BHR was founded in 1956 as the Thurston Child Guidance Clinic under the leadership of Dr. Phillip Vandeman, the first President. During the ensuing years, much has changed in the community and the field of public mental health. BHR is honored to have been supported by Phil Vandeman through his life. We were saddened by his passing early in 2009 and are truly grateful to be a part of his legacy to the community.

BHR has changed over the years. In 2002 BHR merged with the Crisis Clinic Resource Network.

In 2004 BHR's adult and children clinical services plus the administrative offices relocated from the downtown core of Olympia to 3855 and 3857 Martin Way. The new location is close to the new psychiatric treatment facility, the Acute Psychiatric Services, built by Thurston County and operated by BHR. In this facility, BHR provides mental health evaluation and treatment (15 beds), crisis stabilization (10 beds) and crisis triage. BHR's addiction recovery services offices has relocated to 6128 Capitol Blvd, Tumwater, WA.

In 2005 BHR merged with South Sound Mental Health Services, making BHR the primary vendor of mental health services in Thurston and Mason Counties.

In 2007 BHR was invited to expand its services in Grays Harbor County and is now the major vendor of RSN mental health and addiction services there.

In 2008 BHR opened a new 34-unit housing facility in Tumwater. It houses chronically homeless and mentally ill clients. This exceptional project has been recognized as a model for housing mentally ill.