- Areas We Serve
Mental Health Folkston, GA
Table of Contents
Medical Reviewer
Jasmine Miller, NP
Author
Monica Lewis, LPC, NCC, CPCS
Treatment for Mental Health near Folkston, GA
In a small town like Folkston, getting meaningful mental health care can feel like more than a challenge—it can feel nearly impossible. It’s not just about finding someone who takes your insurance or has an open slot; it’s about finding someone who truly understands what you’re going through and offers more than surface-level support. For those dealing with complex or ongoing mental health struggles, local resources often just don’t go deep enough.
If you’re looking for mental health support in Folkston, GA, you may already know how limited the options are—and how important it is to find care that actually fits your needs.
That’s where St. Mary’s Wellness comes in. Located nearby in St. Mary’s, GA, our residential mental health center is built for people who need more than a once-a-week therapy session. We work with individuals who are navigating serious diagnoses, those who have felt stuck, and even those who’ve been turned away from other places.
On this page, you’ll find everything you need to know about how we can help—from the levels of care we offer to the therapies we use and how to take that first step toward something better.
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 Mental Health Care Matters in Folkston, GA
Accessing mental health care in Folkston, GA, isn’t always easy, especially for individuals with conditions that require a higher level of support. In Charlton County and many surrounding areas, there’s a shortage of specialized mental health services. This leaves many residents without the resources they need to stabilize symptoms, recover from crisis, or manage long-term conditions like schizophrenia or borderline personality disorder.
Underserved populations in rural areas often face added barriers, such as a lack of transportation, long waitlists, or limited insurance coverage.
For people in Folkston navigating these challenges, St. Mary’s Wellness offers a nearby, trusted solution.
Located just 40 minutes away, our residential treatment center provides a calm, structured setting where healing is possible. We welcome individuals who haven’t found the right fit elsewhere—and we’re committed to offering care that’s rooted in dignity, compassion, and evidence-based practice.
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 Services at St. Mary’s Wellness
St. Mary’s Wellness is tucked away near Georgia’s southeastern coast, offering a peaceful, retreat-like setting designed to support healing and restoration. Clients stay in a calm, structured environment where every day is thoughtfully planned to promote stability, connection, and growth. Our 7-day-a-week programming includes a balance of clinical therapy, wellness activities, and personal time to reflect and recharge.
Fridays at St. Mary’s Wellness aren’t just another day—they’re a chance to slow down, gather around the fire, and share s’mores with others who are walking a similar path. It’s a simple tradition, but one that reminds you healing doesn’t have to be heavy all the time.
Weekends bring more chances to connect and enjoy life—whether it’s heading out for a movie, going bowling, or taking a walk on a nature trail. These outings are more than just activities; they’re opportunities to relearn how to enjoy yourself safely and soberly with people who understand.
We also encourage clients to bring items that make them feel grounded, such as books, music, or anything that brings comfort. Your space should feel like your own, and we want you to feel at home while you’re here.
Full Continuum of Mental Health Care
At St. Mary’s, care isn’t one-size-fits-all, and it doesn’t stop after one level of treatment. We offer a complete continuum of care, starting with residential mental health treatment and extending to Partial Hospitalization (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Programming (IOP). This allows clients to gradually step down in intensity as they make progress, receiving consistent support at every stage.
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.
What to Expect During Treatment
At St. Mary’s Wellness Center, treatment doesn’t pause for weekends—it’s a seven-day-a-week commitment to healing. Each day is thoughtfully structured with individual therapy, group sessions, and skill-building activities that create rhythm and stability, both essential when recovering from depression or other mental health challenges.
But recovery isn’t confined to the therapy room. We believe healing also happens in connection with nature, with others, and with yourself. That’s why our program includes weekly experiences designed to lift spirits and foster community.
Saturdays might include a group outing to the movies, a bowling alley, or even an escape room—opportunities to rediscover enjoyment and practice being present in real-life moments. Sundays are all about slowing down and reconnecting with the world through nature hikes and outdoor reflection.
Every Friday night, clients gather around a bonfire with s’mores, where laughter, stories, and quiet moments of connection help restore a sense of belonging.
These moments aren’t just for relaxation—they’re woven into the therapeutic experience. They help rebuild trust, encourage social confidence, and give clients the chance to apply new coping tools in safe, supportive ways.
We work with individuals facing a range of mental health diagnoses, especially those who may have struggled to find support elsewhere. Conditions we treat include:
- Borderline personality disorder
- Schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder
- Anxiety disorders and depression
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Bipolar disorder
- Secondary substance use disorders (co-occurring with mental health conditions)
Our team is trained to provide care for clients with complex needs who benefit from a highly structured and individualized approach to care.
