Creative Health Services, Inc

About Creative Health Services, Inc

Creative Health Services is a Community Behavioral Health Center located in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. They strive to offer quality behavioral health treatment for individuals, families and entire communities through outpatient programs.

Here they believe everyone has the ability to overcome and recover from the difficult circumstances in front of them while accepting each person’s unique qualities or quirks. They believe a successful and healthy community breeds equality and interdependence within.

They have several programs for children and adolescents up to the age of 21 who are exposed to traumatic events or Adverse Childhood Experiences, ACEs. If ACEs go undetected and untreated they can lead to a number of behavioral health problems like severe depression or drug and alcohol addiction, among other issues.

This program has case management services, drug, alcohol, and mental health counseling and other outpatient services. They also have a student assistance program, sibling support workshops, family services like domestic violence prevention and intervention and an intensive behavioral health program called Wraparound. There are different eligibility requirements depending on the specific treatment program.

Their Family Services Program is there to provide outpatient strength based, trauma informed care in the family’s home or somewhere within the community. This program focuses on helping with behavioral difficulties like anxiety and depression, eating disorders, problems coping, substance abuse, trauma and loss, and suicidal ideation.

They have a program geared toward individual needs for people who have serious and ongoing mental health problems or battling substance abuse. This program is focused on helping you get through daily life and overcoming addiction or mental health issues that are interfering with personal relationships or relationships within the community.

One former patient said this place is a great place to go and the staff is usually nice. Another patient with bipolar depression who couldn’t work for three years said the treatment here changed their life through changes in his medication and a weekly therapy group.

Latest Reviews

erin addie adele

2 weeks ago on Google

the singular start goes solely to Michelle, the IOP Therapist, and Kelly, the peer support specialist. This practice is incredibly negligent. Getting set up with services following an inpatient stay took over a month. Anyone working in this industry or any patients are well aware of there not being 1:1 therapy in inpatient facilities. So following a crisis, and no 1:1 therapy in the hospital, I then had to wait over a month, nearly two, to speak with a therapist. On top of this, I was told I was on waitlists for services that months later when I went directly to their office in the building, were confused why I was waiting as there was no waitlist. There seems to be zero communication within the practice, and patients suffer because of this.In June, I communicated to the IOP director that I would not be able to attend for the majority of August due to wisdom tooth surgery and vacation. They were made aware months prior. When August came around, I confirmed I would not be in attendance, and even called the director twice, asking for a call back, to ensure they were aware and I wouldn't lose my services. I never was contacted, and the evening before I was going to attend the IOP, I received a letter in the mail, signed by the director of IOP, that I was being discharged.The practice knows my dx. Two of which heavily impact my memory. When I was discharged from IOP, I also lost my therapist, Michelle, because for some reason they have a policy that IOP therapists can't treat patients that aren't in IOP. The entire purpose of IOP is to graduate and step down to a lower level of care. Why on earth would you take away the provider that helped a patient reach that goal? I genuinely don't understand.When my schedule then changed, I had a difficult time adapting to my appointments moving around. I was later discharged from Peer Support, because I missed an appointment.There needs to be some kind of policy that requires the practice to reach out to patients at risk of losing services. I genuinely had not yet been used to a different schedule. Plus, my number one red flag that I am going downhill is not showing up to appointments, and I feel that applies to a lot of other people.When I attempted to get back my Peer Support a week later, my therapist said she would make the referral. The following week, she said I would need to get a Psych Eval in order to be re-referred. I asked if I could call and schedule it without the referral and let who I speak to know it's coming, and she said I needed the referral to schedule the appointment. The next week, she said she couldn't figure out how to make the referral, something about the form she had to use not working. When I asked the following week, she said she would ask her coworkers and see how to get it handled. Prior to my appointment with her the following week, she called and said I could just make the appointment rather than bothering with a referral. Now, a month later, I'm being told I never even needed the psych eval? The practice needs to get it together.I reached out and spoke to the COO, explaining my frustration with the practice, expressing how badly I need support heading into the colder months when I struggle the most, how frustrating and confusing it's been to be discharged with no notice, and having to wait to be referred back to Peer Support when I never had to in the first place.I am communicating, I am advocating for myself, I am begging for help, and no one is helping me. She reached out to me a few days later, and said I was at the top of the list for Peer Support. I just want to understand why this took a month and a half of jerking me around. I should not have to speak to the COO to get the help I should never have lost in the first place.Check in with your patients. Make sure they are safe. Make sure they know they are at risk of losing a service. The actual providers I worked with one on one, were fantastic. But the lack of organization, communication, and empathy to patients, is why I am leaving CH. Don't waste your time.

