- Areas We Serve
Lake City Mental Health Treatment
Table of Contents
Medical Reviewer
Jasmine Miller, NP
Author
Monica Lewis, LPC, NCC, CPCS
Treatment for Mental Health near Lake City, FL
If you or someone you love is searching for treatment for mental health in Lake City, Florida, you’re not alone. Many individuals in the area are seeking care that goes beyond short-term fixes—something that offers lasting support, dignity, and a true chance to heal. While there may be programs closer to home, the best treatment option isn’t always the closest one.
St. Mary’s Wellness Center is not located in Lake City, but just about 90 miles north in St. Mary’s, Georgia—a 1.5 to 2-hour drive by car. For many people, putting a little distance between themselves and their daily environment is exactly what they need.
At St. Mary’s Wellness Center, we specialize in residential mental health treatment with options for Partial Hospitalization (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Programming (IOP) as clients progress. We also offer care for those facing co-occurring substance use, supporting both mental health and addiction challenges through our dual diagnosis approach.
In a peaceful, retreat-like setting, our team provides compassionate, individualized care designed to help each person rebuild their life with strength and purpose.
Your Recovery is Our Priority
St. Marys Wellness Center has caring representatives available 24/7 to help you or your loved one. Request a 100% confidential callback now to start your journey.
Why Travel from Lake City to St. Mary’s for Treatment?
At St. Mary’s Wellness Center, we offer something that many traditional treatment centers can’t: a truly private, non-institutional environment designed to feel more like a retreat than a hospital. Our center is calm, quiet, and nestled in South Georgia’s natural beauty—an ideal setting for focusing inward, away from the noise of everyday life. Healing happens best in a safe and supportive space that includes daily structure and opportunities for connection.
Our programming includes Friday night bonfires with s’mores, Saturday outings to fun and low-pressure group activities like bowling or movies, and Sunday nature hikes that reconnect clients with the world around them. These experiences help foster trust, community, and personal growth, reminding our clients that recovery doesn’t have to be cold or clinical.
Working with a diverse network of partners
We Work With Most Major Insurance Providers
Most major health insurance providers with out-of-network benefits will help cover the cost of our St. Marys treatment program. Call us or email us to find out your coverage options when seeking mental health treatment.
Mental Health Treatment Tailored to Your Needs
Mental Health and Dual Diagnosis Continuum of Care
Recovery is a process, not a one-size-fits-all event. That’s why St. Mary’s Wellness Center offers a full continuum of care, including:
- Residential Mental Health Treatment for clients who need round-the-clock structure and support
- Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) for those stepping down from residential or starting at a high outpatient level
- Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for individuals who are transitioning back into everyday life but still need focused therapeutic support
Specialized Treatment for Complex Diagnoses
Our clinical team has the experience and resources to work with clients who have been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, schizophrenia, or schizoaffective disorder—conditions that often require a higher level of care and a more specialized approach.
Each person’s treatment plan is built around their diagnosis, personal history, and future goals. This isn’t generic care—it’s deeply personal and continuously adjusted. With licensed professionals available 24/7, clients have constant access to medical support, therapeutic guidance, and compassionate care throughout every phase of their journey.
Therapies Offered at St. Mary’s Wellness Center
At St. Mary’s Wellness Center, we know that no two people heal the same way. That’s why every client begins their journey with a comprehensive intake evaluation. This allows our clinical team to build a treatment plan that reflects their unique diagnoses, challenges, and goals. From there, we draw from a wide range of evidence-based and holistic therapies, offering a well-rounded approach.
Some of the core therapies we offer include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): These foundational therapies help clients recognize and reshape harmful thought patterns, manage emotions, and build healthier coping mechanisms, especially helpful for conditions like anxiety, depression, and personality disorders.
- Group Therapy: Peer support groups foster connection, self-awareness, and a sense of community. Clients share experiences, learn from others, and grow in a safe, supportive space.
- Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): For clients with co-occurring substance use, MAT combines medications along with counseling and behavioral therapy to manage cravings, reduce withdrawal symptoms, and support long-term sobriety.
- Alpha-Stim, Red Light Therapy, and BioSound Therapy: These innovative, non-invasive therapies target the nervous system to reduce anxiety, improve sleep, and promote overall emotional regulation, especially valuable for clients recovering from trauma or chronic stress.
- Mindfulness and Art Therapy: These experiential therapies encourage clients to express themselves creatively, increase emotional awareness, and develop tools for self-soothing and stress relief.
- SPRAVATO® (esketamine nasal spray): Administered under close medical supervision, SPRAVATO is a fast-acting treatment for treatment-resistant depression, offering hope for individuals who haven’t responded to traditional antidepressants.
Every element of care is intentional, evidence-based, and chosen to support the full picture of your recovery.
Real Experiences, Real Results
“My life isn't perfect, but l'm certainly in a better place because of SLOW. Great facility, great showers, great beds, nice outdoor area, solid food, fantastic therapists and groups. Got to meet some nice friends, and get healthier.”
Timothy S.
“Southern Live Oak Wellness saved my life. The therapists genuinely care about the clients and helping them get better. Working on yourself is not easy, but the therapists help guide you and make you be able to work through whatever may be going on.”
Rachel
"Gorgeous facility with client focused care. They offer Brain Mapping, Med stabilization, Life Skills, Red Light Therapy & Nutrition plans! Locally owned. The only place I would send a loved one to."
