About The Behavioral Wellness Center at Girard
Formerly part of St. Joseph’s Hospital and previously known as North Philadelphia Health Systems, The Behavioral Wellness Center at Girard is located at 801 West Girard Avenue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The center offers several treatment programs for clients with substance use (SUD) and co-occurring mental health disorders. Through their treatment programs, the center has significantly reduced the number of unhoused men in the city.
The center has inpatient and outpatient drug, alcohol, and psychiatric treatment programs. They accept Community Behavioral Health (CBH), Medical Assistance of Pennsylvania (MA), and Behavioral Health Special Initiative (BHSI), which is a drug and alcohol service plan for uninsured residents of Philadelphia.
Inpatient SUD and Mental Health Programs in the City of Brotherly Love
Long known as the City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia is rich in history. Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was signed, is less than two miles from this clinic.
The clinic has several inpatient programs, including a unit for medically managed withdrawal and medication assisted treatment (MAT) induction. After detox, clients can move into one of the other programs.
The Miracles in Progress Program is for homeless men who have been on the streets or in Philadelphia’s homeless shelters for a minimum of five years. The program focuses on clients with substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. Clients help identify issues that will help them achieve and maintain long term sobriety.
Additionally, there is a residential treatment program for all adults with SUD and mental health issues. The program focuses on reintegration into the community. An important part of the program is participation in community leisure and recreation activities.
SUD and Wound Care in Philadelphia
A unique program offered here is the SUD and wound care program. This program provides 24/7 individualized services for clients on MAT who need wound care.
Clients detox with MAT and receive individual, group, and family therapy. Peer support services are also available.
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Other Forms of Payment
Self-pay involves paying for treatment out of your own pocket. You can use savings or credit, get a personal loan, or receive help from family and friends to fund your treatment. If you don't have insurance or your insurance plan doesn't cover a specific program, self-pay can help ensure you still get the care you need.
Sliding scale payments are based on a client's income and family size. The goal is to make treatment affordable to everyone. By taking these factors into account, addiction recovery care providers help ensure that your treatment does not become a financial burden to you or your family, eliminating one barrier to care.
Medicare is a federal program that provides health insurance for those 65 and older. It also serves people under 65 with chronic and disabling health challenges. To use Medicare for addiction treatment you need to find a program that accepts Medicare and is in network with your plan. Out of pocket costs and preauthorization requirements vary, so always check with your provider.
Medicaid is a state based program that helps lower-income individuals and families pay for healthcare. Medicaid covers addiction treatment so those enrolled can use their coverage to pay for rehab. When a program accepts Medicaid the client often pays very little or nothing out of their own pocket.
Addiction Treatments
Levels of Care
Outpatient rehabs specialize in providing comprehensive care for clients who choose to remain in their homes and communities during treatment. Their services may include transitional support for clients stepping down from intensive inpatient programming. Ambulatory medical detox may be provided for clients at low risk for withdrawal complications. Many programs include evening, night, and weekend services to accommodate clients who are working professionals or caregivers. Addiction counseling and life skills training are common treatment modalities.
Residential treatment programs are those that offer housing and meals in addition to substance abuse treatment. Rehab facilities that offer residential treatment allow patients to focus solely on recovery, in an environment totally separate from their lives. Some rehab centers specialize in short-term residential treatment (a few days to a week or two), while others solely provide treatment on a long-term basis (several weeks to months). Some offer both, and tailor treatment to the patient's individual requirements.
Clients engaged in intensive outpatient programs (IOP) live and work in their home community while receiving frequent, high-level care. These programs offer personalized care designed to evolve with the clients' changing needs. Many intensive outpatient rehabs require a minimum of nine hours of treatment per week, but high-risk clients and those in early recovery may receive up to 20 hours of care weekly. IOP services generally include addiction counseling, recovery education, and holistic therapies, such as massage.
Because the severity of withdrawal symptoms can fluctuate, constant monitoring under 24-hour clinical care in Pennsylvania is recommended for early recovery. As you undergo detox, medical staff will supervise your health and ensure severe symptoms do not develop or threaten your life. Professional counselors will also be available to treat mental and emotional health needs.
Drug and alcohol addiction often takes a heavy toll on one's body. Over time, a physical dependence can develop, meaning the body physiologically needs the substance to function. Detox is the process of removing drugs and/or alcohol from the body, a process that can be lethal if mismanaged. Medical detox is done by licensed medical professionals who monitor vital signs and keep you safe, healthy, and as comfortable as possible as you go through detox and withdrawal.
