Mack Baker, LCPC-c, NCC, comes to work each day with a clear goal — to meet people where they are and help them move toward something better. 

As a therapist with St. Mary’s Day Hospital Program, she sees how much steady support and real connection can help.

“We’ve seen people find jobs, reconnect with their faith, and start smiling again,” she says. “Seeing that spark come back is why we do this work.”

For Baker, this work is personal. Her desire to help people through tough times matches the goal of the Day Hospital Program to offer care that is kind, consistent, and easy to access.
 

“What makes this program special is how personal it is,” she says. “We take time to understand each person. We help manage their medicine, calm their fears, and support small steps that lead to real, lasting change.”

The Day Hospital Program was created to expand access to behavioral health services in the Lewiston-Auburn area. Services focus on adults 18 and older who need more support than weekly therapy but do not need to stay overnight in a hospital. The program is short-term and structured, with care provided during the day in a supportive setting.

The program is led by a team of doctors, nurses, social workers, and other professionals, who work to create a safe, respectful place. People can come up to five days a week. Each person gets a plan made just for them. This may include group and one-on-one therapy, help with medications, daily check-ins, and support connected to ongoing care. The team also helps with discharge planning and transportation and will welcome people back if they need care again later.

“There is no barrier here,” says Baker. “We want to help everyone.”