FAQ’s and Helpful Links

  • Access for Change is located at 80 Washington Street (Building D) in Norwell, MA. The Washington Square office park is conveniently located on Rt. 53. To view a map click here.

    We also offer Telehealth services. Contact us for more information.

  • We accept the following insurances:

    Aetna
    U.S. Healthcare
    Blue Cross & Blue Shield/PPO’s & HMO’s
    Beacon Health
    Cigna & Cigna Behavioral Health
    Harvard Pilgrim
    Health Management Center
    Healthcare Value Management
    HMO Blue
    Magellan Behavioral Health
    Managed Health Network
    Mass State Carpenters Health Benefits Fund
    MCC Behavioral Care
    Medicaid
    Medicare
    Merit Behavioral Health Care
    Modern Assistance Programs
    One Health Plan
    Options Health
    First Health
    Private Health Care Systems
    Tufts
    United Health Care & United Behavioral Health
    Value Options Behavioral Health Care
    SUD Evaluations Available
    U.S. Department of Transportation SAP Services
    Fee-For-Service Agreements Available

    MOST OTHER INSURANCE’S ACCEPTED FOLLOWING VERIFICATION

  • If you are an existing client, you book an appointment through our patient portal.

    If you are a new client, please fill out our Service Request Form.

  • NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) defines a mental health crisis as: “any situation in which a person’s behavior puts them at risk of hurting themselves or others and/or prevents them from being able to care for themselves or function effectively in the community.”

  • Warning signs are not always present, but some common signs include: A decrease in daily functioning and ability to care for self, rapid mood swings and energy levels, increased agitation and aggression, self-harm behaviors, increased substance use, abusive behavior towards others, isolation from others, losing touch with reality, paranoia.

  • There are not always warning signs, but some common signs include: giving away possessions, talking as if they are saying goodbye or leaving, taking steps to resolve debts and other outstanding issues, making or changing a will, stockpiling medications or obtaining a weapon, preoccupation with death, sudden calm or happiness after a period of hopelessness, dramatic changes in behavior or mood, increased substance use, statements of hopelessness or despair, withdrawal from loved ones, failed romantic relationships, history of suicide attempts or self-harming behaviors, history of family or friend attempting or completing suicide.

  • If you are worried about yourself or a loved one, assess the immediacy of the situation to help determine where to start: Is the person in immediate danger of hurting themselves or others? Do you have time to pursue guidance from a mental health professional? Do you need emergency assistance?

Call 9-1-1 if there is immediate danger, and leave the location immediately if you do not feel safe with the person.

For a crisis that does not require a 9-1-1 response, you can pursue hotlines, helplines, and other rapid response providers. For More Information:  https://www.nami.org/crisisguide or call the NAMI Helpline 1(800) 950-6264

Need Immediate Help in a Crisis?

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 1(800) 273-TALK (8255) to speak with a trained crisis counselor 24/7

Crisis Text Line: Text NAMI to 741-741 to receive support from a trained crisis counselor by text 24/7

National Domestic Violence Hotline: Call 1(800) 799-SAFE (7233) to speak with an expert 24/7

National Sexual Assault Hotline: Call 1(800) 656-HOPE (4673) to connect with a trained sexual assault service provider 24/7

The Trevor Project Hotline: Call 1(866) 488-7386 or text START to 678678 to speak with a LGBTQ+ Youth specialized crisis counselor 24/7

The Network La Red Hotline: Call 1(800) 832-1901 to speak with a crisis counselor specializing in LGBQ/T, SM, and Polyamorous relationships 24/7

Emergency Service Providers

Emergency Service Providers/Mobile Crisis Intervention provide rapid mental health response for individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis.

Boston Region ESP: Boston Medical Center/Boston Emergency Services Team (BEST)

24 Hour Access Number: 1(800) 981-4357

  • Services include: community-based behavioral health crisis assessments, emergency interventions, and stabilization services. They can serve as an access point for higher levels of care when appropriate.

  • Who can receive ESP services: Residents of all ages who are uninsured or who have insurance through MassHealth, Medicare, or eligible commercial insurances.

  • Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

  • For more information: https://www.masspartnership.com/provider/ESP.aspx

Alcoholics Anonymous – Online Meetings

Narcotics Anonymous – Online and Telephone Meetings

Narcotics Anonymous New England Virtual Meetings

SMART Recovery Online Community

Sober Grid App

In the Rooms: Online Global Recovery Community

Connections Smartphone App

MCPAP: Massachusetts Child Psychiatry Access Program

MCPAP is a service that connects primary care pediatricians with child psychiatry supervision in order to expedite access to appropriate psychiatric treatment for children. You can talk to your child’s pediatrician about contacting MCPAP for assistance.

