How We Treat

Our Services

We offer an array of outpatient services for the treatment of mental illness and substance abuse problems. Our services are tailored to individual needs and delivered using evidence-based approaches to increase effectiveness.

Behavioral health treatment is not one size fits all.

We work with each individual to determine the right program and plan to meet their unique treatment goals. This may include Intensive Case Management, Assertive Community Treatment, Peer Support Services, or the combination of all three programs to achieve the desired result. 

Our goal is to maintain an empatheticethical and responsive attitude in all phases of care, and we are dedicated to creating an environment of opportunity, choice and hope, regardless of gender, ethnicity or socioeconomic status.

Learn more about our programs and the services we offer by scrolling below.

Our Levels of Care

The Intensive Outpatient level of care is one step down from Partial Hospitalization. It’s designed for people who need intense, focused treatment but can’t commit to the five hours a day required at the more acute level of care; or the individuals who do not meet the full-time requirements of a residential program. 

ACT Program

General outpatient programs are the least structured forms of treatment we offer. You receive the support, education, and high-quality clinical care associated with CHOICES, Inc. while at the same time adhering to you regular life schedule. 

ICM Program

Peer Support

Evidence-based Care

Transforming Lives, Families, and Communities

Each person, each recovery path, and each recovery plan is different. We can help you to get the right level of care for you and create an individualized plan to get you back to your life. Our wide selection of programs means there’s a way in for you, regardless of the obstacles you face. Our programs are designed to address unique challenges and offer help where and when you need it most.

Assertive Community Treatment

ACT Program

If you or someone you know has been referred to Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) program, you may be wondering whether this is the best option for you or your loved one. Rest assured that ACT is an evidence-based practice that has been studied for several decades, and has likely been offered to you for specific reasons.

Below you will find the definition of ACT, eligibility criteria, application requirements and more. 

  • What is ACT?
  • Services
  • Who is Eligible for ACT?
  • Application Requirements

Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) is an intensive, integrated approach to community mental health service delivery. ACT helps communities by reducing homelessness (modeled after "Housing First" model) and unnecessary hospital stays.

The mission of ACT is to help people become independent and integrate into the community as they experience recovery.

The ACT team comes directly to the client, whether it is in the client’s home, place of work or another place in the community. Services are flexible and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. An individual works with the entire team — including a nurse, psychiatrist, social worker and case manager — on a schedule that meets his or her needs. 

The following is a list of some of the primary services that ACT program offers:

  • Initial and ongoing assessments
  • Treatment planning and monitoring
  • Psychiatric services such as coping with psychotic episodes or crises
  • Help with search for employment and housing
  • Education for family members and you about your mental illness
  • Substance abuse services
  • Accompanying you to medical appointments and dentist appointments
  • Representation at court hearings
  • Help with finances (such as managing money and paying bills)
  • Helping you to grow confident with housekeeping, shopping, cooking, and transportation
  • Employment support such as finding and keeping a job
  • Help to order and manage medications, and more

Below is a list of the most common reasons a person will be offered assertive community treatment services:

  • Persons with severe symptoms of mental illness
    • Schizophrenia and other psychotic and thought disorders
    • Bipolar and other mood disorders
  • Those with frequent hospital stays
    • Individuals residing in an inpatient or supervised community
      residence, but clinically assessed to be able to live in a
      more independent living situation
  • People experiencing homelessness due to mental illness
  • Persons with high rates of substance abuse
  • People with a significant history of trauma
  • Persons with overlapping physical and mental illnesses 
  • Persons experiencing psychiatric crises
  • People with mental illness in the criminal justice system
  • People unlikely to attend appointments at hospitals or clinics
  • People who have not responded well to traditional outpatient care

All ACT program applicants must have a documented mental health diagnosis as well as be chronically homeless, for a year or more.Housing First - Assertive Community Treatment Program is BY REFERRAL ONLY.


ACT Program Application Requirements

  • Health or menta health care providers wishing to refer their clients to ACT must complete a Request for Services/Referral form
  • Submit a completed form to Intake and Client Records Director using one of the following methods:
    • By mail to: Intake and Client Records, CHOICES, Inc., 1231 Gambell Street, Suite 300, Anchorage, AK 99501
    • By FAX to: Intake and Client Records, CHOICES, Inc. (907) 333 - 4383
  • Schedule your client's screening consultation appointment
    • Click here for online scheduling, or
    • Call us at (907) 333 - 4343 

Intensive Case Management

ICM Program

Intensive Case Management is different from traditional case management. It is designed to serve higher acuity clients who have more complex needs. These can include a serious mental health concern, a disabling physical condition, a chronic substance use disorder and financial and housing cost barriers.

Below you will find the definition of ICM, eligibility criteria, application requirements and more. 

  • What is ICM?
  • Services
  • Who is Eligible for ACT?
  • Application Requirements

ICM program is suitable for individuals who require additional assistance with adjustment to life as they return to the community following hospitalization. The program helps consumers learn what is needed to successfully manage symptoms and obtain entitlements, education, and employment. ICM links consumers to all available and relevant services and helps them advocate for themselves whenever necessary and possible. 

All ICM services are delivered in our office or in the community. 

Dedication is a huge component of success to this program. We ask that clients attend all of their scheduled sessions. We understand the huge time commitment this is, but our staff will work alongside you every step of the way.

