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- Adult Mental Health
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- General
- Opioid Use Treatment
- Psychiatric Services
- Youth Mental Health
Most patients are scheduled within 1-2 weeks. If you’re in crisis, we offer same-day or next-day appointments. Call 1-833-278-HELP to speak with our patient care team.
No — you can request treatment directly without a referral. Call 1-833-278-HELP or fill out our Get Help form to get started.
Note for Opioid Use Treatment: Many THS locations also accept walk-in patients — you can come in today without an appointment.
The easiest way to help someone start treatment at THS is to complete a Get Help form on their behalf. You can also call 1-833-278-HELP if you need help submitting a form or want to follow up on one you’ve already sent.
We accept Medicaid/Apple Health and most private insurance plans, including Blue Cross, Premera, Kaiser, Aetna, and more. We also offer a sliding fee scale based on income for patients who are uninsured or need additional support. You can find more details on our dedicated insurance page, or call us to verify your specific coverage.
Note for Youth Mental Health: Aetna is not accepted for youth services specifically.
We’re always growing our team of behavioral health professionals. Visit our Careers page to see current openings and learn what it’s like to work at THS.
Yes — all therapy is confidential under Washington State law and HIPAA. The only exceptions are if you’re in immediate danger to yourself or others, or if there’s abuse of a minor or elder that must be reported.
Yes — all treatment at THS is confidential under Washington State law and federal regulations (42 CFR Part 2, which specifically protects substance use treatment records). The only exceptions are if you are in immediate danger to yourself or others, or if there is abuse of a minor or elder that must be reported.
You can mail donations to Therapeutic Health Services, 5802 Rainier Avenue South, Seattle, WA 98118. Please make checks payable to “Therapeutic Health Services.”
Yes. We offer appointments for patients in Washington State, both in-person and via telehealth — whichever works best for you.
Don’t worry—many of our patients are starting therapy for the first time. During your first appointment, your counselor will explain how therapy works, answer your questions, and take time to understand your needs.
MAT combines FDA-approved medications like methadone or Suboxone with counseling to treat opioid use disorder. It’s recognized as the most effective approach to opioid addiction and significantly reduces the risk of overdose, relapse, and disease transmission.
Outpatient (OP) treatment usually means individual or group counseling once or twice a week. Intensive outpatient (IOP) programs offer more structure — typically several group sessions per week — for those who need additional support. Both let you live at home and keep up with work, school, and family. During your assessment, we’ll recommend the level of care that fits your situation.
Yes — our psychiatric providers may prescribe medications when clinically appropriate after a comprehensive evaluation. Medication decisions are made at the discretion of the psychiatric provider following a clinical evaluation.
Every young person begins with an assessment so our team can understand their needs and recommend the right level of care — whether that’s individual counseling, a skills-based group, or a wraparound care approach.
THS does not provide medical detox services. If you’re experiencing withdrawal symptoms, please contact your primary care provider or find another licensed medical facility that offers detox treatment — in an emergency, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. Once detox is complete, our outpatient and intensive outpatient (IOP) programs can support your ongoing recovery.
Your first appointment is a comprehensive evaluation. Your provider will review your symptoms, medical and mental health history, and treatment goals. Together, you’ll develop a plan that may include medication, counseling, or both.
We recognize that parent and caregiver involvement makes a real difference. We offer support and coaching for parents who are ready to participate, and we’ll work with your family to figure out what that looks like.
Methadone treats opioid use disorder by relieving withdrawal symptoms — like muscle aches, nausea, anxiety, and cravings — so you can focus on the rest of your recovery: counseling, rebuilding relationships, and getting back to work or school. Research consistently shows that people who receive medication treatment have better outcomes than those who try to stop opioid use without medical support.
Yes — we offer both virtual and in-person mental health groups for patients currently enrolled in our mental health services. Visit our Telehealth & In-Person Groups page to see what’s currently available, or ask your care team whether one might be a good fit for you.
No — when taken as prescribed under medical supervision, methadone does not produce a high. It stabilizes your brain chemistry so you can feel normal, go to work, and focus on your recovery journey.
Yes — THS provides substance use assessments and treatment that meet common court and legal requirements. Let our team know what’s being asked of you, and we’ll help you complete the necessary steps.
Psychiatrists are medical providers who specialize in diagnosing mental health conditions and prescribing medications. Therapists focus on talk-based treatment like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). At THS, you can access both — and our integrated approach means your providers can coordinate your care. For more on how these roles differ, see this overview from the American Psychiatric Association.
In Washington State, young people 13 and older can consent to outpatient mental health counseling on their own. If you’re a teen reaching out for yourself, we can talk through what that looks like and what (if anything) would involve your parents.
Common side effects include drowsiness, constipation, sweating, and dry mouth — especially when first starting treatment. Most side effects tend to diminish over time as your dose stabilizes. Your THS physician monitors your health throughout treatment and adjusts your dose as needed.
Yes. However, as a behavioral health organization, we recognize that medication management is most effective when combined with therapy. We’ll work with you to determine what level of support is right for your situation.
Yes — our Everett center offers a structured, skills-based group program that helps teens build coping skills over time, with the option to add individual or family therapy. Our Seattle center focuses on individual counseling, psychiatry, and wraparound support (WISe). During the assessment, we’ll help figure out which approach fits best.
We provide alcohol and drug assessments for a range of legal and employment-related needs, including DUI/reckless driving infractions, DOC intakes and evaluations, family court custody evaluations, Employee Assistance Program referrals, CPS or family court assessments, and King County Drug Court. We work closely with probation officers, attorneys, and courts across King and Snohomish counties to provide thorough, timely evaluations.
Yes — this is one of the primary reasons methadone is so effective. Methadone relieves opioid withdrawal symptoms, including muscle aches, nausea, anxiety, insomnia, and intense cravings. For many patients, relief begins on the first day of treatment.
Appointment frequency varies depending on individual needs, treatment goals, and medication stability. Your provider will work with you to determine the right schedule.
That’s okay — a lot of young people we work with have had frustrating experiences elsewhere. We’ll start fresh with an assessment to understand what’s worked, what hasn’t, and what might help now.
Methadone is a full opioid agonist best suited for severe dependence — dispensed daily at a THS clinic under medical supervision. Suboxone is a partial opioid agonist for moderate to severe dependence that can eventually be taken at home. Your THS physician will recommend the right option after your assessment.
If you’re a new patient, your first appointment with a psychiatric provider may take several weeks to schedule after enrollment. If you’re currently taking medication and at risk of running out, please contact your current prescriber to arrange refills in the meantime — we can’t guarantee the timing of your first appointment. If you’re not in contact with a prescriber and need medication urgently, an urgent care or behavioral urgent care clinic can help bridge that gap.
It varies by person. Some patients stay on medication for months; others for years or longer. Betty, a THS patient since 1981, has been in methadone maintenance for over 40 years and credits it with giving her a stable, healthy life. Treatment length is determined by your health and recovery goals — not an arbitrary timeline.
