S.A.F.E. Alternatives - Self Abuse Finally Ends

S.A.F.E. Adolescent Intensive™ Admission

S.A.F.E. ALTERNATIVES® Adolescent Intensive™ Program is a comprehensive treatment program for patients 12 to 18 who engage in repeated self-injurious behavior.  The general adolescent unit will offer it as a special track for those who self-injure.  The multidisciplinary treatment team uses individual, group, and family therapies, to support and empower individuals to make healthy choices in dealing with emotional distress.

Program overview:

• The program operates 7 days per week for inpatient and 5 days per week for outpatient
• Intake screening at no charge
• Individual, group, milieu, and family therapy
• Impulse control management
• Education and support
• Medication management
• Case management
• Collaboration with referring professionals
• Aftercare planning

Treatment Team:

• Psychiatrist
• Clinical Therapist
• Registered Nurse
• Behavioral Health Support staff
• Expressive Therapists

The treatment program is divided into approximately 15 days of inpatient programming and 15 days of partial hospitalization.  It is a voluntary program so prospective patients are assessed for motivation.  Patients learn to distinguish thoughts from feelings and how to verbalize those feelings.  They will also learn to use various logs to manage their impulses.

At least 2 groups per day will meet separately and focus on issues underlying self-injury. Group topics include communication, role play, relationships, trauma, and body image. Patients will have S.A.F.E. ALTERNATIVES® trained therapists for individual, family, and group therapy sessions.

Outpatients will join the S.A.F.E. ALTERNATIVES® Adolescent Expressions™ program at North Pointe Family Center in Carrollton, Texas.  The program meets 5 days per week, Monday through Friday.  A Parent or guardian must stay at a nearby hotel during the outpatient portion of the program.  Families will then be on site for family sessions.  The hospital will provide transportation to and from the hotel.  The cost of the hotel is the responsibility of the family; special rates are available.

Patient Responsibilities

• Actively participate in all groups
• Sign the S.A.F.E. Promise
• Complete required writing assignments
• Complete required role plays
• Actively participate in individual and family sessions
• Address all forms of self-injury, including food and nutrition issues
• Identify alternatives to self-injury
• Find an outpatient therapist for ongoing treatment
• Follow their individualized treatment plans
• Abide by all terms specified in the S.A.F.E. Promise and hospital policies

Admission:

1. Local (Dallas, Texas area) patients will be assessed through the UBH Care Center.
2. S.A.F.E. ALTERNATIVES® Adolescent Expressions™ patients needing a higher level of care will be referred by North Pointe Family Center.
3. Current inpatients may be referred by their treatment team.
4. All others will be assessed by S.A.F.E. ALTERNATIVES®. Call 800- DONTCUT® for an appointment

1. The screening will take place over the phone and is approximately one hour long.  We will work with you to schedule it at a time that is convenient for you.  The following information will be asked of you:
   1. Brief history of self injury and previous treatment
   2. Clinical symptoms
   3. Medication list
   4. Outpatient therapist and psychiatrist name, phone number, and fax number
   5. Insurance data
   6. Motivation for treatment assessment
   7. Discharge plan
2. We will contact your outpatient therapist by phone or fax to make sure he/she:
   1. Is in agreement regarding placement within the S.A.F.E. ALTERNATIVES® Program
   2. Intends to consult with the treatment team and provide follow up after your discharge
   You or your therapist may download the Therapist Consult form and send it back to us when it is completed or the therapist may call (800.366.8288) and give us the information verbally.
3. Insurance benefits will be verified by the financial department.  A financial counselor will call to discuss your benefits and let you know if there will be a co-payment due. The insurance company will not have given its approval at this point.
4. Most insurance companies require that a face to face pre-certification be completed on the day of admission.  This means that on the day you come to the hospital, a counselor will meet with you to assess your current symptoms.  Then he/she will call the insurance company to get approval for your admission.  Most insurance companies will work with us but it is important to think about what you will do in the slight chance there is a denial.  We will talk with you about this before you come to the program.

Items to have ready on the day of screening:

• Name, phone, and fax numbers for your outpatient therapist and psychiatrist.
• A list of your medications along with the dosage and times you take them.
• Your insurance information. If you have the card with you , you can read us the information.  You will be asked to fax a copy of both sides to the financial office.  If the insurance is in a name other than your own (e.g. a spouse or parent), then we will need the insured's birth date, social security number and employment information.

Admission for those who are currently in another hospital:

We can begin the admission process while you are in another hospital.  We will need to gather the same information stated above.  The case manager at the hospital you are currently at can help to facilitate the process.  We will fax a portion of the screening form to your case manager and when it is returned, along with your current records, we will review all the information with you and get a history of your self-injury.  The remainder of the admission process is the same.

Readmissions:

There are times when life brings changes or you change and you find it necessary to seek readmission to the S.A.F.E. ALTERNATIVES® Program.  This process is a little different.  We will want to know what changes have occurred, how you followed your discharge plan, and what you need to work on during this admission.  You may download the attached Readmission Form, answer all questions thoroughly and mail or fax it back to us.  We will then contact you to review your answers and assess your individual situation.  The remainder of the admission process is the same.

What to bring when you are ready to come to the hospital:

This list may not be exhaustive, so please direct any questions you may have to the treatment team.  During the admission process a member of the treatment team will inventory your personal items.  Contraband items will be placed in storage until you discharge (e.g. hair dryer, curling iron, make-up, razors for shaving, etc...).  Avoid bringing valuable items, however in the event that you do they will be secured according to hospital procedures.

Outpatients will be given a designated area to secure valuables (i.e. purse) and contraband items (such as a sweatshirt with a drawstring) during programming.  Outpatients may wear shoes with shoe strings, pants with belts and drawstrings if you will be keeping these items on your person at all times.

You will need:

• 5-6 changes of comfortable, casual clothes.  Note that the temperature on the unit varies seasonally so layers are recommended. (Laundry facilities are available)
• Personal toiletries, including lip balm
• Phone card for long distance calls
• Journal, folders, paper, pens, etc. to organize group worksheets and assignments (no spiral notebooks or 3-ring binders)
• Medications:  a 15 day supply of medications in the original containers and a multi-dose pill container.  Also bring money or your insurance card in case there is a medication change prior to or during your outpatient stay.