Safe Harbor Behavioral Health of UPMC

1330 West 26th street Erie, PA 16508
Outpatient

About Safe Harbor Behavioral Health of UPMC

Safe Harbor Behavioral Health of UPMC is a drug and alcohol rehab and medical center in Erie, PA. They provide outpatient addiction treatment and mental health care.

This treatment facility offers an intensive outpatient program and an outpatient program for individuals with substance use disorders.

These outpatient addiction treatment programs use biological, psychosocial, and spiritual factors. Programming uses evidence-based therapy, 12-step groups, and individual and group therapy. Participants can expect to recognize triggers, learn new coping skills, adjust to life in recovery, create a relapse prevention plan, repair relationships strained by substance use, identify new goals, and learn healthier lifestyle strategies.

Latest Reviews

Barbara 1969
3 months ago on Google
4
I thought I received prompt service. Went for intake, psychatric and a group. I had no insurance so I was able to get county funding to cover expenses. Overall my experience was positive.
Response from the owner2 months ago
Hi Barbara, We appreciate you taking the time to share about your experience at UPMC Western Behavioral Health at Safe Harbor. Your feedback is very important to us and valuable to other patients looking for high-quality care. We hope you have a wonderful day!
Ebony Drew
4 months ago on Google
1
They're not open 24hrs. 8-5 m-f. This place is punishment for being mentally ill and they never respond to bad reviews. I was abandoned by one of the lazy psych nurses. She gave me meds and never checked on me for a year because SHE cancelled every one of my appointments but they all say cancelled by patient. The counselor gas lighted me the whole time and never gave me any advice that I could use because he dismissed all of my symptoms whenever I talked about it. He was only concerned about suicidal thoughts and not with my current quality of life. Now I have to wean myself of meds that never worked in the first place. Thanks Ann and Justin. Zero stars
Styks Brandt
6 months ago on Google
1
Do you want body shamed after you've expressed symptoms of eating disorders? Do you want patronized for not being up to society's social standards and not having a job due to mental health? Do you want told by someone who is in fact NOT a doctor that you don't have medical issues and that you're fine? Then Safe Harbor is the place to be!Their trained (loose term) psychiatrists will thoughtfully ignore any issues you bring to them that aren't the most basic diagnosises. Having trouble sleeping your entire life no matter what you do? Obviously that's because you had a glass of soda once at 2 pm! And don't worry. Even though they acknowledge that you haven't even been on medication long enough to see if it works, they'll up your dosage anyways and won't elaborate on why. And they also won't tell you any side affects or things to look out for, so your mind can be at ease.Safe Harbor, the one spot for psychiatric help that will drive you to suicide.
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Rehab Score

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Scoring is assigned by a proprietary system which helps surface key metrics that determine quality. The 10-point scale factors in categories such as operations, customer satisfaction, and trust metrics. Read Full MethodologyCaret icon
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7.1 / 10

Other Forms of Payment

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.

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.

Financial aid can take many forms. Centers may have grants or scholarships available to clients who meet eligibility requirements. Programs that receive SAMHSA grants may have financial aid available for those who need treatment as well. Grants and scholarships can help you pai for treatment without having to repay.

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.

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 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.

Treatments

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

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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.

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.

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.

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.

Contact Information

Phone icon (814) 459-9300
Building icon

1330 West 26th street
Erie, PA 16508

Fact checked and written by:
Kelly Junco, CPC, CPRC, BA, BS
Edited by:
Quentin Blount

Reviews of Safe Harbor Behavioral Health of UPMC

2.1/5 (99 reviews)
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Reviews

Overall Experience
Date Submitted
Reviewer

Google Reviews

2.1 (99 reviews)
Pennie Nichols
2 weeks ago
1

Response from the owner2 weeks ago
Hi Pennie, We care about your health and providing the highest level of patient satisfaction. We d like to receive additional details about your recent experience with UPMC Western Behavioral Health at Safe Harbor in order to address your concerns and to improve future experiences for patients. Please fill out the brief form found at UPMC.com/Feedback to speak with a patient representative. Thank you in advance for providing us with valuable feedback!
Barbara 1969
3 months ago
4

I thought I received prompt service. Went for intake, psychatric and a group. I had no insurance so I was able to get county funding to cover expenses. Overall my experience was positive.

