Massac Memorial Hospital’s Senior Care Program, New Beginnings, has made great strides in serving the community’s elderly population in Southern Illinois and Western Kentucky. Since its inception in September of 2010, New Beginnings has provided a variety of mental health services to over 150 people in Metropolis and the surrounding area. Providers include Psychiatrist Dr. Ron Johnson, Program Director and licensed therapist Kim Abell, additional licensed therapists, Registered Nurses and a Program Support Specialist. This multi-disciplinary team meets weekly to ensure the best quality patient care possible for each patient’s emotional healthcare needs.
In order to meet the needs of this rapidly growing program, New Beginnings was relocated within the hospital in a larger, more comfortable environment 2 years ago. Their services are offered in a therapeutic milieu which looks and feels more like a “home” environment rather than a hospital setting.
New Beginnings Therapists, using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, assist their group members in recognizing causes and types of depression as well as depressive symptom clusters, moods and behaviors. Armed with this knowledge, group members are taught to identify their negative thoughts and self-defeating behaviors. Through a process of retraining and reframing their thinking, members learn appropriate coping skills to handle stressful situations in the future.
“The therapists’ expertise helped me to develop self-esteem so I didn’t have to be anyone’s doormat any longer. I've learned it is okay to cry and feel emotions. I’ve learned I have an inner strength from going through New Beginnings. I’ve learned to live each day to its fullest regardless of adversity. I can now cope with whatever life gives me.” –Former group member
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