ABOUT PALMETTO LOWCOUNTRY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH – CHARLESTON
Palmetto Lowcountry Behavioral Health (also known as PLB Hospital), is a private rehab center that emphasizes privacy and compassion. Outpatient treatment is available to adolescents and adults struggling with addiction and other mental health disorders. Detoxification and residential services are also available for adults. The Charleston, S.C., facility offers specialized programming for military veterans. Palmetto LBH is a subsidiary of Universal Health Services (UHS).
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
Admission to Palmetto Lowcountry Behavioral Health begins with an initial phone consultation, followed by a scheduled on-site assessment. According to the facility’s website, the assessment process is free and comprehensive and results in recommendations for on-site treatment or referrals to another facility when appropriate.
Clients may then undergo medical detoxification, which is supported by education and relapse prevention treatment. Residents participate in daily psychiatric and nursing assessments, activity therapy, wellness education, and comprehensive discharge planning. After inpatient withdrawal and stabilization, clients who have received a substance use disorder diagnosis typically transition to a full-day partial hospitalization program (PHP) or half-day intensive outpatient program (IOP). The latter meets four evenings a week.
Both PHP and IOP approaches are based on evidence-based group therapy. Individual and family counseling, as well as medication management, are offered as needed. Topics addressed in treatment include anger and stress management, communication skills, and targeted relaxation.
PLBH’s six-week medication-assisted (Suboxone) Counseling for Addictions and Recovery Education program follows the Matrix Model, which incorporates 12-step principles. Graduates are eligible for 12 months of weekly aftercare meetings. Families are encouraged to participate throughout.
Palmetto Lowcountry’s military program utilizes cognitive processing therapy. In addition to detox services and therapy, transition assistance and multiple aftercare programs are available through the UHS Patriot Support Program.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
Palmetto Lowcountry Behavioral Health employs individuals with an array of specialties who coordinate care with each other and other community resource and professional representatives. Some facility staff members are trained to serve as liaisons with the military. Three medical doctors oversee treatment, including a Suboxone-certified psychiatrist and another who is fluent in Spanish. Behavioral health technicians hold bachelor’s or higher degrees, according to the facility’s website.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
The 109-bed inpatient hospital is located on the Ashley River in Charleston. Palmetto Lowcountry Behavioral Health is a tobacco-free campus and does not allow cellphones or personal electronic devices access while in treatment.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
The three former clients polled by Best-rehabs.com to date indicated that treatment was effective, despite weaknesses in the available therapeutic modalities. For metrics measuring available counseling options and holistic offerings, alumni granted ratings of just one or two stars out of five. The three reviewers also rated exercise and leisure activities poorly. One alum, T.M.G., cited “too much downtime.”
On the other hand, treatment staff members received unanimous praise. Doctors, nurses, and counselors were described as “excellent,” “reliable,” “friendly,” and knowledgeable. Alumni awarded three- and four-star ratings for the staff’s level of training and experience.
Two survey respondents also mentioned the facility’s visitation and outside communication policies. Ratings for these elements of the PLBH programs ranged from one to four stars. One reviewer praised the strict approach, while the other expressed frustration with difficulty communicating with loved ones. Other aspects of accommodations evaluated included the facility’s cleanliness and upkeep, which all three alumni agreed was a strength, and meals, which received mixed responses from two to four stars.
On third party review sites, alumni provided almost universally negative reviews for the facility. On Google, 54 individuals (about two-thirds alumni) contributed to an average rating of only 1.6 out of five stars. Common complaints, from as many as half the reviewers, included disorganization and cleanliness issues, poor communication and lack of professionalism, and over-reliance on medication. Also frequently cited was insufficient individual attention from doctors. Concerns shared about too much unstructured time echoed Best-rehabs.com reviews.
The three positive written reviewers reported that the PLBH therapy was helpful.[1]
WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY
Two loved ones had submitted reviews to Best-rehabs.com at the time of this writing. One indicated strong satisfaction with five-star ratings for most metrics measured. While holistic therapeutic offerings received the reviewer’s lowest rating of three stars, their high opinion of available counseling options and family participation conflicted with alumni views.
The second loved one would not recommend the program to others, rating the effectiveness of treatment three stars and characterizing the facility as overcrowded. Nursing staff members were a strength, but they agreed with Google reviewers about insufficient access to doctors.
FINANCING
The facility accepts most major health insurance plans, according to its website. These include TRICARE and Medicare, and staff members are available to help clients verify coverage. Self-pay rates are also offered. All four individuals polled by Best-rehabs.com indicated that treatment was affordable or fairly priced.
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