Our services center around a caring relationship between Optimae staff and our customers based on our core values: choice, respect, teamwork and education.
To start services, contact your area’s Optimae Behavioral Health team to schedule an appointment. You will fill out the Intake Packet including demographics, insurance, history and release of information forms (with staff support as needed) and have a first appointment with a professional to assess your needs and goals.
Optimae Behavioral Health serves all customers regardless of ability to pay. Discounts for essential services are offered based on family size and income. In order to serve as many people as possible, we are pleased to offer a Sliding Fee Scale for our services, based on the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Optimae Behavioral Health provides therapy, psychiatric medication evaluation and management, and skill-building supports in our central and southeastern Iowa offices in-person and via telehealth, with service delivery varying by location. Our highly trained professionals, which include therapists and psychiatric prescribers, help children, adolescents, adults, couples and families improve their mental health and create happier and healthier lives. Our services are strengths-based and positively oriented.
Optimae therapists are trained in a variety of treatment interventions, including:
Optimae’s psychiatric prescribers provide medication management, evaluating the need for medications and prescribing and monitoring them. Our team includes psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) and physician assistants (PAs), as well as registered nurse support staff. Our prescribers’ main role is to evaluate and manage medications related to mental health. They may also provide brief therapy and/or refer to therapists for the counseling portion of treatment. Optimae’s team includes a psychiatrist who is available to support providers as needed.
We can help with life challenges such as:
Benefits from behavioral health services may include:
In some locations, Optimae Behavioral Health provides additional skill and support programs, such as:
Behavioral Health Intervention Services (BHIS), funded through Iowa Medicaid, is based on skill building. A BHIS specialist meets with youth and their family in various settings to discuss behaviors that impact success in school, at home and in the community — while addressing a number of skills (communication skills, conflict resolution skills, emotional regulation skills, interpersonal relationship skills, problem-solving skills and social skills). Youth must be 4 years old to 20 years old.
Community Support Services (CSS) provide an array of integrated services and supports to persons with a serious mental illness. Services help customers live successfully in the community with the supports they need and move toward a personal vision of recovery. An interdisciplinary team provides a range of services including assessment and service planning, monitoring of mental health symptoms, medication management, personal support and problem-solving assistance, development of natural supports and coordination of appointments and transportation.
Intensive Psychiatric Rehabilitation (IPR) provides individuals with mental illness additional rehabilitation services that aid in their recovery. It helps customers choose where to live, learn, work and socialize, while teaching them commitment to set goals and giving them the confidence to reach them. Guided by values of choice and self-determination, IPR participants set goals that enhance their lives. They receive support as they reach to fulfill these goals through one-on-one meetings with specially trained IPR practitioners, as well as group sessions.
Recovery & Resource Centers in Bloomfield, Burlington, Centerville and Fairfield are a safe place where everyone is welcome and respected. Numerous support groups are offered, including skills-based groups, stress management, Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP) and more.
Caring and professional peer support staff are available to discuss concerns or worries, or just to chat. Optimae’s Recovery & Resource Centers recognize that recovery is not necessarily about a cure — it is about having opportunities for choices and living a meaningful, satisfying and purposeful life. We support and empower individuals to make their own choices and become valued members of their community.
For people managing serious and persistent mental illness, Optimae Behavioral Health collaborates with community-based habilitation programs to provide significant additional supports.
Optimae Behavioral Health is here to support you when you want to change your life. We create a respectful and safe space for you to heal, explore your choices and learn new ways of living with the support of our experienced and caring staff. We will be at your side and on your side as you travel your journey.
Tracy Liptak | LISW, Behavioral Health Operations Officer
Helen’s journey to hope and healing
Often, when one dreams of retirement, thoughts of sandy beaches, time with the grandkids or travel come to mind. For Helen Raymond, her retirement met an unexpected chapter.
After working as a physical therapist for many years, specializing in care for children — an occupation that brought her joy and fulfillment — Helen realized she needed to focus on her mental health.
If you want to make a difference and are passionate about helping others, let’s talk!
Optimae Behavioral Health Services is hiring for multiple positions, including licensed therapists, clinical supervisors, medical assistants and registered nurses across central and southeastern Iowa.
We would love to talk with you. Optimae values diversity, and we encourage all qualified candidates, including those from traditionally overlooked identity groups, to apply. To learn more about working with us, email Tracy Liptak, behavioral health operations officer, or visit our employment page.
At Optimae, our core values of choice, respect, teamwork and education apply to both our customers and employees. With a supportive, mission-driven culture, many employees have started at Optimae and stayed for good.
Optimae Behavioral Health Services has earned consistent Chapter 24 accreditations from the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Mental Health and Disability Services.
