“The mission of the Mental Health Division is to promote recovery and safety.”

Pierce Consumer Help Page

Authorized Providers A list of authorized agencies and providers in Pierce County.

Here’s how you can access mental health services in Pierce County:

Pierce County residents may call the phone numbers listed in the provider network directly for services, or call the Pierce County toll-free number (1-800-531-0508) for assistance. Crisis services and mental health assessments do not require prior authorization; other services may require authorization by your provider.


24-Hour Crisis Line: Immediate counseling, information, or referral to other resources.
Voice: (253) 798-4333 TDD: (253) 798-4349 Toll-free 1-800-576-7764

Crisis Intervention Teams (24-hours): Stabilization of emergency or crisis situation in the community.
• Tacoma/Peninsula Area, (253) 396-5000
• Lakewood/Southwest Pierce County, (253) 584-8933
• Puyallup/East Pierce County, (888) 445-8120

Crisis Triage (24-hour): 3580 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98418 253-798-4357 Short-term psychiatric crisis intervention services provided in a safe, medically supervised environment. The Crisis Triage Center is a short-term behavioral health observation and treatment unit for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis of any type. The CTC utilizes the clinical expertise of psychiatric nursing and mental health professionals to provide an effective clinical alternative to jails, hospitals, and helps prevent more severe deterioration. Persons may stay for as little as an hour or up to 72 hours, depending on the severity and nature of their crisis. The CTC provides a professionally staffed, quiet and safe environment that enables a person to stabilize during a period of crisis. CTC staff assist the individual to regain composure/control over the factors and circumstances contributing to their crisis, be observed and evaluated, and referred or returned to the appropriate setting at discharge. Active discharge planning is a key feature of the CTC service and begins immediately on admission. (Equal Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Policy: The Crisis Triage Center does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national orgin, religion, creed, sex, age, marital status, disabled veteran status, Vietnam Era Veteran status, disability, or any other non-merit factor in any of its policies, procedures, or practice. This non-discrimination policy covers admissions, access, treatment, and employment.)

Mobile Outreach Crisis Team (24-hour): Investigation and evaluation of individuals to determine the necessity of commitment to psychiatric treatment facilities.
Voice (and TDD) 253-798-2709

Evaluation and Treatment: Individuals who request acute psychiatric inpatient services must receive prior authorization for this level of care from Behavioral Health Options. To contact BHO, call 1-877-421-6814

List of authorized providers: Click here for a list of authorized agencies and providers in Pierce County.

Mental health assessment: Each individual requesting services will receive a thorough mental health assessment to determine the medical necessity for additional services. No prior authorization is required to receive an assessment. Persons assessed to be in need of further mental health services will receive additional services in the intensity and for the duration necessary. Individuals may also be referred for other community resources according to need.

Community support services: These can be short- or long-term services depending on an assessed need that may include, but are not limited to:

• Individual, family, or group counseling
• Educational interventions
• Case management
• Medication management
• Housing/residential services (adults)

What if I have a problem? All community mental health centers are required to inform clients of their right to express dissatisfaction at the provider, RSN, and State fair hearing level and to post and provide grievance procedures for doing so. Copies of the grievance procedure are available at your provider, or call the Ombuds Serviceformation

Disenrollment and fair hearings: A mental health consumer enrolled in services may request to be disenrolled from services at any time through the grievance procedure process. Individuals also have the right to request a State fair hearing for any reason by calling: 360-793-2531 or toll-free: 1-800-583-8271

Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view PDF files and you can download it for free. If you do not have an application that can display Microsoft Word documents (.doc), you can download a free Word Viewer.


For more ways to get in touch with the Department of Mental Health Services, go to the DSHS Contact Information Web page. Mental Health Related Questions Contact:



webpage is valid XHTML 1.0!