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Lake Charles Behavioral Health

Lake Charles Memorial Health System provides comprehensive behavioral health treatment for adolescents, adults and geriatric patients with the backing of a full-service health system. Current services are available on an inpatient and outpatient basis. Memorial's dedication to providing much needed mental health services in Southwest Louisiana and statewide is further exemplified with Archer Institute Behavioral Health Hospital.

The new facility was designed with patient needs in mind and current state-of-the-art mental and substance abuse care. Archer Institute of Lake Charles Memorial Health System is under the medical direction of psychiatrists Said Cantu, MD, Mario Valencia, MD and Michael Wright, MD.

Inpatient Services

Inpatient services are available at Archer Institute, located on Nelson Road, from a team of disciplines, including psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, social workers, case managers, activity therapists, dietitians, occupational therapists, and behavioral health coordinators. The treatment teams, individually and collectively, observe and identify problems that resulted in hospitalization to develop a treatment plan with specific goals and objectives. We aim to promote the highest level of independence and competence possible for each individual.

Services are available to treat a broad range of mental health disorders, including:

  • Mood disorders
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Schizophrenia
  • Cognitive disorders
  • Dual diagnosis
  • Danger to themselves or others
  • Suicidal
  • Homicidal
  • Depressed
  • Hearing voices
  • Sudden onset of confusion
  • Medication mismanagement

Outpatient Services

Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) for behavioral health problems covering emotional and mental health issues are also available by physician referral through Lake Charles Memorial Behavioral Health. The benefits of intensive outpatient programs allow individuals to be in treatment without the confinement of a hospital. The goal is to prevent hospitalization, to assist in the transition from inpatient hospitalization to home, while encouraging growth, development and improving function.

This outpatient program combines psychotherapy and medication management. Licensed professionals under the direct supervision of a physician, provide interventions tailored to each client’s needs. Group, individual and family therapy are some of the modalities utilized to address issues such as stress, anger, anxiety, depression, distorted thinking and other symptoms disrupting a person’s life. The patient’s plan of care is individualized with the goal of helping patients lead productive lives. For more information please call (337) 480-7792.


Lake Charles Memorial Outpatient Behavioral Health Clinic has a wide range of providers who offer medication management and counseling in the outpatient setting.

Services are available to treat a broad range of mental health disorders, including:

  • Depression
  • Sleeping disorders
  • Anxiety
  • ADD/ADHD
  • Post-traumatic disorder
  • Greif
  • Eating disorders
  • Adjustment disorders
  • Marriage/family counseling
  • Conversion disorder
  • Panic disorder
  • Other major psychiatric disorders

New patient appointments are available by calling (337) 480-7800. Referrals are not required but may be submitted via fax at (337) 474-4552.

2829 4th Avenue, Suite 150
Lake Charles, LA 70601

Counseling for Low to Moderate Income Residents

The City of Lake Charles has teamed up with Lake Charles Memorial Health System to provide mental health counseling for low to moderate income residents in Lake Charles who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Utilizing funds received through the 2020 CARES Act (CDBG-CV), the City of Lake Charles has established a behavioral health counseling program with Lake Charles Memorial Health System’s Behavioral Health Clinic located at 2829 4th Avenue, Suite 150, in Lake Charles. Residents meeting the eligibility criteria will have access to free mental health counseling services.

If you are interested in applying or in need of more information, please call (337) 480-7801.

Murdock

David Murdock, MD

Address: 2829 4th Ave, Suite 150, Lake Charles, LA 70601
Office Number: (337) 480-7800
Specialty: Behavioral Health
Patient Forms: Click Here

Valencia

Mario Valencia, MD

Address: 2829 4th Ave, Suite 150, Lake Charles, LA 70601
Office Number: (337) 480-7800
Specialty: Behavioral Health
Patient Forms: Click Here

Wright

Michael Wright, MD

Address: 2829 4th Ave, Suite 150, Lake Charles, LA 70601
Office Number: (337) 480-7800
Specialty: Behavioral Health
Patient Forms: Click Here

Ryder

Zachary Ryder, MD

Address: 1701 Oak Park Blvd. Lake Charles, LA 70601
Office Number: (337) 494-3000
Specialty: Behavioral Health
Patient Forms: Click Here