MORE: West Chester behavioral health facility now one of region’s largest
When the facility opened in 2013, 48 beds were thought to be sufficient for the community’s needs, but the need for such a private hospital has grown tremendously since then, according to CEO Jeff Pritchard
“We saw very quickly that there was a great need and that folks did want to receive services the way we provide them in a place like this,” Pritchard said. “There are other psych providers in the area, some of whom do a great job, but I think we’re certainly a leader in these type of services in the community, and I think the expansion is a reflection of that.”
The facility deals with a broad range of mental illnesses, substance use disorders and an in-between area in which patients have co-occurring disorders of both substance abuse and mental health issues, he said.
Beckett Springs representatives work with local employers, outpatients therapists, Employee Assistance Programs and safety directors to be a bridge into the community, according to community liaison Barbara Thompson.
“We work as that bridge so that when a person refers a patient to us, if they need follow up from us, we work to make sure we provide that communication, in my case getting them back to work,” Thompson said.
Battling stigmas around mental health and substance abuse can be a particular challenge, she said.
"In our community, there are lots of outpatients programming, but there's not a lot of psychiatry," said Neicole Knott, director of clinical services. "There's very few PHP (Partial Hospitalization Programs) or IOP (Intensive Outpatient Programs) that offer parental involvement at the capacity that we ask for that to happen, so this really becomes a step-down option for kids that are hospitalized or are avoiding out of home placements or residential care. It gives them alternatives … that really, for youth in particular, are hard to find."
Beckett Springs does not maintain wait lists and works hard to provide immediate care, according to Darcy Lichnerowicz, director of Becket Springs’ assessment department.
“People can walk in 24/7 here, whereas a lot can happen over the course of a few days if you’ve got to wait for help,” Lichnerowicz said. “Sometimes you’ve got to strike when the iron’s hot for people when they’re in a crisis. We can give them that help immediately, so there’s no delay in getting their symptoms managed, getting them access to the resources they need and often times we see when we meet them right in that moment, that’s when we’re able to effect the biggest change.”
About the Author