Elizabeth Deck

2 months ago on Google

I ve had nothing but a positive experience with the therapists I ve seen. I saw April for two years and then Alyssa for six years. Since Alyssa left in March 2024, I ve gone through two different therapists in a matter of two months and am waiting to be assigned a third. Idk who thought it was a good idea to place me with a boomer therapist but whoever made that decision was severely mistaken. That same boomer therapist told me to not contact my parents. She wrote that in all capital letters on an appointment card. It is not a therapist s place to ever tell their clients to not contact their own family.I actually question whether or not the director of out patient mental health knows anything at all how trauma affects the brain because she had the audacity to tell me two therapy sessions a week are supposed to only be temporary. I d like to see her go through 30+ years of trauma and then maybe she wouldn t say such ignorant things to clients.Was assigned a new therapist Maria. She literally put zero effort into the therapy service she provided to me and decided after one session she no longer wanted to provide therapy to me despite receiving a detailed outline from my previous therapist about my case.Meanwhile, Karen up and left on a seven day vacation without bothering to email me back. Seems like nobody really cares or listens to the clients advocating for themselves and their needs. Have not had a proper therapy session in well over a month.Spoke to Karen yesterday and she said, we don t have any therapist right now for you. How are you just going to fire a perfectly good therapist and not have anyone to take over her caseload?! This place is severely mismanaged and impossible to get any sort of help and answers.Was assigned a new therapist Michelle and all of a sudden she s canceling appointments and delegating the responsibility of telling her clients to a supervisor. Emailed her twice now to reschedule the canceled appointment and she has not responded. Beyond ridiculous the level of mistreatment at this facility.Now the psychiatrists are a different story. Since 2016 I have had four different psychiatrists. Dr. Kirby was the absolute best psychiatrist I ve ever had! Then she up and left and I have switched psychiatrists twice. One psychiatrist kept telling me he appreciates me. Did not like that. Then I switched to another psychiatrist and she downright refused to refill all my medications. Then she lied and told me she sent in refills when she didn t and now I can t switch to a new psychiatrist. Absolute worst doctors ever! And ever since Covid started they ve been locking people out of the building so no one can get their medicine. Today I went to pick up my medicine and I forgot to bring my phone so I couldn t call them to bring it to my car. They refused me access into the building and then the pharmacy technician refused to give me my prescriptions unless I signed a paper and went back outside. They called the manager out and the manager told them to give me my prescriptions. I told them I can sue them for medical malpractice if they don t give me my prescriptions. And that s not the first time I ve threatened to sue them. They weren t giving me a new psychiatrist so I wasn t getting that service. They were just refilling my medicine. I threatened to sue them if I wasn t given a new doctor. Next day I was assigned a new doctor.

SoUneque Magazine

3 months ago on Google

The clinicians at this facility have made a habit of improper record keeping, ghosting their patients and missing appointments with no notice. There is no sense of urgency when it comes to their clients.

Gallery

The facilities at Creative Health Services in Pottstown, PA 1

Location

Accepted Insurance

Creative Health Services, Inc works with several private insurance providers and also accepts private payments when possible, Please contact to verify your specific insurance provider.

Call now to check and verify your insurance

800-985-8516

Who Answers?

Other Forms of Payment

Private insurance refers to any kind of healthcare coverage that isn't from the state or federal government. This includes individual and family plans offered by an employer or purchased from the Insurance Marketplace. Every plan will have different requirements and out of pocket costs so be sure to get the full details before you start treatment.

Self-pay involves paying for treatment out of your own pocket. You can use savings or credit, get a personal loan, or receive help from family and friends to fund your treatment. If you don't have insurance or your insurance plan doesn't cover a specific program, self-pay can help ensure you still get the care you need.

Medicare is a federal program that provides health insurance for those 65 and older. It also serves people under 65 with chronic and disabling health challenges. To use Medicare for addiction treatment you need to find a program that accepts Medicare and is in network with your plan. Out of pocket costs and preauthorization requirements vary, so always check with your provider.

Medicaid is a state based program that helps lower-income individuals and families pay for healthcare. Medicaid covers addiction treatment so those enrolled can use their coverage to pay for rehab. When a program accepts Medicaid the client often pays very little or nothing out of their own pocket.

Military members, veterans, and eligible dependents have access to specific insurance programs that help them get the care they need. TRICARE and VA insurance can help you access low cost or no cost addiction and mental health treatment. Programs that accept military insurance often have targeted treatment focused on the unique challenges military members, veterans, and their families face.

Addiction Treatments

Levels of Care

Outpatient

Outpatient Programs (OP) are for those seeking mental rehab or drug rehab, but who also stay at home every night. The main difference between outpatient treatment (OP) and intensive outpatient treatment (IOP) lies in the amount of hours the patient spends at the facility. Most of the time an outpatient program is designed for someone who has completed an inpatient stay and is looking to continue their growth in recovery. Outpatient is not meant to be the starting point, it is commonly referred to as aftercare.

Aftercare Support

Clients receiving services from a rehab aftercare program are usually stable and in the maintenance phase of recovery, having completed detox and/or intensive inpatient treatment. Rehab aftercare services can vary widely based on clients' individual and evolving needs, but often include peer coaching, relapse prevention support, 12 step program induction, and medical, mental health, and social service referrals. Individual care plans are typically developed by the client in partnership with their case manager and care team.

12-Step

12 step programs prioritize the recovery journey as a life-long process based on personal spiritual growth and ongoing peer support. Regular attendance at 12 step meetings, which are held multiple times each day in most communities, is expected. Participants also receive one-on-one mentoring by a self-selected peer sponsor. The 12 steps are designed to encourage participants' self-compassion, awareness, acceptance, and accountability. Dedicated programs for specialized groups, including seniors, teens, and families, are common.

Medically Assisted Detox

A medical detox is the safest way to wean your body off drugs and/or alcohol in an inpatient setting. When detoxing from addictive substances, the physical and psychological side effects of withdrawal can cause mood swings, anxiety, nausea, or flu-like symptoms. In medically assisted detox, a team of medical professionals are on hand 24/7 to help alleviate potential withdrawal symptoms, administer medications to alleviate withdrawal symptoms, and ultimately keep you safe and comfortable throughout this process.

Treatments

Many of those suffering from addiction also suffer from mental or emotional illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, or anxiety disorders. Rehab and other substance abuse facilities treating those with a dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorder administer psychiatric treatment to address the person's mental health issue in addition to drug and alcohol rehabilitation.

Mental health rehabs focus on helping individuals recover from mental illnesses like bipolar disorder, clinical depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, and more. Mental health professionals at these facilities are trained to understand and treat mental health issues, both in individual and group settings.

Programs

Teen Program

Teen programs are designed to address the unique pressures teens face, pressures that can drive them to experiment with dangerous, addictive substances. They need programs that meet them exactly where they are and give them tools for long-term recovery. Therapy can help teenagers understand and work through underlying issues so they can reclaim the life ahead of them.

Adult Program

Adult rehab programs include therapies tailored to each client's specific needs, goals, and recovery progress. They are tailored to the specific challenges adult clients may face, including family and work pressures and commitments. From inpatient and residential treatment to various levels of outpatient services, there are many options available. Some facilities also help adults work through co-occurring conditions, like anxiety, that can accompany addiction.

Program For Men

Men face specific challenges and concerns when seeking addiction treatment. Gender-specific recovery programs help them tackle these issues head-on in an environment that's focused, targeted, and distraction-free. It also gives them the opportunity to connect with and learn from other men who have been through a similar journey and can offer support for the next step.

