Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services expands its psychiatric services to the community. The organization says a new psychiatrist and physician assistant on staff will increase the Pine Rest Pella Clinic’s ability to respond to the growing mental health crisis. Monte Bernhagen, M.D., rejoined the Pine Rest Pella Clinic staff in April. Dr. Bernhagen has more than 25 years of experience as a board certified psychiatrist and is seeing patients 18 years and older. He currently has availability to see new patients within one week of referral.

Dr. Bernhagen’s areas of expertise include the treatment of:
· anxiety disorders
· depression and bipolar disorder
· dementia/Alzheimer’s assessments
· psychotic disorders/schizophrenia
· PTSD and other trauma disorders

Kimberly Eccher, PA-C, joined the staff July 30 to expand the clinic’s capacity to provide psychiatric medication management services. Eccher has been working for Pine Rest on its main campus in Grand Rapids, Michigan and went through the physician assistant psychiatric training program. This program provides advanced training and experience in the treatment of psychiatric illnesses. Eccher is accepting new patients 18 years and older. She currently has availability to see patients within one week of referral.

Eccher’s areas of expertise include the treatment of:
· anxiety disorders
· depression and bipolar
· eating disorders
· grief and loss

The Pella Clinic has provided Pella and surrounding communities with behavioral health services for children, adolescents, adults and families for the past 42 years. The clinic has immediate access to all of Pine Rest’s resources, including experts in several areas of behavioral healthcare. The clinic’s address is 2611 Washington St., Westport Medical Plaza in Pella.