UPDATE: In a significant leadership change, Mike Berney, the longtime Executive Director of Palouse River Counseling, has announced his retirement effective December 2023. After more than three decades of dedicated service, Berney will pass the leadership baton to Kathleen Stewardson, the current Clinical Director, following a comprehensive national search.
This transition marks a pivotal moment for the Pullman-based nonprofit, which has expanded its reach and capacity under Berney’s guidance. Originally established as Whitman County Mental Health, the organization transformed into its current form in 2003. Berney played a crucial role in this evolution, advocating for the clinic’s independence to enhance its service offerings.
Under Berney’s stewardship, the center has grown from approximately 20 staff members to over 40, including psychologists, counselors, social workers, psychiatrists, and nurses. This expansion has allowed Palouse River Counseling to provide a diverse range of outpatient services, including individual therapy, crisis intervention, substance abuse treatment, group sessions, and medication management.
Berney highlighted the clinic’s most significant achievement: an increased capacity to serve the community effectively. “It’s almost a ‘night and day difference’ how much the clinic has evolved,” he stated, emphasizing the positive cultural shift surrounding behavioral health in recent years.
The organization now offers services tailored to clients’ financial situations, utilizing a sliding scale payment system designed to meet the needs of all patients. Berney noted that there has been a marked decrease in the stigma associated with seeking mental health services, as more individuals recognize the importance of addressing both physical and mental health.
As he prepares to step down, Berney expressed optimism about the future of mental health care in the region. “I believe that the new executive director will carry on and make behavioral health services even more available to the residents of Pullman and Whitman County,” he asserted.
The leadership change comes at a time when behavioral health continues to gain recognition as a critical component of overall health care, fostering improved collaboration among local primary care practitioners and law enforcement.
With Berney stepping into retirement, the community is poised to welcome a new chapter under Stewardson’s leadership. Stakeholders are encouraged to watch for upcoming initiatives and programs aimed at further enhancing mental health services in the region.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