Program For Women

Rehabs for women provide a safe, nurturing space for female clients to heal. These treatment programs consider the specific obstacles that women can face during recovery and place a special emphasis on mental, social, physical, and reproductive health. They explore how each woman's experience has shaped the trajectory of their substance use, addressing issues such as sexual abuse and past trauma.

Young Adult Program

Young adulthood can be an exciting, yet difficult, time of transition. Individuals in their late teens to mid-20s face unique stressors related to school, jobs, families, and social circles, which can lead to a rise in substance use. Rehab centers with dedicated young adult programs will include activities and amenities that cater to this age group, with an emphasis on specialized counseling, peer socialization, and ongoing aftercare.

Child Program

The providers who specialize in the children's rehab space understand the specialized needs that this population faces. School-based and social services such as tutoring and family counseling are often central to treatment. Child programs may also address the needs of youth experiencing substance abuse in the home, including a parent's or sibling's addiction.

Seniors Program

Nearly one million adults age 65 and older live with a substance use disorder. Treatment providers who specialize in senior care understand the social, psychological, and physical effects of aging and how they relate to recovery. They can help clients address particular challenges and risks they may face as they get older such as overdosing and medication interactions and dependencies.

LGBTQ Program

Recovery is most successful when clients feel accepted and validated by their peers and treatment providers. Facilities that offer LGBTQ-inclusive programming are committed to creating a safe space where everyone can grow and recover without fear of judgment or discrimination. They will have dedicated policies in place to create a safe and supportive environment that fosters free expression.

Clinical Services

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a therapy modality that focuses on the relationship between one's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It is used to establish and allow for healthy responses to thoughts and feelings (instead of unhealthy responses, like using drugs or alcohol). CBT has been proven effective for recovering addicts of all kinds, and is used to strengthen a patient's own self-awareness and ability to self-regulate. CBT allows individuals to monitor their own emotional state, become more adept at communicating with others, and manage stress without needing to engage in substance abuse.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a modified form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a treatment designed to help people understand and ultimately affect the relationship between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. DBT is often used for individuals who struggle with self-harm behaviors, such as self-mutilation (cutting) and suicidal thoughts, urges, or attempts. It has been proven clinically effective for those who struggle with out-of-control emotions and mental health illnesses like Borderline Personality Disorder.

Group therapy is any therapeutic work that happens in a group (not one-on-one). There are a number of different group therapy modalities, including support groups, experiential therapy, psycho-education, and more. Group therapy involves treatment as well as processing interaction between group members.

In individual therapy, a patient meets one-on-one with a trained psychologist or counselor. Therapy is a pivotal part of effective substance abuse treatment, as it often covers root causes of addiction, including challenges faced by the patient in their social, family, and work/school life.

Trauma therapy addresses traumatic incidents from a client's past that are likely affecting their present-day experience. Trauma is often one of the primary triggers and potential causes of addiction, and can stem from child sexual abuse, domestic violence, having a parent with a mental illness, losing one or both parents at a young age, teenage or adult sexual assault, or any number of other factors. The purpose of trauma therapy is to allow a patient to process trauma and move through and past it, with the help of trained and compassionate mental health professionals.

Whether a marriage or other committed relationship, an intimate partnership is one of the most important aspects of a person's life. Drug and alcohol addiction affects both members of a couple in deep and meaningful ways, as does rehab and recovery. Couples therapy and other couples-focused treatment programs are significant parts of exploring triggers of addiction, as well as learning how to build healthy patterns to support ongoing sobriety.

Research clearly demonstrates that recovery is far more successful and sustainable when loved ones like family members participate in rehab and substance abuse treatment. Genetic factors may be at play when it comes to drug and alcohol addiction, as well as mental health issues. Family dynamics often play a critical role in addiction triggers, and if properly educated, family members can be a strong source of support when it comes to rehabilitation.

