Catalina Island Medical Center is now offering mental health services. Dawn Sampson, who received her masters in social work in 2001, recently became a licensed clinical social worker - a designation that required that Sampson provide 3,200 hours of supervised therapy as well as pass two comprehensive examinations. That designation also allows her to provide therapy to the island community.

For the past four years, Sampson has been providing counseling to local residents while being supervised both through the Guidance Center and by local resident Dan Hirst, who is also a licensed clinical social worker. "Dan volunteered his time to help me complete my hours," Sampson said. "I couldn't have done it without him."

Now that she's completed her hours and passed her exams, Sampson will be able to counsel patients with insurance through MediCal and Medicare. "Those patients haven't been able to get services locally," Sampson said. "That's the gap that I'll be able to fill." Through the Catalina Island Medical Center, Sampson will also accept some other insurance programs.

She expects that most of her patients will be contending with depression, anxiety or adjusting to trauma. Many may also have relationship issues or substance abuse problems. "Most typically, people will be referred to me by their medical providers," Sampson said. "But people can also self refer." Appointments will be available immediately on Tuesdays, Fridays and Wednesday mornings. Call Sampson at 310-510-0520.

Her new professional title also comes with a new title at Catalina Island Medical Center. She is now the social services director and clinical therapist. Linda Altherr has been hired to round out the social services department. Altherr will now be responsible for discharge planning for patients who are going home from the hospital and for providing information and referrals about medical services to local residents. Altherr will be responsible for grant management.

For more information about the social services department at Catalina Island Medical Center, call Dawn Sampson at 310-510-0520.

For more information visit www.CatalinaIslandMedicalCenter.org