In the System

Behavioral Health Benefits for Veterans in Whatcom County

 

Crisis Line (800)273-8251, option 1

*Primary Care through Community Care must be established or the Veteran needs to be seen by a Mental Health Professional at CBOC in MT. Vernon. Either the Veteran’s Primary Care Doctor or a CBOC Mental Health Professional will submit a request for Behavioral Health within the community. 

 

Authorization Forms and information for Triwest: https://www.triwest.com/en/behavioral-health/behavioral-health-authorization-forms/

Link for finding providers (last modified 19 July2019):

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/triwest/wa/bellingham/427175?sid=5dd450624846a&ref=1&tr=ResultsName

*If Triwest has not received approval from the VA within 14 days, the Veteran should call (253)582-8440 ext.64545, press option 5 for a Choice Champion Representative. The Veteran will receive a robotically generated letter in the mail from Triwest that can be ignored after speaking to a Choice Champion Representative.

 

Providers within Whatcom County that currently accept Triwest, as well as accepting new clients: 

Bellingham Vet Center (360) 733-9226 

3800 Byron Avenue Suite 124 Bellingham, WA 98229

 

Isabel Kaufman Counselor, PhD, LMHCC, CFC, Forensi, Expert (360) 927-1980

103 E Holly St STE 205 Bellingham, WA 98225

 

  1. Lynn Nelson Counselor, LMHC (360) 305-7899

1101 Harris Ave St. 21 Bellingham, WA 98225

 

Sharon O’Connell Counselor, MA, CDPII, LMHC (360)529-5635 

112 Ohio St. #109 Bellingham, Washington 98225        

 

 Bridget C. Cantrell Ph.D., NCC, CTS, LMHC (360)714-1525

Hearts Toward Home International 

In the System- 

Driving Directions to the Mount Vernon Clinic

The Mount Vernon clinic is located across from Skagit Valley Hospital: From Interstate 5, take the Kincaid Street Exit, #226. Go east, up the hill and continue for four blocks. Turn left on 13th Street. Skagit Valley Hospital will be on your right and our clinic will be on your left, in the large brown medical building on the 2nd floor.

Parking

  • Free on premises

Hours

Monday – Friday

8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (elevators open at 7:45 a.m.)

 

-Choose between CBOC and Mission Act/Community Care 

 

-If choosing Community Care, request a walk in appointment with a Mental Health Professional at CBOC (Do not go between 12pm-1pm).

  -Veteran will be provided with options for both Psychotherapy and Med Management:

-Telehealth (facetime over the computer or phone through Zoom app)

-If Veteran does not want to use Telehealth, they have the option to request a provider within the community (At this time, Med Management is only available through CBOC or Telehealth). 

-Behavioral Health Triwest Representative will contact Veteran

-Veteran may choose provider from list. Contact Triwest Representative if the provider is not a fit. A new authorization will need to be generated if the Veteran chooses a different provider.     

 

Not in the VA Health Care System-