Behavioral Health and Substance Abuse

On October 18th, WSHC kicked off “It Takes A Village: Campaign to End the Opioid Abuse Epidemic”

An effort to prevent and reduce the risk of opioid use disorder through education, prevention, policy change and intervention strategies; and

A comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to the management of chronic pain.

Learn more: It Takes a Village  and Watch Patient Presentation #1,   and  Presentation #2

Behavioral Health

Whittier Street Health Center integrates a wide-range of Behavioral Health and Substance Abuse Counseling into our primary care.

The Behavioral Health Department consists of psychiatrists, psychologists, nurse practitioners, social workers and licensed mental health counselors who offer individual, family, couple, and group counseling, and medication management services for all ages. We treat a wide range of mental health issues, such as depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, anxiety, ADHD, bipolar disorder, and stress related problems. We treat children, adolescents, and adults.

Our Substance Abuse Services clinicians specialize in the treatment of addictions and dual diagnoses individuals. We provide group therapy, Suboxone Groups, and Relapse Prevention.

Whittier Street Health Center Behavioral Health Services and Substance Abuse Services include:

  • Intake assessments for children, adolescents, and adults
  • Individual therapy for all ages
  • Psychiatric assessment/medication management for all ages
  • Group therapy for adults
  • Intensive Family Team intervention for families in crisis
  • Suboxone Groups
  • Relapse Prevention Groups
  • Trauma Center

For more information, please contact (617) 989-3009 or (617) 989-3224.

Fax Number: (617) 989-3227

Moms Do Care

Whittier Street Health Center (WSHC) has been selected by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to implement Moms Do Care, a free program providing services for pregnant and parenting women (PPW) with opioid use disorder (OUD).  Moms Do Care provides an integrated system of medical and behavioral health care that includes recovery, postpartum and early parenting support.  Moms Do Care participants partners with recovery coaches (individuals with lived experience,) care navigators and medical/behavioral health providers trained in working with PPW with OUDs. Our providers working with this population recognize that this type of integrated and comprehensive approach to mental health and/or substance abuse treatment, coupled with peer support, can help overcome numerous barriers and help patients remain engaged in treatment and recovery.

Through Moms Do Care, Whittier provides prenatal and pediatric care, one-on-one and group therapy, and education and support for caring for substance exposed newborns. Peer-to-peer and recovery coach support are offered to each participant. This integrated, multi-disciplinary team addresses the multiple medical and social needs of the program participants, identifies and help patients overcome barriers to treatment, and assists with referrals to services such as housing, mental health, insurance, transportation, resources for food and clothing , and other necessities.

Funding for Moms Do Care is provided by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, through the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Substance Addiction Services. 

For more information, please contact us at (617) 989-3009 or (617) 989-3224.

Fax Number: (617) 989-3227.

A note about Whittier and COVID-19

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak in our area, we ask all clients and patients to call ahead before coming to any of our sites. We are working to take care of most clients/patients via phone/video encounter so we can meet your ongoing healthcare needs. This is for your safety and so we can provide the highest quality of care to you while following CDC guidance for COVID-19. Please call 617-427-1000 for any questions or concerns.

Whittier will provide COVID-19 testing from 10 am to 4 pm on Monday to Friday. Following CDC guidance, we recommend testing if you have a fever AND one of the following three symptoms: cough OR shortness of breath OR sore throat. Please bring your picture identification and your insurance card (if you have insurance).