Patriot Support Service Center

The BridgeWay is a Patriot Support Service Center designed to meet the needs of active duty service members, veterans, and their families. In honor of the sacrifice made by these men and women, our center provides a setting for military members and their families to discuss and face the challenges that arise from the demands of military life. The TRICARE®-accredited program and services are specifically designed to address the effects of:

• Combat stress
• Post-traumatic stress
• Mood disorders
• Thought disorders
• Bipolar disorder
• Major depression
• Anxiety disorders
• Eating disorders
• Personality disorders
• Post-traumatic syndrome disorder
• Substance use disorders
• Dual diagnosis, a mood disorder combined with a substance use disorder

While many adults may have a mental health issue, these issues become a mental illness when frequent signs and symptoms cause stress and the ability to function, causing problems in their daily lives, such as at school, work, or in relationships.

Treatment: Through the empathetic care of Dr. Schay, former US Navy, the program addresses the adult’s entire wellbeing, including medical, psychiatric, and social needs. We begin by developing an individualized treatment plan which focuses on the identified behavioral challenges of each patient. Each treatment plan is tailored to the individual and involves their input. Each patient is given the freedom to look inside their past lives to determine what thought processes are harming their ability to cope and move forward. As such, the plan may include a wide variety of evidence-based therapies. Treatment may consist of medication management overseen by the psychiatrist who meets with each patient weekly. Therapists meet with each patient daily.

Treatment is directed by a psychiatrist-led multidisciplinary team of mental health professionals consisting of:

• Dedicated board-certified psychiatrist and addictionologist
• Follow DOD formulary
• Veteran staff
• Nurses
• Case coordinators
• Licensed social workers
• Mental health technicians
• Licensed recreational therapists
• Substance use counselors
• Certified yoga instructor

Patients participate in different elements of the program based on their individual needs, including:

• Group therapy
• Recreational therapy
• Psychiatric education
• Nursing education
• Substance use education
• Relapse prevention
• Medication management
• Dietary counseling
• Individual case management
• Locked and secure units

Group Therapy: Led by licensed therapists, there are two structured groups per day in which Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy are applied.

• Social service group: These groups involve talk therapy light physical activities and focus on the aspects of recovery.
• Mental health group: Through the application of music or video to explore ways to manage anxiety or depression, therapists use mindfulness and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to guide patients to retrain negative ways of thinking.

Recreational Therapy: Licensed recreational therapists deliver daily programs consisting of group and individual activities designed to develop coping skills necessary to recovery. This form of therapy includes:

• Yoga, stretching, meditation, and deep breathing.
• Art therapy, including painting, music, and journaling.

Family Support: We recognize the importance of family involvement and support in the treatment process, emphasizing family participation through therapy. In addition to structured visitation and phone contact, the program allows adults and their families to work through a crisis, quickly stabilize and return to the appropriate level of care after discharge.

Discharge Planning: The individual’s case coordinator begins discharge planning upon admission by developing goals and plans for a transition to a less intensive level of treatment to include:

• Partial hospitalization program
• Intensive outpatient treatment
• Traditional outpatient services

We cannot offer a diagnosis, counseling or recommendations online. We offer confidential assessments at no-cost on-site or through mobile services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis, please call 800-245-0011. If you need immediate medical assistance, contact 911 or seek the nearest emergency room.