New Conquer Clinics Location Brings Expanded Behavioral Health Services to Oak Harbor

Conquer Clinics has opened its newest site on Pioneer Way in Oak Harbor following nearly a year of renovations, a change that local advocates say will make mental health and substance use services more accessible on Whidbey Island. The clinic is a licensed behavioral health agency offering outpatient treatment that includes medication management, therapy and certified peer support, and it provides telehealth options for patients who cannot travel to the office.

Site Coordinator Diana Mladosich described the opening as a milestone for the team and the community. “There’s a sense of relief knowing that, you know, we finally have a home now,” she said. “It’s nice to know that we finally found ourselves grounded so that we can work on more important things.” Staff located downtown are expected to improve cohesion and care coordination, a critical benefit for patients navigating both mental health and substance use treatment needs.

Conquer’s intake process is structured to assess needs, ensure clients understand goals and methods, and then begin treatment. Activities offered in programs can include bibliotherapy, music appreciation and art. The clinic reports it can begin care for people with substance use problems within a week, while mental health appointments may take longer because of regional provider shortages. To reduce access barriers, the clinic emphasizes flexible scheduling with appointments as early as 6 a.m. and as late as 7 p.m., reasonable payment plans and sliding fee scales.

The Oak Harbor location connects to a broader regional network run by Conquer Clinics. The agency operates the Rafiki House, a transitional recovery house for women in Snohomish County, and EMOTE Emergency Mobile Opioid Team in Everett. Those programs reflect an approach that pairs outpatient services with housing and mobile response capacity, which public health experts say is essential for continuity of care and overdose prevention.

For Island County residents, the new site may shorten travel times and lessen disruption for people who work early or late shifts, parents with child care responsibilities and people with limited transportation options. Telehealth services add another access point for residents of rural parts of the island, although technology and connectivity barriers remain challenges for some households.

The clinic’s presence also underscores persistent system level issues. Provider shortages mean waits for mental health care that can compound distress and increase reliance on emergency services. Funding and workforce development remain policy priorities if the county is to meet growing demand for behavioral health care. Sliding fee scales and extended hours address financial and scheduling equity, but long term solutions will require investment in recruitment, retention and affordable housing linked to recovery supports.

Conquer’s Oak Harbor site expands local options at a moment when communities across the region are seeking more coordinated care for substance use and mental health. The clinic’s mix of medication treatment, therapy and peer support aims to make services more humane and accessible, while exposing the need for broader policy action to fill workforce and housing gaps that affect the most vulnerable residents.