Greater Lakes Mental Healthcare has clinical and/or medical providers at different credential levels, and ensures that all services are provided by individuals who hold the required credential.
These different levels are:
Certified Peer Counselors
Certified Peer Counselors (CPCs) have lived experience of their own with mental illness or mental health challenges, or have cared for child family members with a mental health issue. Peer Counselors hold clinical positions in every program within Greater Lakes, and are often able to break down barriers and establish trust more quickly than traditional clinicians. Many Peers work primarily in the community, meeting clients where they feel most comfortable. CPCs must be at least one year into their own recovery, pass an exam and be certified through the State of Washington. CPC’s may also hold advanced degrees – many of the Peer Counselors that work at Greater Lakes have Bachelor’s degrees and Master’s degrees.
Counselors and Mental Health Technicians
These individuals work in our Residential Treatment Facilities and in our Evaluation and Treatment Center. They have specialized training in residential or inpatient treatment and in supporting individuals through acute phases of their illnesses. These staff provide 24/7 support to clients within these facilities and may have AA, BA or MA level degrees. Many are also Certified Peer Counselors.
Case Managers
Case Management staff usually have AA or BA level degrees (although they might also have Masters degrees), and have considerable expertise in community resources. Case managers help people solve problems and provide assistance in accessing community resources. Case managers may also accompany clients out into the community to assist in skill development, such as learning to take the bus or shopping for groceries.
Therapists
The majority of outpatient clinical staff at Greater Lakes are therapists. Therapists bring both case-management and psychotherapy skills to their interactions with clients, drawing upon those skills sets that are needed at the time. Most therapists have either BA or MA level degrees and many are Masters-level Mental Health Professionals as well.
Mental Health Professionals
Mental Health Professionals (MHPs) have achieved a Master’s degree plus a minimum of 2 years supervised experience. MHPs conduct intake assessments and supervise clinical services and documentation as well as maintaining a client caseload. MHPs work in outpatient services, residential treatment facilities and our inpatient facility.
Nurses
Greater Lakes employs both Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and Registered Nurses (RNs), in all of our facilities – outpatient, residential and inpatient. Nurses help clients with a variety of health care and medication-related issues, and support the prescribing staff of ARNPs and Psychiatrists.
Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners (ARNPs)
ARNPs provide the vast majority of psychiatric assessment, prescription services and medication management at Greater Lakes.
Psychiatrists
Are available for clients with complicated psychiatric and physical conditions, especially where these conditions overlap.
Chemical Dependency Professionals (CDPs)
These counselors are the primary clinicians in our Substance Use Disorder program and coordinate closely with other staff to provide chemical dependency treatment.
