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FAQ’s / What To Expect

FAQ’s / What To Expect

Frequently Asked Questions


Below are some frequently asked questions. If you have any questions not addressed here, please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to assist you.

What To Expect

  • You will be greeted by a staff member at the lobby desk. To begin the assessment process, you will be asked to fill out the initial screening paperwork. Please have your insurance card and photo ID available.
  • After the initial paperwork has been completed, a staff member will secure ALL belongings in a locked compartment, and you will be escorted to an assessment room.
  • Next, you will meet with a licensed mental health professional who will:
    • obtain vitals
    • complete a full intake assessment
    • review the hospital’s available programs
  • The assessment information will be shared with a psychiatrist who will make a recommendation about the level of care you need.
    • The mental health professional will explain the recommendation to you.
    • At this point, you will be told what your next steps are, depending on which program is most appropriate for your needs.
      • If you need treatment that is not provided at our facility, we will provide you with a list of referrals and make sure an individualized safety plan is created to help you recognize protective factors.
    • You will next meet with an admissions staff who will go over all program admission forms that need your signature.
    • Then a nurse will walk you to the unit where your program is located. After a brief orientation, you will begin treatment.

If you have any questions about this process before or after, please contact the hospital at 800-401-2727 and ask for the intake department.

Included in our medical model are the following evidence-based therapeutic approaches:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy
  • Strengths-based Therapy
  • Seeking Safety for Trauma
  • Cognitive Processing Therapy

Medication Management – The attending provider will supervise your care in individual sessions to manage your medication. The attending provider will address any safety concerns, provide education, and engage you in your care.

Case Management – A therapist/social worker will be assigned to you within 24 hours of your admission to coordinate services, which includes discharge planning. Your therapist/social worker will review your plan of care. They will inform you of your referrals and resources available to you after discharge.

Group Therapy –A minimum of four hours of group therapy with a qualified mental health professional is provided daily.

Family Therapy – A structured family meeting can be arranged if you and your treatment team determine it would be beneficial.

Recreational Therapy – A certified recreation therapist provides interventions including self-expression, stress management, problem solving, resource education, social skills, journaling, and leisure/recreation skills. In addition, we provide art therapy with specially trained clinicians.

Psychoeducation Group – You will receive supportive interventions and education regarding your diagnosis, medication stabilization, wellness, and behavior management techniques.

Supportive Therapies – Trauma-informed yoga sessions and gym access are offered to specific programs.

You will participate in structured daily programming, which includes group therapy sessions. You will receive daily care from a multidisciplinary team which includes a physician, nurses, social workers/therapists, recreational therapists, and other mental health professionals. Schedules will be provided to you and posted on the unit for reference. Down-time is typically spent with others in communal areas, including mealtimes, which mostly take place in the cafeteria/designated dining area.

Our milieu will provide you a supportive, structured and safe environment.

  • You will be given a copy of your discharge plan that will include resources, crisis intervention phone numbers, and referrals. Your assigned therapist/social worker will help you navigate your discharge plan.
  • You will be given prescriptions for your medication to last you until your next appointment.
  • You may be discharged home, or your doctor may recommend another program, such as a partial hospitalization or residential treatment program:
    • A partial hospitalization (day-treatment program)—This is a program that will provide similar benefits/treatments to your hospitalization, but you will return home in the evening and weekends.
    • Havenwyck also offers a “Next Step” aftercare program that is designed as step-down from inpatient hospitalization for individuals who live within a 30-mile radius. We have found this to be the safest way to transition back to the community after being in the hospital. Transportation is now available for all age groups.
  • The doctor may also recommend you start outpatient services.

Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely! You can send mail and address it to your loved one with the patient name and unit on the front. Please note, for safety reasons all mail will be opened in front of a staff member.

If you would like to mail packages please include the patient name/unit and use the main hospital address:

Havenwyck Hospital
1525 University Drive
Auburn Hills, Michigan 48326

You can reach a member of your child’s treatment team by calling the nursing station at 248-371-2292.  Your child’s assigned social worker will be your primary contact. The social worker will make the initial outreach to you to discuss your child’s current treatment and to begin aftercare planning. The nursing staff is also available to speak with you 24 hours a day.

The average length of stay for hospitalization is 7-10 days, however, your treatment is individualized to meet your specific needs.

All rooms are semi-private with a private or semi bathroom. Rooms are designed to be comfortable and relaxing to allow patients a place to reflect and recovery. Children/youth will be placed in a room with other children/youth that are in the same age group and gender.

Yes, access to all units is always secured for the safety of our patients.

What To Bring

  • Form of ID and Insurance card (if applicable)
  • Emergency contact information
    • Bring a written list of important phone numbers, as you will not have immediate access to a cell phone while in treatment.
  • Medical Power of Attorney or Guardianship Paperwork (if applicable)
  • Medications
    • Please bring a list of all your prescribed medication(s) OR
    • Bring the medication bottles. All medication will be secured and only dispensed by the order of treating medical provider.
  • Two to three changes of comfortable clothing and no more than one bag/suitcase. Laundry access with laundry detergent is available on site.

We do have a dress code to maintain a secure and therapeutic atmosphere. (See below for examples of acceptable clothing.)

  • A pair of comfortable shoes without shoelaces.
  • T-shirts, sweaters, jeans, slacks, shorts, joggers and sweatpants (with elastic waistbands)
  • A sweater or light jacket, preferably water resistant or waterproof.
  • Please note that offensive or inappropriate logos and clothing that is too revealing will not be allowed.
  • All clothing with drawstrings is strictly prohibited.
  • Toiletries: comb, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, body wash, and shampoo. The hospital will also provide toiletries if needed.
  • Please do not bring jewelry, cash or other valuables. Money is not needed, but patients are permitted to keep up to $10 for vending machines.
  • Belts, curling irons and underwire bras are not allowed.
  • No electronic devices such as MP3 players, tablets, laptops computers, radios, cell phones, alarm clocks or any other items with a cord.
  • Your own pillow, sheets, blanket or stuffed animals.
    • In order to control infections, we will supply all the linens and pillows during your stay.
  • No food and drinks from outside the hospital. You will be provided with snacks in addition to regular meals.
  • Smokeless tobacco, and medical or recreational marijuana is not permitted on the premises. There is no smoking on the premises.
  • No glass or aluminum containers, no mirrors, no alcohol content in any products, and no blow dryers or flat irons.

Visitor Information

Please contact the Admissions department at 248-373-9200 for the Visitor Code of Conduct and additional visitor information prior to your anticipated visitation day.

MONDAY 2:00 p.m. – E Unit
TUESDAY 2:00 p.m. – B Unit
WEDNESDAY 2:00 p.m. – C1 & C2 Units
THURSDAY 2:00 p.m. – D & G Units
SATURDAY 1:30 p.m. – A Unit Last Names A-L
SUNDAY 1:30 p.m. – A Unit Last Names M-Z

Phone calls can be made and received between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Patients may not make or receive calls during scheduled group times. Staff will be available to help patients make and receive calls while in treatment. Calls will be limited to 10 minutes to ensure that all patients have access to patient phones.

Patients will not have access to the Internet unless it is for an emergency.