Our Northeastern Pennsylvania Admission Process

Geisinger Behavioral Health Centers provide care for adults age 18 and older and adolescents ages 13-17 at our Moosic and Danville treatment centers. Acute inpatient psychiatric care is necessary in certain situations when someone has a mental health disorder that requires intensive and immediate treatment within a hospital setting. We offer safe and structured environments for adults and adolescents who are having a mental health crisis to find individualized support and care. 

We treat a variety of primary mental health disorders at our inpatient mental health treatment centers, including: 

• Anxiety 
• Depression 
• Bipolar disorder 
• Psychosis 
• Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)  

For admission to our inpatient level of care, a person must have a primary psychiatric diagnosis determined by a physician. We primarily treat mental health disorders at our facilities, but we may also accept patients who have the following co-occurring concerns and require care: 

• Substance use disorders (for adults age 18 and older only) 
• Intellectual disorders 
• Developmental disorders  

Additionally, patients must meet at least one of the following general criteria to be considered for admission to our acute care facilities: 

• They are a risk to their own safety or the safety of others 
• They are unable to meet their basic hygiene, nourishment, shelter or safety needs on their own 
• They are experiencing an overall decrease in their level of functioning compared with their baseline 
• They have made a recent attempt at self-harm 

Our goal is to provide compassionate and effective care for each person we serve. We strive to create safe and supportive environments where our patients can achieve their mental health goals. 

At Geisinger Behavioral Health Centers, our comprehensive admissions process includes an initial psychosocial assessment conducted over the phone by a member of our friendly admissions staff. This assessment can help us better understand your personal goals and determine if inpatient behavioral health treatment is appropriate for you.  

During the assessment, our admissions staff will ask you a series of questions to gather important information about your mental health history and current symptoms. This will allow us to develop a personalized treatment plan for you. Questions we might ask include:  

• What are your current symptoms and how long have you been experiencing them? 
• Have you ever been diagnosed with a mental health disorder?  
• Have you ever received inpatient psychiatric treatment before? 
• Do you take medication for a mental health concern or any medical conditions? 
• What is your home life like? Do you have a support system? 
• Do you have any history of self-harm, suicidal thoughts or attempts, or harm directed at others? 
• Do you drink alcohol or use drugs or other addictive substances? 

In addition to these questions, the admissions team may ask about your day-to-day life, including your ability to perform self-care tasks, maintain relationships and attend work or school. They may also inquire about recent life events or stressors that may have contributed to the mental health concerns you are living with. This can include changes in relationships, work-related stress, financial difficulties and traumatic experiences. 

Our goal during the admissions process is to understand your unique needs, develop a personalized treatment plan and identify the most appropriate interventions and therapies to support you on your healing journey. At Geisinger Behavioral Health Centers, we prioritize your privacy and strictly adhere to patient confidentiality laws and ethical guidelines. Your assessment information is kept confidential and shared only with the necessary treatment team members. 

Taking the first step to receive the care you need is just a phone call away. You can reach out to our facilities anytime, 24/7, to speak with one of our knowledgeable admissions staff members. They will guide you through the initial assessment process and answer any questions you may have. Whether you’re seeking help for yourself or a loved one, our compassionate teams are here to support you. 

As you prepare for your stay at our mental health acute inpatient treatment centers, there are a few things to keep in mind as you pack. We recommend bringing three- or four-days’ worth of comfortable clothing and footwear with you. Geisinger Behavioral Health Centers will provide you with basic toiletry items you may need during your time with us. 

To promote safe environments that encourage healing for everyone, we ask that you leave the following items at home and not bring them to our Moosic and Danville, Pennsylvania, inpatient treatment centers:  

• Valuables including cash, checks, credit or debit cards, and jewelry 
• Belts, shoelaces, handkerchiefs, scarves, hats, headbands, steel-toe boots and any clothing that has ties or strings 
• Cellphones, cameras, computers and any electronic devices 
• Cigarettes, cigars, tobacco and vaping products of any kind 
• Glass, ceramic containers and cans made of aluminum or metal 
• Cosmetic containers, mirrors, nail polish or nail polish remover, razors, scissors, toothpaste and mouthwash containing alcohol 
• Weapons of any kind, including guns, knives and pepper spray 
• Needles, paperclips, safety pins, sewing needles and fishing hooks 
• Plastic bags of any size