TCWH Celebrates One-Year Anniversary of New Mental Health Clinic Space
Published on December 01, 2025
Tompkins County Whole Health (TCWH) is pleased to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the opening of new mental health clinic space at 55 Brown Road (northeast Ithaca). TCWH staff invited local and state representatives, along with community partners, to celebrate and join in a ceremonial ribbon cutting.
In November 2024, TCWH opened the new clinic space to current mental health clients and began adding new clients to this location in the spring of 2025. This additional clinic offers brand new construction, accessible first floor offices with plenty of free, open parking. Clinicians from both the Adult and Children/Youth teams can meet with clients at this location, increasing our capacity to serve by 30%.
Deputy Commissioner of Mental Health, Harmony Ayers-Friedlander stated, “We want it to be known – you can get therapy right now! We do not have a waitlist; we are fully staffed and here for you. We have psychiatrists, we have therapists, and we have peer specialists too, depending on what kind of service you need. Our offices in downtown Ithaca (201 E. Green St.) are a great option for many, but the Brown Rd. site offers a quieter location, free and available parking, and may be an overall more accessible location. Since our soft launch of this space last year, we have seen the benefits of this new location and are so excited to be opening this option up for new clients too.”
TCWH’s Public Health Services are also located at 55 Brown Road, offering ease of access to other services and programs as well, including immunizations for children and adults, WIC, vital records, and more. Ayers-Friedlander stated that this co-location of services, “offers an opportunity for residents of Tompkins County to receive quality, comprehensive mental health and public health services under one roof.”
Ayers-Friedlander continued, “Almost half of all adults in the United States will experience a mental health illness at some point in their life, half of those by age 14. And yet, about 42% of people in this country never get access to the care that they need. This clinic was built with those statistics in mind: we wanted to make sure that people in our community have access to the care that they need and deserve.”
NYS Congressman Josh Riley stated, “This clinic brings care closer to home and provides hope, and that’s something that every community deserves. Health is not the absence of disease but the presence of dignity and community, giving people a fair shot at a healthy life. Integrated services with more coordination and easier navigation make care more equitable and can change lives. You’ve made it easier, and more affordable, for people to access the care that they need; and you’ve created this amazing space where people can ask for help and be met with respect and understanding. You've really built something this community needs: care that is local, that is accessible and above all else, that is built on trust.”
TC Legislator Randy Brown (R-Newfield), liaison to TCWH’s Community Services Board (CSB) stated, “We need to give good opportunities to young people. Mental and physical health are essential to whole health, and this clinic is an example of a creative, community-based solution to barriers to access, especially for families.”
TC Legislator Travis Brooks (D-Ithaca), Chair of the Health & Human Services Committee stated, “Serving on the county legislature, this is what I’ve wanted to do – to support doing something different, to support doing something new. Thinking about the benefit to our families, to how many more people will be able to be served... here we have an opportunity to do something different. I couldn’t be any prouder of the department and the staff here. Thank you so much [to the staff] for being bold and envisioning doing services differently.”
Dr. Jessica Conner (Psychologist, Northeast Pediatrics), and member of the CSB stated, “I continue to be impressed by the work the county does to listen to these needs and work to explore how to meet the actual needs of what is going on in our community. This clinic was put together very thoughtfully, from the physical details of the office spaces to the client’s experience when they call or when they walk in the door... Whole Health has demonstrated their commitment to collaborating with community partners and providing flexible, creative, and local options for our community.”
TCWH Commissioner Jennie Sutcliffe concluded the event by sharing some anecdotal stories from clients about the Brown Rd. clinic location, making it possible for people to access services who had not been able to before. “This illustrates what true integration is and what it means for someone to be able to come through our door and be able to meet all the needs of their family in one spot.”
TCWH Mental Health Services accepts all insurances, including Medicaid and Child Health Plus, or can be provided on a sliding fee scale. Our intake staff will work with you to help get you started. Services are provided by highly qualified licensed clinical therapists, registered nurses, licensed psychiatric nurse practitioners or licensed psychiatrists based on treatment needs. A treatment plan is developed with you to identify the goals you want to focus on after admission. Call our office to learn more: 607-274-6200.
TCWH thanks local legislators Randy Brown and Travis Brooks, Assemblymember Anna Kelles’ office, Senator Webb’s office, and Congressman Josh Riley for participating in our event.
Tompkins County Whole Health: envisioning a future where every person in Tompkins County can achieve wellness. Find us online at: https://www.tompkinscountyny.gov/health and follow us on Facebook, Instagram or X. Sign up to receive Whole Health updates or other county announcements via email or text.
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