health services.
Deep dives
Addressing the Gap in Mental Health Care
Birchstone Mental Health Urgent Care clinic was established to address the significant gap between traditional weekly therapy and emergency room care for mental health crises. The clinic aims to provide immediate support for individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, and panic attacks, recognizing that emergency rooms often exacerbate such issues. The founders, including a family of therapists, believe that many mental health challenges do not require an ER visit but still need urgent attention. They emphasize the importance of creating a welcoming environment where individuals can receive prompt assessments and support.
The Role of Referrals and Collaboration
One of the key features of the clinic is its focus on triage therapy, which not only involves providing immediate assistance but also connecting clients with other mental health resources. The team has established partnerships with various providers and clinics to streamline referrals for long-term support. They emphasize the challenge of navigating mental health services, particularly highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic, which increased the number of people seeking help. The clinic aims to fill the gaps in care, ensuring that individuals receive the right resources to address their mental health concerns effectively.
The Importance of Accessibility and Insurance Challenges
The clinic's decision to operate without insurance reflects a larger trend among mental health providers seeking to simplify access to care. The founders share their frustrations with insurance barriers, which can limit session frequency and create financial strain for providers. By implementing a flat fee structure, the clinic aspires to provide more flexible and immediate care for those in need. They recognize that mental health support is essential for individual and community well-being, and they aim to enhance accessibility through their innovative model.
As first reported in The Columbian, a family of therapists has opened a new mental health urgent care clinic in Vancouver. Birchstone Mental Health Urgent Care aims to fill a gap between the emergency room where people experiencing mental health crises often end up and weekly therapy sessions. The clinic does not accept insurance, though it does offer a sliding scale for some patients who cannot afford the $150 fee for a visit, which includes an assessment and referrals for medication management and follow up counseling. Three co-founders of the clinic join us to share more: Brandon Fielding, a licensed clinical social worker; and his parents, psychologist Kelly Fielding and licensed clinical social worker Gayle Fielding.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode