At Belmont Behavioral Hospital, each patient will work with a team of professionals who are dedicated to providing the highest quality treatment possible. We are proud to offer the following levels of care; Inpatient treatment, Partial Hospitalization services (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient services (IOP). Each level of care supplies treatment for a variety of mental health conditions and substance abuse concerns.
ABOUT BELMONT BEHAVIORAL HOSPITAL
Belmont Behavioral Hospital is a psychiatric hospital founded more than 75 years ago. Located in west Philadelphia, the hospital treats children, adolescents, adults, and seniors who are struggling with a range of mental and behavioral health disorders, among them substance use disorders. Treatment programs include acute inpatient and outpatient care; medical detox is not available on-site.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
Clients begin their recovery process at Belmont Behavioral Hospital with a thorough assessment that considers their medical, psychiatric, and drug use histories. Those needing stabilizing inpatient treatment for substance use disorders have typically received a dual diagnosis.
Across all levels of care, programming consists of evidence-based treatment such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). The center also uses 12-step programming and holistic options, including mindfulness training, and music, art, and horticultural therapies.
Outpatient care includes a partial hospitalization program (PHP) for individuals struggling with a range of disorders, a group-based intensive outpatient program (IOP) specifically for individuals who are struggling with addiction, and a standard outpatient programming (OP), which generally focuses on one-on-one therapy sessions.
Relapse prevention-oriented aftercare planning is central to all programs, according to the Belmont website. The facility hosts several support groups on-site. Belmont Behavioral Hospital also holds monthly alumni social gatherings.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
Belmont Behavioral Hospital employs board-certified psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, nurses, and recreational therapists, plus peer specialists, yoga instructors, art therapists, and music therapists.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
The hospital operates two locations, the main 180-bed facility in Philadelphia’s Belmont Village and an outpatient clinic 15 miles northeast. Pictures published on the Belmont Behavioral Hospital website show manicured lawns with a gazebo, a tranquility garden, and a clinical interior, albeit with much access to natural light. As detailed below, several reviews of this facility cited unclean conditions.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
Feedback from former clients for Belmont Behavioral Hospital tended to be negative at the time of this writing. To date, Best-rehabs.com has received nine alumni reviews, all but one of which criticized the staff and/or accommodations. Repeated complaints characterized the staff as impatient, rude, inattentive, disorganized, and uneducated. “I didn’t get help at all,” alum K.M. wrote in a representative review.
Treatment Effectiveness: 1.4/5
A couple of reviewers indicated moderate satisfaction, describing the treatment staff as “decent” and therapy sessions as “efficient.” Two acknowledged that some doctors and nurses “cared.” Nevertheless, due to understaffing and disorganization, T.D. wrote that clients could “feel like they were not a priority.”
Opinions of accommodations and meals were even lower. Alum Edmund, concurring with strong trends on Google, Yelp, Glassdoor, and Indeed reviews, noted that between his two treatment experiences at Belmont, the hospital had changed significantly for the worse..
On Google, 47 individuals contributed to an average rating of 2.9 out of five stars for Belmont Behavioral Hospital. Two reviewers reported that their program was life-saving. Other positive comments represented the staff and treatment as helpful.
When opinions were mixed within a review, the alumni often acknowledged that the treatment staff were effective, but the environment was unacceptable. Several cited long waits for access to evaluations and treatment, not enough or poor quality food, rude or under-trained staff, and chaotic group sessions.
Likewise, on Yelp, Belmont received an average rating of 1.6 out of five stars from seven individuals. “It’s safe but it doesn’t feel like a compassionate experience,” J.F. wrote in a typical review. In one otherwise positive review, C.H. nevertheless reported a decline in the facility’s food between his visits.
WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY
By contrast, Best-rehabs.com received reviews for Belmont from two loved ones, both of whom granted ratings of four and five stars for each metric measured. One polled extensively wrote that the hospital was “responsive” and “sanitary,” rating family programming, meals and nutrition, and the staff’s level of training and experience all four stars. Both relatives cited friendliness as a facility strength.
Several parents of young patients reported a lack of access or communication and a lack of attention to medical needs in Google reviews. One sibling agreed with Best-rehabs.com reviewers that the facility was welcoming.
WHAT STAFF SAY
Staff reviews sourced from Glassdoor revealed 11 reviews averaging three out of five stars, and Indeed offered six reviews, which averaged 2.8 out of five stars. Both sites indicated similar trends. About one-third mentioned sanitation issues. A couple noted negative changes following a change in facility ownership.
FINANCING
Belmont is in-network with most major insurance providers and accepts private pay.
CONCLUSION
In February 2018, Belmont Behavioral Hospital began construction on a replacement facility, scheduled to be opened in late 2019. Nearly half of the 250 beds will be for “young and adolescent patients,” according to WHYY coverage. In the Philadelphia Inquirer, the hospital’s CEO described plans for a “much more recovery-oriented, a much less institutional feel.” In 2015, Belmont ownership was acquired by Acadia Healthcare.
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