 Mental Health and Substance Use
Mental Health Counseling Services
At Heartland CARES, Inc. our Mental Health Counselor is dedicated to a "Client-centered"
and "Empowering" approach to our clients' care. "Client-centered" means we strive
to demonstrate respect for our clients as unique individuals in an accepting,
non-judgmental, affirming manner. "Empowering" means we strongly believe in our
clients' right and responsibility to make their own choices regarding all aspects
of their life, using our Counselor as an education resource and emotional support
for their decision making.
At the time a client enrolls in care at Heartland CARES, Inc. our Counselor is
available to meet with the client to assess his or her mental health concerns
and needs. Based on that assessment, clients can choose individual, relationship
or group counseling by our Counselor or receive assistance with a referral to
local, state or regional services, either outpatient or residential care. Common
issues clients find helpful to discuss with a counselor include depressive or
anxiety symptoms, grief or fears regarding their HIV+ status, sexual relating
or identity concerns, spiritual or religious issues, and alcohol or other drug
use.
Substance Use Counseling Services
Our treatment of alcohol or other drug use is based on "Health Enhancement "
and "Lifestyle Choice" approaches to care. "Health Enhancement " means our clients
can choose help either to improve their health by stopping their drug use completely or by reducing the amount or frequency of their drug use, utilizing our Substance Use Counselor as a resource for information and emotional support. "Lifestyle Choice" means our clients are encouraged to think of their use as a choice they make and experience the power they have to direct their choices based on their values and goals.
Clients may refer themselves or be referred by their physician, nurses, case
manager, or care coordinator for substance use counseling. They may
choose whether to enroll in individual or group counseling with the Heartland
CARES, Inc. Substance Use Counselor or to receive assistance with a referral
to local, state or regional services, either outpatient or residential care.
Substance Use Peer Support Services
Peer led activities that focus on improving personal health with an emphasis on helping individuals and families cope with the complex problems of chemical dependency for HIV positive persons.
Participation may be as a Peer Leader or Peer Recipient
As a Peer Leader, you may help provide:
1) peer to peer counsel to increase positive relations among persons dealing with alcohol or drug use;
2) help provide those dealing with alcohol or drug use with positive role models for improvement and
3) to complement and enhance existing services, both within Heartland CARES and throughout the community.
As a Peer Recipient, you may receive the following help:
1) a shoulder to help you through;
2) help in finding other community resources;
3) help in finding coping skills and a way to release anger and other emotions;
4) someone with experience and insight;
5) role modeling of how your life could be;
6) general support and
7) assistance in redefining personal priorities.
Confidentiality & Consent Participation
Program staff at Heartland, CARES understands that in the course of your involvement, we may learn certain facts that are of a highly personal and confidential nature. Examples of such information include, but are not limited to medical condition and treatment, finances, living arrangements, employment, sexual orientation, or relationships with family members. We further understand that all such information must be treated as completely confidential and agree not to disclose any information of a personal and confidential nature. Prior to your participation in the project, steps will be taken to ensure that you are made aware of all potential benefits and risks associated with participation in the program. You will be required to have a signed written consent form. The informed consent form will outline clearly the risks and benefits of participation and obtain freely given written consent.
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