"The space we were in, we were at the seems, coming out," explains Chris Blair, director of social services and outpatient programming at Acadia Abilene Hospital.
Acadia was holding group sessions with up to 33 patients in a space the size of a living room.
Blair says, "These programs have tripled in size in 2011."
Such a dramatic increase could only mean one thing.
"We needed extra space for them of course," says Blair.
Acadia found that space relatively close by.
Blair says, "It was a doctor's office prior."
Acadia tore down walls, repainted, and revamped the place to create the new center of the hospital's outpatient program, known as Transitions.
"With this expansion, we have been able to do two separate programs to really focus on what the patients needs are," Blair explains.
Some of those needs call for community awareness programs, which Acadia will now be able to provide.
Once opened, Transitions will serve as the hub for various behavioral health and chemical dependency support groups across the Big Country.
Blair explains, "We're going to be doing A.A. and N.A. at night as well as we are teaming up with Advocates of Abilene and the mental health association to provide support groups at night."
Looking toward the future, the director has high expectations of where Transitions will be.
"We have three group rooms. I'm hoping to have support groups every night of the week and as many as we can get in our space. I'm just hoping it continues to grow so we can serve more of the Big Country," says Blair.
Acadia was holding group sessions with up to 33 patients in a space the size of a living room.
Blair says, "These programs have tripled in size in 2011."
Such a dramatic increase could only mean one thing.
"We needed extra space for them of course," says Blair.
Acadia found that space relatively close by.
Blair says, "It was a doctor's office prior."
Acadia tore down walls, repainted, and revamped the place to create the new center of the hospital's outpatient program, known as Transitions.
"With this expansion, we have been able to do two separate programs to really focus on what the patients needs are," Blair explains.
Some of those needs call for community awareness programs, which Acadia will now be able to provide.
Once opened, Transitions will serve as the hub for various behavioral health and chemical dependency support groups across the Big Country.
Blair explains, "We're going to be doing A.A. and N.A. at night as well as we are teaming up with Advocates of Abilene and the mental health association to provide support groups at night."
Looking toward the future, the director has high expectations of where Transitions will be.
"We have three group rooms. I'm hoping to have support groups every night of the week and as many as we can get in our space. I'm just hoping it continues to grow so we can serve more of the Big Country," says Blair.
