Frequently Asked Questions

Limit your clothing to what you will need in the course of a one-week stay. Casual clothing is recommended.

Three to four changes of casual clothing without drawstrings. For example, casual pants or jeans, casual shirts, or comfortable, casual dresses. Please note that offensive or inappropriate logos will not be allowed. Laundry access is available with laundry detergent.

A supply of socks and underwear that will last between three and four days. Please do not bring tube socks or leggings.

Bring one pair of comfortable shoes without shoelaces.

A sweater or light jacket, without drawstrings.

Toiletries: Comb, brush, deodorant, toothbrush and tooth paste rechargeable electric razor. We provide toiletries, if needed. (No glass or aluminum containers, no mirrors, no alcohol content in any products, and no hair dryers or flat / curling irons.)

Medications: Please bring all your medications and provide a list of your current prescription and over-the-counter medications, including dosages and frequency. CBH will provide medications on our formulary only. This may not include medications prescribed for certain medical conditions.

Phone Numbers: Bring a list of important phone numbers, as you will not have immediate access to a cell phone while you are in treatment.

Please leave these items at home:

Please do not bring jewelry, money or other valuables. Wedding rings are appropriate.

Any clothing with drawstrings is prohibited: sweatpants, running shorts, hoodies, pajamas, shoes with laces, paracord jewelry or watches, etc. Belts are also not allowed on pants.

Electronic devices such as MP3 players, tablets, laptop computers, radios, cell phones, alarm clocks or other items with a cord.

Your own pillow, sheets, blanket or stuffed animal. We will supply all the linens and pillows you need during your stay.

Food and drinks from outside of the hospital. You will be provided with regular meals and snacks. Any special dietary needs can be discussed with our dietician.

All of a patient’s belongings will be searched by a qualified staff member and recorded on a Patient Property Inventory. This list of belongings will be reviewed with the patient and the patient will need to sign this form. Chicago Behavioral Hospital is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged articles listed under the “Items retained by the patient” section of the form.

When entering the Chicago Behavioral Hospital lobby you will be greeted and escorted to an assessment room. We will ask you to complete a few pieces of paperwork similar to a doctor’s office visit. An admission counselor will meet with you and explain the assessment and admission process, and a financial counselor will explain your benefits and how they fit with our programs.

At this time, we will complete a full psychosocial assessment, review the programs available and make a recommendation for appropriate treatment either at Chicago Behavioral Hospital or our intensive outpatient program. If you need treatment we do not provide, we will provide community resources for you to follow up with at your convenience.

Once you sign the admission paperwork the counselor will go over which items are allowed on the unit and escort you to your treatment unit for orientation with one of our nurses. Patients will be seen by their psychiatrist and an internal medicine physician within 24 hours of admission.

Please bring:

• Form of state or federally issued ID
• Insurance card
• Emergency contact information
• List of current prescription medications
• List of important phone numbers
• Medical Power of Attorney or Guardianship Paperwork, if needed
• Legal documents proving legal guardianship for a minor

Visitation schedule and guidelines can be found here.

Phone privileges: Phone calls can be made and received between 10:00 AM and 8:00 PM. Patients may not make or receive calls during scheduled group times. Staff will be available to help patients make and receive calls while in treatment. Calls will be limited to 10 minutes to ensure that all patients have access to the patient phones.

Internet privileges: Patients will not have access to the internet during treatment.

Every patient is protected under the HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) law that requires us to keep our patient’s identity confidential.

The patient will be given a unique ID number when they are admitted. They will have the opportunity to give their patient ID number to whomever they chooses. In the case you have not received this number please leave a message for the patient and if they are is admitted to the hospital, our staff will give the patient a message that you are attempting to reach them. Receptionists will not be able to confirm if a patient is admitted to the hospital without the patient ID, but if you leave a message and the person you are trying to reach is at the hospital the message will be delivered. If the patient does not want to provide their ID, this is their right and the phone call may not be returned.

We strive to include friends, family and referral sources in the care of our patients, but we do respect the confidentiality of each patient and adhere to HIPAA laws.

If you are a referring professional attempting to contact your patient, please contact us and ask for one our community liaisons to provide assistance.

Yes, you can send mail and address it to your loved one with the patient ID number on the front. Please note, for safety reasons, all mail will be opened in front of a staff member.

Flowers are also allowed on a case by case basis, but for safety reasons:

• CBH does not allow glass or metal containers in patient living areas.
• Flowers cannot remain on the Intensive Treatment Unit or the unit designated for adolescents.
• We recommend flowers that do not have pollen due to potential allergies.
• It is best to consult with your loved one’s therapist before sending flowers to a patient at CBH.
• Thank you for your understanding, our priority is the safety and comfort of our patients.

THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITY

Chicago Behavioral Hospital offers specialty programs. These therapy models allow the opportunity for patients with similar issues to process in a group setting under the care of a psychiatrist

PROVEN, EVIDENCE-BASED THERAPEUTIC APPROACH

Trauma focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Therapy is based on working with the patient in the development and integration of knowledge, skills and process. The healing is accomplished through integration of respect for the patient, family, community, culture and religion.The patient is motivated through active therapy, assignment completion, encouragement, and motivation while supporting the patient through trauma work. Emotional responses to trauma often trigger maladaptive behaviors which may present in aggression, opposition to authority figures or other harmful behaviors. Being in a safe environment while the patient receives feedback and develops healthy coping skills is essential.Key components of therapy includes psych-education, family therapy, relaxation therapy and helping the patient connect the thoughts, feelings and behaviors. The successful outcome results in the patient integrating what has been learned in treatment, how the patient relates to others and what they can expect in the future.

Cognitive Behavior Therapy

Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) is a short-term, present oriented, evidenced based therapy used to treat a wide variety of psychiatric disorders and psychological problems, including but not limited to mood disorders and anxiety disorders.CBT is individually tailored in order to build a strong therapeutic alliance and emphasizes collaboration and active participation from the treatment team and the patient. CBT is a time-limited approach to therapy designed to focus on the present time. One of the core values of CBT is to teach patients how to identify, evaluate, and respond to their dysfunctional thoughts, behaviors and beliefs in order to change the individual’s thoughts, mood, and behaviors to be more functional and healthy.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an active, effective therapy designed to assist the patient to work through major issues and to function to the patient’s potential. DBT has been found to be successful with patients that self harm, have difficulty with relationships and can be successful when other forms of therapy have failed. DBT is a form of CBT designed to teach the patient to develop skills for coping with stress, regulate emotions and improve relationships with others. DBT includes mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, emotion regulation, and distress tolerance. Each of these skills have specific coping strategies that are taught to patients in group sessions and is then practiced to promote the transfer of skills to the patient’s everyday life. Practice is essential to DBT. The therapist supports the patient through the change process. The process emphasizes that everything is interconnected. The belief is that change is constant and inevitable. Finally therapy focuses on integration for the patient to be succeed.

Cognitive Processing Therapy

CPT is a form of CBT that assists patients to recover from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). CPT focuses on causes and consequences of traumatic events that produce strong negative emotions that prevent the patient from accurate processing of traumatic memories and the resulting emotions from those events. Because the emotions tend to be overwhelmingly negative and very difficult to cope with the patient tends to avoid these triggers. This avoidance ultimately blocks the recovery process. CPT incorporates trauma specific cognitive techniques designed to assist the patient with progress toward recovery. The primary focus of treatment is the assist the patient to understand the connection of the traumatic event and the maladaptive behaviors. The goal to reduce the ongoing negative effects on the patient. Education is a critical component of the therapy. Identification of the maladaptive beliefs is essential for recovery from the traumatic experiences. Processing the trauma is necessary. Ultimately the goal is to clarify and modify the cognitive disorders. The patient can then utilize newly developed skills in the road to recovery.

Living In Balance

Living in Balance assists patients to address life issues that are often neglected during addiction, work with the Twelve Step Program and improve emotional well being.The focus is on integrating the patient’s mental health disorder into their addiction treatment program, allowing them to bring their life back into balance. Sessions focus on the effects of alcohol and other drug use on mental health; exploring co-occurring disorders, and education efforts. The building off recovery support systems, development of decision making skills and expanding the ability to cope with chronic diseases and substance abuse is essential to the basic foundation of the program.

Education includes but is not limited to:
• Substance use and mental health disorders, how they interact and how treatment helps;
• combating stigma;
• Adequate family and peer support;
• Advanced relapse prevention strategies; and
• Overcoming challenges.

HOSPITAL SERVICES PROVIDED

Medication Management  — The attending psychiatrist will assess, prescribe and supervise each patient’s medication. An internal medicine or family practice provider will see the patient for a history and physical exam within 24 hours of admission.

Case Management — A therapist will be assigned to each patient to assist him/her with coordination of aftercare appointments, family and referring professionals.

Group Therapy — We provide group therapy each day with a licensed therapist. Group therapy can be a powerful experience where patients can learn how to monitor their feelings, thoughts and actions and test them in a safe environment.

Family Therapy — A structured family meeting will be arranged if the patient and treatment team determine a family meeting would have therapeutic benefit.

Recreational Therapy — A certified recreation therapist provides interventions which may include self-expression, stress management, problem solving, resource education, social skills, and journaling and leisure/recreation skills. In addition, we provide music and art therapy with specially trained clinicians.

Psycho-Education Group — Provides patients with valuable information and education which may include diagnosis, medication stabilization, wellness, and behavior management techniques.

Process Group — A therapy session held in a group where patients can share their feelings in a safe environment with peers who may have had similar experiences.

School — Adolescents will attend school Monday through Friday with a teacher available to assist students with their school work. We request parents bring their child’s school work no later than three days after admission.

Staffings (for our adolescent patients) — A meeting with the patient’s psychiatrist, therapist, SASS representative, DCFS representative (if the patient is in foster care) and family members. This meeting occurs within 48-72 hours of admission.

Chicago Behavioral Hospital accepts most commercial insurance, managed Medicaid and Medicare plans, Medicaid for patients under 21, Medicare and TRICARE®.

To speak with a financial counselor, please call (847) 768-5430 and ask for the business office.