“We are seeing more people reaching out for both psychiatric care and therapy,” Pullen said, “which I think is fantastic. We are working hard to increase our capacity.”

In 2021 Berryhill had just over 37,000 visits, including both in the office and telehealth for psychiatry and therapy.

Pullen said the demand throughout the COVID-19 pandemic has been greater than the clinic’s capacity. But Berryhill is continuing its efforts to recruit providers and also reach more people through telehealth.

“We have increased our psychiatry capacity in Fort Dodge,” she said. “And we are working on having some time with a child and adolescent psychiatrist through telehealth. We are working with some of our partners through the UnityPoint system to bring a psychiatrist on part time with an opportunity to maybe expand that as the need would grow.”

One trend around the state has been the short supply of mental health therapists, according to Pullen. She said recruiting them will be a focus going forward.

“We were fortunate to have some interns through telehealth services,” she said. “The pandemic disrupted internships in a lot of places, but I believe that will rebound in the future.”

Behavioral health urgent care

Berryhill opened its behavioral health urgent care in April 2020.

Pullen said that has been a chance to help patients more immediately.

“If someone feels like they are having a mental health emergency, they can walk in and be seen,” Pullen said. “That’s been a great opportunity to meet people where they are and help them.”

The behavioral health urgent care is open from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Senate File 619

Senate File 619 was passed and signed into law giving payment parity for telehealth services. “This has had a very positive impact on the access to mental health care to Iowans in rural areas and through the pandemic,” Pullen said.

Employee assistance

There has also been more of an effort to support the mental health of Berryhill employees through an employee assistance program.

“We have partnered with the Allen Hospital in Waterloo to expand our program for our Fort Dodge region, so that has really increased the capacity for us to offer support for our own staff.” Pullen added, “They are always welcome to come to Berryhill for an appointment but this allows for a virtual option that could fit someone’s schedule, whatever that is. This work has been taxing on everybody. They deserve an outlet to talk to someone if they need it and we want to provide as much support as we can.”

Pullen said she’s proud of the work Berryhill employees have done.

“I’m just so proud of the staff,” she said. “They are living through the same pandemic as everyone else and working so very hard to take care of people while also living through that pandemic. We are working hard internally. Self care, it’s really important. We need to be healthy if we are going to help others be healthy.”