McDowell County

Child & Family Services

Outpatient Therapy is a service designed to meet the behavioral and psychological symptoms or patterns through therapy. This service is available through scheduled treatment sessions provided to individuals, families, or groups. This benefit includes counseling, psychotherapy, and collateral work with family (or substitute family)and members of a service recipient. Outpatient therapy offers or refers to various services based on the client's needs. Services could include education about the individual's disability/disorder, family interactions, community integration, relationships, or the importance of living skills. Services are generally provided in the office setting but may include other locations based on the needs of the individual.

School-Based Services

Our clinicians are available in elementary, middle, and high schools within Buncombe, Burke, McDowell, Mitchell, and Yancey Counties to provide individual, group, and family therapy.

Psychiatric Care and Medication Management assessments are available for individuals dealing with behavioral health challenges stemming from symptoms caused by their behavioral health diagnosis. Individuals must be involved in therapeutic services to obtain psychiatric care and medication management services.

Therapeutic Foster Care

For children who need a safe and nurturing environment, Therapeutic Foster Care (TFC) can help. The goal for TFC is for each child to return to their natural home or an environment best suited for their needs after making positive behavioral changes.

Intensive In-Home Services Intensive In-Home (IIH) teams are available to serve children and adolescents at risk of out-of-home placement and/or need to be stabilized within the home.

Care Haven is a 5-bed, non-leveled community respite facility located in Marion, serving children and adolescents ages 6-17 who are diagnosed with either a mental health issue or dual diagnosed (MH/DD). Community respite provides periodic relief for primary caregivers. Care Haven also offers services to children awaiting permanent placement in either foster care or a higher level of care. Care Haven is currently available to Vaya consumers and through DSS contracts. Clients can stay for 24 calendar days without prior authorization. Supervision is provided around the clock by trained paraprofessionals. Care Haven is not a crisis facility and does not provide crisis intervention services. If a child cannot maintain safety, Care Haven reserves the right to contact guardians and give a 24-hour notification of discharge.

Care Haven Referral Form

Each referral will be reviewed to determine whether Care Haven is an appropriate fit.

Walk-In Clinic

Are you or a loved one living with emotional or behavioral health issues? Are you ready to begin your journey in symptom reduction and recovery? A Caring Alternative empowers individuals to seek treatment and care to improve emotional well-being and increase coping skills and independence. Our Walk-In Care Clinics offer flexibility with no appointment necessary to meet your needs—hours and locations listed below.

Walk-In Clinic - *No Appointment Needed

*Tuesday & Thursday 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

5623 US 221

Marion, NC 28752

Adult Services

Outpatient Therapy is a service designed to meet the behavioral and psychological symptoms or patterns through therapy. This service is available through scheduled treatment sessions provided to individuals, families, or groups. This benefit includes counseling, psychotherapy, and collateral work with family (or substitute family)and members of a service recipient. Outpatient therapy offers or refers to various services based on the client's needs. Services could include education about the individual's disability/disorder, family interactions, community integration, relationships, or the importance of living skills. Services are generally provided in the office setting but may include other locations based on the needs of the individual.

Medication Management

Medication management assessments are available for individuals dealing with behavioral health challenges stemming from symptoms caused by their behavioral health diagnosis. Psychiatric medication providers work collaboratively with therapists, peer supports, and Community Support Teams to determine the need for medications to address symptoms.

Substance Use Disorder Services

Individual and group therapy will benefit those who have experienced behavioral health issues and substance use disorders. The program used is an outpatient, effective, evidence-based practice, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy curriculum, designed to assist individuals in learning skills for managing the recovery of both types of disorders, behavioral health, and substance use. This program provides education and information regarding symptoms and treatment options for various kinds of behavioral health concerns. Individuals will learn skills for changing their thinking. Using a central construct of Cognitive Restructuring, individuals engage in activities in which they learn skills for identifying thinking styles feelings, recognizing automatic negative thoughts, and changing perceptions from negative to positive.​

Assertive Community Treatment Team

The Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACTT) provides a comprehensive, personalized treatment program for individuals with severe and persistent behavioral health illnesses. ACTT staff work with people at home, at school, or work and are available 24/7. ACTT employs a team approach to help individuals with everyday basics such as taking medications and making it through the day. The team includes a psychiatrist, nurses, vocational specialists, therapists, other mental health professionals, and peer support staff to help people remain out of the hospital and living in the community.

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Community Support Team

The Community Support Team (CST) provides a comprehensive, personalized treatment program for individuals with moderate behavioral health issues utilizing a team approach. The CST Team offers assistance in accessing resources, reducing psychiatric & addiction symptoms, and developing community living skills.

Peer Support Services

Certified Peer Support Specialists are individuals with lived experience who now, through their recovery, assist others with behavioral health and substance use disorders. Peer Support helps others seeking recovery from behavioral health and /or substance use challenges. Support is often related to needs such as housing, food, healthcare, employment, and resources for recovery activities.

Coming Soon ​Individual Support Services Personal Care is a "hands-on" individualized assistance with everyday activities required by an individual with severe and persistent mental illness to live independently in the community. The service is to teach and assist individuals in carrying out daily living skills. The goal is for this support to fade over time as the individual performs some of these activities more independently.