Psychiatric Care & Addiction Recovery

The Psychiatric and Addiction Recovery Center (PARC) is a drug and alcohol detox program with a focus on mental health and substance use treatment at Pen Bay Medical Center, managed by Maine Behavioral Healthcare. PARC is a locked, 18-bed, inpatient unit providing acute psychiatric and medical detoxification treatment for patients 18 years of age and older. Patients are treated both on a voluntary and an involuntary basis.

The multidisciplinary treatment team consists of psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, CNAs, social workers, mental health workers, registered occupational therapists, certified occupational therapist assistants, licensed substance abuse counselors and administrative staff. Other hospital staff provide additional support as needed, such as hospitalists, dieticians, chaplains and respiratory therapists.

The treatment team utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy techniques in both group therapy and individual treatment plans. PARC staff strongly believe in the maintenance of a healing and therapeutic environment. Safety for both patients and staff is our number one goal. To this end, PARC staff and other hospital staff are trained in Crisis Prevention Institute Training with the goal of helping to de-escalate agitated or potentially violent behavior. We believe all patients deserve dignity and respect.

Mental Health and Psychiatric Services

Services include: children's case management; crisis response and stabilization; integrated mental health services in select primary care practices, schools and community-based settings; residential treatment for adults; and substance abuse counseling as well as outpatient psychiatry and therapy services in Rockland and Belfast.

Outpatient Psychiatry for adults and children

Patients are sometimes referred by their primary care physician, a child's school, a friend, or sometimes they refer themselves. In the Outpatient Psychiatry Department, patients are seen by a psychiatrist (a medical doctor who specializes in mental health problems) who may prescribe medication. If the doctor assesses that the patient may benefit from psychotherapy, a therapist may provide counseling services.

Opioid Use Disorder Treatment

Pen Bay Family Medicine is a Medication for Opioid Disorder (MOUD) treatment location. Learn more.

Child Case Management

This program is designed to link children with mental health needs with an array of services which may be provided in their community, school or home. Referrals to this program are made by the family, a mental health provider, school personnel or family physician.

Residential Programs

People with chronic mental illness may be unable to successfully live independently in the community. Maine Behavioral Healthcare has five group homes and one apartment complex that is staffed around the clock to assist residents. Medication is monitored and administered. Access to these homes is facilitated through the state mental health system.

Maine Behavioral Healthcare

Maine Behavioral Healthcare is building a collaborative, community-oriented network of treatment providers. Our primary goal is connecting clients and patients to appropriate care when they need it.

Learn more