Savie Health Clinic Expands Behavioral Health Services for the Uninsured

Savie Health, a free medical clinic for low-income people without health insurance, is pleased to welcome a new behavioral health specialist to its team.

Art Dossey, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with expertise in mental health and addiction treatment, is now available to see patients at Savie Health’s clinic in Lompoc on Saturdays. The nonprofit, which relies on private donations and volunteers, was able to hire Dossey with the help of the Santa Barbara-based Towbes Foundation.

Dossy is bilingual in English and Spanish and previously worked for the County of Santa Barbara Behavioral Wellness Department for 33 years where he provided crisis intervention, case management and outpatient psychotherapy as part of an interdisciplinary community mental health treatment team.

Licensed as an LCSW since 1983, Dossey also holds a BA in Sociology from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash., and a Master of Social Work degree from San Jose State University, which he obtained in 1980. In addition to working for Santa Barbara County he served as an adjunct instructor of human services at Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria for a decade.

“It’s my privilege to be able to continue to share the many blessings that I have received, in terms of education and experience, to be a useful people helper at Savie Health,” said Dossey, a longtime resident of Lompoc.

Savie Health’s mission is to provide free medical, behavioral health, dental and vision care to uninsured adults in Santa Barbara County and beyond regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, immigration status, religion, or sexual orientation. Other services offered include primary medical care, women’s health services, chronic disease management for diabetes and hypertension, flu and strep tests, children’s health screenings, x-rays, minor cyst and skin tag removal, and referrals to community resources.

The clinic also offers telehealth visits for all patients to reduce the need for travel from communities outside of Lompoc for follow-up appointments or behavioral health care, and to minimize time away from work. Telehealth appointments can be conducted via cellphone.

Savie Health is located at 1111 E. Ocean Ave. Suite 2, Lompoc, CA 93436. Clinic hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. To learn more about Savie Health’s services or to volunteer or donate visit saviehealth.org. To make an appointment call (805) 743-4776. Hablamos Español.