Mental Health & Substance Use Care at FQHCs

What FQHCs Are Required to Provide

FQHCs are federally required to offer mental health and substance use disorder services — either on-site or through formal referral arrangements. Many go beyond the minimum, embedding behavioral health providers directly in their primary care teams.

What Services Are Typically Available

Individual Therapy

One-on-one counseling for depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, stress, and other mental health concerns.

Psychiatric Evaluation

Assessment by a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner for diagnosis and medication management.

Medication Management

Ongoing prescribing and monitoring of psychiatric medications including antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and more.

Group Therapy

Group sessions for depression, anxiety, chronic disease management, and other conditions. Often more accessible than individual therapy.

Substance Use Counseling

Counseling for alcohol, opioid, and other substance use disorders. Many FQHCs offer this integrated with primary care.

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

Buprenorphine/Suboxone and other medications for opioid use disorder, prescribed by licensed FQHC providers.

Crisis Support

Many FQHCs have same-day crisis appointments or partnerships with crisis centers. Ask about their process when you call.

Referrals to Specialty Behavioral Health

If you need intensive outpatient, residential treatment, or specialized care, the FQHC can coordinate referrals.

How Integrated Behavioral Health Works

Many FQHCs use an integrated care model where a behavioral health provider (therapist or social worker) works alongside your primary care provider. This means:

Your PCP may refer you directly to behavioral health at the same visit
Behavioral health and medical records are shared within the care team (with your consent)
You may be seen by a behavioral health consultant in a brief "warm handoff" during a primary care visit
Follow-up is coordinated — you don't have to start from scratch with a new provider

What About Wait Times?

Mental health services at FQHCs are in high demand. Realistic expectations:

Crisis or urgent needs: Ask about same-day or next-day behavioral health appointments — many FQHCs reserve slots for urgent cases.
Ongoing therapy: Wait times of 2–8 weeks are common for non-urgent individual therapy.
Psychiatry: Often the longest wait — 4–12 weeks is not unusual. Ask your PCP if they can manage your medications in the interim.
MAT for opioid use disorder: Most FQHCs prioritize this — expect faster access.

How to Request Behavioral Health Services

Tell your primary care provider you're interested in mental health support — they can make an internal referral.
Or call the front desk directly and ask if they offer behavioral health services and how to get an appointment.
Ask if they have a same-day or walk-in behavioral health option.
If there's a waitlist, ask to be added and ask what to do if your symptoms worsen while waiting.

If You Are in Crisis

Call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) any time, 24/7. For immediate danger, call 911. Do not wait for an FQHC appointment if you are in acute crisis.

Find a Clinic With Behavioral Health Services

Search our directory and filter by mental health services.

Search the Directory