Frequently Asked Questions

A CCBHC, or Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic, is a unique model designed to deliver all-encompassing mental health and substance use services. These clinics are welcoming places where anyone in need can find support, no matter their diagnosis, insurance situation, or financial circumstances. 

If you walk through the door, you’ll receive the care you deserve!

Berks Counseling Center provides substance use treatment for individuals seeking support in Reading and the surrounding Berks County community. Our team can help you explore available services and determine the appropriate next step for your needs. Contact us to learn about current program availability and how to get started.

Substance Use Services

Berks Counseling Center provides behavioral health services to individuals in Reading and the surrounding Berks County community who are seeking support. Our team can help you explore available services and determine the appropriate next step for your needs. Contact us to learn about current program availability and how to get started.

Mental Health Services

At Berks Counseling Center, we are a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) providing comprehensive outpatient services. Our offerings include mental health counseling, substance use disorder treatment, psychiatric rehabilitation, and integrated physical health care. We offer individual, group, and family therapy sessions, catering to those dealing with mental health issues, substance use disorders, and co-occurring disorders.

Outpatient Services

No referral is needed. However, if you are coming from a hospital or an inpatient facility, it is helpful to bring any discharge paperwork that includes your diagnosis and medication. This will assist us in the intake process and help determine the appropriate level of care.

At BCC, we make it easy for you to get the care you need—no appointment necessary! Just walk in whenever it’s convenient for you.  You will be seen the day you come in. If you have any questions about our intake hours, feel free to reach out to us at 610-373-4281 or drop us an email at intake@berkscc.org. We're here to help! 

At BCC, we offer same day/next day access to services. Private insurance may take a bit longer, as we need to verify authorization for care.

You’ll need your ID, insurance card, Social Security number, and medication list.

Admissions

We’re excited to share that our Family Center, located on the 4th floor, is specially designed to support children and teenagers aged 5-18 facing mental health and substance use challenges. At the helm of our team is Dr. Kamtam, a board-certified psychiatrist who provides personalized, one-on-one care for our young clients. We believe in the power of family, which is why we also offer family counseling sessions, encouraging parents to be an active part of their child's journey. 

Family Center

Absolutely! After a thorough evaluation, each client receives a tailored treatment plan that focuses on their unique recovery needs. 

Absolutely! When you visit BCC, you'll receive a copy of our Notice of Privacy Practices. We want you to feel secure knowing that BCC is fully committed to upholding all state and federal guidelines, laws, and regulations to protect your patient confidentiality. Your privacy matters to us!

At BCC, we’re dedicated to ensuring everyone has access to outpatient counseling. We accept various insurance plans, including Medicaid, Medicare, and Community Care Behavioral Health. If you have questions about your coverage, our team is here to help!

For those without insurance, we can assist you in securing benefits or accessing County funding. Many of our programs are fully funded and may be offered at no cost to you.

There’s never a wrong time to seek help—our expert staff is ready to guide you on your path to better mental health!

What this simply means is that we’re a “one stop shop” meaning we offer a broad array of services and supports at ONE location. And that’s what it means for you. We can take care of the “whole” you which includes a strong focus on physical health and wellness along with mental health and well-being. Plus, our on-site Genoa Pharmacy can take care of all your prescription and general pharmacy needs.

Yes, we do! At BCC, we totally get that life can get a bit hectic. Sometimes, unexpected events can make it tough to attend in-person sessions. But don’t worry—your well-being is our priority, and we’re here to ensure you get the support you need, no matter the circumstances. If you're interested in telehealth services, simply mention it during your intake. We're committed to making care accessible for you!

BCC offers a variety of case management and peer and recovery support services within our bundled services, regardless of your insurance plan.  This means most people are eligible for these services unless you already receive them elsewhere. 

 https://www.berkscounselingcenter.org/#SupportServices

To start your journey with us, all patients are required to undergo a thorough screening, evaluation, and assessment process. This helps us determine if a psychiatric evaluation is necessary for your care. At BCC, we’re committed to providing psychiatric support in tandem with our counseling programs, ensuring you receive comprehensive care. Our dedicated team works diligently to connect you with a credentialed provider who accepts your insurance, so you can start your path to wellness as quickly as possible. We’re here for you every step of the way!

At BCC, we recognize the vital connection between physical and behavioral health through our CCBHC/ICWC model. Your journey with us starts with an initial health screening to find out if you have a primary care provider (PCP). If not, we’ll help you explore insurance eligibility for our on-site PCP and assist you in choosing the right provider.

Physical Health

Get in touch with our integrated care nurse! They’re here to help you find the perfect appointment tailored to your specific needs. Don’t hesitate to reach out!

BCC’s High Engagement services are a lifeline and a catalyst for change for individuals aged 14 and up, struggling with the impact of persistent mental illness and/or substance use. Individuals who need a broad array of services and intensive supports, and who would benefit from this model, are identified during BCC's Clinical Admissions process. 

https://www.berkscounselingcenter.org/#BehavioralHealthServices 

The term "homeless" refers to individuals who are currently unsheltered, living in a shelter, staying in a place not intended for habitation, or working with a street outreach worker. Even if you do not meet these specific criteria, BCC may still be able to assist you if you are struggling to find safe and affordable housing or have other housing-related concerns.

If you're in need of emergency housing, there are several local shelters ready to help you find a safe place to stay. You can turn to Hope Rescue Mission, Mary’s Shelter, Opportunity House, and Safe Berks for support. Plus, BCC is here to assist you in navigating your options and finding the right emergency housing solution for you. You're not alone in this!

Yes, we have bilingual staff and psychiatrists. We also use a translation service for all languages, including ASL.

We provide a 24-hour phone line and work closely with Holcomb Crisis Intervention of Berks County to ensure access to crisis intervention services around the clock. This includes in-office, phone, or text support as needed. Help is always available for individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, or thoughts of self-harm or harm to others.

If you are experiencing a crisis, please contact:

Holcomb Crisis: 610-379-2007  

Toll-free: 1-888-219-3910  

Text: 484-816-7865

Call our main number at 610.373.4281 and ask to speak to the Medical Records Coordinator.

We accept most commercial insurances, Medicaid, and Medicare. Self-pay is also accepted.   For those persons without insurance, county funding and/or other funding sources may be available. 

Insurance/Payment Options

These are treatments that have been PROVEN effective through research across time. BCC is committed to evidence-based treatment because of this research and because they have shown to produce positive outcomes.

BCC offers assessment services, outpatient counseling, and early recovery support groups at the Berks County Jail System for individuals who are incarcerated and facing challenges related to substance use and mental health. 

Re-entry and Criminal Justice Services

We have our own full-service Genoa Healthcare Pharmacy on-site at BCC to easily handle all your pharmacy needs. This pharmacy is staffed by a pharmacist and certified technician(s) dedicated to serving BCC clients.

Genoa Pharmacy

You can view open positions and apply directly by going to the “Careers” tab on the website and clicking on the “Current Openings” button. 

Careers 

Yes, we do offer internship opportunities. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply early, as a limited number of internship slots may be available. Please submit your inquiries related to internships to rwashington@berkscc.org. Or feel free to call our main number (610-373-4281) and ask to speak to our Internship Coordinator, Richard Washington.

You can donate using your credit card by going to the “Donate” tab on the website or you mail your donation to Berks Counseling Center, 645 Penn Street, Reading, PA 19601.