Gundersen Lutheran - Outpatient Services and Specialties

Outpatient Services and Specialties

Adult Services
Chemical Dependency Services
Child and Adolescent Services
Mental Health Day Treatement
Sexual Abuse Counseling and Support Program
Crime Victim Services
Eating Disorders

Gundersen Lutheran Behavioral Health offers a full range of outpatient mental health and addiction services for children, adolescents, and adults. We offer a multi-disciplinary treatment approach to provide comprehensive assessments and treatment to meet the needs of each patient and his/her family.

Please click on the link to the right to learn more about our services.

Adult Services

Contact
You may schedule an appointment by calling:
La Crosse and Onalaska – (608) 775-2287 or (800) 362-9567, ext. 52287
Sparta – (608) 269-1588
Tomah – (608) 374-3853
Prairie du Chien – (608) 326-3380
Whitehall – (715) 538-2383
Alma – (608) 685-3509

Photo of a woman sitting on a couch talking on the telephone

Photo of a woman sitting on a couch talking on the telephone

Gundersen Lutheran Behavioral Health Adult Services provide a full range of mental health services for patients age 18 and over. Our expert providers, including psychiatrists, psychologists and masters-level psychotherapists, collaborate to provide the following services:

Assessment
Medication management
Individual psychotherapy
Marital/family counseling
Group psychotherapy

Our providers compassionately assist patients in dealing with most mental health disorders and issues. Specialized care is available for the following conditions and situations:

Depression and other affective disorders
Anxiety disordersAttention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder
Attention difficulties
Autism and behavior disorders
Pervasive developmental disorders
Personality disorders
Psychotic disorders
Suicidal behavior
Stress management
Bereavement
Adjustment to medical illness
Relationship issues/marital counseling
Life transitions and reactions

Our approach to assessment and treatment is customized to meet the needs of each patient and his/her family. In addition, patients and their families benefit from Behavioral Health’s group practice approach to care. Our relationships with community agencies, university-based counseling programs, pharmaceutical companies and other organizations contribute to our ability to offer high-quality patient care, education and research programs.

We offer outpatient care in La Crosse, Onalaska, Sparta, Tomah, Prairie du Chien, Whitehall, Viroqua and Alma to ensure that you have access to care as close to home as possible.

Click here to see a listing of our physicians and providers.

Chemical Dependency Services

Contact
(608) 775-2287or (800) 362-9567 ext. 52287

There is HOPE.
It is TREATABLE.
There can be a VERY ACTIVE AND HAPPY life after treatment.

photo of prescription bottles and pills

These are statements to remember as you or a loved one struggle with chemical dependency. Chemical dependency is a treatable disease that affects millions of people all over the world regardless of age, race, or economic class. Chemical dependency is called “the family disease” because it affects both the chemically dependent person as well as their family and friends. If you are a person who is chemically dependent or are a person who cares about someone who is chemically dependent, the pain is much the same. There are often feelings of hopelessness, confusion, anger, and blame. It is important to remember that chemical dependency is a treatable disease and there is hope for recovery with the right treatment.

The first step is to make the decision that you don’t need to live with the chemical dependency anymore and that there is help available. The following are a few simple questions to help you determine if you or your family member should seek professional help for drinking.

How often did you have a drink containing alcohol in the past year?
How many drinks did you have on a typical day when you were drinking in the past year?
Have you often had six or more drinks on one occasion in the past year?
Have you ever felt you ought to cut down on your drinking?
Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your drinking?
Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, it is recommended that you get a professional opinion to help you understand your drinking/using patterns and the potential consequences of ongoing use.

Services

Detoxification
Residential inpatient treatment
1/2 way house
3/4 way house
Day treatment
Intensive evening program
Intervention program
Outpatient services
Methadone maintenance program
Adolescent AODA outpatient program
Family education program
Outpatient group therapy

It has been proven that the right type of treatment is necessary to help people recover from chemical dependency. Gundersen Lutheran Behavioral Health has many different types of treatment for thos who are chemically dependent. The first step to getting in the right program is to schedule an appointment. Call (608) 775-2287 or (800) 362-9567, ext. 52287, to ask for an appointment with a chemical dependency counselor for an assessment. At the appointment, the counselor will talk with you for about an hour and then give you recommendations if treatment is appropriate for you and the most appropriate type of program for you.

