Local mental health services move into Backus Community Center
Northland Counseling Center and Rational Alternatives, both of International Falls, have new homes in Backus Community Center.
The public is invited to an open house from 3-6 p.m. Friday to celebrate the services’ new location on the newly renovated third floor of the historic building.
The counseling services will be keeping company with a growing number of entities inside the Backus complex. And those attending Friday’s open house can take the stairs — or try out the new elevator. Signage on the third-floor serves to direct the public. Northland Counseling is located on the east side of Backus’ third floor.
Previously located in offices adjunct to Rainy Lake Medical Center, Northland Counseling is facilitated with a staff of one board-certified psychiatrist, psychologists, therapists and counselors. The center has been providing services to the citizens of Koochiching County and surrounding area since 1959.
Northland Counseling encompasses a broad range of outpatient mental health services including assessments, evaluations and medication management as well as individual, couples, family, and group therapy for the general public. Individuals with serious and persistent mental health issues are also treated at the center.
Therapies available at Northland Counseling Center include those for the behavioral, developmental, and learning problems of children; reactions to stress or grief; depression; bipolar disorder; anxiety disorders including panic attacks; obsessive-compulsive behaviors; post-traumatic stress disorder; psychoses including schizophrenia; and personality disorders including borderline, antisocial, and others.
For information or to schedule an appointment for counseling services, call 218-283-3406, ext. 0. Additional information is available at www.northlandcounselingifalls.org.
Chemical dependency
Rational Alternatives, a state-licensed outpatient chemical dependency treatment facility specializing in adult and adolescent drug and alcohol issues, was first stationed on the first floor of the Backus building, and now joins Northland Counseling on the third floor, located on the west side.
Rational Alternatives offers individual, family and group care along with extensive information and referral, according to Gus Christianson, licensed alcohol and drug counselor at the center.
“We work closely with agencies of all types throughout the area along with both inpatient and outpatient facilities statewide on a wide range of chemical-dependence related issues,” he said. Christianson, and councilors Sue Christianson and Wes Butts staff the center which is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., in Room Nos. 301 and 302. The office can be reached at 218-285-7029. Walk-ins are also welcome.
If you go:
WHAT: Open House for the newly relocated
Rational Alternatives and Northland Counseling Center
WHEN: 3-6 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Backus Community Center, Third Floor
WHY: To see the new environment of these community services which offer treatment for mental health issues and chemical dependency.
