42 Ladd St. Suite 319 ph: (401)-206-0110 East Greenwich, RI 02818 fx: (401)-789-2349
e were born out of the demand to exist. You asked to feel better faster, so we responded by creating our curiosity-inducing immersive atmosphere. You said you were afraid of needing treatment, so we humanized it for you by translating the medical language and gently measuring your comfort level. You asked if you were alone so we showed you that you weren't by relating with your needs and building a community around them. You asked how to keep up with your care, so we made an approach that you can feel excited to participate in and share with others. You showed us letters from your insurance threatening the coverage of your care, and we went out on a limb advocating for your treatment by successfully appealing to mental health parity legislation. We’re listening and adapting because we are truly in this together. The Opening is founded upon lived experience. We have sat where our clients sit, and we wear that fact proudly, knowing that it contributes to the distinctive and effective methods of our care and services. Why is what we do important? Because the above statement should not feel like a confession. By estranging the provider from the patient and vice versa, we limit access to care by discouraging providers from seeking help when they need it, and discourage patients from pursuing careers in a field that they already have intimacy with. We see a future where people can feel as comfortable taking care of their minds as they would grabbing a cup of coffee, and it can not happen fast enough. A healthy social landscape is built by one healthy mind at a time. We aim to expand our reach by developing into a one-stop-shop, on-every-corner creative ecosystem driven by peer support, cross-industry outreach, educational events, funded research, and most importantly genuine, receptive care. "Am I in the right place?" We’ve received this question from many wide-eyed individuals upon their first visit. Our space is a fundamental component of our philosophy as well as our approach to mental health. In our eyes, there is no reason that our services need to be conducted in a lifeless environment, so we're constructing our space to engage, stimulate and excite the mind. Therapy begins when you open the door, and that's what coming to us is all about. Our Name “The wound is where the light enters.” -Rumi All things must break open to grow. We challenge you to do the same; to embrace the battle wounds that brought you here and to value yourself for the lessons you've been taught by them. Whether you found your way to us out of frustration or desperation, we’re here to help you hold the pieces in place as you put yourself back together, stronger than you ever were.
_____________________ To broaden mental healthcare by building it around you. ere at The Opening, therapy begins when you walk through the door. We've constructed our space to immediately engage, stimulate and relieve the mind, and that’s just one part of our Handcrafted Mental Health tm experience. The services that we offer include: - Investigative solution based therapy - Clinical evaluation - Medication management - Educational resources - A text message hotline for accessible care - Appointments during both on and off hours to accommodate regular work schedules - Sliding scale rates, payment deferment and payment plans based on Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and/or hardship - Family therapy - Group therapy workshops - Massage therapy - In house billing services and education Our present community is a broad spectrum of 275+ multi-generational clients including (but not limited to) teenagers, LGBTQ, minorities, impoverished, families, new mothers. About 37% of our clients are Medicaid members. We also encourage our clients to bring their children, friends, and significant others to our space during their appointments. This not only reframes any preconceived notions about mental healthcare, but it additionally helps us get to know our clients better, and adds dimension to our treatment. It even allows our clients to save on the costs of childcare or travel expenses during the time of their appointment. By tackling the mental health crisis plaguing 40% of adults in the U.S. 1 at a systemic level, we are pervasively reducing stigma at its root. And where do bias, poverty, and injustice stem from? Unaddressed anxiety, depression and trauma. Primary preventative mental health care does not yet exist. Humanizing the language around mental health helps to normalize the conversations crucial to true preventative care in our field. For example, we all have different factors that contribute to how we interact with the world. So here at The Opening, that’s what we call them; “factors” instead of “illnesses”. When our clients bring this language home, they feel more comfortable expressing their challenges and encouraging others to do the same. 1Nirmita Panchal, Rabah Kamal. “The Implications of COVID-19 for Mental Health and Substance Use – Issue Brief – 9440-03.” KFF, 28 Apr. 2022, https://www.kff.org/report-section/the-implications-of-covid-19-for-mental-health-and-substance-use-issue-brief/.
e asked you to submit anonymous feedback about how we help and how we can do better. Here’s how you responded. How do we help?: “Being treated here has changed my life in the best way. Thanks for everything your team does.” How can we do better?: Blank How do we help?: “You listen.” How can we improve?: Blank How do we help?: “Super easy to contact/easy communication.” How can we do better?: Blank How do we help?: “By listening and giving such supportive, insightful feedback and incredible perspective shifts. By inspiring positive thoughts and helping me realize I'm not the only one with the kinds of challenges I'm facing. By empathizing beautifully.” How can we do better?: “I can’t imagine how you could do better” How do we help?: “Comprehensive, professional care. Continual results and personal improvement w/ documentable history. Appreciate appointment reminders & scheduling accommodations.” How can we do better?: “Monthly resubmitting of all necessary medications. May not be achievable due to regulations/insurance, but worth a mention. Raise the fish tank to a more visible height. Just a fleeting thought.” How do we help?: “Safe and comfortable office. Makes me feel safe to discuss my issues or concerns openly.” How can we do better?: “Nothing, you guys are awesome!” How do we help?: “Meeting w/ Camille has truly made my life better. I’m a different person than I was when we began. I am stronger, more self-aware and forever grateful. The office has such a calming ‘at home’ atmosphere. I love it!” How can we do better?: “I have zero complaints. You are all fantastic!” How do we help?: “A good environment makes for a better mood. It also makes you feel comfortable. All the staff is so friendly. Camille is the only provider who I felt was actually concerned for my well-being and didn’t just want money.” How can we do better?: “I have no complaints.” How do we help?: “Always a positive/uplifting session! Amazing staff - thank you!!” How can we do better?: Blank How do we help?: “The space is a place I can relax and talk freely about my life and problems. The environment helps bring me into the headspace I need to get what I need out of my visits.“ How can we do better?: “I would like to know more about the community around here. Maybe events? Lectures?” How do we help?: “By listening to my input in things and doing only what I’m comfortable with.” How can we do better?: “No complaints, I love it here!” How do we help?: “Compare patient’s feelings to (anxious depressed, etc) to previous appointments to ensure growth/find solutions.” Make it very easy to schedule and reschedule appointments. Flexible schedules as well as different appointment options (in-person/tele).” How can we do better?: “N/A you guys are great” How do we help?: “Provide warm, friendly yet professional atmosphere” How can we do better?: “Can’t think of anything right now” How do we help?: “Make me think.” How can we do better?: Blank How do we help?: “Always available. Flexible.” How can we do better?: Blank How do we help?: “Give me time to talk about ME! And not worry about being judged. Help me by aiding me to do better at work and home with important tasks & honey-do-lists.” How can we do better?: “More time to chat.” How do we help?: “Being understanding and thoughtful. Being an active listener. Having patience and helping me with my expression.” How can we do better?: Blank