News
July 30, 2015OnTrackNY @ Parsons to Serve Young Adults Experiencing Psychotic Crises
An innovative new behavioral health program designed to help young adults facing the onset of psychotic symptoms will soon be available in the Capital Region. OnTrackNY @ Parsons, a collaborative service of the Office of Mental Health and the Center for Practice Innovations at Columbia Psychiatry to be administered locally by Parsons Child and Family Center, will enroll 30 clients aged 16-30 from the OMH Hudson River region, focusing on Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer and Saratoga counties.
Leading the evidence-based program is Lauren Utter, Psy.D, a Yale-trained expert in the treatment of psychosis. Utter and David Rossetti, Chief of Behavioral Health Services at Northern Rivers Family Services, parent company of Parsons, are assembling a team of clinicians and support staff to provide therapeutic, medication management, family, academic and professional assistance to help clients achieve long-term treatment goals.
“Early intervention can dramatically change the course of a psychotic disorder,” said David Rossetti, Chief of Behavioral Health Services of Northern Rivers. “Most young people experiencing the onset of psychotic symptoms do not receive mental health treatment for an average of one year. OnTrackNY @ Parsons will reduce this delay in care through community engagement, early detection, and the implementation of specialized individual, group and family interventions. We believe that recovery is possible.”
The introduction of OnTrackNY along with the addition of rapid-response mental health crisis services for adults to Parsons’ existing children’s crisis teams, reflects the extension of Northern Rivers behavioral health services beyond children and teenagers to adults.
“We are excited to expand our expertise in providing behavioral health services to adults,” said John Henley, Chief Executive Officer of Northern Rivers. “Connecting children, adults and families in need to care that can change their lives is what Northern Rivers was created to do.”
OnTrackNY @ Parsons is located at the Parsons Behavioral Health location at 401 New Karner Road in Albany. For information, please contact 518.292.5451.
About Northern Rivers Family Services
Northern Rivers Family Services was established in 2012 through affiliation with longstanding family service agencies Parsons Child and Family Center and Northeast Parent & Child Society. Together, the 1,300-strong workforce of Northern Rivers and affiliates serve more than 13,000 children and families in 41 counties each year, with $85 million invested through more than 60 social service programs. Northern Rivers builds a strong, successful and healthy future for our children, families and communities through quality services, collaboration and innovative leadership. Follow Northern Rivers on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
