Mental Health, Chemical Abuse and Dependency Services Division
Chinook Building
401 Fifth Ave., Suite 400
Seattle, WA 98104

Amnon Shoenfeld, Dir.
e-mail us
Phone:  206-263-9000
Fax:   206-296-5260
TTY:   711 Relay Service

Employee Directory

Department: Community and Human Services
Jackie MacLean, Director

Evidence-based Practices

Coping with symptoms An evidence-based practice (EBP) is one that has had enough scientific studies done to prove that the practice is helpful. The King County Mental Health Plan encourages the use of evidence-based practices. Ask at your agency if the service you are interested in is provided. If the service isn't provided yet, ask how you might get involved in helping the agency to develop such a service or if another agency might be already using the evidence-based practice you are interested in.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, highlights the following EBPs for mental health services. There are lots of other EBPs, including some specific for children and youth. See full list of recognized EBPs.

  1. Illness Management and Recovery: This program emphasizes helping people to set and pursue personal goals and to use action strategies in their everyday lives. Many of the articles on this Recovery Webpage are adapted from this program. Find out more.


  2. Assertive Community Treatment: This program helps people stay out of the hospital and develop skills to live in the community. Assertive community treatment offers services matched to the individual needs of the consumer by a team of providers who are available 24 hours a day. Find out more.


  3. Family Psycho-education: This program involves a partnership among consumers, families and supporters, and practitioners to learn about what to do about symptoms of mental illness and how to improve family relationships. Find out more.


  4. Supported Employment: This program is a specific way to help people with mental illnesses find and keep real jobs within their communities. Employment specialists coordinate with mental health service providers. Find out more.


  5. Integrated Treatment of Co-Occurring Disorders: This program is for people who have co-occurring disorders of  mental illness and a substance abuse addiction. This treatment approach helps people recover by offering both mental health and substance abuse services at the same time and in one setting. Find out more.