How Long is Treatment?
The average length of stay at our inpatient healing center is between five and seven days. However, some patients require less time at SABHH, while some patients need more time at the hospital for myriad reasons.
Arriving for Mental Health Services
Upon arrival at SABHH, you will be greeted by a receptionist who will ask you to fill out a registration form. Be prepared with the following:
- Insurance information
- A form of identification
- Ready to discuss your symptoms (the reasons for care)
- The Registration process is quick, but waiting to be seen by the therapist for your no-cost intake assessment may take up to a few hours. Please make arrangements before coming to the hospital (pets, alerting loved ones, eating a meal, etc.).
We treat a wide variety of complicated behavioral health issues and symptoms, and we want to devote the necessary time to understand each patient and all details or context required to provide the best care possible. This, for some patients, can take some time and impact the speed at which others can be seen. Please be patient, and understand that our meticulous approach to patient care will ultimately benefit you.
Get Admitted to the Hospital
After the registration is complete, you will begin the multi-step Intake and Admissions process. Over the next hour or so, you will meet with a mental health technician (MHT), licensed therapist, nurse, and psychiatrist to understand your needs and goals for treatment, ensure your safety and health, and determine which program is best fit for you.
- A registered nurse will perform a medical screening to ensure you are physically stable and determine whether more intensive healthcare is required prior to assessing your behavioral needs.
- A mental health technician will also be there to document all of your belongings and make sure they are safely and securely stored.
If applicable, the RN will discuss and document any medication you are currently taking to ensure continuity.
- In a quiet and comfortable consultation room, you will meet one-on-one with a licensed therapist for what is called the Intake Assessment. Your therapist will ask questions to learn as much information about you and relevant details about the behavioral health challenges you are facing.
- This information is used to determine
- Which program is best fit for your specific needs and goals
- Begin the outline of a treatment plan
- Once finished with your therapist, a board-certified psychiatrist will meet with you for a psychiatric evaluation to best understand your needs and make a final determination regarding which program you will be accepted to, if appropriate.
![Rehab group applauding happy man standing up at therapy session](https://www.sanantoniobehavioral.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/what-to-expect.jpg)
Your Behavioral Health Treatment Team
We strongly believe your goals are best met through collaboration and support from a diverse team. Our team consists of board-certified psychiatrists who treat adult, children and adolescent, addiction, women, and geriatric populations. We have licensed counselors and therapists, registered nurses and mental health technicians, social workers and dieticians, and many other highly trained team members with decades of experience.
Our multi-disciplinary team relies on data and quality of care metrics to inform our decision making and provide the best patient care possible. We are proud of our diverse team of experts at SABHH. However, what sets us apart is the common goal amongst all staff members: Healing.
Board Certified Psychiatrist:
The psychiatrist is the Treatment Team leader. They are board-certified, and possess the specialty training for your needs (ex: adult, child, adolescent, addiction, etc.).
Internist:
The Medical Internist ensures your physical health and safety throughout treatment. An internist will perform a physical and comprehensive review of current medication. He or she works collaboratively with your psychiatrist on any medical issues that may contribute to or impact your psychiatric condition.
Licensed Therapist:
Your therapist will work with you individually and in group settings to understand your challenges and goals and create your individualized treatment plan. You will meet with the therapist one and one, as well as in a group setting. The licensed therapist will help guide your Wellness Recovery Plan to improve and maintain health, and enhance your quality of life.
What is a Wellness Recovery Plan?
The individualized Wellness Recovery Plan is designed to give you the mental health tools to help you succeed after treatment — you’ll work with our experts to learn how to record triggers, hone self-regulation skills, and create an emergency plan when early warning signs of relapse are detected. This interactive plan helps equip the patient with the skills to respond to those signs and stop them before they worsen or interfere with daily living or functioning.
Registered Nurses (RNs) and Mental Health Technicians (MHTs):
The RNs and MHTs are responsible for monitoring your medical conditions and behaviors, providing safety and structure, and ensuring the implementation of the program’s daily schedule.
Dietitian:
The Dietitian will provide an assessment for any patient with special dietary needs, including health reasons, culture or religion, poor dentition, or loss of appetite.
Case Manager:
Your case manager will ensure a safe discharge and coordinate aftercare plans with outpatient clinicians or provide new referrals and appointments to continue on your road to recovery. The case manager will also provide your aftercare team with the Wellness Recovery Plan and assist them in making a smooth transition for your care.