Patton Behavioral Health Services in Oklahoma City: Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment

Patton Behavioral Health Services is an outpatient behavioral health clinic in Oklahoma City offering individual therapy, psychiatric evaluation, medication management, and substance abuse treatment in a nonprofit community health center framework. It operates as part of the larger mental health safety net in Oklahoma County, serving patients with or without insurance and those with limited ability to pay.

What Patton actually does

Patton functions as a primary access point for mental health and addiction services rather than emergency psychiatric care or inpatient hospitalization. The clinic conducts intake assessments, diagnoses mood and anxiety disorders, personality disorders, and substance use disorders, and then assigns patients to individual or group counseling and, where appropriate, to a psychiatrist or nurse practitioner for medication management. The model is designed for people beginning treatment, those transitioning out of inpatient or crisis care, and those managing chronic mental health conditions on an outpatient basis.

Services and cost structure

Patton offers individual therapy (typically weekly), psychiatric evaluation and ongoing medication management, group counseling for specific conditions, and substance abuse assessment and counseling. The clinic uses a sliding-scale fee model based on household income; uninsured patients earning up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level are likely eligible for the lowest fees or no-cost care, while those above that threshold pay higher fees on a sliding scale. Verify current fee schedules and income thresholds by calling; fees can shift as federal poverty guidelines change annually. Patton accepts most major insurance plans and Medicaid.

How Patton compares to other Oklahoma City options

Oklahoma City has several tiers of mental health access. Immediate crisis care is available through the Oklahoma City Crisis Intervention Team hotline and Norman Regional Health System's emergency department psychiatric units. For ongoing outpatient therapy, private practices and therapist networks offer faster appointment availability (often 1 to 4 weeks) but rarely include medication management and can cost $100 to $200 per session out of pocket. Integris and OU Health operate psychiatric clinics as part of larger medical systems and typically require insurance or substantial copayment; wait times for new patients often exceed 4 to 6 weeks. Patton's sliding scale and nonprofit status make it accessible to uninsured and low-income patients who cannot navigate private practice or wait for university-affiliated clinics; the trade-off is longer initial wait times (typically 2 to 4 weeks for a first appointment) and a more structured, protocol-driven approach rather than a hand-picked therapist match.

Who Patton suits and who it doesn't

Patton works well for uninsured or Medicaid-eligible patients, those with limited income who cannot afford private therapy, patients who need medication evaluation alongside therapy, and those referred from inpatient psychiatric stays. It is less suitable for people who prefer rapid appointment scheduling, private one-on-one therapist selection without assignment, or specialized therapy (such as trauma-informed EMDR or intensive family therapy) not available through a general clinic model. Those with severe active suicidality or acute psychosis requiring immediate stabilization should call 911 or go to the ER, not schedule an outpatient appointment.

What the first visit involves

First contact is typically by phone; callers are screened for acuity and urgency and then scheduled for an intake appointment. At intake, a clinician completes a full psychiatric history, screens for suicidality and safety risk, assesses for substance use, and identifies presenting complaints. If medication evaluation is needed, a second appointment with a psychiatrist or nurse practitioner is arranged; Patton generally does not prescribe during the intake visit. Patients begin individual or group therapy on a weekly schedule based on capacity and clinical recommendation. Paperwork is substantial; bring insurance information and government ID.

Hours, parking, and logistics

Patton's hours vary by location. The main clinic is open Monday through Friday, typically 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with limited evening or weekend availability; verify current hours and any telehealth options. Street parking and a small lot are available. Public transit via METRO is accessible from the main location. Initial intake appointments are conducted in person; follow-up therapy sessions may be available by video or phone depending on clinical appropriateness and staff availability.

Patton Behavioral Health Services fills a critical gap for uninsured and low-income Oklahomans seeking mental health care without barriers to entry. For those who can navigate a structured clinic environment and accept longer initial waiting times, it is often the only realistic path to ongoing care.