Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Specialists
Our Mission
Kennebec Behavioral Health’s mission is to promote the well-being of persons who experience mental illness, emotional difficulties or behavioral challenges.
Kennebec Behavioral Health (KBH) is located in the heart of central Maine and has been providing comprehensive community mental health services in Maine since 1960. KBH offers clinic-based services including medication management and outpatient counseling for mental health, substance use disorder, and co-occurring disorders at five clinic locations in Augusta, Winthrop, Waterville, Farmington and Skowhegan.
The agency also provides community-based services including case management services, residential services (from daily community support services to 24/7 on-site support), school-based services, home and community therapy and multi-systemic therapy services throughout the mid-Maine region and beyond. Outreach services are also offered in the community for adults, families and youth who are experiencing homelessness. KBH’s vision is a community in which everyone enjoys physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health.
During Fiscal year 2021, KBH served over 14,800 youth, adults and families in Maine.
KBH served residents from 100+ towns and cities in Maine during fiscal year 2021.
KBH provided 219,113 of services to youth, adults and families during fiscal year 2021.
Psychologists Charles Rothstein, Ph.D., Paul Perez, Ph.D., Joseph Sanders, Howard White, Ph.D. and psychiatrist Price Kirkpatrick began meeting to discuss the status of mental health among Kennebec County residents.
Kennebec Mental Health Association was incorporated to promote a comprehensive community mental health program. It was housed in rented space at Thayer Hospital in Waterville.
Construction of KBH’s current building at 67 Eustis Parkway was underway. It would later by called the “Rothstein Building” after Charles Rothstein, Ph.D. who was the first Clinical Director.
A new facility opened in Skowhegan and a family visitation center in Augusta was developed for children’s services. Capitol Clubhouse in Augusta opened its doors.
The organization is renamed Kennebec Valley Mental Health Center. The agency staff had grown to 200 employees. A third clinic opened in Winthrop.
Now called Kennebec Behavioral Health, 325 staff provided services to 13,900 persons. The agency celebrated its 50th anniversary. In 2011, the third vocational clubhouse opened in Lewiston.
Kennebec Behavioral Health opened its fourth clubhouse, Village Clubhouse in Topsham. The agency now offered five clinics, four clubhouses, 11 residential sites with an annual operating budget of $35,000,000.
2020
Now in 2020, KBH employs over 400 staff and offers more than two dozen programs. The agency also celebrated 60 years of providing services.
