All of our mental health services take place in person at our campus in Lakeland. From this central location, we support adults from across the state, including those who live in Tampa and Orlando.
Mental Health Treatment Locations and How to Deal With Mental Illness
In-person mental health treatment for adults across the state.
Mental health care should feel clear, grounded, and human.
Often a big part of how effective treatment can be depends on finding the right place in the right setting. For many, that means finding a facility with the kind of structure, flexibility, and location that supports both your recovery and your daily life.
The Lakes is a behavioral health treatment center that offers in-person treatment for those suffering from mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and more. From our location in Lakeland, we are able to support residents as well as those across the state who are looking for relief from their symptoms and more structure and support than weekly therapy appointments can offer.
This guide will walk you through how mental health treatment works at the Lakes, as well as information about treatment options near you, support resources, and how to decide if The Lakes is the right choice for your needs.
Where We Provide Mental Health Care
What Mental Health Treatment Means at The Lakes
A mental health issue can look quite different from one person to the next. Someone may experience anxiety and depression simultaneously, while another person has bipolar disorder, together with co-occurring substance abuse. Others may be overwhelmed by phobias, intrusive thoughts, or traumatic memories.
At The Lakes, mental health treatment starts with listening. You will be paired with mental health professionals who invest as much time as you need to understand your story, current situation, symptoms, and support systems. Then, your treatment team will develop a plan tailored to your needs with an individualized combination of therapies, level of structure, and treatment modalities that fit your needs.
Our approach to mental health care:
- We provide in-person support to create a trusting relationship with your treatment provider
- Evidence-based psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and other structured approaches
- Treatment of co-occurring substance use disorder and mental illness when they overlap
- Coordination with health care professionals for medication management when needed
- Respect for your values, culture, and existing coping skills
You don’t have to know which type of diagnosis or the type of treatment you “should” get when contacting us. Together, we will clarify what you’re experiencing and what kind of support suits your current needs.
Mental Health Resources & Support
Our ability to live a comfortable and fulfilling life is dependent on how well we take care of our mental health. We have compiled a wide range of resources that will help people find self-help options, get professional guidance, or find ways to help support others.
Books to Support Mental Wellness
The Body Keeps the Score – Bessel van der Kolk, M.D.
A powerful look at trauma’s impact on the brain and body, and paths to healing.
Lost Connections – Johann Hari
Explores root causes of depression and anxiety and reconnecting with purpose.
Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy – David D. Burns, M.D.
Accessible introduction to cognitive behavioral techniques for improving mood.
Mindset – Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D.
How adopting a “growth mindset” can improve resilience and learning.
The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook – Edmund J. Bourne, Ph.D.
Practical strategies and exercises for anxiety management.
Speak – Laurie Halse Anderson
Fiction with mental health themes.
Mental Health Apps You Can Use Today
Headspace
Guided meditation and stress management exercises.
Calm
Sleep, breathing exercises, and mindfulness programs.
Insight Timer
Large library of free meditation tracks.
Daylio
Daily mood journaling and habit tracking.
Bearable
Track moods, symptoms, activities, medications.
Daily Activities to Support Mental Health
Move Your Body
Aim for at least 20-30 minutes of activity each day (walks, yoga, dancing).
Exercise boosts endorphins, improves sleep, and reduces anxiety.
01
Practice Mindfulness
Short guided meditations, even 5 minutes, can calm stress.
Try breathing techniques like box breathing (4-4-4-4 count).
02
Journaling
Write morning or evening prompts:
What am I grateful for today? What challenged me and why?
03
Build Social Connections
Schedule weekly check-ins with friends or family.
Join community groups or classes to meet new people.
04
Set Boundaries With Technology
Turn off notifications during rest times.
Take regular screen breaks.
05
Get Quality Sleep
Keep consistent sleep/wake times.
Reduce caffeine in the afternoon/evening.
06
Mental Health Conditions We Treat
Many people reach out to us feeling overwhelmed, unsure whether what they are experiencing counts as a mental illness. At The Lakes, we see a wide range of mental health disorders and mental health issues, including:
Depression
Persistent low mood, loss of interest, fatigue, or feeling numb even when things look fine on the outside.
Learn more
Anxiety
Excessive worry, tension, or panic that makes it hard to relax, focus, or handle daily situations.
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Trauma and PTSD
Intrusive memories, nightmares, hypervigilance, or emotional numbness after difficult or overwhelming events.
Learn more
Bipolar
Shifts between low moods and periods of elevated or irritable mood that affect sleep, energy, and decision-making.
Learn more
OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)
Unwanted intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors or rituals that temporarily ease anxiety but disrupt daily life.
Learn more
Personality Disorders & BPD
Long-standing patterns of intense emotions, relationship instability, and difficulty with self-image or abandonment fears.
Learn more
ADHD and Neurodivergent Presentations
Challenges with focus, impulsivity, organization, or regulation that affect work, school, and daily routines.
Learn more
Perinatal and Postpartum
Mood and anxiety issues during pregnancy or after birth, including sadness, worry, irritability, or feeling disconnected.
