New $2.2M health center opens doors

Frontiersman

WASILLA — There’s a new weapon in the arsenal of those who help local people suffering with substance abuse problems and mental health issues.

Alaska Family Services (AFS) celebrated the grand opening of its Behavioral Health Treatment Center (BHTC) in Wasilla on Friday, giving the agency its first outpatient treatment facility in the Mat-Su Valley.

The 7,500-square-foot single-level building cost $2.2 million and has 17 offices, four conference rooms, a board room, five restrooms and a spacious front lobby. Fourteen counselors, clinicians and therapeutic staff are housed at the new center, on hand to counsel and assess more than 50 clients on its opening day.

Funding for the building came from The Rasmussen Foundation, a state capital improvement fund, the AFS board of directors and First National Bank.

Dr. Steven Sundby, clinical director at AFS’s Behavioral Health Treatment Center, said the new facility will benefit troubled individuals and families in the Valley looking to improve their lives.

“Each case that comes through the door is carefully examined before a decision is made on which treatment would best suit them,” Sundby said.

As a short-term behavioral health outpatient treatment program, those providing help at the new center specialize in abuse and mental health help for adults and youth. Dr. Donn Bennice, chief executive officer at Alaska Family Services, said the new center brings two areas of major concern in the Valley together.

“Two years ago, substance abuse and mental health were separate entities,” Bennice said. “Now they’re brought together under the same umbrella.”

Behavioral health methods in substance abuse are somewhat controversial because they suggest a psychological cause and treatment for substance abuse (or substance dependence), Bennice said. Some experts assert the cause is medical or disease in nature. Bennice said BHTC is an evidence-based program, where research behind its methodology has shown it to be effective treatment for those suffering from addiction.

Once assessed and placed in a program, BHTC clients will get individual, group and family counseling sessions, Sundby said. Groups can be confrontational with emotions often running high.

“There’s times they’re passing the Kleenex boxes,” Sundby said. “A lot of severe issues in their lives are brought to the table, which aren’t always nice to look at.”

Jackie Cox, clinical director at Nugen’s Ranch, a 12-step based, long-term, inpatient, treatment facility, said the need for another service in the Mat-Su Valley is critical, regardless of differing treatment methods.

Cox said the new facility is welcomed, especially its programs pertaining to adolescents.

“Any service that benefits our youth so that they can be productive in society again is good,” Cox said. “We’re dealing with people who’ve been running into jail and treatment for their entire lives. This will provide treatment for people in our community, and that’s critical.”