Our treatment plans are tailored to each individual and incorporate a combination of clinical, holistic, and innovative therapies, including:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Group therapy and process groups
- Art therapy and mindfulness practices
- Red light therapy
- Alpha-Stim and BioSound therapy
- Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
- SPRAVATO (esketamine) for treatment-resistant depression
By combining proven methods with compassionate care, we help clients from Folkston and beyond build the tools they need for long-term recovery.
Levels of Care for Clients in Folkston
Currently, St. Mary’s Wellness offers Residential Mental Health Treatment, providing 24/7 support in a structured, live-in environment. This level of care is best for individuals who need daily therapeutic engagement and round-the-clock stability to manage their mental health.
We are also preparing to expand our services to include:
- Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) – A highly structured day program that lets clients return home (or to sober living) in the evenings
- Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) – A more flexible option offering several hours of therapy per week while maintaining independence
To ensure seamless care beyond residential treatment, we work closely with sister facilities that provide step-down services. This allows clients from Folkston to move through the full continuum of care—from stabilization to ongoing support—with one consistent, trusted team by their side.
Why Clients from Folkston Choose St. Mary’s Wellness
At St. Mary’s Wellness, we understand that finding the right mental health treatment can be especially difficult in rural communities, and even harder for individuals with complex needs. That’s why many clients from Folkston turn to us when other centers have rejected them.
We specialize in working with people who may have been turned away elsewhere, offering care that’s both compassionate and clinically effective. Our team provides dual diagnosis treatment, supporting individuals with both mental health conditions and co-occurring substance use.
We use a whole-person, trauma-informed approach, which means we look beyond symptoms to understand your experiences, history, and unique challenges. Every treatment plan is customized to meet the individual’s needs.
To keep care accessible, we accept most out-of-network insurance plans; however, we do not accept TRICARE, Ambetter, Medicare, or Medicaid as payment options.
If you’re traveling from Folkston, our admissions team can help coordinate your arrival and make the process as smooth as possible, so you can focus on what really matters: your healing.
Getting to St. Mary’s from Folkston
Located just 35 to 40 minutes away, St. Mary’s Wellness is close enough for regular family involvement but far enough to offer a refreshing change of environment. The drive from Folkston brings you to the calm, coastal surroundings of St. Mary’s, where clients can step out of daily stressors and into a space dedicated to healing and growth.
Being physically removed from familiar triggers can make a big difference in the recovery process. Whether you’re working through trauma, managing a serious mental health condition, or simply need time to regroup, our retreat-style environment offers the structure, space, and support to help you find your footing again.
Take the First Step Toward Healing
You don’t have to keep struggling alone. If you’re in Folkston or the surrounding area and need more than outpatient care, help is just a short drive away. At St. Mary’s Wellness, we offer a peaceful setting, a dedicated team, and a treatment approach built around your unique needs.
Whether you’re seeking help for yourself or a loved one, our admissions team is here to walk you through every step—from verifying insurance to planning your arrival. Call us today to get started. Healing is possible—and it starts with one brave step forward.
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.
FAQs About Mental Health Treatment in Folkston, GA
Folkston has limited outpatient resources, including counseling centers and community mental health providers. However, access to residential or more intensive treatment options is limited, which is why many individuals in the area seek care at St. Mary’s Wellness in nearby St. Mary’s, GA.
St. Mary’s Wellness is located just 35 to 40 minutes from Folkston by car. This short drive allows clients to stay connected to home and family while accessing structured, supportive care in a calming, retreat-like setting.
At St. Mary’s Wellness, therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all. We offer evidence-based and holistic approaches, ensuring each client receives the type of support that best suits their needs. That might mean Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help shift thought patterns, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for emotional regulation, or group therapy to build connection and support.
We also offer art therapy, mindfulness practices, and tools such as red light therapy, Alpha-Stim, and BioSound to help calm the nervous system and reconnect the mind and body. For those who need it, we provide Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) and SPRAVATO for treatment-resistant depression.
It’s all about finding the right combination of therapies to meet you where you are—and helping you move forward with clarity and support.
We accept most out-of-network insurance plans and can assist in verifying your benefits before admission. Please note that we don’t currently accept TRICARE, Ambetter, Medicare, or Medicaid.
Yes—we do more than just recognize dual diagnosis, we specialize in it. At St. Mary’s Wellness, we treat mental health conditions and co-occurring substance use disorders at the same time, because we know they often go hand in hand. Whether substance use is a coping tool or a secondary issue that’s developed over time, we take an integrated approach that addresses the full picture, not just part of it.
By treating both sides together, we help clients build real, lasting stability—not just a temporary fix.
“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.