FAQ about Dialectical Behavior Therapy Program at Silver Hill Hospital

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Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Transitional Living Program – FAQs

How do I get admitted to the program?

What will be the cost of the program?

Do I have to stay the entire 28 days?

I want to go back to work/school while I’m in program. Can I?

I am dually-diagnosed. How much time is spent on each problem?

Will I have my own doctor?

I live nearby and want to continue to see my own physician. Can I?

Will family members be involved in the treatment program?

Can I have a car while in the program?

Can I leave the campus for visits with friends and family?

Can I leave the campus for the afternoon?

Is there 24 hour nursing care?

Who will administer my medication?

Can I run everyday?

What are the exercise options? Are exercise facilities available?

Can I bring my laptop or is there a computer I can use to send e-mails?

Can I make business calls?

What are the options regarding food? Can I bring and cook my own?

What is the dress code?

How much clothing should I bring?

Are there laundry facilities?

Can I keep a journal?

Can my children visit?

Can I be sent a care package?

Are AA/NA meetings mandatory?

Can I get individual psychotherapy?

Are there Area Hotels where family members can stay when visiting?

Q. How do I get admitted to the program?
A. Admissions from the community or other hospitals go through our Admissions Department, which you can reach at 866-542-4455. When you call, we will arrange an appointment for a comprehensive multidisciplinary assessment. Patients will be admitted to one of our acute units for the first few days of their stay so we can determine their readiness for the DBT Program.

Q. What will be the cost of the program?
A. The base charge for the Transitional Living DBT program is $25,200 for 28 days. There is an additional charge of $900 per day for the stay in an observation bed.

Q. Do I have to stay the entire 28 days?
A. The DBT program is structured in 4 different weekly modules and requires a stay of 28 days, at a minimum. The length of the program is determined by an individual’s treatment plan.

Q. I want to go back to work/school while I’m in program. Can I?
A. Part of the success of our program is the ability to transition back into your work and/or school environment while continuing to reside in a supportive and structured environment. Based on the decision of the treatment team you may be able to continue working or attending school toward the end of your stay in the program.

Q. I am dually-diagnosed. How much time is spent on each problem?
A. Silver Hill Hospital believes that it is important to treat both the substance use disorder and mental illness simultaneously as they are equally important in the overall success of managing your recovery. Our program is "modular" and your treatment team will recommend a weekly treatment schedule that is most appropriate for you.

Q. Will I have my own doctor?
A. You will be assigned to one of our full-time staff doctors with whom you will meet regulatory. He/She will get to know you from the beginning by doing a careful diagnostic assessment. Based on this assessment you and your doctor will develop a treatment plan. If it includes medication your doctor will initiate medication treatment, adjust the dose as needed and assess its effectiveness.

Q. I live nearby and want to continue to see my own physician. Can I?
A. Your treatment at Silver Hill will be under the direction of our treatment team. With your permission we will contact your doctor and invite him/her to participate in the discussion of your treatment and discharge planning. If you and your treatment team believe that treatment by your community physician is indicated as part of your treatment at Silver Hill we will help you to arrange that during your stay.

Q. Will family members be involved in the treatment program?
A. We strongly encourage family involvement, although this must be with patient consent by state regulation. You can expect to meet with the team doctor and social worker to discuss such issues as diagnoses, treatment and discharge planning. There is also a weekly Family Forum for you and other families, led by one of our licensed clinicians, to help provide you with education and direction.

Q. Can I have a car while in the program?
A. Yes. We do allow residents to have cars. However your treatment team and you can discuss when and if it is appropriate for you to be able to utilize your vehicle. Car keys will be kept in the staff office.

Q. Can I leave the campus for visits with friends and family?
A. All residents are considered on restriction for their first week in the program. After a resident successfully completes this initial phase of treatment, therapeutic passes may be requested. All passes must be requested in advance, approved by your treatment team and have a therapeutic purpose in nature .

Q. Can I leave the campus for the afternoon?
A. Not during program hours. We want you to be able to benefit from our program and if you are not on grounds you will not be able to "reap the rewards" of the program. During non-program hours, therapeutic passes may be allowed after the first week with the approval of your treatment team.

Q. Is there 24 hour nursing care?
A. Yes. The programs are comprehensive, and staffed by a complete clinical team. A program nurse is available each day and a Silver Hill supervisory nurse and duty doctors are available at night and on weekends.

Q. Who will administer my medication?
A. You will be responsible for taking your own medications. Resident counselors will be available to observe you in this process and our nursing staff will be able to assist you in learning effective medication management techniques.

Q. Can I run everyday?
A. We believe that exercise is a vital component in a person’s overall recovery and encourage residents to exercise. However, we are aware that for some people exercising can be a clinical issue and therefore this will be discussed with your treatment team.

Q. What are the exercise options? Are exercise facilities available?
A. Exercise is incorporated into each program. We have an indoor fitness center, a large gymnasium, and an outdoor tennis court.

Q. Can I bring my laptop or is there a computer I can use to send e-mails?
A. We do not allow patients to bring their laptops or computers as we know this sometimes can distract a person from treatment. We do have computers available in the Patient and Medical Library if your treatment team determines that you can have access to them.

Q. Can I make business calls?
A. Not during program hours, and only with the approval of your treatment team. Cell phones are not allowed. We recommend that you bring a list of frequently called numbers with you, as there are telephones available for patient use in each transitional residence.

Q. What are the options regarding food? Can I bring and cook my own?
A. Silver Hill Hospital provides nutritious, high-quality food in generous portions for 3 meals a day. We do not provide snack food, e.g., potato chips, cookies, ice cream, cola beverages, etc. and would encourage residents to provide their own. We are glad to take meal suggestions from residents provided the requests are reasonable and benefit the entire house community.

Q. What is the dress code?
A. Appropriate clothing is required at all times. Shorts shorter than mid-thigh, bare midriffs, see-through clothing, miniskirts, tank tops, spaghetti string shirts, or any items with inappropriate logos or messages are not permitted. Men are requested not to wear hats indoors. You may be asked to change clothing deemed by staff to be inappropriate. Staff will assess the appropriateness of a patient’s appearance, including makeup, hair and cleanliness. Walking barefoot in the buildings or on hospital grounds is not allowed.

Q. How much clothing should I bring?
A. Two week’s worth of clothing is sufficient.

Q. Are there laundry facilities?
A. Yes, each house is equipped with a washer and dryer.

Q. Can I keep a journal?
A. Yes. And you are encouraged to do so.

Q. Can my children visit?
A. Yes, provided they are supervised.

Q. Can I be sent a care package?
A. Yes. Staff will assist you in opening your care packages.

Q. Are AA/NA meetings mandatory?
A. If part of your diagnosis is substance dependence, Twelve-Step meetings are mandatory and patients must attend Twelve Step meetings daily.

Q. Can I get individual psychotherapy?
A. A weekly Individual psychotherapy session is part of the core program and individual meetings with doctors, social workers and counselors are routine and regular. Under some circumstances the patient and his/her treatment team may feel that additional individual psychotherapy is indicated and can be arranged at an additional cost.

Q. Are there Area Hotels where family members can stay when visiting?
A. Roger Sherman Inn: 203-966-4541
Maples Inn: 202-966-2927
Hilton Garden Inn: 203-523-4000
Marriott Courtyard: 203-849-9111
Sheraton Four Points: 203-849-9828

"I was in the DBT program and there are no words that I can even say to describe the benefits I got from that program. What I was taught was as long as you go out and use the tools that you learn at Silver Hill and in this program, then I think everybody can make it." - Maura D

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