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Behavioral Health

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Behavioral Health
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Community & National Crisis Resources 

If you are experiencing life-threatening symptoms please call 911 or safely go to your nearest emergency room.​

If your situation is immediately life-threatening, please call 911 or get yourself to the nearest hospital emergency room.​

Local Hospital Emergency Rooms

UW Hospital Emergency Room
600 Highland Ave.
(608) 262-2398

UW Health East Madison Hospital
4602 Eastpark Blvd.
(608) 440-6252

UnityPoint Health – Meriter Hospital Emergency Room
202 S Park St.
(608) 417-6206

GHC-SCW Weekday and After-Hours Crisis Lines

For immediate help with a behavioral health emergency, GHC-SCW 24-hour phone contact is available to GHC members.
From 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. on weekdays, when the clinics are open, please call (608) 441-3290 to be connected to a behavioral health provider who will speak to you by phone.
After work hours, weekends and when the clinics are closed, call GHC Nurse Connect at (608) 257-9700.  A nurse or on-call behavioral health therapist will help you address your behavioral health emergency and safety. This line does not provide help with medications, appointments or contacting your provider – these needs can be addressed during weekday business hours.

National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Call the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. Anyone who needs support for suicidal thoughts, mental health and/or substance use crisis can call.
Click here to access a PDF of community and nationwide suicide crisis resources.

Journey Mental Health Crisis Line

This is a local crisis line for anyone who is a Dane County resident and not a GHC-SCW member: (608) 280-2600

  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
  • Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)
  • Suicide Prevention Hotline for Spanish-speaking counselors: 1-888-628-9454
  • The Trevor Project (For LGBTQ+ youth): 1-866-4-U-TREVOR (1-866-488-7386)
  • Crisis Text Line
    This is a free, 24/7, confidential text messaging service for people in crisis. A live, trained crisis counselor receives the text and responds quickly. Text MATTERS or HOME to 741741
  • The Trevor Project
    This is a free, 24/7/365, confidential text messaging and live chat service for LGBTQ+ Youth. The service is 100% free and 100% confidential. Text START to 678678, or live chat here.
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Chat
    They offer an online chat available 24/7. Access the live chat here.
  • The Chronic Suicide Support Forum
    This forum offers an opportunity for nonjudgmental, supportive discussion about chronic suicidal thoughts, with others who have experienced them as well. Access the forum here.

Behavioral Health at GHC-SCW

If you or someone you love is struggling with behavioral health, mental health or emotional well-being, our team can help. We cover a full range of mental health services, addiction services and behavioral interventions.

How to Get Started

If you need help getting started with behavioral health care, you have a few options:

  • Talk with your primary care provider to see if they can diagnose and treat your symptoms or recommend treatment options like therapy.
  • Call (608) 441-3290 to schedule a visit with a behavioral health provider at a GHC-SCW clinic or a GHC-SCW provider online.
  • Use the behavioral health provider search engine to identify in-network providers in the community. You can schedule appointments with these providers without prior authorization from your insurance.
  • Use GHC Care OnDemand for virtual psychiatry or therapy through our partner MDLIVE.
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Tips for finding a behavioral health provider:

  • Search for providers within your network.
  • Confirm with your provider that they take your insurance plan (GHC HMO, PPO, POS, BadgerCare Plus, Medicare, etc.).
  • Meet with a provider to understand if they’re the right fit for you.
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GHC Foundations Intensive Outpatient Program

GHC Foundations Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) provides evidence-based, multi-disciplinary care for adults with behavioral health diagnoses. It benefits individuals transitioning from higher levels of care or requiring more intensive services than outpatient therapy.

The program includes a comprehensive assessment with licensed specialists, group therapy, individual sessions with a therapist and psychiatrist, and evidence-based therapies like CBT and DBT. The average participation length is two to four weeks.

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Types of Behavioral Health Care

There are two options for virtual behavioral health care at GHC-SCW:

  • You can see your GHC-SCW behavioral health provider online through GHCMyChart Video Visits.
  • Through GHC Care OnDemand, you can access behavioral care online. Behavioral health visits are available 24/7, 365 either by phone or secure video call. Both therapy and psychiatry are available for non-emergency conditions without prior authorization.