Treatments
The goal of treatment for alcoholism is abstinence. Those with poor social support, poor motivation, or psychiatric disorders tend to relapse within a few years of treatment. For these people, success is measured by longer periods of abstinence, reduced use of alcohol, better health, and improved social functioning. Recovery and Maintenance are usually based on 12 step programs and AA meetings.
Drug rehab in Pennsylvania is devoted to the treatment of addiction. Levels of care, treatment methods, and settings differ, but the aim of each program is to end drug dependency and empower participants to achieve long-term recovery.
Many of those suffering from addiction also suffer from mental or emotional illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, or anxiety disorders. Rehab and other substance abuse facilities treating those with a dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorder administer psychiatric treatment to address the person's mental health issue in addition to drug and alcohol rehabilitation.
Opioid rehabs specialize in supporting those recovering from opioid addiction. They treat those suffering from addiction to illegal opioids like heroin, as well as prescription drugs like oxycodone. These centers typically combine both physical as well as mental and emotional support to help stop addiction. Physical support often includes medical detox and subsequent medical support (including medication), and mental support includes in-depth therapy to address the underlying causes of addiction.
Substance rehabs focus on helping individuals recover from substance abuse, including alcohol and drug addiction (both illegal and prescription drugs). They often include the opportunity to engage in both individual as well as group therapy.
Programs
Adult rehab programs include therapies tailored to each client's specific needs, goals, and recovery progress. They are tailored to the specific challenges adult clients may face, including family and work pressures and commitments. From inpatient and residential treatment to various levels of outpatient services, there are many options available. Some facilities also help adults work through co-occurring conditions, like anxiety, that can accompany addiction.
Young adulthood can be an exciting, yet difficult, time of transition. Individuals in their late teens to mid-20s face unique stressors related to school, jobs, families, and social circles, which can lead to a rise in substance use. Rehab centers with dedicated young adult programs will include activities and amenities that cater to this age group, with an emphasis on specialized counseling, peer socialization, and ongoing aftercare.
Clinical Services
Group therapy sessions in Pennsylvania offer you a safe space when you're struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. You can openly discuss your challenges and the progress you're making in rehabilitation. Sharing this responsibility with others in your group fosters a commitment to sobriety and helps create strong bonds with your peers.
Personalized therapy sessions in Pennsylvania typically include a safe and nonjudgmental setting in which you can express your deepest emotions and feelings and explore the factors that have contributed to addiction. Therapists tailor the sessions to help you develop healthier thought patterns and behaviors, which improve your self control and build a foundation for your long term sobriety.
Trauma therapy addresses traumatic incidents from a client's past that are likely affecting their present-day experience. Trauma is often one of the primary triggers and potential causes of addiction, and can stem from child sexual abuse, domestic violence, having a parent with a mental illness, losing one or both parents at a young age, teenage or adult sexual assault, or any number of other factors. The purpose of trauma therapy is to allow a patient to process trauma and move through and past it, with the help of trained and compassionate mental health professionals.
Research clearly demonstrates that recovery is far more successful and sustainable when loved ones like family members participate in rehab and substance abuse treatment. Genetic factors may be at play when it comes to drug and alcohol addiction, as well as mental health issues. Family dynamics often play a critical role in addiction triggers, and if properly educated, family members can be a strong source of support when it comes to rehabilitation.
Staff & Accreditations
Staff
Gerri H. Walker
President & CEO
Sharita Barnett
VP of Human Resources
Xavier Bancroft, MHSA, MBA
VP of Operations
Wanda Nolasco, MSN, MBA, RN
VP of Patient Services
Renee Jones
Director of Nursing
Ronald Pope
Director of Residential Services
Dr. Ilia Nikhinson, M.D.
Chair of Dept of Behavioral Medicine
Marlene Douglas-Walsh
Vice President of Behavioral Services
Accreditations
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Established in 1992 by congress, SAMHSA's mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on American's communities.
SAMHSA Listed: Yes
The Joint Commission, formerly known as JCAHO, is a nonprofit organization that accredits rehab organizations and programs. Founded in 1951, the Joint Commision's mission is to improve the quality of patient care and demonstrating the quality of patient care.
Joint Commission Accreditation: Yes
Contact Information
801 West Girard Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19122