At Advocates, we believe that people in mental health recovery are the foremost experts on their own lives. Ultimately, we strive to help people harness that expertise to lead healthy and fulfilling lives of their own design. Through our residential and outreach programs, community-based counseling and psychiatry services, and peer supports, Advocates promotes hope, recovery, and communities where all can thrive.

Services

Counseling and Psychiatry

Advocates provides counseling, psychiatry, and crisis services focused on empowering people in mental health recovery to lead healthy and fulfilling lives of their own design. Learn more.

Open Dialogue

Open Dialogue is a psychiatric service for people experiencing extreme emotional states or exhibiting signs of psychosis. Our approach is based on the idea that while crises can be times of difficulty, they also hold opportunities for growth. Learn more.

Outreach Services

Advocates provides outreach support to adults in mental health recovery who live in the community by themselves or with a roommate, partner, spouse or other family members. Each person works collaboratively with a senior outreach clinician to develop goals and establish networks of support.

Peer Support

Advocates believes that people change and grow in connection with others. We also place tremendous value on the life experience of people with psychiatric diagnoses. We employ a robust team of peer specialists who use their expertise and their own personal stories to instill hope in others and demonstrate that recovery is possible for everyone. Advocates peers specialists meet regularly with individuals in our residential and outreach programs, and they play a vital role in raising awareness about mental health recovery in the wider community. Learn more.

Residential Programs

Our many group homes offer around-the-clock support and an array of services for men and women in mental health recovery, all based upon the needs and preferences of each individual. We’re proud to incorporate many evidenced-based and best practices in our residential programs, including:

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy
  • Intensive Community Care Step-Down Treatment
  • Integrated Dual Diagnosis Treatment
  • Open Dialogue
  • Person-Centered Planning
  • Wellness Recovery Action Planning

Specialized group homes for adults in mental health recovery include programs for women, young adults, deaf and hard-of-hearing adults, elders, and people with complex medical needs. Learn more.

The Living Room

The Living Room provides a 24-hour crisis alternative to emergency department visits and hospitalization for people experiencing emotional crisis or distress. Located in Framingham, The Living Room is the only program of its kind accessible to people in the MetroWest and greater Boston areas. No referral is necessary to visit our comfortable, home-like location, staffed entirely by trained, certified peer specialists. Our peer specialists provide flexible and compassionate care, connection to a variety of recovery resources in the community, assistance with housing and employment, and participation in peer support groups. Learn more. 
 

Eligibility

Participants in Advocates Mental Health Residential and Outreach programs are most often referred by the Department of Mental Health (DMH). Some private pay opportunities may be available. Please contact us if you would like more information about our programs and DMH eligibility.

Our Counseling and Psychiatry services accept MassHealth and most private insurance plans. Please contact your insurance company or Advocates Community Counseling at (508) 661-2020 to find out if Advocates is in your network.

Related News

Congresswoman Katherine Clark Visits Advocates

 

Congresswoman Katherine Clark recently visited the Advocates Community Behavioral Health Center (CBHC) made possible by her work. The Center, which is located on Route 9 in Framingham, was renovated and opened thanks to Community Project Funding secured by Clark.

Advocates CBHC Featured on Chronicle

WCVB's Chronicle recently aired a segment about the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health's efforts to expand access to mental health care.

Related Events

| to | Virtual

Virtual Support Group: General Peer Support

This virtual support group is peer-run and free to all without any referral or payment needed. As a peer support group, this group is not open to students, clinicians, or press to observe or for any purpose other than to engage in peer support for personal growth and benefit.
Details
| to | Virtual

Virtual Peer Support: Music Connection

Come with your favorite music in mind and our host, Patrick Conway, will find and play those tunes for everyone to enjoy. In between songs, you might receive some peer support too! This virtual group is peer-run and free to all without any referral or payment needed. As a peer support group, this group is not open to students, clinicians, or press to observe or for any purpose other than to engage in peer support for personal growth and benefit.
Details
| to | Virtual

Virtual Peer Support Group: Exploring Alternative Ways of Healing

A safe space that allows discussion of alternative treatments and wellness solutions. This virtual group is peer-run and free to all without any referral or payment needed. As a peer support group, this group is not open to students, clinicians, or press to observe or for any purpose other than to engage in peer support for personal growth and benefit.
Details