Shiann C.
A Day in the Life at St. Mary’s
At St. Mary’s, healing doesn’t pause on the weekends. Our programming is structured to run seven days a week, giving clients the consistency and routine needed to regulate emotions, build new habits, and maintain forward momentum. Each day includes a mix of individual therapy, group sessions, skills training, and wellness activities.
We also believe in balance—and that joy, connection, and new experiences are part of recovery, too. That’s why we include weekend activities designed to help clients rebuild emotional resilience and reengage with life. These include:
- Friday night bonfires with s’mores, fostering community and reflection
- Saturday outings to places like movie theaters or local attractions
- Sunday nature hikes, encouraging grounding, mindfulness, and reconnection with the natural world
Tailored Care Plans and 24/7 Clinical Support
From day one, every client at St. Mary’s receives a care plan that’s based on their needs, goals, and diagnosis. That plan evolves with input from our team and the client, ensuring it stays relevant and effective as progress is made.
Throughout their stay, clients have access to around-the-clock care from licensed professionals. Our team includes highly trained therapists, doctors, nurses, and behavioral health staff who are genuinely committed to each person’s recovery. Whether someone needs clinical support at 3 a.m. or just a compassionate presence during a tough day, we’re here, every step of the way.
Getting to St. Mary’s from Lake City, FL
If you’re considering care beyond Lake City, getting to St. Mary’s Wellness Center is easier than you might think. Our facility is located about 90 miles north of Lake City in St. Mary’s, Georgia. Depending on traffic, it is typically a 1.5- to 2-hour drive. The most common route is US-441 N to I-10 E, then taking I-95 N directly into St. Mary’s.
Sometimes, the best way to start fresh is to step away from the people, places, and patterns that reinforce old habits. Traveling for treatment creates a natural boundary between your old environment and your recovery journey, giving you the space to fully focus on healing without distractions or pressure from your everyday life.
Insurance and Admissions
At St. Mary’s Wellness Center, we want to make high-quality mental health and dual diagnosis treatment as accessible as possible. That’s why we accept most out-of-network insurance plans, which often help cover a significant portion of treatment costs.
Starting the admissions process is simple and supportive. Here’s how it works:
- Call us or fill out our confidential online contact form to speak with an admissions specialist.
- Complete a clinical assessment so we can understand your needs and recommend the right level of care.
- Our team will handle insurance verification, walking you through your benefits and coverage options.
- Once everything is confirmed, you can begin treatment and build a life rooted in stability and wellness.
To learn more, visit our Verify Insurance and Admissions pages or contact us directly for immediate support.
Begin Healing Today — Contact St. Mary’s Wellness Center
If you’re looking for support, you’ve already taken a powerful first step—you’re searching for answers. Whether you’re facing challenges with mental health, substance use, or both, St. Mary’s Wellness Center is here to help.
Our team is ready to guide you through the next phase of your journey with compassion, clarity, and a treatment plan tailored to your needs. Recovery doesn’t happen all at once, but it does start with a conversation. You don’t have to have everything figured out. Just reach out, and we’ll walk with you from there.
Recover Now.
St. Marys Wellness Center has caring representatives available 24/7 to help you or your loved one when dealing with mental health concerns. Request a 100% confidential callback now to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
St. Mary’s Wellness Center is located in St. Mary’s, GA, roughly 90 miles north of Lake City, FL. The drive takes 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on your route and traffic conditions. The most common way to get here is via US-441 N to I-10 E, then I-95 N.
Yes. If travel is a concern, our admissions team can help coordinate transportation or recommend trusted options to ensure your arrival goes smoothly.
We offer a blend of evidence-based and holistic therapies, including:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Group therapy
- Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
- Alpha-Stim, Red Light Therapy, and BioSound Therapy
- Mindfulness and art therapy
- SPRAVATO® (esketamine nasal spray) for treatment-resistant depression
Yes. We specialize in primary mental health treatment, but also provide support for co-occurring substance use. This is often referred to as dual diagnosis treatment, where both mental disorders and addiction are treated together, because they are usually deeply connected.
We treat mental health concerns, including:
- Depression
- Anxiety disorders
- Bipolar disorder
- PTSD and trauma-related conditions
- Borderline personality disorder (BPD)
- Schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Secondary substance use disorders
Each day is structured to support both therapeutic work and personal growth. Programming includes:
- Individual and group therapy sessions
- Skills-based classes
- Wellness activities
- Weekend experiences like Friday bonfires, Saturday outings, and Sunday nature hikes
This structure supports emotional regulation, connection, and meaningful engagement in recovery.
Treatment length varies depending on your needs and the level of care. On average:
- Residential stays last between 30 and 45 days
- PHP and IOP can continue for several weeks to a few months, depending on progress
Our goal is to ensure that each person receives enough time and support to build lasting stability.
Yes. We encourage clients to maintain healthy relationships with loved ones during treatment. Family communication is supported, and residents are welcome to bring comfort items like books and music from home. When clinically appropriate, family involvement may also be integrated into the treatment plan.
Do you still have questions? Don’t hesitate to contact our team. We’re here to help you take the next step with confidence and care.
Let us help you take control of your mental health for good.
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“My life isn't perfect, but l'm certainly in a better place because of SLOW. Great facility, great showers, great beds, nice outdoor area, solid food, fantastic therapists and groups. Got to meet some nice friends, and get healthier.”
Timothy S.