Boston North Team: Massachusetts General Hospital, North Shore Medical Center 1(855) 627-2763

Boston South Team: Boston Children’s Hospital, McLean Hospital, Tufts Medical Center 1(844) 636-2727

Email: mcpap@beaconhealthoptions.com

For more information, visit: https://www.mcpap.com/Families/YourChildMentalHealthNWellness.aspx

Domestic Violence Support

Safelink Statewide Domestic Violence Hotline: 24/7 - 1(877) 785-2020

Community Advocacy Helpline: (617) 521-0116

Legal Hotline: (617) 521-0146

Services include: 24/7 hotline assistance available in all languages, residential shelter programs, legal advocacy, housing advocacy, counseling, economic stability services, and children’s services. For more information visit Casa Myrna.


Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence: 24/7 Hotline (617) 338-2355

Linguistically and culturally responsive assistance Asian survivors and communities.

FINEX House: 24/7 Hotline (617) 288-1054

A shelter for women who have survived DV and their children, especially those with disabilities or history of commercial sexual exploitation or human trafficking.

HarborCOV: 24/7 Hotline (617) 884-9909

Linguistically and culturally responsive domestic violence intervention and assistance for Chelsea community and anyone affected by DV.

Boston Area Rape Crisis Center: 24/7 Hotline 1(800) 841-8371

Support and intervention for survivors of sexual assault and abuse

BMC Domestic Violence Program: Helpline for referrals & consults (617) 414-5457

Leave a voicemail in English, Spanish, or Haitian-Creole for service requests. Messages are checked frequently throughout the day with quick response.

Elizabeth Stone House: Non-Emergency Support (617) 409-5425

Assistance with survivors of DV with history of mental illness or addiction and housing insecurity.

Reporting Child Abuse or Neglect

What do I do if I suspect a child is being abused or neglected? First, immediately call the 24-Hour DCF Child Protection Hotline at 1(800) 792-5200 or your local DCF office that serves the area where the child lives during business hours. A directory of DCF area offices can be found at https://www.mass.gov/dcf

When do I report? Report if you suspect a child is experiencing abuse, neglect, or exploitation. You do not need to be certain in order to report.

What are the warning signs of abuse and neglect? You can review DCF’s guide regarding signs of physical abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, and sexual exploitation or human trafficking at: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/warning-signs-of-child-abuse-and-neglect

What happens after I make a report? DCF, with the support of a multi-disciplinary team, will review the report to evaluate the circumstances to determine the child’s safety and needs and whether DCF involvement is warranted.

For more information, visit: https://www.suffolkcac.org/support-resources/reporting-abuse

Housing and Homelessness

People who are unhoused are at higher risk of health complications and trauma during public health or natural disaster emergencies. The spread of communicable disease is more difficult to manage without reliable access to hygiene facilities or a safe home, and living in crowded shelters can put people at even higher risk. Help is available.

Call Boston 3-1-1 or Mass 2-1-1 or visit https://mass211.org/ for assistance

For more information about homelessness and COVID-19, visit:

http://mahomeless.org/advocacy/item/coronavirus

https://www.empathways.org/covid19resources

Unaccompanied homeless youth are youth under the age of 21 experiencing homelessness and are not in the custody of their parent or legal guardian. Homeless, at-risk, and runaway youth are especially vulnerable right now. If you are a youth experiencing homelessness, you can get help at Mass 2-1-1 or Boston 3-1-1. Other supports and resources include:

Bridge Over Troubled Waters Boston Area Homeless Youth Survival Guide: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/568eddf725981d5681acf703/t/56bca19686db43ae1ed1544f/1455202711350/BridgeSurvivalGuide.pdf

Contacting Your School: While closing schools to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is an important step to protect public health, it creates challenges for youth who depend on the supports their school provides. Reach out to your school to get information about food and resources they may be able to provide.

Youth Homeless Shelters and Programs:

Bridge Over Troubled Waters: (617) 423-9575, 47 West Street in Boston

Y2Y Harvard Square: (617) 864-0795, 1 Church St in Cambridge

Be Aware of Possible Exploitation: Homeless youth are especially vulnerable to exploitation.

Mass Housing and Shelter Alliance Resource Guide for Homeless Youth and Young Adults

Statewide Resources:

Massachusetts Bureau of Substance Addiction Services: (617) 624-5111

The Massachusetts Substance Abuse Information and Education Helpline: 1(800) 327-5050

A statewide, public service to assist in finding substance use treatment and recovery services. Services are free and confidential.

Bureau of Substance Addiction Services – Youth Central Intake and Care Coordination: (617) 661-3991 or toll-free 1(866) 705-2807

A centralized referral and intake helpline for adolescent substance use disorder treatment access and referrals.

Massachusetts Behavioral Health Access (MABHA)

Summary of available services and levels of care as well as assistance in finding providers and service.

Grayken Center – Partnership for Drug-Free Kids: (855) 378-4373

A confidential and free one-on-one support service for parents with concerns about their child’s substance use or abuse.

Client COVID-19 Resources:

Caregiver COVID-19 Resources: