Philadelphia VA Medical Center – Behavioral Health Service

3900 Woodland Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19104

Philadelphia VA Medical Center - Behavioral Health Service PA 19104

About Philadelphia VA Medical Center – Behavioral Health Service

Philadelphia VA Medical Center–Behavioral Health Service provides comprehensive mental health and addiction recovery services for military personnel, veterans, and families in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, including dedicated programming for adolescents, young adults, seniors, homeless and indigent persons, LGBTQ+ persons, persons with hearing impairment, and persons with co-occurring disorders. They are accredited by The Joint Commission.

Treatment at Philadelphia VA Medical Center–Behavioral Health Service begins with a complete medical and mental health assessment, drug and alcohol screening, and personalized care planning. Inpatient and ambulatory detox options are available. Clients in opioid recovery may enroll in their evidence-based medication assisted treatment (MAT) program for longer-term pharmacotherapy using suboxone.

Their inpatient programs offer high-level supervision and support for clients in early recovery and those at an elevated relapse risk. Clients engage in intensive individual, group and family counseling and extensive, recovery-focused life skills training addressing topics such as coping, self-care, medication management, and relapse prevention. FDA-approved medications may be prescribed to ease withdrawal symptoms for clients undergoing detox. Evidence-based complementary therapies, including experiential therapy, are available.

Their outpatient and aftercare services ensure a complete continuum of care aligned with clients’ evolving needs and may include step-down support, 12 step program facilitation, and referrals for additional medical, mental health, and social services.

In addition to military insurance coverage, Philadelphia VA Medical Center–Behavioral Health Service accepts most major insurances, including Cigna, Humana, BlueCross BlueShield, Aetna, Anthem, Beacon, Magellan, and United Healthcare. Out of network benefits can vary. Please check with your provider to verify coverage.

Latest Reviews

Arturo Mamani
2 weeks ago on Google
5
Mike Thomaston
2 weeks ago on Google
4
Angelo
3 weeks ago on Google
1
Dr. Cara Leah Heller at the Women's Clinic is arrogant and uses unethical/manipulative tactics. I was diagnosed in the MICU with resistant hypertension and Stage 1 Systolic Dysfunction. Since then I was hospitalized twice more and admitted to the ER numerous times for chronically high BPs of 200s/100s. Every physician I've encountered, including Ophthalmology and even Heller's own nursing staff, kept asking the same questions: Are you seeing a Cardiologist? Did Dr. Heller refer you to one? Finally I discussed this with her and asked why wasn't I seeing one. She said I "don't qualify to see a Cardiologist" because I have to take more than 3 medications without improvement then stated, "Besides I have access to the same medications that a Cardiologist does". She'd rather play trial & error with various medications that do not work and downplay the dangerous side effects (e.g. drug induced Lupus) than send the patient to a specialist. She insists I remain on Carvedilol not because it works (which it doesn't) but for the sake of tolerability only. Also, Dr. Heller will recruit her "team" to call and convince you to take newer, more harmful drugs she wants you to take including her "team pharmacist" who told me it's about algorithms.

Location

Accepted Insurance

Philadelphia VA Medical Center – Behavioral Health Service 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
Question iconWho 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.

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.

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.

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.

Addiction Treatments

Levels of Care

outpatient iconOutpatient
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.
inpatient iconInpatient Rehab
12-step icon12-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.
partial-hospitalization iconPartial Hospitalization Program
With a partial hospitalization program (PHP), you can participate in intensive rehabilitation treatment with the ability to return home at the end of the day. For a weekly minimum of 20 hours, a partial hospitalization program can take place up to 5 days a week for an average of 90 days. During PHP treatment, you can receive relapse prevention strategies, medication management, individual and group therapy, and other behavioral therapy interventions.
medically-assisted-detox iconMedically 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

adult-program thumbnail image
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.
young-adult-program thumbnail image
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.
lgbtq-program thumbnail image
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.
military-program thumbnail image
Military Program
Serving in the military is both mentally and physically challenging, and can result in trauma that persists even after combat ends. Military programs are tailored to the specific and often complex needs of active duty personnel, veterans, and military families. Clients often access these programs through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

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.

