LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Over 70 percent of adolescents aged 12-17 who had been diagnosed with depression did not receive treatment and almost 55 percent of adults aged 18 or older did not receive treatment for a mental health issue according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s 2014 year-end report. In many of these situations, the individuals did not have access to mental health care due to lack of local providers, traveling distance and/or cost.
With those statistics in mind, the Baptist Health Counseling Center recently began offering a new distance counseling service. Through distance counseling a counselor located in Little Rock can provide services to individuals across the state via encrypted video or email or by telephone. The encrypted video link is provided by Baptist Health and simply requires the individual to have access to a computer with a camera and a microphone. All emails with a counselor are encrypted by Baptist Health providing secure communication.
The distance counseling services are provided by Dr. Charles Chamblee, a professionally licensed and fully accredited counselor. Chamblee, who holds a Master’s degree from Southwestern Seminary and a doctorate from Samford University, has had more than 20 years of training and experience in counseling and ministry to others.
Clients across Arkansas will have access to the same services provided at the Little Rock-based counseling center including personal counseling; marriage, family and relationship counseling; critical incident debriefing; conflict management/resolution; assessment and referral; work and career issues; grief/bereavement counseling; stress management; basic life skills; financial counseling; and spiritual direction.
“With the addition of distance counseling, we will now be able to provide services to many Arkansans with help they may have long needed,” Chamblee said. “Despite the growth in the area of mental health care, there is still an overwhelming need for quality providers especially those who can aid clients from a faith-based perspective.”Just like the office hours at the physical location, distance counseling will be conducted Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with extended hours by appointment. To schedule an appointment, please call 501-202-7587.
People of all faiths are accepted at the counseling center and through the distance counseling services.
Baptist Health is the state’s most comprehensive healthcare system. With more than 175 points of access, including seven hospitals and one rehabilitation institute, Baptist Health is committed to delivering “All Our Best” in healthcare to the people of Arkansas. For more information about the distance counseling services or the Baptist Health Counseling Center, call Baptist Health HealthLine at 1-888-BAPTIST.