Response from the owner3 months ago
Hi Barbara, We appreciate you taking the time to share about your experience at UPMC Western Behavioral Health at Safe Harbor. Your feedback is very important to us and valuable to other patients looking for high-quality care. We hope you have a wonderful day!
Ebony Drew
4 months ago
1

They're not open 24hrs. 8-5 m-f. This place is punishment for being mentally ill and they never respond to bad reviews. I was abandoned by one of the lazy psych nurses. She gave me meds and never checked on me for a year because SHE cancelled every one of my appointments but they all say cancelled by patient. The counselor gas lighted me the whole time and never gave me any advice that I could use because he dismissed all of my symptoms whenever I talked about it. He was only concerned about suicidal thoughts and not with my current quality of life. Now I have to wean myself of meds that never worked in the first place. Thanks Ann and Justin. Zero stars

DumDum
5 months ago
1

Response from the owner5 months ago
Hi, Our goal is to provide high-quality patient care and excellent customer service. Based on your low rating, it appears that your visit at UPMC Western Behavioral Health at Safe Harbor didn t meet your expectations. Please contact us by filling out the brief form found at UPMC.com/Feedback to share more about your recent experience with a patient representative. Thank you in advance for providing us with valuable feedback!
Styks Brandt
6 months ago
1

Do you want body shamed after you've expressed symptoms of eating disorders? Do you want patronized for not being up to society's social standards and not having a job due to mental health? Do you want told by someone who is in fact NOT a doctor that you don't have medical issues and that you're fine? Then Safe Harbor is the place to be!Their trained (loose term) psychiatrists will thoughtfully ignore any issues you bring to them that aren't the most basic diagnosises. Having trouble sleeping your entire life no matter what you do? Obviously that's because you had a glass of soda once at 2 pm! And don't worry. Even though they acknowledge that you haven't even been on medication long enough to see if it works, they'll up your dosage anyways and won't elaborate on why. And they also won't tell you any side affects or things to look out for, so your mind can be at ease.Safe Harbor, the one spot for psychiatric help that will drive you to suicide.

Carrie& Nyiah
7 months ago
1

This is the worst organized place ive ever seen. They tell u call if there is a problem and u can call and leave message all day long because no one answers or returns calls. My child go without her meds (cold turkey) this has very bad side effects my baby is no guinei pig its horrible! They have no way to communicate or talk to them you are just totally ignored until your appointment! And if you can t make your appointment and call to reschedule good luck. No one answers or calls you back on any line including the scheduling line. So get ready for your child to be abruptly stopped with there meds and started back up at least 2/3 times per year.

A J Ficcardi
8 months ago
1

They are too lazy to submit bill to my insurance carrier. Lazy and corrupt.

Response from the owner5 months ago
Hi A, The situation you describe at UPMC Western Behavioral Health at Safe Harbor doesn t sound in alignment with our pursuit of excellence. We d like to receive additional details from you, with the goal of improving future patient experiences. Please fill out the brief form found at UPMC.com/Feedback to speak with a patient representative. Thank you in advance for providing us with valuable feedback!
Kevin Braner
10 months ago
4

Response from the owner3 months ago
Hi Kevin, Thank you for rating your experience at UPMC Western Behavioral Health at Safe Harbor and the quality of care you received during your visit. We greatly appreciate your feedback!
Kaleb Lane
10 months ago
1

Been going here since I was like 10 and I have ptsd, did, depression, anxiety, bipolar, and a bunch of other stuff but until I was 18 it was just an "emotional disorder". Even now they don't do anything to actually help my issues, they just change one thing every 3 months that doesn't even help. You've changed my anxiety meds 30 times but don't help with anything else. If you are thinking of going here DON'T

Charles Beiter
1 year ago
4

I really want to stress that this facility is NOT open 24 hours/7 days a week. The Crisis Services line IS a 24hr/7 day a week service by phone. 8:00AM - 5:00PM Monday through Friday are the hours this facility operates in. Google is wrong in saying it is a 24 hour facility. Other than that, with the way things are in late 2023 their caseloads are heavy. It can be tough to reach people but I say show up to this place in person. Playing phone tag will get you frustrated and resentful. You get out of it what you put into it. I see alot of frustrations on here about medications... talk to your PCP. You know, you can do that. I appreciate the services I receive here. Nowhere is perfect and I'm not the only patient on the list.

Jessica
1 year ago
1

NEVER GO HERE!!! if i could give them -1 stars i would. this place needs to be shut down. they have the worst communication system known to man. makes everything virtually impossible. so much added stress for people who are already struggling with their own things. and if you miss the first time they call you to schedule an appointment expect your appointment to be pushed back by a month. even if you call right back because they ll take forever to call you back or just not call at all. they don t care about patients and just want $$$. also the fact that there is no online database to view my documents and records is even worse. just do yourself a favor and stay FAR away from this place!!!

Ashley Shea
1 year ago
1

Yesterday I had a visit with Elzbieta Szymkow. To say I was disappointed and defeated after I left would be an understatement. I have been dealing with severe depression and anxiety. I am currently on medications but they seem to not be working anymore. I tried to voice my concerns about how I was feeling and how it is interfering with my life. I was not listened to instead I was told that I was on medicine that covers all areas of mental health. She would not even talk to me about a medication change or anyway to help. Her response was for me to work harder in therapy. I do have a background with substance abuse and I m very upfront and honest about it. As soon as I mentioned that everything changed I was treated like an addict that was drug seeking. When I was just being honest about my history so I wasn t put on an addictive medication. I just needed someone to listen to me and help so I can get some relief from this terrible depression and anxiety.

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