Mobile Treatment Services in Lanham & Wheaton, MD That Come to You

Mobile treatment services (MTS), also known as Assertive Community Treatment (ACT), are part of Maryland's Public Behavioral Health System. They provide intensive, assertive outpatient mental health treatment for people who can't or won't use traditional clinic-based care. Instead of asking someone to keep appointments at an office, a multidisciplinary team brings evaluation, treatment, medication support and help with daily living to the person's home, shelter or community.

At McGuire Therapeutic Services, our mobile treatment program is based in our Lanham and Wheaton offices and, like all of our mental health programs, is CARF accredited. We serve people across Prince George's and Montgomery Counties, including Landover, Largo, Hyattsville, College Park and Silver Spring. For many participants, it is the first time care has felt built around their life rather than the other way around.

Mobile treatment works because no one person carries the whole load. Each member of our team brings a different kind of expertise, and they meet regularly to make sure everyone sees the full picture. The result is one coordinated plan instead of several disconnected services, and one set of familiar faces instead of a new stranger at every appointment.

Assertive outreach means we don't wait for someone to come to us. Maryland's MTS model calls for at least four face-to-face contacts a month, plus on-call coverage around the clock for enrolled participants. Team members visit regularly, follow up when appointments are missed, and stay in touch through good weeks and hard ones. A visit might include a medication check, a therapy session, or practice with a skill like grocery shopping.

Families are part of the work whenever the person wants them to be. We also coordinate with hospitals, pharmacies, primary care providers and housing supports so care stays connected. As stability grows, the goal is often a gradual step down to less intensive services, such as our psychiatric rehabilitation program, outpatient counseling and medication management.

The names sound alike, but the services are different. A mobile crisis team responds to an emergency happening right now, usually for a single visit, to help someone stay safe and connect to care. Mobile treatment is ongoing, scheduled, long-term care from the same team, designed to prevent crises before they start. Someone might meet a crisis team first and later be referred to mobile treatment for steadier support.

If someone is in immediate danger, call 911. For a mental health crisis, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, any time of day or night. In Prince George's County, you can also call the county crisis line at 301-429-2185. Mobile treatment is not an emergency service, so please don't wait for a scheduled visit if someone's safety is at risk.

Mobile treatment is a Medicaid-covered service in Maryland's Public Behavioral Health System, and it requires prior authorization based on medical necessity. Referrals often come from hospitals, psychiatrists, outpatient therapists, case managers or family members. Our team gathers the clinical information needed, handles the authorization request, and lets you know what to expect at each stage.

To discuss a mobile treatment referral, call our Lanham office at 301-731-1222. You can also reach us through our contact page. We will ask a few questions about current symptoms, hospital history and treatment so far, and then explain the next steps clearly. If mobile treatment isn't the right fit, we'll help you think through other options.