Posted: Friday, January 03, 2014

Just over two years ago, a patient enduring a crisis involving increasing depression, difficulty with daily functioning, or substance use relapse might find themselves facing a costly, lengthy emergency room visit and hospital stay. The Providence Center changed that when it opened the Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU), a 24/7 specialized unit providing an alternative to hospitalization or step-down for transition between levels of care located on Dodge Street in Providence.

For clients experiencing crises, the immediate access to the CSU’s highly skilled team of psychiatrists, nurses, clinicians and case managers who specialize in mental health and substance use crisis intervention is critical to stabilizing the situation for a return to recovery. Perceptive and creative problem-solvers, the team acts swiftly to determine the most appropriate, effective course of action for the patient.

“We’re focused on the client’s future success in recovery,” said Scott Proto, CSU clinical team leader. “We begin with the client’s current issues, learn their personal recovery goals, research their medical histories, and arrive at the best ways to help the client return to their baseline status.”

Getting the client stabilized to ensure a successful transition to a lower level of care is the objective of the CSU team. Transition planning begins at admission, keeping the focus on the client’s recovery goals. Comprehensive discharge plans include post-CSU placements at community-based services, identifying family and community supports, connecting clients with resources and engaging clients with recovery specialists.

During their time at the CSU, clients attend groups that address both substance use and mental health needs, with topics on Dialectical Behavior Therapy, maintaining wellness and motivational interviewing. Staff also provide substance use education, crisis intervention and resolution, and case management. Clients are connected to the support services at Anchor Recovery Community Center and to the primary care made available through Providence Community Health Centers at North Main.

“The structure of the CSU allows us to provide in-depth care for each discipline—case management, clinical therapy, nursing,” said Proto. “This results in the most effective care for our clients putting them back on the road to recovery.”