Mental Health Care After 65
Evaluation, counseling and medication management for older adults, in person in West Ashley or from home by secure video.
Not a Normal Part of Getting Older
MedlinePlus, from the National Library of Medicine, states plainly that mental health problems are not a normal part of aging. It notes that changes such as the death of a loved one, retirement or a serious illness can bring stress and sadness, and that trouble adjusting to them can raise the risk of depression and anxiety.
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) makes a similar point: when grief, isolation or loneliness lingers, it can lead to conditions such as depression and anxiety, and effective treatments are available.
How Symptoms Can Look Different
NIMH notes that older adults with depression often feel sadness, grief or quieter symptoms, and may describe feeling empty or flat rather than sad. They are also more likely to have other medical conditions or pain that can cause or add to depression, and in severe cases memory and thinking problems can stand out.
That is one reason symptoms in later life are easy to miss, or to put down to age. An evaluation looks at mood, sleep, memory, pain and medical history together.
Warning Signs We Ask About
NIMH lists signs worth raising at any age, including changes in mood, energy or appetite; trouble sleeping; trouble concentrating; more worry; anger or irritability; ongoing headaches, stomach problems or pain; sadness or hopelessness; and thoughts of death or suicide. MedlinePlus adds pulling away from people and activities you enjoy.
Coordinating With Your Other Care
If you see several clinicians, then with your permission we coordinate with your primary care provider and specialists so your care fits together, and lab work, when needed, can be done at a lab near you.
MedlinePlus suggests starting with your primary care provider if you are not sure where to begin. You are also welcome to call us directly. No referral is needed for most insurance plans; some HMO plans may require one, and we verify before scheduling.
Treatment Options
MedlinePlus notes that mental disorders can be treated with talk therapy, medication or both. Our licensed counselors offer individual counseling using approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and behavioral activation. Our psychiatric nurse practitioners provide evaluations and medication management. Medication, when indicated, is decided jointly with you, with attention to the other medicines you already take.
Video Visits for Older Adults
If driving is hard or you would rather not leave home, a secure video visit lets you meet a provider from home anywhere in South Carolina. You need a phone, tablet or computer with a camera and microphone and a private place to talk. You can also see us in person at our West Ashley office.
Medicare and Other Coverage
We accept Medicare, most major commercial plans, and all South Carolina Medicaid managed care plans except Select Health (First Choice). Your coverage is checked before the first appointment, and your costs depend on your plan.
If You Are in Crisis
If you or someone you love is thinking about suicide, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at any hour. If there is immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Veterans can dial 988 and press 1. Hope Behavioral Medicine is not an emergency service.
Getting Care in the Charleston Area
Charleston County has about one mental health provider for every 214 residents, compared with one for every 437 across South Carolina. Our office is on Gardner Road in West Ashley, and we also see adults anywhere in South Carolina by secure video, so you do not have to wait for a local opening or take time off to drive.
We accept Medicare, most major commercial plans, and all South Carolina Medicaid managed care plans except Select Health (First Choice). New patients are often able to be scheduled within a week of requesting an appointment.
Sources
The facts on this page come from: MedlinePlus, Older Adult Mental Health (updated April 2024); National Institute of Mental Health, Mental Health in Older Adults (reviewed April 2024); National Institute of Mental Health, Depression (revised 2024); CMS National Provider Identification file, 2024, via County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, 2025.
Common Symptoms
Treatment Options
Frequently Asked Questions
No. MedlinePlus states that mental health problems are not a normal part of aging, and NIMH notes that effective treatments are available.
Yes. We accept Medicare, most major commercial plans and South Carolina Medicaid managed care plans except Select Health.
Yes. We see adults anywhere in South Carolina by secure video, and in person at our West Ashley office.
No referral is needed for most insurance plans; some HMO plans may require one, and we verify before scheduling. With your permission, we coordinate with your primary care provider.
Yes. With your permission, we coordinate with your primary care provider and specialists so your care fits together.