New Patients – What to Expect
Why Counseling?
You do not need to be in significant distress to seek counseling. Sometimes our beliefs or expectations of ourselves or of counseling results in a delay in seeking help until situations become serious, or we are already in crisis. While no issue is too big or small, many people tell us that they wish they had come to counseling sooner. Start a new journey and seek counseling sooner rather than later!
“Mary Beth has been kind and listened to my thoughts…Thanks to all of your great people.”
– an OBH client
“Thank You to all the staff at Behavioral Health. You guys helped to save my life!!”
– an OBH client
What to Expect in Your First Counseling Session
“…at Oneida Behavioral Health the staff was always on time courteous polite and respected everything that I had to say…”
-an OBH client
If you are going to a counselor or therapy for the first time at Oneida Behavioral Health (OBH), we are here to help you feel safe, comfortable and welcome from the very beginning. While taking that first step toward better mental health may feel a little uncertain, it is also a very empowering feeling.
Therapy at OBH is provided in a safe, judgement-free environment. Your first session will help us get to know you. The therapists at OBH will work with you to create a supportive space where you can share as much or as little as you’d like—at your own pace. Everyone’s journey is unique, and there is no right or wrong way to go about it.
It’s important to realize that therapy is a two-way conversation. Our therapists will ask you about your goals, concerns and what brought you in. Taking an active role in the session by being open, prepared, inquisitive and honest can help you get the most out of this experience. You will have the chance to ask questions and understand your therapist’s style and approach. Together, you will begin to outline solutions tailored to you.
There’s no pressure in therapy, only progress. It is normal to feel a little bit nervous or apprehensive before starting. Your therapist at Oneida Behavioral Health is here to help you and walk beside you at a pace that feels right.
Before your first session, we recommend taking a few moments to reflect on what has been weighing on you or what you’d like to talk about. It can also help to jot down any questions or topics you’d like to bring up, nothing is too small or too large. It helps to arrive with an open mind and self-compassion. Most importantly, remind yourself that showing up is already a courageous and meaningful step.
To learn more about the therapies we offer, click here.
“She makes you feel welcomed in her office and the hour flies by…
I was surprised and a bit sad that the session was over.”
– an OBH client
Patient Rights
When a community member comes in for services, they have certain rights. First and foremost, is the right to confidentiality. Confidentiality means that no staff at Behavioral Health can talk about you and your concerns outside of this agency without you giving Behavioral Health written permission to do so.
Other rights include, but are not limited to:
- The right to receive prompt and adequate treatment
- To refuse treatment, including medication
- To refuse to be filmed or recorded without your consent
- To access your treatment records after discharge–with proper notice & within the limitations of the law
- To bring court action for damages against people who violate your rights or confidentiality
- The right to file a verbal and/or written complaint with the Behavioral Health Director, to have a grievance procedure available to you, and to have an advocate represent you during the grievance process
In addition, there are specific state regulations that pertain to outpatient mental health and AODA treatment for children and adolescents, as outlined in the brochure.
Exceptions to the Rights of Confidentiality
Duty to warn: Any health care provider, as permitted by s. 146.816 (2) (b) 4. or 5., and any law enforcement officer may make a disclosure of information evidencing that an individual poses a substantial probability of serious bodily harm to any other person in a good faith effort to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to the health or safety of a person or the public
Mandated reporter: Wisconsin law (48.981(2)) requires that any mandated reporter, which includes counselors, who has reasonable cause to suspect that a child seen by the person in the course of professional duties has been abused or neglected, or who has reason to believe that a child seen by the person in the course of professional duties has been threatened with abuse or neglect and that abuse or neglect of the child will occur, make a report to county Child Protective Services or law enforcement.
In addition, Wisconsin law (175.32) requires that any mandated reporter who believes in good faith, based on a threat made by an individual seen in the course of professional duties regarding violence in or targeted at a school, that there is a serious and imminent threat to the health or safety of a student or school employee or the public, make a report to law enforcement.
Records subpoenaed by court, pending Tribal Law Office approval: If a patient’s records are subpoenaed by a state or federal court, the Tribal Law Office will review the subpoena and make a determination on whether to allow the release of the records requested.
No Show Policy
Behavior Health has a policy that addresses No Show appointments. This is when an appointment has been scheduled but the patient does not show up for the appointment. No Shows directly impact the ability of others who need help securing appointments in a timely manner. Recently, OBH determined that one out of every four initial appointments is a No Show.
A No Show is defined as:
- Not communicating 24 hours or more in advance to OBH that an appointment cannot be kept
- When a client does not attend a scheduled appointment
- No Show of first initial appointment (Intake – a Triage Consult is required after No Show and prior to scheduling another Intake appointment)
- No Show of follow up appointment (Counseling)
Three (3) missed appointments/No Shows within three months could result in discharge from services, with an inability to access services for a time period of six months.
Participation in Treatment Contract
Community members participating in services at Behavioral Health will be required to sign an Individual Participation Contract. This contract outlines the following expectations:
- Abstain from inappropriate use of alcohol or complete abstinence from alcohol if indicated on community member’s treatment plan.
- Commit to abstinence of any illicit substances.
- In the event medications are prescribed, individual agrees to take only his/her own medications, following the instructions of the prescribing physician.
- If the individual is unable to follow these expectations, they agree to inform their counselor.
- Individual agrees to random urine drug screens if requested by their primary and/or other OBH providers. A pregnant individual will agree to random urine drug screens. Failure to comply with this request could result in discharge from services.
- Community members will attend counseling as scheduled. If unable to attend, individual agrees to give at least 24 hours advanced notice of any cancellation. Three (3) missed scheduled appointments within 3 months will result in discharge from services.
- An individual involved in group counseling will attend all sessions as scheduled. Two (2) unexcused absences from the group could result in immediate discharge from that service.
Behavioral Health psychiatrists have the right to decline prescribing medication for those people who use illicit substances and/or for those who do not follow up with counseling recommendations.
Hours of Operation
Monday – Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.
Outside of regular business hours, calls made to Behavioral Health, (920) 490-3790, are automatically forwarded to the Brown County Crisis Center.
For the convenience of community members, some specific groups are scheduled during evening hours.
“No complaints, fantastic staff, ALWAYS!! Great group of people to work with!!”
– an OBH client
