ABOUT THE WINDHAM CENTER FOR PSYCHIATRIC CARE
Operated by Springfield Medical Care Systems, a not-for-profit, community-based general health care system, the Windham Center provides residential care services for adult (18+) residents of Windham and Windsor Counties and surrounding communities. The facility provides behavioral healthcare services in conjunction with general healthcare services including methods of treating substance abuse and co-occurring substance disorders.
Clients may be referred to the Windham Center by crisis teams and professionals such as doctors, mental health professionals, and drug and alcohol professionals. The center can accept both voluntary and involuntary admissions. Springfield Medical Care Systems also offers outpatient counseling, but these services are integrated into the organization’s primary health care offices, not provided at the Windham Center.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
The facility publishes little information about its treatment programs. It uses and integrated behavioral healthcare model to ensure that all clients get the behavioral health support that they need. Using a holistic view of patients, the facility assesses and provides treatments for behavioral health disorders including substance abuse and co-occurring disorders. Behavioral health services are provided in support of primary medical care practices. The behavioral health team works as a part of each client’s primary care provider team. The team uses a comprehensive approach to facilitate treatments and promote better health.
The Windham Center’s official YellowPages.com listing, supplied by the facility, notes that the Windham Center Mental Health Services specializes in treating adjustment disorders, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, and substance use disorders.
The only alum polled by Best-rehabs.com to date noted that they remained in treatment at the Windham Center for 30 to 60 days, and that during treatment they participated in individual and group counseling.
The reviewer also declined to rate the facility’s holistic offerings, perhaps indicating that these do not form a strong part of treatment at the Windham Center.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
The facility’s website currently lists 15 members of the behavioral health team including APRNs, LICSWs, MDs, LCMHCs, LADCs, DNPs, and other advanced degree medical and psychiatric practitioners. The clinical staff appears to be highly trained and experienced in their respective fields with the Clinical Director holding a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. The team includes drug and alcohol counselors, and nurses.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
This center has 10 beds. There is currently no further information provided by the facility regarding its living arrangements and related offerings. However, the single alum polled by Best-rehabs.com to date gave the center five out of five stars for its accommodations, meals, and cleanliness.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
The single alum polled by Best-rehabs.com to date gave very positive feedback. “It had small groups, great staff and great food,” C.B. wrote, awarding the center maximum five-star ratings in many of the evaluated treatment metrics, such as its level of staff support, its exercise and leisure programs, and the overall quality of its individual and group counseling.
On Google, one alum awarded the facility four out of five stars and wrote: “was a great place with great staff and the whole crew was great.”
On its unofficial Facebook page, alum Katie gave the facility five out of five stars and wrote: “Saved my life. I would have been long gone if I didn’t get sent to this place. But here I am almost 2 years later. Thank god. Life is a rollercoaster.”
FINANCING
The center accepts Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance. The website notes that “individual financial arrangements are also available for those in need,” although the site does not specify what these arrangements are. Payments are accepted through cash, personal checks, Visa, and Mastercard. Assistance is provided for those that are trying to apply for publicly-funded health insurance. Co-payments are due at the time of service, and a $10 late fee will be assessed for late payments. Fees for missed appointments and returned checks can also be applied at the facility’s discretion.
CONCLUSION
In August 2014, in an article titled “Psychiatric Center in Trouble for Violating Patient Rights,” the Vermont Digger reported: “In late May a patient at the Windham Center mental health facility was left in restraints for nearly 12 hours and was coerced into taking medication, according to an investigation report from the state… The Windham Center has since submitted a plan of correction to the state Division of Licensing and Protection and the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which was accepted Aug. 19.” Springfield Hospital did not respond to the publication’s requests for comments.