New businesses: BTST mental health clinic and Achieving True Self's Center for Achievement

Julie E. Greene, The Herald-Mail
·2 min read

BTST Services opens outpatient mental health clinic

BTST Services held a grand opening this month for its new outpatient mental health clinic in the Hagerstown area at 1850 Dual Highway, Suite 200.

BTST has been serving the Washington County area for 15 years and had space in Hagerstown's West End for eight years, Clinical Director Tasha Walls said in a phone interview.

Traditionally, BTST has been a community-based program where its providers visited clients virtually and in their homes, schools and other community venues, according to a news release and Walls. With the growing population comes the need for more mental health services for youths and adults.

Washington County Business Development Director Jonathan Horowitz presents a certificate of recognition to BTST Services Clinical Director Tasha Walls during the organization's grand opening earlier this month. The bigger space in a Dual Highway office building provides room for group therapy sessions, Walls said.
Washington County Business Development Director Jonathan Horowitz presents a certificate of recognition to BTST Services Clinical Director Tasha Walls during the organization's grand opening earlier this month. The bigger space in a Dual Highway office building provides room for group therapy sessions, Walls said.

The new space, which opened in December, offers more opportunities for in-person service, specifically for group therapy sessions, Walls said.

"As a resident of Wash Co and someone who grew up in the west end of Hagerstown, I am so excited that BTST has expanded to a larger office that is more accessible to the adults and youth in the county because I recognize the need for the services we provide," Walls said in the release.

BTST serves all ages and "heavily emphasizes serving children and young adults," the release states.

While BTST just takes Medicaid now, its therapists are in the process of getting licensed to accept private insurance, Walls said.

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Achieving True Self opens center to help families touched by autism

Desiree Miller, lead community engagement registered behavior technician with Achieving True Self, in a treatment room at the company's recently opened Center for Achievement near Halfway.
Desiree Miller, lead community engagement registered behavior technician with Achieving True Self, in a treatment room at the company's recently opened Center for Achievement near Halfway.

Achieving True Self held a ribbon cutting Friday for a local Center for Achievement at 16619 Hunters Green Parkway, Suite 100, near Halfway.

The company supports individuals and families "touched by autism, behavioral health diagnoses, and/or intellectual disabilities," according to a news release.

"Opening a center that provides compassionate support and evidence-based treatment for individuals with autism, especially young children, is something that this community needed — and we are so proud to meet that need," Clinical Services and Outreach Director Brianne Belt said in the release.

The local center opened at the end of 2023.

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The local center's initial programming focuses on early learners younger than 6 years old, said Catherine Hughes, director of family support and community engagement.

Behavior analysts or technicians work with youngsters to overcome barriers and challenges dealing with communication, socialization and behaviors, Hughes said in a phone interview.

Achieving True Self started offering services in Washington County in 2017 when Maryland Medicaid began accepting referrals for children and teens with autism who needed applied behavioral analysis, Hughes said. The company also accepts private insurance and Medicaid in Pennsylvania, where it also serves Franklin and Fulton counties.

The company has another center in Irwin near Pittsburgh.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Hagerstown center helps families touched by autism