Don’t wait one more day. Call to get an appointment for an assessment to find out if your chemical use needs to be treated.

Click here to see a listing of our physicians and providers.

Child and Adolescent Services

Contact
You may schedule an appointment by calling:
La Crosse and Onalaska – (608) 775-2287 or (800) 362-9567, ext. 52287
Sparta – (608) 269-1588
Tomah – (608) 374-3853
Prairie du Chien – (608) 326-3380
Whitehall – (715) 538-2383

photo of an adult hand holding a child's hand

photo of an adult hand holding a child's hand

Gundersen Lutheran Behavioral Health Child and Adolescent Services offer a range of mental health services for clients under age 18. Psychiatrists, psychologists and masters-level psychotherapists provide the following services:

Assessment
Medication management
Individual psychotherapy
Family counseling
Group psychotherapy
Psycho-educational services to the family and community

Behavioral, emotional, social and psychiatric difficulties of children, adolescents and their families are evaluated and treated through Behavioral Health Child and Adolescent Services. Care is available for the following conditions and situations:

Anxiety disorders
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Separation anxiety
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
Mood disorders
- Childhood depression
- Bi-polar disorder
Behavioral disorders
- Oppositional-defiant disorder
- Conduct disorder
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
Adjustment disorder
Autism
Tics disorder
Substance abuse (alcohol and other drugs)
Suicidal thoughts
Encopresis (soiling)
Enuresis (bed-wetting)

Assessment and treatment is customized to meet the need of each patient.

As needed, care is coordinated with Gundersen Lutheran’s Sexual Abuse Counseling Program, Eating Disorders Program and the Learning Disabilities area of Comprehensive Child Care.

Click here to see a listing of physicians and providers.

Mental Health Day Treatment

The Mental Health Day Treatment Program provides services to adults diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness. The goal is to optimize independent living skills and offer support in the recovery process with emphasis on developing healthy coping skills. Services are located on the La Crosse campus. A multi-disciplinary team consisting of registered nurses, master’s-level social workers, certified therapeutic recreation specialist, registered occupational therapist, and psychiatrists, provide care.

Services include:

Case management
Group therapies
Individual support
Occupational therapy assessment/services
Leisure assessment/counseling/education
Medication monitoring/administration

Patients are referred to Mental Health Day Treatment by their psychiatrist when appropriate for their individualized treatment plan.

Sexual Abuse Counseling and Support Program

Contact
Sexual Abuse Counseling and Support
(608) 775-3845 or
(800) 362-9567, ext. 53845

photo of a sunrise

The Sexual Abuse Counseling and Support Program’s goal is to assist in the victims’ recovery from trauma of sexual abuse/assault through therapeutic treatment and support. The Victim of Crime Act Grant and the Sexual Assault Victim Services Grant fund the program so there is no charge for services. Sexual abuse of minors (18 and under) must be reported to a local human services department or local law enforcement agency for investigation and validation prior to being referred to the Sexual Abuse Program.

Services include:

Individual counseling
Group counseling
Support group
Crisis intervention
Coordination of victim services
Assistance with Crime Victim Compensation
Education on sexual abuse/assault

Services are offered in La Crosse, Monroe and Crawford Counties. We provide services to children who have been sexually abused, adult survivors of child sexual abuse and recent sexual assaults.

After hours, please contact Gundersen Lutheran Sexual Assault Services 24-hour crisis line, (608) 775-5950 or (800) 362-9567 ext. 55950.

Click here to see a listing of our providers.

