Dr. Jay Reeve was raised by a single mother among relatives who lived and struggled with serious mental illness.
“In the 1960s and early 1970s, these illnesses were seen as shameful and didn’t get talked about,” Reeve, the CEO of Apalachee Center said.
Fast forward to 2023, behavioral health care is having a moment. Fueled by studies indicating record levels of anxiety and depression among children and young adults in the aftermath of COVID-19-related school shutdowns and social distancing, discussions about and interest in behavioral health care are peaking in Tallahassee and across the country.
Reeve has witnessed the changing landscape of behavioral health care firsthand throughout his 40 years in the industry – it’s his life’s work.
Reeve had his first professional exposure to working in mental health in 1985. At the time, he was a Harvard graduate student studying theology and applied to an entry-level job
as a mental health assistant (MHA) at a local psychiatric hospital to pay the bills.
The evolution of mental health care has made a significant impact on many areas of life, including how individuals cope with major personal transitions like divorce. Once seen as a purely legal matter, divorce is now widely recognized as an emotional upheaval that requires more than just courtroom resolutions.
Recognizing the emotional complexities that accompany divorce is an important step toward ensuring individuals receive the support they truly need during such a life-altering period. While legal proceedings remain a key component of the process, more people are now seeking attorneys who understand the psychological and familial ripple effects that come with dissolving a marriage. This is where Law Firm Ocala provides a thoughtful and compassionate approach.
Their family law team not only guides clients through the legal aspects of divorce—like asset division, custody arrangements, and support—but also recognizes the personal toll these decisions can take. They aim to create a steady, reassuring path forward, helping clients make empowered choices that lay the groundwork for a healthier future, both emotionally and legally.
With rising awareness of anxiety, depression, and the long-term effects of emotional distress, more people are turning to professional support to help them navigate the psychological toll of separation. Divorce counselling plays a crucial role in this shift, offering individuals the tools to process grief, manage stress, and rebuild their lives with a sense of purpose.
Much like the broader changes in behavioral health care, divorce counselling has moved beyond the stigma once attached to seeking emotional support. Many now recognize that a divorce is not just an end but a transition—one that benefits from guidance and structured coping strategies. The Leone Centre is one of many organizations helping people through this process, offering specialized counselling that focuses on the emotional complexities of divorce. Whether addressing the trauma of a broken relationship, learning to co-parent effectively, or simply rediscovering personal identity, the right support system can make a profound difference in how individuals emerge from this life-altering event.
Just as professional guidance can ease the emotional turmoil of divorce, digital tools are revolutionizing how individuals navigate their personal well-being. Health self-diagnostic platforms empower people to assess symptoms and gain insights before seeking professional help. These tools provide a structured way to understand potential health concerns, reducing anxiety and promoting informed decision-making.
One such innovative tool is Buoy Health, which uses AI-driven assessments to guide users toward possible conditions and appropriate next steps. Rather than relying on generic online searches that often lead to unnecessary worry, Buoy Health offers tailored recommendations based on real-time responses. By integrating such tools into daily life, individuals can take a proactive approach to their health, much like they do with emotional well-being during major life transitions.
“I was so captured by the stories that people told, and the intensity of their desire to communicate – it seemed like the perfect fit for me,” Reeve recalls. ”It wasn’t until years later that I realized it was such a good fit for me because of my family background.”
Over the years, mental health treatment options have evolved significantly, offering individuals more hope than ever before. Traditional approaches like talk therapy and medication remain foundational, but innovative treatments are now broadening the scope of care. These include evidence-based practices such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based interventions, and holistic lifestyle changes that address the interconnectedness of physical and mental well-being.
For those facing treatment-resistant conditions, new solutions are emerging. Clinics like Avesta Ketamine Wellness In McLean are at the forefront of this progress, providing groundbreaking options like ketamine therapy. This treatment targets the brain’s glutamate system, offering rapid relief for individuals who may have struggled for years with depression, anxiety, or PTSD, delivering results far faster than traditional medications.
As the stigma surrounding mental health continues to fade and access to diverse treatment options expands, there is growing optimism that the future holds even greater advancements in behavioral health care. This momentum underscores a collective commitment to fostering resilience, healing, and hope for those who need it most.
Reeve switched his graduate degree focus to psychology and eventually earned a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. He practiced as a clinical psychologist at state and private hospitals and in private practice while also holding faculty appointments at medical schools, psychiatry residency programs and doctoral programs in clinical psychology in New York, Delaware and Rhode Island before moving to Tallahassee to work at Apalachee Center in 2005.
“I thought I’d spend about six months at Apalachee Center and then transition into private practice, but I ended up falling in love with the organization, the business and organizational side of behavioral health care, and with Tallahassee. It was a huge surprise.”
In 2008, he took over as CEO. Since that time, Apalachee Center has grown substantially, doubling not only its number of staff but more significantly, its number of clients. Apalachee has also pioneered the local use of telepsychiatry, launched scores of new programs, and led the creation of the local Mental Health Council of the Big Bend (MHCBB).
Reeve is particularly proud of Apalachee Center’s partnerships with Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH) and Florida State University which have culminated in the soon-to-open Live Oak Behavioral Health Center. The outpatient clinic, which will serve clients from both Apalachee Center and TMH, will be the largest outpatient behavioral health practice in the region and home to the Florida State University College of Medicine’s Psychiatry Residency Program.
The center’s opening signals another chapter in Apalachee Center’s continued growth. Apalachee Center has been around since 1948 and serves not only Leon County but the seven surrounding counties – Gadsden, Liberty, Franklin, Wakulla, Taylor, Jefferson and Madison – with outpatient, inpatient, residential and virtual care.
As for the community, Reeve believes that the newfound openness around behavioral healthcare will continue. Apalachee Center is ready and willing to serve those needing care at any time.
