At the new Alleviant Health Centers of Akron, psychiatric help is immediately available

By Laura Briedis

Shifting the focus of mental healthcare and pain management from medication-dependent care to a holistic integrated approach—addressing the whole person—Alleviant Health Centers of Akron is offering innovative treatments for people with chronic pain or mood disorders.

“The wait is over for people who have been suffering,” says Nick Angelis, CEO of Alleviant Health Centers of Akron.

“The average wait time in our area to see a psychiatrist is often three to six months, but in our new center we can see patients immediately and even welcome walk-ins. This is especially important for people with suicidal ideations, as they need help immediately. And for those who have been suffering from chronic pain caused by migraines, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis or other complex pain, we also can offer relief.”

Born and raised in Northeast Ohio, Nick moved back to the area after working as a certified registered nurse anesthetist in Florida the past nine years to open his own health center last month.

“I am excited to offer new treatments to help patients ease chronic pain, assist those with opioid and alcohol addictions, and help everyone improve their mental health well-being,” he says.

Overseen by Medical Director Carlos Molina, MD, and comprised of a psychiatrist, trauma certified clinician, licensed professional clinical counselor, anesthetist, psychiatric nurse practitioner and massage therapists trained in natural health modalities, the staff works collaboratively to integrate care and set people on the path to healing.

“Whether suffering from depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, PTSD or other disorders, we help find the root cause and treat the whole person,” explains Nick. “True healing can only come from mixing several modalities into an individualized plan for each patient.”

Alleviant’s integrated model of care is a combination of traditional Western therapies and holistic philosophies. It starts with psychotherapy and medication management.

“We look at genetics, lifestyle, nutrition and fitness and see how we can help without relying on medications,” he says. “Our goal is to help patients reduce the use of anti-depressants and pain medication.”

When patients come to the center, they first meet with a counselor to gain perspective.

“We are a judgment-free place that is very welcoming,” says Julie Goch, director of counseling services. “We have counselors who specialize in everything from family counseling to opioid addiction, and they take an individualized approach to finding the best solution for each patient.”

Several of the Center’s novel therapies are Ketamine Infusion Therapy and Nasal Ketamine, and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS).

“We are one of only a handful of health centers to offer ketamine treatments,” says Nick.

“It decreases inflammation in the body and stimulates neurogenesis, which helps your nerves create new connections. Research has shown that pain and depression are caused when you lose some connections in your brain and have trouble processing. Ketamine helps regrow neurons.”

“This can benefit people who have been treatment-resistant when trying other ways to heal,” he adds.

“More than 70 percent of patients experience a significant reduction in symptoms, many during the first infusion. This is great news for people suffering from anxiety or depression, since a lot of medications can take up to 30 days for the full effects—all the while their life is still falling apart. Ketamine helps people in the moment, and we use it as a bridge to jump-start healing.”

With similar goals, TMS is an FDA-approved noninvasive procedure that delivers magnetic impulses through an electromagnetic coil to the prefrontal cortex, the region of the brain associated with mood control, to reinforce positive nerve pathways.

“When we designed our new health center, we wanted to create a soothing oasis where we could heal pain and restore hope,” says Nick.

Alleviant Health Centers of Akron is located at 1000 S. Cleveland Massillon Road, Suite 1, in Fairlawn. Call 866-951-HEAL for an appointment or visit Alleviant.com for more information.