Crime Victim Services

Contact
(608) 775-5557 or (800) 362-9567, ext. 55557
Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

If you are a victim of crime, you have rights and can get help. We can meet with you in person or talk over the phone about what happened and help you sort out what will be of help at this time. Gundersen Lutheran Crime Victim Services can help you:

Understand you are having normal reactions to an abnormal event
Learn about the legal process and your rights as a crime victim
Develop a safety plan
Learn about stress management
Apply for crime victim compensation
By accompanying you to court

Gundersen Lutheran Crime Victim Services work with victims of violent, personal crime in La Crosse, Monroe, Jackson, Trempealeau and Vernon Counties by providing crisis counseling, advocacy and information and referral services. Our services are free and confidential to victims of robbery, violent personal injury, assault, drunk driving, sexual assault, survivors of homicide victims and secondary victims.

Our goal is to make contact with people impacted by serious crime as quickly as possible and assist them to move beyond the event with support and information. Services include:

Crisis counseling
Emotional support
Advocacy, referral and education
Homicide survivor support group

Eating Disorders

Contact
(608) 775-4413 or (800) 362-9567, ext. 54413

Eating disorders are serious, and sometimes fatal, illnesses that affect approximately seven million women and one million men in the United States. At Gundersen Lutheran, we treat individuals struggling with this psychologically painful and physically harmful illness and help them regain their health, because recovery is possible.

photo of a young woman sitting on the steps thinking

photo of a young woman sitting on the steps thinking

Do you think that you or someone you care about might be suffering from an eating disorder? Please answer these questions:

Would you say that food dominates your life?
Do you worry you have lost control over how much you eat?
Have you recently lost more than 14 pounds in a three-month period?
Do you believe yourself to be fat when others say you are too thin?
Do you make yourself sick because you feel uncomfortably full or think you ate too much?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, please consider scheduling an assessment with our treatment team.

Early intervention is a factor that significantly improves the chances of recovery from an eating disorder. For most people, treatment is a frightening step to think about, but suffering silently every day with the torment of an eating disorder is an even more frightening future to consider. Please let us help.

Eating disorders are complex and often require a multi-faceted, comprehensive treatment approach. Treatment begins with a thorough assessment followed by individualized recommendations designed to meet the specific needs of the patient. Several components may be recommended to assist in the recovery from an eating disorder.

Treatment options

Individual psychotherapy is provided by licensed therapists who specialize in treating eating disorders. Their job is to help the patient develop a strong and healthy sense of self that is not measured by physical standards. Therapists also assist patients discover the underlying psychological causes of their eating disorder and help patients develop alternative, healthy ways to cope with these issues.
Medical nutrition therapy and education are provided by registered dietitians who specialize in treating those with an eating disorder. They assist patients in learning to listen to and respect their body versus manipulating its shape and having a healthy relationship with food.
Psychiatric evaluation/management is provided by the psychiatrists of Behavioral Health. Consultations and on-going services are available as needed for each individual.
Physical examinations/follow-up supervision (monitoring of symptoms) is a priority in treatment. Our physicians specialize in treating adult and pediatric patients suffering from eating disorders.
Family education series. Family participation is a crucial component of successful eating disorders treatment. We offer a five-week family education series on alternating Monday evenings covering different topics pertinent to the issues they will be addressing while their loved one is in treatment. This is open to anyone who is a support person to the recovering patient.
Family therapy is provided based on the patient’s individual needs.
Body image group is a therapy group available to patients who would benefit from focused attention on the issues of body image. This group meets weekly for an hour and a half and allows time for education and therapeutic processing of these issues with other patients.
Other treatment options include additional assessments, lab testing, etc.

What is treatment like?
Q. How long would I have to be in treatment to recover from an eating disorder?
A. It is difficult to give an estimate of time for the duration of treatment as each individual and their eating disorder symptomatology is unique. In general, effective treatment, including stabilization and relapse prevention work, lasts one to two years.

Q. How effective is the treatment program at Gundersen Lutheran?
A. Our program’s statistics are similar to the national statistics on the success rate of recovery for those struggling with eating disorders. Specifically, approximately 1/3 of patients fully recover from their eating disorder, 1/3 improve but remain somewhat symptomatic and 1/3 of eating disordered individuals remain ill despite treatment interventions.

Q. How do I get connected with this program?
A. Questions or referrals for a person needing an eating disorders assessment are accepted from anyone by calling (608) 775-4413 or (800) 362-9567, ext. 54413.

Click here to see a listing of our physicians and providers.