The goal of nutrition therapy is to help you understand how your diet affects your overall health. It teaches you healthy eating habits, which speed up your recovery and give you the nutrients you need for long term physical and mental health.

Experiential therapy is a form of therapy in which clients are encouraged to surface and work through subconscious issues by engaging in real-time experiences. Experiential therapy departs from traditional talk therapy by involving the body, and having clients engage in activities, movements, and physical and emotional expression. This can involve role-play or using props (which can include other people). Experiential therapy can help people process trauma, memories, and emotion quickly, deeply, and in a lasting fashion, leading to substantial and impactful healing.

Two nicotine replacement therapy medicines have been approved by the FDA. Bupropion decreases cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Varenicline reduces the urge to smoke and the enjoyment you get from cigarettes. Nonprescription therapies include gum, patches, and lozenges.

Accreditations

The Joint Commission, formerly known as JCAHO, is a nonprofit organization that accredits rehab organizations and programs. Founded in 1951, the Joint Commision's mission is to improve the quality of patient care and demonstrating the quality of patient care.

Joint Commission Accreditation: Yes

Contact Information

(484) 941-0500

Website

11 Robinson Street
Pottstown PA, 19464

Get Help Now - 800-985-8516

Who Answers?

Edited by:

Courtney Myers, MS

Reviews of Creative Health Services, Inc

3.3/5 (56 reviews)

Google Reviews

3.3 (56 reviews)

2 weeks ago

2 months ago

3 months ago

Oliver

Jack 4 Jesus

4 months ago

I have Robert Ryan 4 therapyMuch better now than I used 2 Dr. Dorfman is my psychiatristHe at tymes gets me pissedThat's ok cuz I learn as I goWhat I learned is to take it slowNow I know the world we seeDoes not revolve around meOthers they are hurting tooNow I know just what to doDeep breathing is a tool to useNever is it ok to abuse

garry smith

7 months ago

If you want mental health help, it's hard to get these days. That's why I put up with too much here. Now I am on wait-lists elsewhere, just trying to get help for my daughter.

Michelle Albright

After about two years of having med after med added to my list...I gave up the day my therapist, Nancy, said it seemed most of my issues were emotional....? It's like they don't want to hear what you have to say.

Eric Mason

9 months ago

Great office and therapist once you get on the right medication.

Matthew

10 months ago

I am immensely aware of the horrible treatment of mental health patients in Pottstown. I ask people with negative experiences to check my social media tiktok bakerspupstreasure and YouTube PaAlienGold and share them with Mr to use in a petition to the state attorney General I'm Harrisburg , my personal bad experience involves Dr Robert Chambliss but I am interested in if the problem is clinical wide . Also know that I vow when my money comes I will invest in opening a competitive more compassionate mental health facility in Pottstown

Crystal Thomas

11 months ago

Worst place ever. Absolutely no communication, frauds and ignorance. The doctor really just sat there and told me they do not feel comfortable writing my son s medication because he was not the doctor who wrote them. But they are the same medications just different doses. He was placed in inpatient to actually get the help he needs. But yet the psychiatrist doesn t feel comfortable writing his scripts. Then he got off for another appointments my daughter was the other appointment that he never showed for: meanwhile they tried to kick my son out while he was inpatient because I reported them to the insurance. Horrible place. They also look at patients as drug addicts then actual patients!!

Amber

1 year ago

L. E. Kennedy

The therapists and caseworkers are for the most part fine, especially the younger ones that haven't grown bitter and complacent. The office staff, nursing staff and pharmacy staff leave much to be desired; in professionalism, customer service, basic politeness and empathy, they are very subpar. There is very much a culture of, "that's not my job," professional laziness and a general lack of interest and respect for patients. The IOP program is well-intentioned but still significantly lacking. Psychiatrists range from disconnected and bored to outright abusive, with the petty misplaced self-importance necessary to deny patients care based on factors other than need. Patients (patients with mental illness, mind you) are held to scheduling and attendance standards to which the staff themselves do not adhere. After years of dealing with their general incompetence and smug gatekeeping behavior towards treatment, I've had enough. I'm switching providers.

Overall Experience

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