Pine Lake Behavioral Health, Lincoln, Nebraska

Pine Lake Behavioral Health Overview

Pine Lake Behavioral Health is a treatment center that helps patients with mental health problems and addiction to drug and alcohol. The treatment center was founded in 1991 under the name of First Step Recovery Center. In March 2018 it was announced that First Step Recovery would align themselves with Pine Lake Health starting April 2, the same year. They moved to a different location in the same town, Lincoln, Nebraska, and changed the name of the facility to Pine Lake Behavioral Health. The treatment center focuses primarily on outpatient treatments available for both men and women as well as their families.

Pine Lake Behavioral Health Housing

The treatment center does not provide residential services. As a result, there is no housing info to show.

Pine Lake Behavioral Health Treatment Options

PLBH believes that residential treatments for substance abuse can be lifesaving, but on many occasions they are unnecessary. The foundation for long-term change includes a combination of community-based services and a solid relationship with a professional. The first step is, like in many other treatment centers, a thorough assessment. Client participates in a comprehensive evaluation with a licensed professional to determine the scope of the problem. Results of the evaluation are used to create an individualized treatment plan for a patient.
Substance abuse treatment at PLBH is personalized in order to accommodate a patient’s schedule with minimal interruptions. The progressive recovery program involves the following:

• Individual counseling
• Pretreatment and treatment readiness
• Alcohol and drug education program
• Outpatient substance abuse treatment
• Intensive outpatient substance abuse treatment

Outpatient treatment lasts 16 weeks and involves one weekly three-hour meeting. The program is suitable for persons who aren’t chemically dependent but demonstrate patterns of chemical abuse. Intensive outpatient treatment is suitable for clients who need a more structured treatment but don’t require inpatient setting.
Besides substance abuse, PLBH also treats ADD/ADHD, eating disorders, depression, and other mental health and behavioral problems.

Pine Lake Behavioral Health Therapies Provided

The core of outpatient treatment is counseling that involves therapy sessions which help clients improve mental health, overcome addiction, and start a healthier lifestyle. Therapies provided by PLBH include:

• Individual therapy
• Group therapy
• Acceptance and commitment therapy
• Applied behavioral analysis
• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Dialectical behavior therapy
• EMDR
• Mindfulness-based therapy
• Motivational interviewing

Pine Lake Behavioral Health Payment Options

Prices of treatment programs provided by PLBH aren’t displayed on the website because it all comes down to the needs of each patient. The treatment center works with all networks available in order to minimize the cost of the treatment to the patient and allow them to use their insurance benefits whenever they can. The insurance carrier and a plan type dictate the cost of services depending on the individual plan details such as deductible, copay/coinsurance, and other factors.
Additionally, PLBH is a preferred provider for Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare, Midlands Choice, and Aetna insurance carriers. The treatment center also accepts most commercial insurances such as Medicare. While they do accept Medicaid, the only accepted aspect of this insurance is UHC Community Plan. Feel free to contact them to find out whether your insurance covers treatment at PLBH.

Pine Lake Behavioral Health Licenses

The treatment center is a member of the Nebraska Medical Association and Lancaster County Medical Society. At this point, their website doesn’t reveal accreditations and certificates PLBH obtained, but remember they started working under a new name in April 2018 so we can expect to see this info in their near future too.

Pine Lake Behavioral Health Amenities

The treatment center also provides drug testing, internet addiction services, gambling services, medication-assisted treatment, and family support. Patients who receive treatment at PLBH participate in various therapies and receive a much-needed education that helps them recover and start a healthier lifestyle. The treatment center helps persons with addiction problems involving alcohol, opiates/opioids, methamphetamine, marijuana, stimulants, recreational drugs.

Pine Lake Behavioral Health Staff

Pine Lake Behavioral Health is one of the largest private mental health and substance abuse partnerships in southern Nebraska. They employ a team of psychologists, physicians, and psychotherapists. The official website of PLBH features staff names, biographies, and even contact sections where visitors have the opportunity to contact each staff member personally. Some team members are listed below.

Rick McNeese

Rick McNeese is a licensed psychologist with 33 years of experience. His core skills include individual and family counseling, psychological assessment, psychological testing, and many others. He believes that his main specialty is being able to have a great relationship with clients.

Duol Rut

Duol Rut is a provisionally licensed mental health practitioner with 12 years of experience. He is a patient-centered counselor who believes in change and knows the value of resilience and integrity. Duol has extensive experience working with persons with disabilities, substance abuse, and mental health issues.

Carrie Papenhagen

Carrie Papenhagen is a licensed independent mental health practitioner and licensed alcohol and drug counselor with 17 years of experience in these fields. Her core skills are individual and group counseling, court-ordered evaluation, addiction, and mental health services.

Lois Relys

Lois Relys is a licensed independent mental health practitioner at PLBH. She has 25 years of experience particularly with LGBTQ individuals and persons dealing with depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, and other problems.