Burrell Behavioral Health marked the grand opening of its new Marshfield clinic on Aug. 1 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by state lawmakers, local officials, and mental health advocates. The $2 million, 5,210-square-foot facility, located at 1069 Banning Street, is a major expansion of behavioral health services for Webster County and surrounding rural communities.
The new clinic replaces a smaller Burrell facility in Marshfield and officially opened its doors to clients in mid-June. It offers a wide array of services, including adult and youth outpatient care, psychiatry, addiction recovery, community support, telehealth access, and plans for group therapy. The clinic is strategically located near Interstate 44 to provide better access for residents in nearby communities.
Local leaders hailed the expansion as a significant step forward in addressing the region’s growing mental health needs.
“Time to treatment is critical for helping someone with a mental health or substance abuse problem,” said State Rep. John Black, R-Marshfield, who helped secure funding for the project. “This clinic creates a wonderful opportunity to shorten that time—so people can and will continue to seek help for problems that not only affect them, but their entire family and their community.”
State Sen. Curtis Trent, members of the Marshfield Area Chamber of Commerce, and several representatives from Burrell and its parent company Brightli also joined in the celebration. Clay Goddard, Brightli’s Southwest Region President, emphasized the importance of the clinic’s design.
“Providing a client-centered space where clients can heal is at the core of what we do,” Goddard said. “This space was designed with purpose, heart, and that mission in mind.”
The building was constructed by Storee Construction and designed by Springfield-based Hood-Rich Architecture, with input from Burrell counselors and staff. Funding support also came from the Missouri Department of Mental Health.
With the expanded space, Burrell plans to grow its team of mental health providers in Marshfield, enhancing existing services and making room for new ones. Walk-in hours and same-day appointments are now available, which can dramatically reduce wait times for new clients.
Webster County Health Unit Administrator Scott Allen said the clinic has already had a measurable impact on local access to care.
“We effectively just in this year doubled the number of behavioral health providers per capita for our residents,” Allen said. “We’ve really expanded access to care.”
Allen also noted that stigma, cost, and proximity have historically been major barriers for Webster County residents seeking behavioral health care. But having a larger, accessible clinic right in Marshfield is already making a difference.
“Mental wellness is the foundation for strong families, healthy children, and a resilient community,” he said.
Therapist Coral Krueger, who has 15 years of experience in social work and three years with Burrell in Marshfield, described the community as supportive and welcoming—an ideal place for healing.
“I would describe Marshfield as a very comforting place,” she said. “The people here are just amazing.”
Krueger works with clients dealing with depression, anxiety, mood disorders, and schizophrenia using cognitive behavioral therapy. She said the biggest hurdle many clients face is fear—especially the fear of opening up to a stranger.
“It’s kind of intimidating,” Krueger said. “You’re basically going to open yourself up to a stranger you just met. That’s why I start by building trust and setting clear expectations. I’m not going to make you talk about things that make you uncomfortable right away.”
For many clients, Krueger said, progress can feel slow, but every step forward counts.
“These things have been haunting them for so many years,” she said. “Once we start making some progress, every step forward that we make is a big step.”
Burrell CEO Mat Gass said the clinic’s presence sends an important message.
“This clinic is a visible sign to rural Missouri that health care is possible,” Gass said. “Rural health care is health care; mental health care is health care. This building represents a very visible stance that we’re here to serve—that access to care is available and that everyone’s life is valuable.”
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here