Learn more
Grief Counseling
Support for navigating loss, whether from death, separation, health changes, or major life transitions.
Learn more
Types of Mental Health Treatments at The Lakes
There is no single way to treat mental illness. Mental health treatment should match what you need right now, not force you into a one-size-fits-all program. The right mix of support depends on your symptoms, safety, and life circumstances. At The Lakes, our mental health services focus on in-person outpatient care with different levels of care so you can step up or step down as needed.
Individual Therapy
Most people start with some form of talk therapy. In individual sessions, you meet one-on-one with a therapist to explore thoughts, emotions, and patterns that may be keeping you stuck. This kind of psychotherapy gives you space to tell your story and begin practicing new ways of responding.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy, often called CBT, helps you see how your thoughts, feelings, and actions are connected. Together with your therapist, you learn to notice unhelpful thinking patterns and test out more balanced ways of looking at yourself and your situation. CBT can be helpful for many mental health conditions, including anxiety disorders, depression, and some forms of obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Skills
Dialectical behavior therapy, or DBT, focuses on building concrete coping skills. You learn tools for managing intense emotions, tolerating distress, and staying present in the moment without shutting down. DBT skills can be especially useful for people who experience mood swings, self-harm urges, or long-standing relationship struggles.
Group Therapy
In a group setting, you meet with peers who are working through similar mental health problems. A therapist leads the group, teaches skills, and guides conversation. Group therapy can reduce isolation and give you a safe space to practice communication, boundaries, and coping skills. Some groups may feel like structured support groups, where peer support and shared experience are just as important as education.
Family Therapy
Mental health treatment often involves family members and caregivers. Family therapy helps loved ones understand mental health conditions, improve communication, and set healthy expectations. It can also give your family a place to ask questions and learn how to support you without trying to control your recovery.
Medication Management
For some people, medications such as antidepressants, mood stabilizers, or antipsychotics are an important part of mental health care. At The Lakes, a health care professional can evaluate whether medication may help, talk through possible side effects, and adjust doses as needed. Medication is not a quick fix, but it can create more space for you to benefit from therapy and daily self-care.
Signs a Mental Health Treatment Program Is the Right Fit
Choosing a mental health treatment program is a deeply personal decision, and the right fit should feel supportive, respectful, and aligned with your needs. One indication that a program is a good fit is that you feel like you are receiving personalized care, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. A quality program will take time to get to know you, to learn your background and past experiences in order to tailor a treatment plan specifically for you.
A sign of a good program is clear and open communication. A trustworthy treatment team will explain the purpose of the therapies being used, what may occur during therapy sessions, and what potential progress looks like for you over time. They will encourage you to ask questions and will ensure you understand your options, rather than attempting to pressure you into making decisions.
In addition to good communication, the credentials and professionalism of the treatment teams themselves are also important factors in finding a good program. Good programs will only be staffed by licensed mental health professionals who have obtained the necessary training and have relevant experience in their areas of expertise. Beyond their professional credentials, the treatment teams will also possess compassion for the individuals they are treating, operate in an ethical manner, and maintain appropriate professional boundaries. You should feel safe disclosing sensitive issues to your treatment team without fear of being judged or disregarded.
Establishing a supportive and emotionally safe space to receive treatment is just as important. An effective treatment environment will foster trust and facilitate openness so that you feel comfortable discussing successes, obstacles, and barriers. If you continually feel rushed, uneasy, or dismissed during your interactions with a particular program, you may want to explore other options.
Another important factor to consider in finding a good treatment program is whether the program allows for collaboration versus control. You should have the ability to participate in setting treatment goals, measuring progress, and modifying your treatment plan as required. As there are no linear paths to mental wellness, good treatment programs recognize that mental health needs often change over time. Providing regular check-ins and a flexible approach to implementing new strategies indicate that your treatment program is attuned to your experience.
Additionally, the use of regular progress monitoring and adjustments to the treatment plan when progress is not being made serves as confirmation that the primary focus of a quality treatment program is on your mental well-being and not simply on completing a program.
How to Get Started With Mental Health Treatment at The Lakes
Learning how to manage mental health conditions often begins with one simple step: talking to someone who understands this world and can help you sort out your options.
When you reach out to The Lakes, you can expect:
- A conversation focused on what you are experiencing right now
- Questions about symptoms, safety, and any past mental health or substance use treatment
- Guidance on which level of care might make sense based on your situation
- Practical discussion about health insurance, payment options, and scheduling
- Honest feedback if another type of treatment or different setting may be a better fit
If you or a loved one is in immediate crisis, it is important to contact local emergency services or a crisis helpline first. Once urgent safety needs are addressed, The Lakes can be part of a longer-term plan for mental health care and recovery.
Taking the Next Step
Living with mental health problems is hard enough. Finding help should not add to that stress. Whether you are just beginning to wonder if you need support, or you already know you are ready for structured treatment, The Lakes offers in-person programs grounded in evidence-based care and genuine respect for your experience.
If you are ready to explore treatment options for yourself or a loved one, reach out to our team. We will listen, answer your questions clearly, and help you decide whether The Lakes is the right place to begin your next chapter in mental health recovery.
