Fairmount Behavioral Health Review: A Comprehensive Look at Care and Recovery

Navigating the complexities of behavioral health can be overwhelming, especially when you or a loved loved one is in crisis. Finding the right treatment facility is a crucial step, and understanding what a facility offers, from its treatment philosophy to patient experiences, is key to making an informed decision. This comprehensive Fairmount Behavioral Health review aims to shed light on one of Pennsylvania's prominent behavioral health systems, helping you understand if it's the right fit for your journey toward healing and recovery.

Are you looking for a place that offers both mental health and substance use treatment? Do you need a facility that provides individualized care in a supportive environment? Let's dive deep into what Fairmount Behavioral Health System offers.

Understanding Fairmount Behavioral Health System

Fairmount Behavioral Health System, located on a 27-acre wooded campus in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is recognized as a significant provider of behavioral health services. It operates as one of the largest freestanding behavioral health hospitals in southeastern Pennsylvania, with a capacity of 239 beds. The system is dedicated to assisting patients in their recovery by offering a range of support, skills-based modalities, and patient/family education.

A Spectrum of Specialized Treatment Programs

Fairmount Behavioral Health System provides a wide array of programs designed to address diverse needs, for both adults and adolescents. They offer specialized, gender-specific inpatient programs for adults dealing with primary psychiatric disorders, chemical dependency, or co-occurring disorders. Additionally, inpatient care is available for children and adolescents (ages five to 17), alongside a partial hospitalization program (PHP) for adolescents (ages 14 to 17) grappling with psychiatric difficulties.

Key treatment areas include:

• Mental Health Treatment: Comprehensive programs for various psychiatric conditions.
• Substance Use Disorder Treatment: Medical detox and inpatient care for individuals over 18.
• Dual Diagnosis Treatment: Specialized inpatient programs for those with co-occurring psychiatric and chemical dependency issues.

Treatment Modalities and Approach

Fairmount's treatment philosophy emphasizes individualized care and a multidisciplinary approach. Their team comprises psychiatrists, physicians, nurses, master's level clinicians, and other specialists who collaborate to address patients' psychiatric, medical, psychological, and sociocultural needs.

The facility utilizes evidence-based therapeutic practices, including:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): A widely recognized therapy that helps patients identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors.
• Motivational Interviewing (MI): A client-centered approach to elicit and strengthen motivation for change.
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): Focused on mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness.
• 12-Step Model Integration: Incorporates principles of 12-Step programs like AA and NA, with on-site peer support meetings.

Beyond these, Fairmount also provides psychoeducation services to help patients understand their conditions and fight stigma, as well as family education services to foster family involvement in the recovery process.

The Fairmount Behavioral Health Admissions Process

When a crisis strikes, immediate assistance is paramount. Fairmount Behavioral Health System offers 24-hour, seven-day-a-week assistance and guidance through its admission process.

Here’s what you can expect:

1. Initial Contact: You can call their dedicated lines for immediate access to a team of multidisciplinary professionals.
2. Confidential Assessment: A no-cost assessment is conducted by psychiatrists, registered nurses, and master-level clinicians trained to evaluate individuals in crisis. This assessment helps determine the appropriate level of care.
3. Intake and Treatment Plan: Upon arrival, an admissions specialist will review your rights, insurance details, and obtain consent for treatment. Following this, a comprehensive treatment plan with personalized goals is developed in collaboration with your treatment team.

While the process is designed to be supportive, some past patient experiences have noted that the admission process can be lengthy, sometimes taking between 3 to 8 hours.

Patient Experience: A Look at Fairmount Behavioral Health Reviews

Understanding the patient experience is vital for any comprehensive Fairmount Behavioral Health review. Reviews offer a glimpse into the day-to-day realities within the facility, providing insights that go beyond official descriptions.

Fairmount Behavioral Health System has received mixed reviews, with an average rating of 2 stars on Birdeye based on 474 reviews. However, individual experiences vary significantly:

• Positive Feedback: Many former patients and their families have highlighted aspects of compassionate care, treatment tailored to individual diagnoses (like PTSD), and therapeutic responses to destructive behaviors. Communication with families and thoughtful medication management have also been praised. Some alums rated the counseling options highly (four out of five stars) and approved of the overall quality of treatment. The availability of a gym and the presence of daily AA/NA/CA meetings were also noted as beneficial.
• Areas for Improvement: Some reviews mention challenges such as loud staff checks every half hour, which can disrupt rest. Other concerns include feeling "lost in the mix" without proper orientation, and a perceived lack of sufficient groups or classes, leading to too much downtime. The lengthy admittance process was also a point of frustration for some.

It's important to remember that individual experiences can differ greatly. What one person finds challenging, another might tolerate or even appreciate within the context of their specific treatment needs.

Cost and Insurance Information

Navigating the financial aspect of behavioral health treatment is often a significant concern. Fairmount Behavioral Health System strives to make care accessible by accepting a wide range of insurance plans.

Accepted insurance plans include, but are not limited to:

• Aetna Behavioral Health
• Amerihealth and Amerihealth Administrators
• Blue Cross (national BlueCard provider)
• Cigna Behavioral Health and Cigna Healthspring
• Medicare and Medicaid

In special cases, Fairmount also offers payment plans for individuals and families. Furthermore, the facility receives state funding, which may contribute to making services more affordable or even free for eligible individuals. It is always recommended to contact their admissions team directly to discuss your specific insurance coverage and payment options.

Conclusion: Is Fairmount Behavioral Health Right for You?

Choosing a behavioral health facility is a deeply personal decision, influenced by individual needs, preferences, and the specific challenges being faced. This Fairmount Behavioral Health review highlights a facility that offers a comprehensive range of services, from medical detox and inpatient care to specialized programs for dual diagnosis, children, and adolescents. With a multidisciplinary team and a commitment to evidence-based practices like CBT and MI, Fairmount aims to provide structured and individualized treatment.

While many patients have found compassionate care and effective treatment tailored to their needs, some have pointed out areas like the admissions process and facility environment that could be improved. Ultimately, the best way to determine if Fairmount Behavioral Health System aligns with your needs is to conduct a thorough personal assessment, ask detailed questions, and consider how their programs and environment might support your unique recovery journey.

Have you or a loved one had an experience with Fairmount Behavioral Health System? Share your thoughts in the comments below to help others on their path to recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What types of conditions does Fairmount Behavioral Health System treat?

Fairmount Behavioral Health System treats a wide range of conditions, including primary psychiatric disorders, chemical dependency, and co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. They offer specialized programs for adults, adolescents, and children.

Q2: Does Fairmount Behavioral Health System offer detox services?

Yes, Fairmount Behavioral Health System provides medical detox services, including a 21-bed modern detox unit for individuals over 18. They offer 24-hour clinical care and monitoring to ensure a safe and comfortable withdrawal process from substances like alcohol, benzodiazepines, and opiates.

Q3: What therapies are used at Fairmount Behavioral Health?

Fairmount utilizes evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing (MI). They also integrate the 12-Step model and offer individual, group, and family therapy sessions.

Q4: How can I find out about the cost of treatment and accepted insurance plans?

Fairmount Behavioral Health System accepts a wide variety of insurance plans, including major providers like Aetna, Amerihealth, Blue Cross, Cigna, Medicare, and Medicaid. For specific cost information and to verify your insurance coverage, it is best to contact their admissions team directly. They are available 24/7 for no-cost assessments and to answer questions.