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.

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.

ECT is a form of treatment in which controlled electric currents are passed through the brain, sometimes causing short seizures. Treatments are done under general anesthesia. ECT appears to change brain chemistry for the better, and has been shown to provide fast and sometimes dramatic improvements in severe mental health conditions that can exist alongside addiction, including depression, bipolar disorder, psychosis, and suicidality. ECT is also often used by those who prefer it to taking medication.

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.

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.

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.

Life skills trainings involve all the skills a person must have in order to function successfully in the world. These include time management, career guidance, money management, and effective communication. Truly successful addiction recovery is based on the ability to not only live substance-free, but to thrive. Life skills teaches the practical necessities of functioning in society, which sets clients up for success in life, and therefore sobriety.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) is a way of getting nicotine into the bloodstream without smoking. It uses products that supply low doses of nicotine to help people stop smoking. The goal of therapy is to cut down on cravings for nicotine and ease the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal.

Nutrition therapy, aka medical nutrition therapy (MNT), is a way of treating physical, emotional, and medical conditions through diet. Specific dietary plans are designed by professional nutritionists or registered dietitians, and patients follow them in order to positively affect their physical and mental health.

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.

Amenities

  • recreation iconRecreation Room
  • art iconArt Activities
  • spa2 iconYoga Studio
  • meditation iconMeditation Room
  • acupuncture iconAcupuncture Room

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
Accreditation Number: 2163

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Established in 1992 by congress, SAMHSA's mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on American's communities.

SAMHSA Listed: Yes

Contact Information

Phone icon (215) 823-5800
Building icon

3900 Woodland Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19104

Fact checked and written by:
Terri Beth Miller, PhD
Edited by:
Quentin Blount

Reviews of Philadelphia VA Medical Center – Behavioral Health Service

3.5/5 (176 reviews)
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Reviews

Overall Experience
Date Submitted
Reviewer

Google Reviews

3.5 (176 reviews)
Arturo Mamani
2 weeks ago
5

Mike Thomaston
2 weeks ago
4

Angelo
3 weeks ago
1

Dr. Cara Leah Heller at the Women's Clinic is arrogant and uses unethical/manipulative tactics. I was diagnosed in the MICU with resistant hypertension and Stage 1 Systolic Dysfunction. Since then I was hospitalized twice more and admitted to the ER numerous times for chronically high BPs of 200s/100s. Every physician I've encountered, including Ophthalmology and even Heller's own nursing staff, kept asking the same questions: Are you seeing a Cardiologist? Did Dr. Heller refer you to one? Finally I discussed this with her and asked why wasn't I seeing one. She said I "don't qualify to see a Cardiologist" because I have to take more than 3 medications without improvement then stated, "Besides I have access to the same medications that a Cardiologist does". She'd rather play trial & error with various medications that do not work and downplay the dangerous side effects (e.g. drug induced Lupus) than send the patient to a specialist. She insists I remain on Carvedilol not because it works (which it doesn't) but for the sake of tolerability only. Also, Dr. Heller will recruit her "team" to call and convince you to take newer, more harmful drugs she wants you to take including her "team pharmacist" who told me it's about algorithms.

Joseph Meservie
3 weeks ago
5

Professional staff great caring Dr's and nurses. Top notch care.

Christopher Capitano
1 month ago
5

Martin hines
1 month ago
5

" I would like to express my gratitude to the emergency room staff at the Philadelphia VA for their excellent care during my visit from Tennessee.

James E Bowman
1 month ago
5

Prompt service, attentive staff, and quick service. Always in and out.

Joe Leo
1 month ago
5

Clean. Caring staff

Jack G
1 month ago
5

Elie Glover
2 months ago
5

Dental services and Green Team are top tier when it comes to taking care of America's veterans!

John Ramsey
2 months ago
2

Uber department needs some SERIOUS training.

Kenneth Bowers
3 months ago
5

I'm a Veteran and they provide Great service to those who serve!

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