Rogers Behavioral Health System opens treatment center in Tampa, Fla.

Rogers Behavioral Health System, Wisconsin's largest, not-for-profit mental health and addiction services provider, is opening its first treatment center outside of Wisconsin in Tampa, Fla., on Monday, September 29.

According to Eric Storch, Ph.D., clinical director for Rogers Behavioral Health—Tampa Bay, and professor of pediatrics, psychiatry and behavioral neurosciences at USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, at the University of South Florida, "It is an exciting endeavor to expand the level of care provided for adults and children with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and related anxiety disorders with the opening of our intensive outpatient programs."

"Rogers is one of the nation's leading behavioral health providers and a leader in providing evidence-based, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with an emphasis on exposure and response prevention (ERP)," said Dr. Storch. "CBT is a frontline treatment for these conditions and has been shown to be helpful for approximately 85 percent of adults and children with OCD and anxiety disorders.

"We are fortunate to have this reputable mental healthcare provider moving into our market. Tampa, along with our entire state, has a real need for this additional, higher level of care for individuals struggling with OCD, anxiety and other mental health disorders.

"Rogers Behavioral Health has one of the largest and most comprehensive OCD programs in the world. It is wonderful that people will now be able to receive this high level of mental healthcare from Rogers so close to home."

Rogers is located at 2002 Lois Avenue, Suite 400, in South Tampa and will encompass 12,000 square feet of treatment space specifically designed to support the patient experience and enhance growth and healing. A grand opening celebration is planned for Thursday, October 16, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. to coincide with the International OCD Foundation's 2014 OCD Awareness Week.

Stephanie Eken, M.D., FAAP, Rogers' regional medical director for partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs, said this is just the start for Rogers in Tampa.

"Our goal is to expand the types of OCD and anxiety treatment programs we offer within 30 days of our opening. For children, adolescents and adults with more severe symptoms, we're planning to add partial hospitalization programs which offer a more intensive level of care, operating six hours a day, five days a week."

With additional support from Amaya Ramos, M.D., a child and adolescent psychiatrist, and adult psychiatrist Phillip Seibell, M.D., Rogers' OCD programming in Tampa can accommodate 32 patients.

An eating disorders treatment program will also be offered in the next several months.

"We recognize there is a need for specialized mental health services in the Tampa Bay region, and we are excited to be able to utilize Rogers' depth of experience in these intensive programs," added Dr. Eken.

SOURCE Rogers Behavioral Health System