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Intensive Case Management in Michigan | Counseling & Therapy

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Intensive Case Management in Michigan helps people who feel stuck trying to handle health needs, mental health care, housing, school, work, and family stress all at once. When appointments are missed, medicines feel confusing, or you do not know who to call next, it can feel scary and exhausting. Intensive case management gives you a steady guide who helps you make a clear plan and connect to the right services. It is often for children, teens, adults, and families who need more support than a few phone calls each month.

Intensive case management is a service where a trained care team helps you set goals, solve problems, and coordinate care across providers and community resources. The focus is practical: safety, stability, and follow-through. Your case manager works with you, not “at” you, and respects your choices.

Signs You Might Benefit

You do not need to be in crisis to ask for help. Many people start case management when daily life feels too hard to manage alone. If any of the signs below sound like you, intensive support may be a good fit.

  • Frequent ER visits or hospital stays for mental health, substance use, or medical concerns.
  • You miss appointments because of transport issues, child care needs, work schedules, or anxiety.
  • Confusing care plans with many providers (primary care, therapist, psychiatrist, specialists, school supports).
  • Medication challenges such as side effects, problems refilling, or not understanding what each medication is for.
  • Housing, food, or utility problems that make it hard to focus on health.
  • Safety concerns like self-harm thoughts, domestic violence risk, or unsafe living situations.
  • School or work troubles including attendance issues, behavior problems, or job loss.
  • Caregiver burnout when families are doing their best but feel overwhelmed.

How Intensive Case Management Can Help

  • Clear next steps: a simple plan you can follow, one step at a time.
  • Better care coordination: support communicating with doctors, therapists, schools, and community agencies.
  • Fewer gaps in care: help with reminders, scheduling, and problem-solving when barriers come up.
  • Support in the real world: help with forms, resources, and community services that match your needs.
  • Stronger coping skills: coaching to handle stress, big feelings, and tough moments.

Evidence-Based Approach

Intensive case management is not just “checking in.” It uses proven care methods and careful clinical thinking. Your plan is based on your strengths, your needs, and what has worked for people in similar situations.

Care Planning Based on Standard Models

Many programs draw from evidence-based approaches used in community mental health and integrated care. For example, coordinated care models can improve follow-through and outcomes by setting clear goals, tracking progress, and improving communication between providers (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], n.d.).

Motivational Interviewing-Informed Coaching

Change is hard, especially when you are stressed. Case managers often use a motivational interviewing style—asking respectful questions and helping you choose goals that matter to you. This approach has strong research support for improving engagement and health behaviors (Miller & Rollnick, 2013).

Trauma-Informed and Person-Centered Care

Many people have lived through trauma. Trauma can affect sleep, focus, trust, and how safe you feel in the world. We use a trauma-informed approach, meaning we focus on safety, choice, collaboration, and respect. National guidance supports trauma-informed care as a way to reduce barriers and improve engagement (SAMHSA, 2014).

Coordination for Whole-Person Health

Mental health and physical health affect each other. When care is coordinated, people are more likely to get preventive care, manage chronic illness, and avoid avoidable crises. The National Institutes of Health highlights how social factors—like housing and access to food—strongly shape health outcomes (National Institutes of Health, Office of Disease Prevention, n.d.). Intensive case management can help connect families to supports that address these real-life needs.

Michigan Licensing Standards and Clinical Oversight

In Michigan, services must meet state and professional standards. Depending on the program and setting, your care may involve or be supervised by licensed professionals (such as Licensed Master Social Workers, Licensed Professional Counselors, or other qualified providers). Good programs also follow privacy rules (HIPAA) and use documentation and care planning practices that support safe, ethical care. You can always ask who is on your team, their credentials, and how supervision works.

What to Expect

Starting a new service can feel overwhelming. Our process is designed to be simple, clear, and supportive.

Step 1: First Contact and Scheduling

We begin with a phone call to learn what is going on and what you want help with. We also review basics like your location, safety needs, and insurance. If you are in immediate danger, we will help you find urgent support right away.

Step 2: Intake Assessment

At intake, we talk about your current concerns, strengths, and goals. We may ask about:

  • Medical and mental health history
  • Current providers and medications
  • Housing, food, transportation, and financial stress
  • School or work needs
  • Family supports and caregiving needs
  • Safety planning (when needed)

We keep questions as simple as possible, and you can take breaks. You do not have to share anything you are not ready to share.

Step 3: Your Care Plan

Together, we build a short, practical plan with a few goals at a time. Goals might include “schedule a primary care visit,” “apply for housing support,” “set up therapy,” or “improve medication refill routine.” We decide what actions you will take and what the case manager will handle.

Step 4: Ongoing Sessions and Coordination

Visits may be in person, by phone, or by telehealth, depending on the program and what is clinically appropriate. Many people start with more frequent support, then step down as things get more stable. Between sessions, your case manager may:

  • Coordinate with doctors, therapists, psychiatrists, and hospitals (with your permission)
  • Help schedule and prepare for appointments
  • Support referrals for community resources (housing, food, transportation)
  • Help you understand care instructions in plain language
  • Track progress and adjust goals

Step 5: Review, Graduation, or Step-Down

When your goals are met and supports are in place, we plan a step-down. This might mean less frequent contact, a handoff to standard case management, or a discharge plan with a clear list of resources and next steps.

Insurance

Insurance coverage can feel confusing. We try to make it clear so you can focus on getting help.

Copays and Deductibles

Costs depend on your plan. Some plans have a copay per visit, while others apply visits to your deductible. If you have Medicaid or another state-supported plan, coverage rules may be different. We can help you verify benefits and explain what you may owe before services begin.

Mental Health Parity

Many health plans must follow mental health parity laws. This means mental health and substance use care should not have stricter limits than medical care. If a plan denies services, you may have appeal rights. We can guide you on what questions to ask your insurer.

What We Need for Authorization

Some plans require authorization or proof of medical necessity. We can gather clinical details, complete needed forms, and coordinate with your providers to support access to care when appropriate.

FAQ

Is intensive case management the same as therapy?

No. Therapy focuses on emotions, thoughts, and mental health treatment. Intensive case management focuses on coordination, resources, and practical steps. Many people do both at the same time, and the services can work together.

Will you talk to my doctor, school, or therapist?

Only with your written permission, except for rare safety or legal situations. We use releases of information so you stay in control. We also explain what we plan to share and why.

How long does intensive case management last?

It depends on your needs and goals. Some people need support for a few months, while others benefit for longer. We review progress often and adjust the level of support as stability improves.

What if I am in crisis right now?

If you feel unsafe or think you might harm yourself or someone else, call 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or 911, or go to the nearest emergency room. Intensive case management can be part of your longer-term plan, but urgent safety needs should be handled right away.

References

  • Miller, W. R., & Rollnick, S. (2013). Motivational interviewing: Helping people change (3rd ed.). Guilford Press.
  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2014). SAMHSA’s concept of trauma and guidance for a trauma-informed approach (HHS Publication No. SMA 14-4884).
  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (n.d.). Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) evidence-based practices. https://www.samhsa.gov
  • National Institutes of Health, Office of Disease Prevention. (n.d.). Social determinants of health. https://prevention.nih.gov