Our ICM team will assist you with developing coping skills, maintaining employment, housing and/or balancing challenges to your recovery.

The group therapy approach gives you the opportunity to take back control of your life and start your journey to healing.

 

The following is a list of some of the primary services that ICM program offers:

  • Group therapy
  • Consultation with a mental health provider and referrals to community mental health providers for aftercare
  • Treatment planning
  • Consultation with a psychiatrist (as needed)
  • Case management
  • Life skills education
  • Transition planning and aftercare, and more

Services Provided By:

  • Mental Health Clinicians
  • Recovery Coordinators
  • Consulting Psychiatrist

Below is a list of the most common reasons a person will be offered assertive community treatment services:

  • Persons with acute symptoms of mental illness with or without substance use disorder
  • Those with frequent hospital stays
  • People experiencing homelessness due to mental illness
  • Persons with high rates of substance abuse
  • People with a significant history of trauma
  • Persons with overlapping physical and mental illnesses 
  • Persons experiencing psychiatric crises
  • People with mental illness in the criminal justice system
  • People who have not responded well to traditional outpatient care

Referrals can be made by: ANYONE!
(Physicians, Social Workers, Case Workers, Nurses, Community Agencies, Families and Self Referrals)

Intensive Case Management - Recovery Coordination & Intensive Case Management - Substance Abuse Teams require applicants to have a substance abuse or mental health diagnosis.

  • Submit a completed form to Intake and Client Records Director using one of the following methods:
    • By mail to: Intake and Client Records, CHOICES, Inc., 1231 Gambell Street, Suite 300, Anchorage, AK 99501
    • By FAX to: Intake and Client Records, CHOICES, Inc. (907) 333 - 4383
  • Schedule your client's screening consultation appointment
    • Click here for online scheduling, or
    • Call us at (907) 333 - 4343 
  • DSM-5 (Adult Self Rated Symptom Measure)
  • ACE (Adverse Childhood Experience)
  • BAM (Brief Addiction Monitor)

Any diagnoses submitted would be helpful and expedite the process, but is not mandatory.

Housing Program

formerly PATH

Formerly known as Project for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH), our housing program provides outreach services to homeless adults with a serious mental illness with the goal of linking them to housing and mental health treatment. Our housing program team works tirelessly to engage homeless adults by visiting local shelters, transportation centers, parks, waterfronts and tent towns in Anchorage, Alaska. Just one outreach can mean the difference between a person lost and the possibility of giving that individual an opportunity at a full, meaningful, productive life.

Below you will find more information about our housing program. 

  • What is it?
  • Services
  • Who is Eligible?
  • Application Requirements

Housing program team focuses on homeless outreach.

The housing program team providers work with area shelters and also go directly into the community to find homeless individuals and connect them to mental health and other services.

The program places individuals with a serious mental illness in appropriate housing and links them to mental health treatment and systems to improve mental health functioning.
 
Housing program representatives will advocate for benefits on behalf of the homeless individual offering linkage that supports mental health and housing stability. Staff will assist those who are eligible for funding to find long-term housing.
 

To be eligible for the housing program, an individual must be:

  • Determined to be experiencing serious mental illness or co-occurring serious mental illness and substance abuse disorder, AND
  • Experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk of homelessness

Individuals are referred to our housing program by community agencies, shelters, crisis centers, faith-based organizations, and soup kitchens, as well as through outreach.

Housing Program Referral Form

Peer Support

PEER

Below you will find the definition of our PEER support program. 

  • What is PEER Support?
  • Services
  • Who is Eligible for PEER?
  • Application Requirements

The role of the peer support includes providing services that serve to validate individuals' experiences, provide guidance and encouragement to individuals to take responsibility for and actively participate in their own recovery, and help individuals identify, understand, and combat stigma and discrimination against mental illness and develop strategies to reduce individuals’ self-imposed stigma.

Through listening, understanding, and providing appropriate referrals, Peer Support programs serve proactively as an early-warning detection system to help individuals handle their personal problems.

The scope of practice for peers includes peer counseling and support, assistance with developing person directed recovery plans, engagement through outreach and support, education on advocacy for the individual person and others. 
  • Housing resources
  • Completion of applications/paperwork
  • Self-help/Self-improvement
  • Group skill development
  • Goal setting, and more

To be eligible for the Peer Support program, an individual must be:

  • Determined to be experiencing serious mental illness or co-occurring serious mental illness and substance abuse disorder
  • Experiencing difficulties in at least one of the following areas:
    • Is receiving or has recently receive crisis intervention services
    • Is experiencing functions problems in the residence or community
    • Is frequently missing appointments or being late
    • Is experiencing money management problems
    • Needs to develop self-advocacy difficulties, and so on
  • Individual must be receptive to services in an unstructured environments without professional presence 

Referrals can be made by: ANYONE!
(Physicians, Social Workers, Case Workers, Nurses, Community Agencies, Families and Self Referrals)

Peer Support program requires that applicants have a mental health diagnosis.

  • Submit a completed form to Intake and Client Records Director using one of the following methods:
    • By mail to: Intake and Client Records, CHOICES, Inc., 1231 Gambell Street, Suite 300, Anchorage, AK 99501
    • By FAX to: Intake and Client Records, CHOICES, Inc. (907) 333 - 4383

Submit applications at: 
1231 Gambell St. Suite 300
Anchorage, AK 99501

Fax applications to: 

(907) 333-4343