Building Trust Through Access: Q&A with Dianne Burd, Executive Director of Compass Health Center Minneapolis
Launching a new location for Compass Health Center takes more than a strong clinical model—it requires trust: trust from patients seeking care, trust from families unsure where to turn, and trust from community providers looking for a partner who will walk alongside them as they look for solutions for patients in need. For Dianne Burd, MSW, LICSW, Executive Director of Compass Health Center – Minnesota, that trust begins with rapid access to the appropriate level of care for people experiencing a mental health crisis.
In this conversation, Dianne shares how Compass’s rapid-access model and collaborative care philosophy are designed to meet Minnesotans where they are. She discusses the importance of relationship-driven leadership, the state’s evolving mental health landscape, and what it means to create a program where both patients and clinicians can thrive.
This interview has been lightly edited for grammar and flow. The speaker’s original meaning and intent have not been changed.
Q&A
Britt Teasdale (BT): Dianne, thanks so much for meeting with me. Tell me about who you are, your professional background, and what drew you to Compass.
Dianne Burd (DB): Thanks, Britt. I’m a clinical social worker by background. I’ve been a social worker for a really long time and a leader in that space for much of that time. All of my career has been spent in healthcare with behavioral health always being my passion.
What drew me to Compass? I’ve always been really attracted to the PHP and IOP levels of care. A lot of my clinical experience is as a crisis social worker in emergency departments. That work involves determining whether someone needs inpatient level of care or something else. Many patients in the emergency room don’t need admission—they simply need a more intense intervention for the mental health symptoms they’re experiencing.
PHP and IOP have always been levels of care I’ve felt passionate about and see as essential in every community, especially here in Minnesota.
BT: With that background in hospitals and ERs, what’s something you want people to know who aren’t familiar with PHP and IOP?
DB: A lot of people in a mental health crisis believe inpatient hospitalization is the only solution. They don’t know much about PHP and IOP level of care. Most people think of either inpatient or traditional outpatient psychotherapy, but there’s this middle space that many don’t know exists.
When someone’s distress is so high that they end up in an emergency department, a simple outpatient referral often isn’t enough. Part of the crisis therapist’s role is educating families on what PHP and IOP can offer—structured programming, daily support, and focused stabilization while still sleeping at home at night.
BT: How do we keep people out of the emergency rooms in the first place?
DB: By providing adequate support in their communities. At the PHP and IOP levels, we’re helping people from day one build skills needed to thrive in their daily lives. That means putting the right supports and coping skills in place so they can function at a higher level, stay out of the ER, and get the ongoing help they need on an outpatient basis.
BT: How is Compass uniquely positioned to provide that level of care and help keep people out of the ER?
DB: One of the most important things Compass brings to this community is rapid access. One of our key initiatives is ensuring patients never have to wait for the care they need. The ability to complete an assessment the same day—and sometimes even start programming that afternoon—is something that sets Compass apart.
In many programs, patients wait days or even weeks to begin treatment. But we know that when someone is ready to accept help, that window of openness to treatment can close quickly. Getting patients started immediately, when they’re motivated and ready, makes a significant difference in outcomes.
BT: How does supporting people within that narrow window impact their long-term outcomes?
DB: The faster we can get people into care, the better their outcomes tend to be. When we look at our data on optimal outcomes, we see that providing intensive, structured treatment early on—like PHP five days a week for several weeks—helps patients stabilize and build the skills they need to succeed. The research supports this: early, consistent intervention produces stronger recovery and resilience.
BT: You touched on immediate access, but can you expand on how Compass’s model differs from other options in the area? What makes Compass unique?
DB: One of the biggest differentiators is our specialty programming, particularly for OCD and trauma. Many people struggle with debilitating OCD symptoms, and our OCD program is exceptional. The same goes for our trauma program.
What I love about Compass is how individualized the care is. If a patient comes in with both OCD and trauma symptoms, they can attend groups in both specialty programs. That rotational model allows us to tailor treatment to each person’s needs.
Another unique aspect is our team structure. In many other programs, one clinician wears multiple hats—doing individual therapy, group sessions, and family work—which can dilute focus. At Compass, we have dedicated clinicians for each role: primary therapists for individual work, group therapists for daily programming, and family therapists supporting patients and families during treatment.
That specialization allows everyone to focus deeply on their area and gives patients comprehensive, high-quality care.
BT: And these teams are led by psychiatrists, right?
DB: Yes, and that’s another thing that makes Compass special. Patients in PHP see a psychiatrist or a member of our psychiatric team twice a week, and in IOP, once a week, or more. That’s a very high level of psychiatric engagement compared to many programs.
Compass was founded by psychiatrists, which really shapes our culture and care model. Many of our leaders are clinicians—social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists—which keeps patient care at the center of every decision.
BT: That’s wonderful. I know when you walk into one of our locations, it doesn’t feel clinical or cold—it’s warm, art-filled, and welcoming. For people in moments of crisis, that environment matters so much. Could you talk a bit about the mental health landscape in Minnesota and what you’re seeing?
DB: Minnesota has always been a state that values mental health and addiction services. It’s something I’m really proud of—we genuinely care about people’s well-being here.
