Scope of Practice

Life Transitions may provide outpatient counseling to individuals living with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia-spectrum disorders, or other conditions involving psychosis when our clinicians determine that outpatient therapy at Life Transitions is clinically appropriate.

For some individuals, safe and effective outpatient care may require coordination with a psychiatrist, primary care provider, psychiatric nurse practitioner, or another qualified medical professional. Clients are encouraged to discuss medication questions, concerns, side effects, and treatment preferences directly with their prescribing provider. Life Transitions does not prescribe medication and will not instruct a client to begin, discontinue, or change a medication.

A person will not be automatically denied services solely because of a diagnosis or because they have questions or concerns about medication. However, when a client's symptoms, treatment needs, or level of risk require psychiatric medication management, specialized treatment, crisis stabilization, or a more intensive level of care than Life Transitions can provide, we will discuss those concerns with the client and assist with referrals to appropriate providers or programs.

Life Transitions does not currently operate a comprehensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy program or a specialty treatment program specifically designed for Borderline Personality Disorder.

A diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder does not automatically disqualify someone from receiving services at Life Transitions. Each request for services is considered individually. In some circumstances, our clinicians may be able to address concerns such as anxiety, depression, relationships, grief, trauma, or life transitions when doing so is within the clinician's training and is clinically appropriate.

When a person's primary treatment needs require comprehensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy, intensive skills coaching, specialized personality-disorder treatment, crisis support, or another service that Life Transitions does not provide, we will recommend referral to a clinician or program with the appropriate specialization.

If an assessment completed during treatment indicates that a client would be better served by a specialized or higher level of care, Life Transitions will discuss the clinical recommendation with the client and develop an appropriate transition or continuing-care plan. When reasonably available, we will provide referral options and support coordination of care. Services will not be ended solely because a diagnostic label has been assigned.

Life Transitions is committed to providing respectful and equitable services. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, diagnosis, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or family status, veteran or military status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Clinical admission, referral, transfer, and discharge decisions are based on individualized clinical considerations, client safety, the services requested, the qualifications and availability of our clinicians, and whether Life Transitions can appropriately meet the client's needs within our outpatient scope of practice.