About Us

Horizon Behavioral Health is the premier provider of mental health, substance use and intellectual disability services in Central Virginia.

Contact us at 434-477-5000 for an Admissions appointment!

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A Letter from Our CEO

Dear Reader,

Thank you for considering Horizon in your search for behavioral health and wellness services.

It is our honor to serve the residents of the City of Lynchburg and the counties of Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, and Campbell, with life changing services to improve behavioral health outcomes across the lifespan. Horizon is here to serve you so that you can live confidently and independently in your community, ensure your children are given every opportunity to exceed as they chase their dreams, and help your family overcome obstacles that stand in the way of a safe, healthy, and happy future.

Our talented and caring Horizon team, an active Board of Directors, and the support of esteemed community partners have been foundational to the positive outcomes achieved over the past 53 years. With each year, we strive to advance our vision for a community who can confidently place their trust in us to provide behavioral healthcare services that are accessible, consumer-centered, cost effective, and outcome-based.

We hold true to our founding values by supporting each individual and family's right to participate in decisions affecting his or her life and providing timely services in the least-restrictive setting which are accessible, affordable, efficient and adaptable to each individual's needs. We will continue to build upon a culture of healing within the resilient communities we serve by fighting stigma that prevents individuals from receiving the help and care that they deserve. 

I am forever grateful for the privilege to represent this great organization as Chief Executive Officer.  It is my genuine honor to represent people who are saving lives, curing people, keeping them well and in the community. I would like to share a special thanks to our valued community partners who have supported us in our mission for 54 years. It is together, that we will overcome challenges that lie ahead with heightened motivation to pursue a bright future on the horizon.

With every best wish and kind regard,

Melissa Lucy, Chief Executive Officer

Melissa Lucy 2021

Celebrating Over 50 Years of Service

Horizon Behavioral Health has been serving the Lynchburg, VA area for 50 years. This video was developed to celebrate that monumental milestone in 2019.

Celebrating Over 50 Years of Service

Our Mission

“To support and promote the health, independence and self-worth of individuals and families in Central Virginia by providing a continuum of community‑based treatment, prevention, early intervention, and aftercare services for persons affected by mental health, intellectual disabilities, substance use and co‑occurring disorders.”

Our Values

Our vision is to provide behavioral healthcare services that are accessible, consumer-centered, cost effective, and outcome-based. 
At Horizon, we are guided by core values that shape our work and support the individuals we serve:

Empowerment
Every individual and family has the right to participate in decisions that affect their lives.
Safety
Each individual and family's right to be safe from harm.
Accountability
Evaluating our services regularly as they relate to client and community needs.
Excellence
Developing and retaining a well-trained and culturally diverse staff.
Accessibility
Providing timely services in the least-restrictive setting which are accessible, affordable, efficient and adaptable to an individual's need.
Collaboration
Working cooperatively with other agencies and organizations to provide our community with fully integrated services.

Real People. Real Stories.

Hear About Their Experiences.

The Horizon Line Podcast Cover Art
On this special episode of The Horizon Line, we focus on men's mental health, exploring the unique challenges men face and the importance of creating safe spaces for discussion. Special guests, Dr. Keith Anderson, a Certified Public Health Professional, Leroy Wingo, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and Bernnell Kindzred, Clinical Coordinator at Horizon, discuss the new Barbershop Talks Initiative, which aims to provide informal yet impactful conversations about mental health among men. They highlight the stigma surrounding mental health, the need for community support, and the significance of vulnerability in addressing emotional well-being. The discussion emphasizes on the importance of checking in on one another and fostering an environment where men feel comfortable sharing their struggles.
The Horizon Line Podcast Cover Art
In our second episode of The Horizon Line, we have a deep conversation with Dr. Sara Bailey, Counselor Education Program Director at the University of Lynchburg and a counselor at Full Life Counseling and Recovery, PLLC, alongside Jennifer Smith-Ramey, Director of Grants and Programs at Horizon Behavioral Health, about the unique challenges women face regarding substance use disorders. They explore the historical context of women's addiction, the importance of gender-specific treatment, and the role of trauma-informed care. The discussion also highlights the balance between teaching and clinical practice, the ethical considerations in counseling, and the hope for recovery through community support and neuroplasticity.
The Horizon Line Podcast Cover Art
In our inaugural episode of The Horizon Line, Ryan sits down with Kelli Griffiths, Maternal & Infant Program Manager at Centra, and Shiloh Martin, Project Link Coordinator at Horizon Behavioral Health to explore the unique mental health challenges faced by women, particularly in the context of maternal health. Listen in as we highlight the importance of understanding and supporting women through various stages of motherhood, including the significance of Bereaved Mother's Day, share insights on accessing mental health resources, the stigma surrounding mental health, and the various support services available here in Central Virginia, including ⁠Project Link⁠ and community resources. The conversation concludes with self-care strategies and the importance of setting boundaries.
The Horizon Line Podcast Cover Art
On this special episode of The Horizon Line, we focus on men's mental health, exploring the unique challenges men face and the importance of creating safe spaces for discussion. Special guests, Dr. Keith Anderson, a Certified Public Health Professional, Leroy Wingo, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and Bernnell Kindzred, Clinical Coordinator at Horizon, discuss the new Barbershop Talks Initiative, which aims to provide informal yet impactful conversations about mental health among men. They highlight the stigma surrounding mental health, the need for community support, and the significance of vulnerability in addressing emotional well-being. The discussion emphasizes on the importance of checking in on one another and fostering an environment where men feel comfortable sharing their struggles.
The Horizon Line Podcast Cover Art
In our second episode of The Horizon Line, we have a deep conversation with Dr. Sara Bailey, Counselor Education Program Director at the University of Lynchburg and a counselor at Full Life Counseling and Recovery, PLLC, alongside Jennifer Smith-Ramey, Director of Grants and Programs at Horizon Behavioral Health, about the unique challenges women face regarding substance use disorders. They explore the historical context of women's addiction, the importance of gender-specific treatment, and the role of trauma-informed care. The discussion also highlights the balance between teaching and clinical practice, the ethical considerations in counseling, and the hope for recovery through community support and neuroplasticity.
The Horizon Line Podcast Cover Art
In our inaugural episode of The Horizon Line, Ryan sits down with Kelli Griffiths, Maternal & Infant Program Manager at Centra, and Shiloh Martin, Project Link Coordinator at Horizon Behavioral Health to explore the unique mental health challenges faced by women, particularly in the context of maternal health. Listen in as we highlight the importance of understanding and supporting women through various stages of motherhood, including the significance of Bereaved Mother's Day, share insights on accessing mental health resources, the stigma surrounding mental health, and the various support services available here in Central Virginia, including ⁠Project Link⁠ and community resources. The conversation concludes with self-care strategies and the importance of setting boundaries.

Take the First Step Toward a Better Future

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