Behavioral Health Services

The Sunrise is an outpatient-counseling center, which assists the adult population to return to an emotional and mental well-being. The Sunrise Clinic is designed to provide outpatient therapy in a comfortable, home like environment. Patients are provided three interactive group sessions per day with a licensed professional counselor. A board certified psychiatrist visits the participants once per week for medical management and individual sessions. Patients participate in the program for approximately 3 hours, 2 to 4 days per week. Services are offered Monday – Friday and include lunch, snacks, transportation, group counseling, family counseling, individual counseling, continued care planning, structured daily activities, and interdisciplinary treatment planning.

We have implemented the following steps to ensure the safety and health of our patients during the COVID-19 pandemic:

• All patients will have their temperature taken prior to getting on the bus for transportation and will follow the guidelines regarding seating.
• We are conducting regular cleaning of all common areas and high-touch surfaces.
• All staff will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms and temperatures taken daily.
• The Sunrise’s vehicles are thoroughly cleaned after each use.
• All patients will be thoroughly screened for possible exposure to COVID-19.
• Patients will be given the option to wear a mask and will be provided with one if they choose to wear one and will adhere to social distancing guidelines at all times, including during group therapy sessions.

The Sunrise provides therapeutic groups that allow patients an opportunity to explore and identify positive coping skills in an effort to improve their emotional and mental well-being. We also provide free transportation to our patients who have no means to attend our program. We have wheelchair accessible vans and trained drivers.

What to expect

Program participants will discover that being in the treatment program is an unparalleled opportunity to create new and positive relationships with others in like circumstances.  A willingness to listen to others, to shares one’s own experiences, and learn about the disease process is the primary requirement for the program to be successful.

What is Treatment Like?

The primary approach of treatment is small group therapy.  Therapeutic treatments, educational sessions, specialty groups,and individual sessions are included.

The First Few Days

The first few days can often be challenging for most participants as they are encounter new ways of thinking and coping.  Discussing feeling and sharing openly with others is usually foreign and hard at first.  Resistance to change is normal and is usually encountered in those first few days as participants are asked to adopt new daily habits, rituals and are assisted in establishing realistic, appropriate and attainable goals.

Like preparing for a marathon, until the body adjusts to the rigors of a strict running and workout regimen, it can be painful and frustrating.  However, as participants progress through the program and begin to see personal progress, they often embrace and enjoy the support of a group and the accountability that goal setting provides.  And, like marathon or race training, what was at first difficult, soon becomes a normal and even welcome part of daily life.

The Sunrise Clinic offers two locations:

• 628 Bryon Street on the campus of NSMC in Ruleville, MS 662-756-1630

For a private outpatient session with Dr. Margaret Cassada or Ginny Pantin, LCSW, contact 662-756-1630 to schedule an appointment.