Stabilization Services 

What are Stabilization Services?

Crisis Mental Health stabilization services are short term, voluntary individualized mental health services provided to clients with a goal of restoring the client to her/his prior level of functioning.

The client’s individual needs and goals are identified and a plan developed to meet these goals.  Stabilization services include short term individual and family therapy; which may include psycho-education, coping, brief risk assessment, skills training, communication and conflict resolution skills, and relapse prevention.

Stabilization services involve consultation with current care provider(s), assistance with the coordination of insurance and basic needs as well as appropriate therapeutic services.

When are Stabilization Services Provided?

Stabilization services occur following the initial crisis assessment and intervention when medically necessary.  Services are medically necessary when there is continuing evidence of symptoms or behavior, an impairment in activities of daily living, a risk of the crisis reoccurring that could result in a higher level of care and there is an absence of services to address issues leading to the crisis.

Where and When are Stabilization Services Provided?

Stabilization services are provided in the community, in a client’s home, in a school, or other location that is comfortable for both the client and the provider.  Stabilization services generally occur Monday through Friday with evening hours available.  Every attempt to accommodate a client’s schedule will be made.

Child Stabilization Services

Clinical best practices identify stabilization services as essential to assessing and treating a child’s mental health crisis.

A stabilization meeting will be scheduled with the family and child after an initial crisis assessment to discuss diagnostic finding, identify the family or child’s ongoing concerns, and to discuss the implementation of appropriate services to address symptoms that promote positive outcomes.

Stabilization services can be provided following a sub-acute placement and hospitalization as medically appropriate.

Adult Stabilization Services

Stabilization services are recommended in order to avoid a higher level of care by providing immediate and intensive outpatient stabilization services.

Referrals

Referrals may be made following a crisis assessment and intervention, by a mobile crisis team, outpatient clinic, or emergency department.

How to Make a Referral for Stabilization Services

Call the Carver County Mental Health Crisis line at 952-442-7601 and ask to make a referral for crisis stabilization services. 

Information will be gathered such as:

• Your name and information.
• The client’s name and contact information.
• Nature of the crisis.
• Current level of functioning.
• Signs of danger to self or others.
• Current or history of mental health concerns.
• Current or history of chemical use.
• Current therapist or other providers.

Assuming appropriate releases are in place, the referring party will be notified regarding the outcome of the referral.

When are Stabilization Services NOT appropriate?

• When it is not medically necessary and there is not a mental health diagnosis.
• The person is deemed to need a higher level of care.
• The primary problem is chemical dependency.
• Person is already receiving multiple services that address the identified needs.
• The person has returned to their pre-crisis level of functioning.
• Stabilization services are not case management services and cannot be used longer term.