Meeting People Where They Are: How In-Home Therapy is Expanding Access to Mental Health Care
When it comes to mental health care, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. For individuals navigating depression, anxiety, overwhelming stress, substance use, or trauma, effective support often requires flexibility, creativity, and care tailored to the whole person.
That philosophy is at the heart of Comprehensive Community Services (CCS), a program that connects qualifying, Medicaid-eligible individuals to a wide range of supports — from traditional talk therapy and psychiatry to specialized, community-based services like art therapy, music therapy, and occupational therapy.
Now, Wellpoint Care Network is expanding that flexibility even further by adding an in-home and community-based therapy option in Milwaukee County.
By bringing therapy directly into a person’s home or personal environment, the goal is to make mental health care feel easier, more comfortable, and more connected to everyday life.
“Being able to meet them where they are physically, being able to see them in their home, that can make a big difference,” says Shellie Brett, Clinical Supervisor at Wellpoint Care Network. “Especially for clients who may have transportation challenges or they’re just reluctant to try therapy or have had a negative experience of therapy. For some people, it feels more comfortable and approachable to be seen at home. It also allows us to observe the home environment and family dynamics in a way you don’t always see in an outpatient setting. That can be incredibly helpful for building the therapy relationship and supporting treatment.”
The new Milwaukee line of service is led by clinical therapist Alexis Newberg, who says the in-home setting can help build trust more quickly.
“It really increases engagement faster than what I’ve seen in some traditional settings,” Newberg says. “Just walking into a clinic can be scary for people. When you meet them in their home, people often feel more comfortable. It gives you a full picture. You don’t just see the challenges they’re facing, but also their strengths, their support networks and available resources they already have.”
For youth in particular, home-based therapy can offer unique opportunities for connection. Newberg notes that small details, like interactions with pets, can become meaningful points of engagement during sessions.
“With kids, pets can be a huge source of comfort and connection,” she says. “When a therapist can see that interaction or engage with something that brings a child joy, it can be really special and meaningful for them. It helps build trust and makes therapy feel less intimidating.”
The impact of that comfort often extends beyond the home. Brett says in-home therapy can serve as a starting point for those who may feel anxious or hesitant about engaging with their broader community.
“A lot of the successes we see are with clients who are reluctant to try therapy or who find the idea of going into a clinic intimidating,” Brett says. “When we bring services into their home, they can build rapport in a space where they feel safe. Over time, many clients become more willing to venture out into their community with support. It’s powerful to see them begin exploring their neighborhoods, interacting with others, and reconnecting with the world around them.”
By expanding access through providing in-home therapy through Milwaukee CCS, Wellpoint Care Network is reinforcing a simple but powerful idea: mental health care works best when it meets people where they are.
Learn more about our Mental Health services and start your healing journey today.
