Two new behavioral health care centers are available to Coachella Valley residents seeking mental health support and resources.
Sensible Care, a California-based company that provides online and in-person therapy and psychiatry services, opened a new facility in Palm Desert over the summer. Elsewhere in Indio, a new 24/7 Behavioral Health Crisis Walk-In Center also opened. It is part of Riverside University Health System-Behavioral Health's crisis support system of care, and operated by Wellness Equity Alliance, which aims to bridge health care gaps in underserved communities.
These two clinics open at a time when mental health resources are increasingly needed for Coachella Valley residents. About 42.7% of local adults (153,777 people) have either
been diagnosed with a mental health disorder and/or had a mental health issue that concerned them in the past year, such as stress, anxiety or depression, according to the2025 Coachella Valley Community Health Survey conducted by the nonprofit Health Assessment and Research for Communities. Further, 16.7% of people (26,656 people) said they struggled to get care, and 27.4% noted there were factors that prevented them from seeking mental health care, such as financial barriers, work/time constraints, and difficulty finding available and appropriate providers.
They also fill a need after the San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital Behavioral Health Center in Palm Springs shut down at the end of August.
Here's what to know about both centers.
Sensible Care clinic opens in Palm Desert
Paul Kim, founder and CEO of Sensible Care, said the company opened its clinic in Palm Desert based on patient demand and insurance companies reporting a need for in-person therapy and psychiatry in the area.
The company began through Kim's own experience battling post-traumatic stress disorder after serving in the Iraq War. After struggling to find appropriate therapy options and other mental health resources, he and Dr. Paul Chung, a naval flight surgeon, teamed up to open Sensible Care in 2017, offering in-person and online therapy and psychiatry needs. Other California offices are located in Laguna Hills and Irvine, with services offered in other states across the country.
Since opening their doors in Palm Desert, Kim said there has been "no shortage of demand" when it comes to patients seeking resources. The most common behavioral health issues that the clinic sees include anxiety, depression and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. He stressed that the clinic does not help treat urgent psychiatric emergencies/crisis situations.
Mainly in-person services are provided at the Palm Desert clinic, but a whole host of telehealth resources are also available to patients. There are currently five full-time therapists on staff who hold 40-50-minute talk therapy sessions with patients. Providers will also put together a plan for each patient that will determine how frequently they will meet, if additional services, such as medication, are needed and more.
New 24/7 crisis clinic available in Indio
The 24/7 Behavioral Health Crisis Walk-In Center also opened its doors earlier this year. The center accepts children ages 5 and older, adolescents, adults and seniors, and services are available in English and Spanish. It is not an in-patient facility.
A press release states that services range from behavioral health assessments and crisis stabilization to counseling, medication support, peer support, safety planning and connections to ongoing community-based care. Those who are experiencing substance use disorder and need medication-assisted treatment, such as buprenorphine, can also find resources at the center.
"People come to the center for a wide range of behavioral health needs. Someone may be feeling overwhelmed, anxious or unable to cope, concerned about alcohol or substance use or simply know that something does not feel right and want support," Dr. Tyler Evans, CEO of Wellness Equity Alliance, said in an email. "Children and adolescents may also come in with concerns related to school, family or other challenges in their lives. The focus is on understanding what each person needs in that moment, providing support and helping connect them with appropriate ongoing care."
When a person walks into the clinic, they will meet with a clinician and a peer specialist, aka someone who has experience with the issues that person is facing, to take their vitals, better understand their situation and see what services are needed. That may include counseling, stabilization for anyone in a behavioral health or substance use crisis, medication support (an on-site prescriber is available, according to the website) or a safe space to rest.
Evans stated that visits generally last less than 24 hours, with the goal of connecting each person to appropriate follow-up care and resources before they leave.
For questions, call 760-239-9187 or visit wellnessequityalliance.com/crisis-walk-in-center-cwic.
Where are the clinics located?
Sensible Care is located at 74-000 Country Club Drive, Suite H1, in Palm Desert.
The 24/7 Behavioral Health Crisis Walk-In Center is located at 47-915 Oasis St. in Indio.
How do I make an appointment?
Kim said most Sensible Care patients are referred by their insurance company. However, people can also visit sensiblecare.com, where they can fill out a short questionnaire and see providers' availability, with appointments often available the same week.
The Indio center allows for walk-ins, and its website states no referrals are required.
Is insurance accepted?
Sensible Care accepts most insurance, including Anthem Blue Cross, Aetna, Cigna, Optum, Tricare, Humana, Medicare and Medicaid (Medi-Cal). If the clinic does not accept a certain insurance plan, patients can be seen at an out-of-network rate (self-pay) and can be provided a superbill, which they can submit to their insurance payer for reimbursement.
No insurance is required to seek resources from the 24/7 Behavioral Health Crisis Walk-In Center in Indio. Its website states people "will not be turned away" regarding their insurance status.
Ema Sasic covers entertainment and health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at ema.sasic@desertsuncom, on X @ema_sasic or on Instagram @emasasic.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: What to know about new mental health clinics in Palm Desert, Indio
