CovingtonCares 17 Alyssa Mozingo, LMSW Charlie Crafton, DNP, PMHNP-BC Kimberly Bennett, LCSW, CDP, ICST Kimberly Bennett, LCSW, CDP, ICST, is now Behavioral Health Program Director, managing the Brightside Intensive Outpatient Program and Covington Place Therapy & Counseling. She has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work from the University of Southern Mississippi. Bennett came to CCH in 2022 as Brightside Program Director. Variety of Programs Here’s how Covington County Hospital provides behavioral care: Covington Place Therapy & Counseling, a clinic in Collins, offers individual counseling and therapy services and substance use treatment for those 6 years or older. The clinic accepts self-referrals as well as referrals from healthcare providers. “It’s just as essential to get treatment for mental health as it is for physical health,” Bennett said. “A lot of times, if you’re having physical health issues, it will cause your mental health to decline.” Life Events Covington Place treats issues such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, and anger difficulties, and problems triggered by life events, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and grief or depression following a death, divorce, or the departure of children from the nest. Addressing childhood problems can pay lifetime dividends, Bennett said. “Early interventions can teach children about emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and other techniques.” CCH counselors are committed to customizing treatment plans to address the unique needs of each individual. Bennett notes that sand tray therapy, typically used with children, can also yield positive results for many adults. This therapeutic method allows patients to arrange figurines in a scene that reflects their emotions, fostering a thoughtful exploration of their feelings in a safe and supportive environment. Mindfulness She also uses dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), which teaches mindfulness (“I try to incorporate being mindful into most every therapy that I do”), and is introducing eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), which incorporates eye movements and other stimulations to help process disturbing memories. “It works really well with PTSD patients, but it can help with other conditions like depression and anxiety.” Mental health issues can strike anyone at any age, Bennett said. “Whether you’re 6 or 106, you deserve the support, the healing, and the hope to get better.” Brightside Intensive Outpatient Program provides outpatient mental health care on the hospital campus to patients 55 or older. “It’s just as essential to get treatment for mental health as it is for physical health.” – Kimberly Bennett, LCSW, CDP, ICST
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