Western Carolina Psychiatric Associates

Western Carolina Psychiatric is here to assist in meeting your emotional and relation needs, as well as your family’s. We realized the needs of individuals and families vary widely, which is why our highly qualified and licensed team members personalize treatment to fit each client.

Our Providers:

Additional Clinicians:

• David Simons, Physician Assistant
• Jennifer Duffie, LISW-CP
• Kelly Gallagher Kiley, LISW-CP

Counseling

Our licensed, professional counselors have been trained to provide psychotherapy to treat a variety of issues and see patients from the age of 4 and above. Our counselors provide treatment for a variety of emotional, behavioral and relational issues. Examples of issues that are generally presented are:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Stress
• Parent-Child conflict
• Grief/loss
• Conflict at work
• Marital discord
• Substance addiction
• Communication problems
• Identity and personal growth
• Eating disorders
• Anger management
• ADD/ADHD

Alcohol and Drug Services

Employees who are referred for substance abuse counseling by a mandatory request from their employer will follow a treatment plan established by their counselor. Treatment planning includes an initial assessment to determine the level of intervention that is required and periodic reporting to the employer. Counselors can also coordinate random drug screenings.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

Western Carolina Psychiatric offers a specific type of treatment called Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). EMDR is a powerful method of psychotherapy that helps people of all ages relive many types of psychological distress.

How Does EMDR Work?

When a person is very upset their brain cannot process information as it does ordinarily. One moment becomes “frozen in time,” and remembering a trauma may feel as bad as going through it the first time because the images, sounds, smells and feelings haven’t changed. Such memories have a lasting, negative effect that interferes with the way a person sees the world and the way they relate to people.

EMDR seems to have a direct effect on the way that the brain processes information. Following successful EMDR sessions, a person no longer relives the images, sounds and feelings when the event is brought to mind. They still remember what happened, but it is less upsetting. EMDR can be though of as a physiologically-based therapy that helps a person see disturbing material in a new, and less distressing, way.

What kind of problems can EMDR treat?

• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Eating disorders
• Personality disorders
• Addictions
• Complicated grief
• Physical abuse
• Dissociative disorders
• Phobias
• Stress
• Anxiety
• Sexual abuse
• Pain disorders
• Body Dysmorphic Disorder
• Panic attacks

Medical Stabilization for Opioid Use Disorder

Self Regional Healthcare’s Medical Stabilization Unit provides a safe, medically supervised setting for individuals with opioid use disorder who are ready to begin treatment. The six-bed inpatient unit is designed to help patients safely manage withdrawal and take the first steps toward recovery with compassionate care and ongoing support.

The program serves patients diagnosed with opioid use disorder, including pregnant women, who are seeking to begin partial opioid therapy with medications such as Suboxone or Subutex.

Treatment Options

Buprenorphine, including Suboxone and Subutex, is the preferred medication used for treatment. A Quick Start option is available for eligible patients, allowing some patients to be discharged within 24 hours. The average stay is three days at no cost.

Micro-induction is also available for pregnant women seeking treatment with Subutex or Suboxone, and Suboxone is available at no cost at discharge.

What to Expect

During their stay, patients receive individualized care and support that may include:

• Medically supervised withdrawal management
• Individual counseling
• Personalized treatment planning
• Resource assistance
• Access to mental health and addiction recovery resources
• Supportive discharge planning
• Ongoing support and follow-up care

The goal is to provide a safe start toward recovery while helping patients connect with the resources and continued care they need after leaving the hospital.

How to Begin

Intake is available by phone or in person, and referrals are accepted for both outpatient treatment and the Medical Stabilization Unit.