Individuals who have had contact with the criminal justice system often have unmet mental health needs. IPS Clinic offers comprehensive forensic services to help those impacted by the criminal justice system.
What Are Forensic Mental Health Services?
Unfortunately, people with unmet mental health needs often end up coming into contact with the criminal justice system. While some mental health services may be available to incarcerated individuals, there is an immense need for transitional services as individuals finish their sentences.
One goal of forensic mental health services is to provide care for people as they seek meaningful re-entry into society. This transition can be incredibly difficult, and outcomes are better when individuals are supported as they move out of the prison environment. Addressing the psychological and emotional needs of these people can prevent recidivism.
Other forensic services may include court-ordered psychological or psychiatric assessments. This can be helpful for understanding the mental health issues facing a particular individual. Results of the assessments may guide treatment planning and judicial decision-making.
Forensic Services at Sunrise Behavioral Health Clinic
At IPS Clinic, we accept referrals from all members of the criminal justice community. This may include consumers and their lawyers, prosecutors, sheriffs, caseworkers, probation and parole officers, and judges. We have a team of psychiatrists, psychologists, advanced practice registered nurses, and other mental health professionals on staff. This allows us to address both psychiatric and psychological referrals.
We offer the following forensic services:
- Psychological assessment. Psychological assessment is useful to establish an accurate diagnosis. We may also make treatment recommendations, connecting you with the necessary services to get the support you need. Depending on the referral, results of the assessment may be shared with other members of the criminal justice community.
- Psychiatric management. Our team includes psychiatrists with expertise in forensic issues. An evaluation by a psychiatrist may be helpful for diagnostic purposes and to identify the medications that are useful for managing mental health symptoms.
- Individual and group psychotherapy. Psychotherapy can be helpful for a range of mental health conditions. Based on our assessment, we may recommend individual therapy, group therapy, or both. Group therapy can be particularly helpful for those seeking re-entry following incarceration. The other members of a therapy group can provide the solidarity and understanding to make you feel supported during your transition back into society.
- Interventions for co-occurring disorders. Substance use disorders commonly co-occur with mental health conditions. This is particularly true for individuals in the criminal justice system. Evidence-based interventions for co-occurring disorders focus on treating both the substance abuse and mental health issues simultaneously. This integrated approach is an effective way to address co-occurring disorders and prevent relapse. This, in turn, may reduce the likelihood of future incarceration.
- Trauma-informed therapy. People in the criminal justice system often have unresolved trauma that exacerbates other mental health or behavioral issues. Our trauma-informed staff can help you process unresolved trauma to improve your quality of life.
Our forensic services are available in English or Spanish. Contact our clinic today to learn how we can help you or your loved one.