GHC Care OnDemand visits are free for most members. Members with HSA-eligible plans must reach their deductible before visits are free.

If you have questions, please call (608) 441-3290.

Individual therapy is a one-on-one session with a trained professional. It’s an effective treatment for a variety of emotional issues, mental illnesses and behavioral health problems.

GHC-SCW behavioral health therapy providers include counselors (LPC), marriage and family therapists (LMFT), licensed clinical social workers (LCSW) and psychologists (PhD/PsyD). They offer diagnosis of behavioral health issues and therapy.

There are behavioral health providers at each of our GHC-SCW clinic locations.

Individual therapy does not require prior authorization or approval, meaning you can schedule an appointment without delay. Search for in-network providers. Within the search, under the “Modes” selection, choose “Individual” to see all providers available for individual therapy.

If you have questions, please call (608) 441-3290.

Psychiatry is the diagnosis, treatment and even prevention of mental, emotional and behavioral disorders. GHC-SCW psychiatry providers include psychiatrists (MD/DO), and/or advanced practice nurse practitioners (APNP) and physician’s assistants (PA-C). They can assess your symptoms and discuss treatment options with you. Your treatment options may include medications or a referral for other treatments like therapy.

Psychiatry does not require prior authorization or approval, meaning you can schedule an appointment at any time.

Search for in-network providers. Within the search, select “Psychiatry Prescribers Only,” or look for providers whose bio says “Primary Specialty: Psychiatry.”

If you have questions, please call (608) 441-3290.

Couples therapy is a type of counseling that can be beneficial when you are working towards recovery from depression, anxiety, trauma or other mental health challenges. Involving your partner in the treatment can be helpful to decreasing symptoms and improving functioning, as well as helping to maintain improvements over time.

GHC-SCW behavioral health therapy providers include counselors (LPC), marriage and family therapists (LMFT), licensed clinical social workers (LCSW) and psychologists (PhD/PsyD).

Couples therapy does not require prior authorization or approval, meaning you can schedule an appointment at any time. Search for in-network providers. Within the search, under the “Modes” selection, choose “Couples” to see all providers available.

If you have questions, please call (608) 441-3290.

Family therapy is a type of counseling that can help families improve communication and resolve conflicts. It’s often short term and focused on specific situations. Your sessions can help you deepen your relationships and learn the skills to get through stressful times together.

GHC-SCW behavioral health therapy providers include counselors (LPC), marriage and family therapists (LMFT), licensed clinical social workers (LCSW) and psychologists (PhD/PsyD).

Family therapy does not require prior authorization or approval, meaning you can schedule an appointment at any time.Search for in-network providers. Within the search, under the “Modes” selection, choose “Family” to see all providers available.

If you have questions, please call (608) 441-3290.

Group psychotherapy is a form of psychotherapy in which one or more behavioral health providers treat a group of clients together as a group. Group psychotherapy that uses evidence based (science backed) treatment approaches, can provide specific education and skills for improving mental health, coping with difficult medical concerns (e.g., pain, insomnia) and life’s challenges. It does so in a positive, supportive environment which can also reduce stigma and isolation.

Group types may include:

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy
  • Cognitive Behavior Therapy
  • Depression or Anxiety Treatment
  • Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Insomnia
  • Managing Adult ADHD
  • And Others

Behavioral Health Group Psychotherapy is available within GHC clinics and within several of our contracted community practices.

Group Psychotherapy does not require prior authorization or approval, meaning you can schedule an appointment at any time.

If you have questions, please call (608) 441-3290.

GHC-SCW members have access to several local substance use and addiction services in-network.

