St. Bernards Healthcare expanded its behavioral health services in Greene County on Monday (Nov. 10) with the opening of a new Counseling Center in Paragould.
The standalone facility features advanced practice nurses and licensed mental health counselors. The staff will help patients with mental health counseling, medication management, therapies and more, both in clinic settings and virtual appointments.
Casie Moore, APRN with St. Bernards Counseling Center – Paragould, said the expansion demonstrates St. Bernards’ commitment to region-wide access to care.
“Over the past decade, we’ve seen tremendous progress in reducing the stigma around mental health, and we’re truly grateful for that,” Moore said. “The next step is turning those conversations into action. Opening our own location in Paragould expands access to essential mental healthcare for residents across northeast Arkansas. This clinic represents a meaningful commitment to helping our communities get the support they need and deserve.”
Moore and her colleagues will help patients who have experienced depression or mood disorders, anxiety, trauma, grief or loss, stress, ADD/ADHD, relationship challenges and more. Their services include intake sessions followed by a recommended treatment plan and maintenance.
In addition, they will assist organizations in Greene County who participate in St. Bernards Behavioral Health’s Employee Assistance Program.
St. Bernards Medical Center also recently announced it has incorporated physical therapy services within its Emergency Department (ED), the first hospital in Arkansas to add this extra layer. The strategic integration is designed for patients who may not require hospitalization but have still come to the ED with mobility issues or neuro-musculoskeletal diagnoses.
To properly care for these patients, a physical therapist (PT) within the ED identifies candidates for physical therapy services, performing assessments and beginning treatment when appropriate.
If the patient does not need to be in the hospital, the PT can arrange follow-up outpatient appointments before the person leaves the ED. This process provides better care to the patient while also maximizing hospital resources. Furthermore, it potentially reduces unnecessary imaging, such as CT scans, and the number of prescription medications.
David Flores, with St. Bernards Rehab Services serves as the hospital’s first PT in the ED. He said the position reflects St. Bernards’ efforts to improve patient throughput, enhance quality of care, support safe and efficient discharge planning, and exceed service expectations.
“My new role is a perfect way to bring specialized orthopedic, vestibular and mobility expertise directly to the patient at the most critical time,” said Flores. “Having the opportunity to help streamline care and safely get our neighbors back home quickly is incredibly rewarding.”
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