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Nancy O'Donnell, Psy. D.

A client may be referred for a psychiatric evaluation based on past history, staff observations, or at the request of the client himself.

A psychiatric evaluation involves an extensive client interview covering mental status, mood, thoughts, feelings, stressors, social supports, trauma history and any history of suicide attempts. Prior treatment history is also reviewed, including any other attempts at sobriety. Clients are educated about the nature of their mental illness and how the mental illness may have contributed to their alcohol and/or drug use. There is generally a high degree of cooperation among clients who begin to grasp an understanding of the nature of their illness. The most common disorders include: Mood Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Depression, Anxiety, Panic Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Attention Deficit, with or without Hyperactivity.

Medication Management groups are also offered. These groups address such issues as symptoms, diagnosis, side effects of medications, and the interactions of medications with alcohol and other illicit drugs.

In addition to providing mental health assessments and individual psychotherapy, the psychologist also runs psycho-educational groups for shelter clients. While difficult to quantify, the goal is to offer the men, at this most vulnerable moment of their stay, encouragement and basic skills to help them move smoothly through this phase.