UW Health Behavioral Health and Recovery Clinic
Address: 1102 S. Park Street, Madison, WI
Phone: 608-282-8270

Clinic offers services to members under the age of 18.
UW Health Behavioral Health Youth and Family
Address: 122 E. Olin Ave, Madison, WI
Phone: 608-262-1111
Clinic offers services to members under the age of 18

UnityPoint Health – Meriter – NewStart
Address: 1015 Gammon Ln, Madison, WI 53719
Phone: (608) 417-8144

Tellurian, Inc.
Address: 5900 Monona Dr # 300, Monona, WI 53716
Phone: (608) 222-7311

Journey Mental Health Center
Address: 49 Kessel Court, Madison, WI 53711
Phone608-280-2700
New services: 608-280-2720

Online Substance Use and Addiction Resources: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

These tests need prior authorization from your primary care or behavioral health provider. They can complete this form to start the process.

  • Psychological Testing
  • Neuropsychological Testing
  • Autism Spectrum Diagnostic Evaluation

If you have questions, please call (608) 441-3290.

Specialty & Higher Levels of Behavioral Health Care

GHC Foundations IOP is a treatment program for members who are either stepping down from higher levels of behavioral health care or could use more intensive services than therapy and medication management. The program provides individual treatment and group therapy to overcome a wide spectrum of behavioral health concerns.

Learn more about this program. 

Your primary care or behavioral health provider needs to write you a referral to participate. For providers writing a referral to GHC-SCW Foundations Intensive outpatient (IOP), please visit this page.

If you have questions, please call (608) 441-3290.

Higher levels of care might mean other intensive outpatient programs, day treatment, partial hospitalization program, residential treatment. 

You’ll need prior authorization or a referral from your primary care or behavioral health provider. They can visit this page to get started.

If you have questions, please call (608) 441-3290.

ECT is a medical treatment for severe major depression or bipolar disorder. Patients who use it have not responded to other treatments. ECT is a short electrical stimulation of the brain while you’re under anesthesia.

You’ll need prior authorization or a referral from your primary care or behavioral health provider. They can visit this page to get started.

If you have questions, please call (608) 441-3290.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation is a procedure that stimulates nerve cells in your brain. It is used to improve symptoms of major depression when other treatments haven’t helped.

You’ll need prior authorization or a referral from your primary care or behavioral health provider. They can visit this page to get started.

If you have questions, please call (608) 441-3290.

Before you can start with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) treatment, you’ll need a diagnosis of ASD.

  • All GHC-SCW members can get testing related to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The diagnostic testing must be done by a GHC-SCW staff member or in-network provider.
  • Due to high demand, an order is required for testing. So your first step is talk to your primary care or behavioral health provider to ask for an order.
  • If a non-GHC-SCW therapist or non-GHC-SCW Primary Care Provider is recommending ASD testing, please ask them to fax a referral to Dr Athena Lickel at (608) 441-3291.

You’ll also need prior authorization or a referral from your primary care provider for treatment. They can visit this page to get started.

If you have questions about where to go for ASD treatment, please contact Care Management (608) 257-5294. 

Additional Online Resources

Below is a list of online resources for both GHC-SCW members and non-members.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.
Speaking of Suicide For suicidal individuals and their loved ones, survivors, mental health professionals, & others who care
Hopeline HOPELINE™, created by Center for Suicide Awareness, is a text-in free emotional support service providing hope, help, and support when it’s needed most.
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention AFSP is a voluntary health organization that gives those affected by suicide a nationwide community empowered by research, education and advocacy to take action against this leading cause of death.
The Trevor Project The Trevor Project’s mission is to end suicide among LGBTQ young people.
Now Matters Now Now Matters Now teaches Mindfulness, Mindfulness of Current Emotion, Opposite Action and Paced-breathing, all skills that are part of Dialectical Behavior Therapy and proven to be helpful for people considering suicide.
Crisis Text Line Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7, high-quality text-based mental health support and crisis intervention by empowering a community of trained volunteers to support people in their moments of need.
Wisconsin Suicide Hotlines Suicide.org compiled this list of local Wisconsin suicide hotlines.
Prevent Suicide Wisconsin Prevent Suicide Wisconsin is a statewide public-private partnership whose mission is to reduce the number of people who attempt and/or die by suicide in Wisconsin.