Central Florida Behavioral Hospital’s new tele-therapy service is providing people searching for physical, mental and spiritual recovery the ability to participate in treatment from home.

The COVID-19 pandemic has upended many facets of our daily lives. And, although social distancing measures have pushed us to stay apart, this doesn’t mean that treatment for your mental health concerns or recovery from substance abuse is out of reach.

In fact, it’s never been more accessible now that Central Florida Behavioral Hospital has launched its own telehealth service, giving patients the ability to have virtual visits with their clinician and to receive high-quality care all from the comfort of their homes.

Through telehealth, the hospital is able to continue its mission of providing the community with the very best in behavioral and mental health care.

Central Florida Behavioral Hospital offers both an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) with two tracks, one for mental health and the other for mental health and substance abuse. IOP provides treatment for people struggling with moderate to severe levels of depression, anxiety and other mood disorders that can affect daily life. Patients participate in group therapy for three hours a day, three days per week in the daytime or evening. The PHP program is designed for patients who need more intensive therapy and is offered five days a week from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

These programs take a multidisciplinary approach, including a mix of comprehensive group programs, psychiatric consultation and ongoing psychopharmacology, peer support, problem solving and life skills programming, and discharge planning for ongoing outpatient treatment. And now, both programs are available through telehealth.

Accessible through your phone, tablet or computer, the telehealth service offered by Central Florida Behavioral Hospital connects patients and clinicians using video, allowing you to engage as you normally would in-person. Privacy is of top concern for the Central Florida Behavioral Hospital, so its telehealth platform is secure and HIPAA-compliant, meaning your conversations are as confidential as they would be within the hospital’s walls.

“During this uncertain time of COVID-19, both patients and clinicians appreciate alternatives to in-person appointments,” says Vickie Lewis, CEO of Central Florida Behavioral Hospital. “Telehealth allows all of us to practice social distancing, continue to be safe, while also letting us do what we do best—provide compassionate care that best serves patients.”

Central Florida Behavioral Hospital’s treatment philosophy is based on a team approach that treats patients with dignity and respect while delivering high-quality care. The hospital’s inpatient and outpatient programs are built upon evidence-based therapies that are tailored to meet the individual needs of a diverse patient population.

“The goal is to treat the whole patient with support and care so they can return to their daily lives with improved functioning and a brighter future,” says Gavi Berman, director of community outreach at Central Florida Behavioral Hospital. “With proper help and treatment, people suffering from mental health disorders and co-occurring substance abuse issues have an excellent opportunity for recovery.”

Central Florida Behavioral Hospital has a nine-acre campus in Orlando and accepts Tricare, Medicaid, Medicare and most major insurance plans. As an emergency receiving facility, the hospital is at the ready to respond quickly to behavioral health conditions that need immediate care or treatment.

During these uncertain times, Central Florida Behavioral Hospital has undertaken extra measures to keep its facility safe including implementing additional training for all employees on handwashing and sanitation, temporary halting all in-person visitation, and increasing the frequency of required cleaning and sanitation.

So, don’t spend another day suffering. Because, whether through telehealth or in-person treatment, hope and help is available to you at Central Florida Behavioral Hospital.

To learn more about telehealth or in-person IOP and PHP services, please contact the director of outpatient programs or visit the webite.

Central Florida Behavioral Hospital
6601 Central Florida Parkway ǀ Orlando
321-247-7275 | CentralFloridaBehavioral.com

This article originally appeared in Orlando Family Magazine’s May 2020 issue.