Providence, RI - Butler Hospital is proud to announce the launch of Express Care, designed to provide timely, high-quality support for individuals seeking mental health care. Similar to the “urgent care” medical office model, Express Care will offer a shorter wait and a specialized patient experience, helping patients reach the right clinical care more quickly. The Express Care Clinic provides psychiatric evaluation with individualized treatment planning and level of care recommendations.

“This program was created to fill the gap between routine outpatient scheduling and the emergency department,” said Gretchen Anderson, LICSW, CCS, LCDP, Sr. Clinical Director of Ambulatory & Outpatient Behavioral Health at Butler and CNEMG Behavioral Health Practices “Our goal is to provide rapid access to compassionate expert care for people who need timely support without the long wait times.”

Butler Express Care is available Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., providing care to adolescents, adults, and older adults who may need:
•    Medication refills 
•    Connection to a new therapist or psychiatrist 
•    Bridge care while transitioning into or out of a partial hospitalization program 
•    Support and resources to begin behavioral health, even for the first time 
•    Short-term stabilization and assessment
•    Collaboration of care
•    Individualized recommendations of care within our CNE network or to community behavioral health providers

This model strengthens access to behavioral health services by offering immediate connection to clinicians who understand the distinct needs of every life stage, supported in part by Butler’s specialized adolescent and geriatric providers. This streamlined approach ensures that adolescents, young adults, college students, adults, and older adults can receive timely, personalized care for a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, mood dysregulation, stress related to life transitions, and grief and loss.

“We recognize that navigating the mental health system can be overwhelming,” said Anderson. “Express Care simplifies that journey. Whether someone needs support in managing symptoms with medication management, a therapy connection, or guidance on starting treatment, we're here to help them take the next step.”

We encourage individuals, families, and referring providers to consider express care for non-emergent behavioral health needs that still require prompt attention.

For more information about the express care behavioral health service, including hours, location, and referral guidelines, visit www.butler.org/express-care. 

About Butler Hospital 
Butler Hospital, a member of Care New England, is the only private, nonprofit psychiatric and substance abuse hospital serving adults, seniors, and adolescents in Rhode Island and southeastern New England. Founded in 1844, it was the first hospital in Rhode Island and has earned a reputation as the leading provider of innovative psychiatric treatments in the region. The Major Affiliated Teaching Hospital for Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Butler is recognized worldwide as a pioneer in conducting cutting-edge research. For more information, visit butler.org.