What is mental health therapy?
Mental health treatment is often referred to as behavioral health services, therapy, or counseling. Whatever name is used, mental health services means that we can help with life's problems.

What problems can you help me with?
We have therapists who know how to help with problems such as depression, anxiety, conflict at home or work, ADHD, school problems, family or couple conflict, trauma, grief and loss, substance abuse, and many other specific problems, which affect individuals, couples, children or families in everyday life.

Who will be helping me?
Therapy is provided by specially trained and licensed professions, who are experts in different areas of problems and in different forms of talk-therapy. These experts are social workers, psychologists, and psychiatrists.

How does therapy work?
Our therapists usually offer weekly 45-50 minute appointments, called sessions, which involve an initial assessment of the problem and then on-going meetings for a course of short-term treatment, usually between 8 to 25 sessions depending on the focus of treatment.

What do you mean by "treatment"?
Some forms of treatment are: Looking at the way you think about things and considering how your thoughts are affecting your mood or creating anxiety, learning new ways of thinking about things, skill building around communication, stress management etc. Therapy can mean looking at your behavior and life choices or life style, for areas of change, which will improve how you function at home, school or work.

Can you work with my doctor?
You may also be helped through coordination with your primary care physician, a referral to our psychiatric services or a referral for support services in your community. Therapy sometimes offers support, guidance and learning how to deal with bad things that have happened to you in your life,

Is therapy like taking to a friend?
Talking with a therapist is different from getting help from friends or relatives. Therapists have special skills for helping you and they are more objective. But therapy is an opportunity for growth and change and is accomplished by the gentle help of caring professions.

Is my therapy confidential?
Under the law, the conversations of a therapist with a client are private and confidential. The only exceptions are if you are going to harm yourself or someone else or a child: these cannot be kept secret.

Would I have to see a psychiatrist?
Our psychiatrists are doctors who specialize in mental health problems. You would see the doctor for a consultation only if you and your therapist think it would help to consider medicine to help with your problems or if the therapist wants a second and medical opinion on how to help you.

What do psychiatrists do?
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in mental health. The psychiatrist can aid your therapist with treatment planning, diagnosis or in determining the need for a higher level of care. Also, only a physician can evaluate the need for medication, prescribe it, or write a refill, change a dosage, change the medication or approve you to go off of a medication,

How do psychiatric visits work?
You would see a psychiatrist for a one-session, 45-minute consultation appointment, called a Psychiatric Evaluation (PE). If you are prescribed a medication, you would then be monitored by the psychiatrist to see how you are doing. These monitoring appointments are in addition to your regular therapy sessions, are usually at monthly or bi-monthly intervals; they are called Medication Review appointments, and take about 15 minutes.

Where are the psychiatrists located?
Although there are three AACS locations, all our psychiatrists are located at our 5331 Plymouth Road, Dixboro location only.

What does it cost to see the psychiatrist?
Psychiatric appointments are covered by most insurances with a small co-pay. If you are a private pay client, the charge for a Psychiatric Evaluation is $190 and a Medication Review Appointment is $75.

What is substance abuse therapy?
Substance abuse services are also referred to as chemical dependency services, substance dependence services, or recovery work. Whatever the name that is used, substance abuse services means that we can help you to address how drugs and/or alcohol are negatively affecting your life,

How serious can the substance abuse problem be?
Substance abuse services at AACS are offered on an out patient basis, which means we will first screen all potential clients to make sure that they do not need more intensive treatment or hospitalization for potential withdrawal symptoms. We help with these referrals when needed.

Who will be helping me?
We have specially trained, licensed and experienced therapist to help clients to identify drug or alcohol issues. They can help you develop strategies for quitting, remaining sober and addressing the causes of your reliance on substances, Our specialists are familiar with community support services and they know how to help parents or families address and cope with a substance abusing child or family member. Substance abuse treatment involves assessment, education, coping-skill building, support and referral.

What about a family member who needs help?
Admitting you or someone you love may have a drug or alcohol problem can be a very difficult thing to do. Knowing what to do next can be even more confusing, Our therapists provide a safe and caring environment for the process of acceptance of these kinds of problems, and we will guide you through the first or on-going steps in your recovery.

Do you offer any other substance abuse services?
Our Substance Abuse program also offers such services as Driver's License Evaluations, return to work evaluations and in-home family intervention programs.

How do I get started?
If you need more information or would like an appointment with one of our substance abuse specialists, please contact us. It's never too late to change your life

What insurances do you take?
We accept most insurance plans. These include: Aetna, BCBS (Blue Cross/Blue Shield), BCN (Blue Care Network), BVH, Priority Health, Champus, Cigna, Conneticut General, Magellan, Medicare, MESSA, Partnership Health, PPOM, Preferred Choices, and Value Options.

How many clinic locations do you have?
Four. One in West Ann arbor, two in Northeast Ann Arbor, including one by Domino's Farms/East Ann Arbor Health Center, and one in Brighton, Michigan.

What cities do you serve?
We have clients from all over southeast Michigan, including: the Detroit area, Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Scio, Dexter, Brighton, Saline, Chelsea, Plymouth, Manchester, Howell, Pinckney, and Canton.