Behavioral Health

Welcome to the Behavioral Health department. We provide a wide range of services to the local Indian communities. We are working to improve the quality of life for Indian families by being sensitive to Indian traditions in the healing process. Our program provides supportive counseling to Indian children, adolescents, and adults who are struggling with personal adjustments, emotional issues, or substance abuse/addictions/alcohol.

Mental Health Service

Treatment is most effective when families and communities work together to provide appropriate and accessible services. “We blend tradition, culture and modern treatment to help build strong, successful youth, adults and families.” We may also meet you in our Behavioral Health Integration project which places behavioral health counselors in the medical offices for quick consultation.

County Mental Health Services

Del Norte County Mental Health

455 K Street
Crescent City, CA 95531

(707) 464-7224

Humboldt County Mental Health

720 Wood Street

Eureka, CA 95501

Main Phone: (707) 268-2900

Crisis Number: (707) 445-7715

Crisis Walk-in daily 9:00 to 4:00

If you are having a mental health crisis, please use these confidential, 24/7 resources:

Crisis Text Line: TEXT 741741 

Youth Crisis Call Line: Call 800-843-5200

Humboldt County 24 Hour Crisis Line: 707-445-7715

Suicide Prevention Hotline: 800-273-8255

Individual and Family Counseling

All participants will attend groups based on individual need and can attend as many as four(4) groups each week. Groups are offered in mornings and afternoons and transportation can be provided.

Individual Therapy

When individual psychotherapy, personal problems and concerns are addressed in an environment which facilitates the client’s potential for identifying, achieving, and maintaining personal goals. Recent advances using best practice models are used with specific areas such as depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive behavior, and hoarding, etc.

Play Therapy

When For small children there is play therapy available for a child to communicate and resolve trauma and personal issues in a non verbal way through the use of therapeutic games, sand tray, and art exercises. Play therapy is always conducted with additional family therapy so that conflicts and issues can be evaluated in the larger picture.

Family Therapy

Family therapy provides a neutral environment in which couples and family members, both immediate and extended, can explore issues that are negatively impacting family dynamics and children.

Couples Therapy

Couples therapy provides couples with a forum to strengthen relationships, improve their communication skills, and process their conflicts so that the couple can have a more rewarding and productive relationship.

Juvenile Hall Assessments and Counseling

Once a week a mental health counselor goes into the Juvenile Hall facility in Eureka to meet and work with Indian youth. Counseling services are provided to all youth who have either self-identified or have been identified by the Juvenile Hall staff as American Indian. In Del Norte County, the Probation Department sends Behavioral Health staff a list of American Indians who are currently in the Juvenile Hall. A substance abuse counselor will see the youth there.

How to Make an Appointment

  • Call or come into the Behavioral Health office to state the reason for your appointment request.
  • Fill out paperwork for personal information and consent to treatment.
  • Schedule an appointment with the front office.
  • Arrive on time for the appointment. (Note: An unexcused late arrival time of more than 10 minutes will cancel your appointment.)
  • Meet your counselor who will discuss your goals and options and will work with you to set up a treatment plan.

Substance Abuse Treatment Services

United Indian Health Services, Inc. offers an intensive outpatient substance abuse treatment program through the Behavioral Health department. Our program uses a cultural approach to healing and recovery, based in The Red Road to Wellbriety, which incorporates the Medicine Wheel and the 12-steps.

Intake Assessment

Assessments are completed by a certified substance abuse counselor to determine appropriate levels of treatment and develop an individualized treatment plan for recovery.

Individual and Family Counseling:

Individual and family substance abuse counseling works on personal problems and concerns in an environment which supports the client’s ability to achieve their goals.

Group Counseling

All participants attend at least three groups per week based on their individual needs. Groups are offered in the mornings and afternoons, and transportation may be provided.

Youth Referral to Residential Treatment

Youth who need residential treatment for substance abuse issues may receive assistance for placement referral to various in or out of state regional programs. In order to access our residential treatment services, a client must go through our screening and referral service.

Youth Substance Abuse Assessments

Our substance abuse program, available in both Humboldt and Del Norte counties, conducts eligibility screening at Juvenile Hall.

Traditional Healers and Sweats

Behavioral Health provides comprehensive mental health services which include the traditional healing practices. Traditional healers use culturally appropriate practices to aid in healing and recovery. Behavioral Health staff assists in coordinating these services and in the monthly sweats for men, women, and the coed group at PHV. We assist in transporting clients to cultural activities.

Behavioral Health Providers

Christina Casarez, ASW

BH Counselor, Arcata

Annie McLennan, CCAPP

SUD Counselor, Elk Valley

Fritzie Fernandez-Craft, LMFT

BH Counselor, Arcata

Keith Rigby, LCSW

BH Counselor, Crescent City

Lana Dreyfuss, LPCC

BH Counselor, Smith River

Robbie Lara, RADT

SUD Counselor, Arcata

Sarah Thibault, LCSW

BH Counselor – Arcata

Isabel Fazzone, MA, LMFT

BH Manager and Counselor, Arcata

Joshua Padilla, SUDCC

SUD Counselor, Arcata

not pictured

Heather Blankenship, MA, LMFT

BH Counselor, Crescent City

Taryan Parvis, AMFT

BH Counselor, Arcata