Mental health services in Charleston, SC

Trident Medical Center provides access to inpatient and outpatient behavioral health services. Our dedicated team of psychiatrists, therapists, counselors, and mental health professionals emphasize personalizing every treatment plan to meet each person's unique needs.

Whether you need help dealing with a life crisis, severe depression, bipolar disorder, thoughts of suicide or other issues, you can trust our behavioral health and psychiatry experts to treat you or your loved ones with warmth and compassion.

To talk with a behavioral health specialist, please call (854) 900-5000.

Our approach to psychiatric care

Our psychiatry program is rooted in a desire to make our patients feel safe and comfortable at our behavioral health center. We know this can only be accomplished when there is mutual trust between our psychiatric specialists and patients. The safety and comfort of all of our patients are always at the forefront of everything we do.

A quick, accurate diagnosis is essential for a successful recovery. Our psychiatrists are trained to quickly recognize mental health symptoms and develop a personalized treatment plan for each person.

Mental health conditions we treat

Our behavioral health program offers personalized treatment methods for a variety of mental health disorders, including:

  • Anxiety disorders
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Depression
  • Postpartum depression
  • Schizophrenia
  • Suicidal thoughts
  • Trauma

Inpatient mental health facility

Lowcountry Transitions at Trident Medical Center in Charleston is a 17-bed adult inpatient unit that offers individuals the latest behavioral health treatments, including cognitive therapy and individualized psychotherapy. Our inpatient program allows patients to undergo treatment in a safe, therapeutic environment with access to psychiatric and medical professionals 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Our psychotherapy methods include:

  • Cognitive therapy
  • Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
  • Family counseling
  • Group therapy
  • Individualized counseling
  • Pet therapy
  • Relaxation techniques

Outpatient mental health care

Outpatient behavioral health is ideal for people who need more support than they get from routine therapy sessions. It is also a good transition option for those who have been receiving inpatient behavioral health services.

Each treatment program includes:

  • A comprehensive psychiatric evaluation
  • Nursing assessment and psychosocial assessment
  • The development of an individualized treatment plan.

Outpatient treatment options include:

  • Anger management
  • Cognitive therapy
  • Communication skills
  • Coping skills
  • Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
  • Goal setting
  • Group therapy
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Medication education
  • Mindfulness meditation
  • Problem solving
  • Relapse prevention
  • Relationships
  • Relaxation therapy
  • Self-esteem/self-image
  • Time management

Each program provides individual therapy and family education to return people to their optimal level of functioning. Medication monitoring is an important component of each patient’s plan. The primary form of outpatient behavioral health is group therapy.

Private pay, Medicare and most insurances are accepted. Referrals may be made by the patient, psychiatrist, mental health professional, social service agencies or family members.

For referrals or assessments, call (843) 847-3080.

Partial Hospitalization Program

The Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) provides an intensive level of psychiatric treatment in a safe, caring outpatient setting. The program’s primary goal is to improve the person’s level of functioning and reduce symptoms to prevent relapse or hospitalization.

Sessions are conducted Monday through Friday for three to four hours per day. The program duration is usually between two and four weeks. However, the length of participation varies with each person.

Individualized treatment plans rely on the results of the multidisciplinary evaluations. The plans include the patient’s strengths, limitations and goals for treatment. Goals are reviewed and updated weekly in the team meetings and individual sessions.

The program operates Monday through Friday from 9am to 2pm.

Intensive Outpatient Program

The Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) is for people who are transitioning from the hospital or home or are being referred by a physician. Patients receive comprehensive psychiatric care during the day and can return home each afternoon.

Sessions are conducted three to five times per week. The program duration is usually between two and four weeks.

The IOP is for people who meet the following criteria:

  • 18 years old or older
  • Are medically stable to participate in the program
  • Are willing and able to participate in cognitive-based therapy
  • Does not primarily require custodial care
  • Has psychiatric symptoms impairing social, occupational or other important functioning
  • Presents no immediate risk of harm to self or others

The program operates Monday through Friday from 9am to noon.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

ECT is a modern medical treatment that is for illnesses that have mental or emotional symptoms and cannot be controlled with therapy or medication. It is one of the most effective treatments for a variety of psychiatric illnesses, including severe depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and catatonia.

During this treatment, the patient receives a brief electrical stimulation to the scalp. The electrical stimulation causes the nerves to release chemicals in the brain and helps restore normal functioning.

Benefits of ECT

ECT treatment provides many benefits to our patients, including:

  • Higher success rate than any other form of treatment, often with full remission of symptoms
  • Begins to work quicker, often starting within the first week
  • Limited side effects

Trident Health's state-of-the-art, patient-centered ECT program focuses on the each individual's needs and is offered on both an inpatient and outpatient basis.

Discharge planning and recovery

Aftercare planning is a critical part of the treatment process. In coordination with the treatment team, the patient will work on a plan to meet their long-term goals.

Our programs are developed to enhance self-understanding and responsibility by teaching new coping skills. Sessions for family members are available to help them understand the illness and needs and provide support throughout the recovery process.

Lowcountry Transitions locations

Our inpatient services are located in Trident Medical Center at 9330 Medical Plaza Drive, Charleston, SC 29406.

Our outpatient services are located in Trident Executive Village just across the east parking lot of Trident Medical Center. That address is:

9225 University Blvd., Suite C
Charleston, SC 29406