That said, there’s still tremendous need. We have kids struggling post-COVID with social skills and school attendance. We’ve faced community trauma, from the school shooting earlier this year to the lasting impact of George Floyd’s murder five years ago. These events deeply affect mental health statewide.
Minnesota is ready for what Compass offers—structured, high-acuity care for those not getting better in traditional outpatient settings. Our clinic will be beautiful, but it’s our team that will truly make the difference. We’ve been intentional in recruiting skilled, compassionate clinicians from across the metro area to deliver the highest standard of care.
BT: What does that collaboration look like with the broader community? What can outpatient clinicians expect when referring patients to Compass?
DB: We’re in the process of building relationships with local providers—meeting with psychiatrists, therapists, clinics, schools, universities, hospitals, and physicians across the area. What sets Compass apart is how closely we collaborate with referral sources.
Often, outpatient therapists refer a patient to PHP or IOP and then don’t hear much until discharge. At Compass, we prioritize regular dialogue throughout treatment. We keep outpatient providers informed about progress and next steps, so when a patient returns to their care, there’s continuity.
That makes a huge difference for both providers and patients. Patients don’t have to retell their stories over and over. They know their Compass team and outpatient providers are communicating, which helps them feel supported and understood.
BT: That continuity must be such a relief for patients, knowing their care is coordinated. What’s your vision for the Minnesota site in its first year?
DB: Our goal is to become the go-to resource for PHP and IOP care in the Twin Cities and statewide—especially for OCD and trauma treatment. We want to be the provider people think of first when someone needs structured, high-quality mental health care.
By the end of our first year, I hope we’ll have built strong community trust and a reputation for excellence. We want to see measurable symptom reduction and real-life improvements—patients returning to work, reconnecting with loved ones, and enjoying a better quality of life.
BT: How do you hope patients and families describe their experience at Compass?
DB: I want them to say they felt listened to, welcomed, and cared for in a nonjudgmental, inclusive environment. I want them to leave with skills they’ll use for years—tools to help them function better at work, at home, and in relationships.
Our goal is for patients to feel nurtured, empowered, and equipped to thrive long after leaving Compass.
BT: And based on our outcomes, most patients who complete Compass programs don’t require the same level of care again for a long time—if ever—which really speaks to that goal.
DB: Exactly. We always want patients to know they’re welcome back if needed, but our goal is for them not to need this level of care again. PHP and IOP are intensive. They require vulnerability, daily participation, and deep emotional work. We want patients to feel it was the turning point they needed—that they’re leaving stronger and more capable of maintaining their wellbeing.
BT: For those feeling unsure or nervous about entering PHP or IOP, how do we help them feel comfortable with the transition?
DB: We meet patients where they are. Some start programming and find it can be hard to open up in groups. When that happens, a staff member steps in, talks with them individually, and helps ease that anxiety.
If someone can only tolerate part of a group at first, that’s okay. We gradually build up their comfort level. Over time, as they connect with others and realize they’re not alone in their struggles, it becomes a powerful experience.
For many patients, that group connection—hearing others share similar challenges—is what transforms their experience. It’s meaningful not only for patients but also for clinicians to witness people healing in real time.
BT: That’s beautiful. Is there anything I didn’t ask that you’d like people to know?
DB: Just that we understand how difficult this decision can be. For patients and families, realizing that outpatient therapy isn’t enough and choosing a higher level of care takes courage. We’re asking for trust—trust from families, from referring providers, from patients themselves—and we take that seriously.
Building that trust will take time, but we’re committed to earning it by providing exceptional, compassionate care.
BT: If someone was hesitant to call, what would you say?
DB: Call. The worst that can happen is you decide it’s not the right fit. But you might also find it’s exactly what you need. We take things one step at a time—starting with a conversation, then an intake, and building from there. For many, it’s one of the hardest but most important steps they’ll ever take for their mental health.
BT: Thank you for saying that. It’s such a compassionate message that will reassure so many people. Is there anything else you’d like to add?
DB: Only that we’re so excited to be here. Our entire team is ready and eager to open our doors and begin helping people in this community. We’re proud of the work Compass does and can’t wait for Minnesota to experience it firsthand.
BT: I’m so excited too. It sounds like you have an amazing team, and I can’t wait to see the new site open soon.
DB: Thank you, Britt.
Bios
Dianne Burd, MSW, LICSW is the Executive Director for Compass Health Center Minneapolis. With over 30 years of clinical and leadership experience in mental health and addiction care, she has dedicated her career to helping patients access the care they need when they need it. Her clinical passion is crisis work and she has extensive experience both providing care and leading teams in this space. Passionate about reducing stigma and ensuring equal access to high quality behavioral health care, Dianne combines strong clinical skills with compassionate leadership to support lasting change for individuals and communities. Leading PHP/IOP programming for Compass in Minnesota ignites excitement for Dianne and she is grateful to be part of a talented team building a solution for patients to feel better quickly and jumpstart their recovery.
Britt Teasdale is a writer, photographer, and creative strategist. As Associate Director of Brand Management & Content at Compass Health Center, she has spent nearly a decade shaping narratives that translate complex clinical ideas into stories that resonate, reduce stigma, and help families access care. She holds an MFA in Creative Nonfiction Writing and began her career in journalism. She also co-hosts Compass’s forthcoming podcast, You Only Know What You Know.
