Behavioral Health at Ferguson Medical Group
In 2011, behavioral health services began at Ferguson Medical Group (FMG) in Sikeston, Mo. when Dr. David Dahlbeck was hired as the first full-time behavioral health provider. FMG has since grown to seven full-time behavioral health providers with four licensed clinical social workers, one psychological examiner and two psychologists.
“I’m so excited for the next chapter for Behavioral Health since partnering with Saint Francis Healthcare,” said Dr. Dahlbeck. “We joined a great team that expands our service locations (i.e. Cape Girardeau, Poplar Bluff) and also our services: psychiatry and neuropsychology.”
Champion of Behavioral Health Services
Dr. Dahlbeck is a clinical psychologist and works with a supportive group of medical providers who have been huge champions to increase behavioral health services for their patients.
“I feel very blessed that we have such an amazing team,” Dr. Dahlbeck shares. “What we do now would not be possible if it wasn’t for them. We have a stellar behavioral health team.”
FMG is also a training site for the University of Missouri’s Licensed Clinical Social Work program. The clinic participates in two Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes programs specifically geared toward providing autism testing, treatment and service development.
Outpatient Clinic for All Ages
Ferguson Medical Group – Behavioral Health is an outpatient, generalist clinic, treating people of any age. The clinic offers traditional psychotherapy for pediatric and adult patients treating anxiety, depression, mood disorders, child behavioral disorders, psychotic disorders and personality disorders.
Integrated Services
In addition to the traditional behavioral services, FMG also provides integrated behavioral health services, consulting with patients while they see their family doctor or pediatrician.
“The providers at Ferguson have always been committed to providing evidenced-based treatment and fully-integrated care,” Dr. Dahlbeck explains. “When a patient is seen in the clinic, and there is a behavioral aspect to the patient’s care, we are able to consult with the patient in the exam room during the visit alongside his/her physician. We see them right then and there, and we become a natural part of the patient’s treatment. This normalizes the experience for them and reduces any stigma associated with going to a behavioral health provider.”
These integrated appointments help to address issues such as obesity, chronic pain, arthritis, smoking cessation, sleep disorders, noncompliance of medicine as well as mental illness problems.
Psychological Testing
Psychological testing services include the following and are also available in Farmington and Kennett:
- Pre-employment psychological testing for police departments
- Spinal stimulators/chronic pain management assessments
- Autism diagnostics
- ADHD/LD/IQ testing
- Personality assessments
Specialties
Some unique specialties and clinical interests within the Ferguson staff include the following areas. The clinical social workers focus on therapy while on-staff psychologists help with diagnostics.
- Trauma-focused therapy
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy
- Difficult child behavior problems
- Sex therapy
Convenient Clinic Locations
Behavioral health providers are located in:
- East Prairie
- Sikeston
- Dexter
- Cape Girardeau
- Poplar Bluff
The main office for Ferguson Medical Group is located at 1012 North Main Street in Sikeston. For more information, call 573-471-0330.
