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Naples, Fl – In response to the coronavirus pandemic, David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health (DLC), Collier County’s only comprehensive, not-for-profit behavioral health treatment center serving children, adults and families, has launched a new Virtual Care Center to improve client, visitor and staff safety as well as access to treatment services during these unprecedented times. The Virtual Care Center is the first of DLC’s new Centers of Excellence to launch in 2020 as part of a greater rebranding.

The new Virtual Care Center offers online and remote support, including web-based telehealth virtual counseling as well as virtual doctor and medical services—for both adults and children. Clinical services are also available by phone. DLC has 100 clinicians who have now been mobilized to provide virtual services and video counseling.

New clients can access care through the DLC Virtual Care Center without leaving the comfort of their home. Through the Virtual Care Access Center, clients can fill out all necessary paperwork and begin the clinical assessment process entirely online. To get connected to the Virtual Care Center, which is open 24/7, please visit DLCenters.org or call at (239) 491-7602.

“COVID-19 is not just a physical illness,” says DLC President and CEO Scott Burgess. “The psychological impact of uncertainty and isolation is also real. We are seeing increased levels of anxiety, stress and depression as well as substance use and domestic violence.”

Programs for children and adults needing inpatient and emergency services remain open and fully operational; for those units, and any in-person visits, DLC has implemented CDC guidelines and safety procedures. Physical family visitation on units has been postponed; but ‘virtual visits’ can be facilitated. DLC has had no COVID-19 cases — among staff or patients.

Over the past several months, the DLC Board of Directors have embarked on a rebranding project expected to be fully announced and launched later in 2020. The rebrand will be focused around various “Centers of Excellence” that, in addition to the Virtual Care Center, include: Emergency Services Center, Children’s and Young Adult Center, Addiction and Recovery Center as well as Awareness and Prevention Center.

In order to emphasize these various Centers of Excellence, DLC has also changed its name to David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health.

“During this time of uncertainty and distancing, DLC remains committed to our mission and we are doing everything we can to be here, physically and virtually, for all those in need,” added Burgess. “Through the launch of this new Center of Excellence, DLC has adapted to support the community’s needs in a safe, more physically-distanced and convenient online method – one that we expect will be utilized more frequently now that the community has embraced and adjusted to more virtual care options as a result of this pandemic.”

Southwest Florida nonprofit David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health (DLC) is a national leader providing compassionate, advanced, and exceptional mental health, substance use, and integrated healthcare solutions, available for children, adolescents and adults. DLC’s innovative treatment includes inpatient, outpatient, residential, and community-based services – a comprehensive system of care funded by community and government support. Each year, DLC serves more than 9,800 people through over 276,000 treatment sessions. To learn more, please call (239) 491-7602.