Personalized Mental Health Support from JSSA

When it comes to effective mental health support, the key is to find ways to connect with clients that work best for their unique needs.

This, according to Alex Hammer, JSSA’s Director of Clinical Operations in Mental Health Services, is something JSSA does very well. While many mental health providers have remained mostly remote in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic, JSSA takes the approach that best serves the client in need.

This can mean providing care in a clinical setting, over Zoom, in a school or other facility, or in JSSA’s Mobile Mental Health unit.

“Here at JSSA, what’s really been remarkable is that we’ve seen the community need swing back to in person and we can support that,” Alex said.

While there are many reasons neighbors seek mental health support, Alex said many of their clients are coming in to address struggle with adjustment or social interactions. The team also supports many individuals dealing with trauma or acute mental illnesses.

“We’re seeing a lot more people from a lot more diverse backgrounds … from age five on up,” Alex said. With a group of providers with a diverse set of therapeutic backgrounds and skills at the clinic, the team is able to find a good match for individuals seeking services for their unique needs.

From Counseling Clients to Providers

Alex has recently transitioned from a full-time provider to an administrative role, overseeing, supervising, and supporting providers, rather than working one-on-one with clients.

Alex manages a team of 20 providers, including social workers, counselors, and psychologists, with varying therapeutic backgrounds. They are based at JSSA’s Fallsgrove outpatient mental health clinic and provide services for individuals and families in the community.

“Before, my impact felt like it was just the people in front of me that I was able to serve,” he said. “Now that I’m in this administrative role, I feel like that impact has been greater because I have this amazing team I work with.”

Instead of just serving the clients on his caseload, Alex now feels like he’s supporting all clients that come through the clinic by directing working with staff.

For more information about JSSA’s Mental Health Services, call 240-800-JSSA.