To Trauma Home Page

The Trauma Disorders Program at Sheppard Pratt

Program Description


The Trauma Disorders Program at Sheppard Pratt provides a continuum of care for individuals with trauma related conditions including dissociative and complex post-traumatic stress symptoms.


Primary Diagnosis/ Issues Commonly Addressed:

  • Dissociative Disorders
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Complex PTSD
  • A History of Trauma/ Abuse
    (Psychological, Emotional, Physical and/or Sexual, Combat, Disaster, etc.)
  • Acute Safety Issues - including danger to self or others and/or failure to respond to treatment at less restrictive levels of care or other hospital (inpatient) treatment programs.

Secondary Diagnoses/ Issues Commonly Addressed:

  • Mood Disorders
  • Anxiety Disorders
  • Eating Disorders
  • Somatoform Disorders
  • Substance Abuse
  • Personality Disorders
  • Medication Adjustment and Management

A Continuum:

Trauma Disorders Inpatient Unit

Our sophisticated inpatient medical-psychiatric milieu is located on a 20-bed co-ed unit, designed for individuals with trauma-related conditions requiring inpatient hospitalization. Our doctors, therapists, social workers, nursing, and rehab staff specialize in the treatment of psychologically traumatized individuals. Private bedrooms promote privacy, confidentiality and facilitate a therapeutic environment. Our primary focus is on safety and stabilization to maximize an individual's functioning.

A Multi-Disciplinary Treatment Team Approach

Treatment Team Members include:

  • Attending Physician and/or Psychologist
  • Individual Therapist
  • Social Worker
  • Rehab Staff
  • Nursing Staff

We formulate an Individualized Treatment Plan for each patient through a comprehensive assessment by the whole treatment team as well as contact with the referring clinicians. Generally, this includes a diagnostic formulation and a plan for additional formal assessment such as psychological testing, if this is needed. The treatment plan usually includes medication evaluation and adjustment, a trauma focused psychotherapy plan, and a plan for skill building with trauma-specific symptom management techniques. In addition, all patients engage in an intensive, trauma-focused group psychotherapy program. All patients are engaged in milieu therapy where all members of the community are focused on encouraging safety and recovery in all of its members.

Group and Milieu Therapies

  • An intensive daily group therapy program focuses on safety and symptom management.

  • Psycho-education and Symptom Management groups help patients learn about developing containment skills, and techniques to manage posttraumatic and dissociative symptoms.

  • Expressive/Experiential groups - Art therapy, journal and creative writing groups help patients begin to safely express thoughts and feelings that may seem overwhelming to speak about.

  • Process groups - Focus on discussion and exploration of specific trauma-related issues as well as to help develop interpersonal communication skills. In addition the Family Issues Group and Transition Group help with discussion of relationships, issues of change, and discharge planning.

  • Milieu therapy is an active force in promoting a healing, safe and therapeutic community. It encourages opportunities for peer support and communication, as well as new ways of engaging with the world.

Services

  • The 20 bed unit is co-ed with individual bedrooms to facilitate privacy and promote a therapeutic environment.

  • The unit is a locked door unit within a private psychiatric setting on a smoke-free campus.

  • The unit offers group and milieu therapy seven days a week.

  • Patients receive individual psychotherapy three times per week.

  • We specialize in trauma-focused art, OT, and related rehabilitation therapies.

  • There is no set length of stay. The average length is approximately 21 days.

  • Confidentiality and respect for oneself and for one another are integral components of trauma treatment.

Sheppard Pratt Health System participates with Medicare, Maryland Medical Assistance, most managed behavioral health plans, many HMO networks, and all major insurance plans. The facilities charges are regulated by the Maryland Health Service's Cost Review Commission.

Outpatient Clinical Services

The Outpatient Program provides psychotherapy and consultation services for patients with trauma-related conditions. Clinicians include psychiatrists, psychologists, and clinical social workers who specialize in the treatment of trauma disorders. We provide the following services:

  • Individual Psychotherapy
  • Group, couples and family therapy
  • Diagnostic/ treatment consultations
  • Psychopharmacological evaluation and management
  • Agency consultation
  • Clinical Supervision

Child and Adolescent Services

Early intervention with children and adolescents with trauma-based disorders may prevent more chronic disability. Our trained and experienced clinicians are available to evaluate children with a known or suspected trauma disorder. We offer:

  • Individual outpatient therapy
  • Specialized psychological assessment
  • Diagnostic and therapeutic consultations
  • Agency consultations
  • Access to a full range of child and adolescent services available at Sheppard Pratt, including inpatient services, Adolescent Day Hospital, and The Forbush School, an accredited Level V-VI School.
    Coordinator of Child and Adolescent Trauma Services -
    Joyanna Silberg, Ph.D.



© 2003 Sheppard Pratt Health System All rights reserved.
Last modified: Monday, February 08, 2010

Sheppard Pratt Health System
6501 N. Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21285
410-938-3000
info@sheppardpratt.org

Web Site Maintained by Sheppard Pratt Health System www.Sheppardpratt.org