Admissions FAQ's

We understand that being admitted to any of our programs can be a challenging experience. We treat all people with dignity and respect and strive to make the experience positive and helpful. To ensure that the admissions process goes smoothly, please contact our Admissions Team to coordinate any pre-admission steps that need to occur. All referrals for inpatient admissions are submitted through local crisis teams and emergency rooms.  

Common steps in the admissions process:

1. Arrive at the Retreat’s Main Entrance/Registration Desk. Pediatric and adolescent patients may be accompanied by no more than two people. 

2. A nurse will meet with you to begin taking your medical information and provide you with important information about your stay.

3. A Patient Access Coordinator will discuss insurance policy limits, co-pays, and deductibles with you. 

4. You will meet with a licensed independent practitioner (usually a physician’s assistant, or nurse practitioner) to discuss your history of mental health/substance abuse treatment and current needs.

• Clothing. Patients should wear comfortable, casual clothes during their stay at the Brattleboro Retreat. Bring two changes of clothes with machine-washable day and night wear including underwear, socks, shoes, bathrobe, and slippers. Mark all pieces of clothing, as well as eyeglasses, contacts, and canes. Do not bring any clothing with strings, ties, laces or belts. These include sweatpants with drawstrings, sashes, scarves, belts made of leather, cloth or metal, and laced shoes.

• Personal Care Items. Patients may bring the following items, if appropriate: toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, and deodorant. Please do not bring any glass containers or anything with alcohol in it such as mouthwash or cologne.

• Personal Belongings. The Brattleboro Retreat is not responsible for personal items, including eyeglasses and dentures. Patients are advised to leave valuables, including jewelry, at home and not to carry more than $10 in cash. Cameras, cell phones, and pets are not allowed.

In addition to glass containers and items containing alcohol, patients are not permitted to bring computers, cell phones and other handheld devices. Jewelry is also prohibited. As mentioned elsewhere, do not bring any type of clothing that has ties, strings or belts including scarves, sashes, sweatpants with a drawstring, laced shoes, and belts made of leather, cloth, or metal.

Specific programs may have additional prohibitions based on the nature of their services. Please ask your Admissions Coordinator for more information.

Treatment will consist of groups conducted by our clinical staff. Each patient will have a treatment team and meetings with the various team members will be done during the day. Many different groups are offered and your treatment team will work with you to develop a treatment plan that is individualized based on your specific needs.

All of the rooms at the Brattleboro Retreat are private and include a bed and desk. Patients also have access to an outdoor courtyard with approval from their medical team.

Interpreter services are available for deaf and hard of hearing patients, and non-English speaking patients and their families. Telecommunications devices for deaf and hard of hearing patients are also available. Staff members will assist you in obtaining these services.

As a patient at the Brattleboro Retreat, you can send and receive mail. Any letters and packages sent by U.S. mail are delivered to and picked up from patient units on a daily basis. All packages must be opened in front of staff.

Telephones are available on every program for local calls and long distance calls. Calls are free of charge.

Patients can choose from a variety of hot and cold menu items offered for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Patients also have access to snacks and drinks on the unit. 

The Brattleboro Retreat is a tobacco free campus. Patients, staff and visitors (including volunteers, vendors, contract workers etc.) are prohibited from using tobacco products anywhere inside Retreat buildings or on the grounds of the Brattleboro Retreat.

If you are a patient being admitted to a Retreat program you will be asked about your tobacco use, if any. This information will be shared with your treatment team. If necessary, we will work with you to help you feel comfortable without tobacco.

People visiting the Retreat for a short time--outpatients, family members, guests, etc.--are asked to refrain from all tobacco use as well.

The use of alcohol and other drugs on Brattleboro Retreat property is prohibited.

Visiting hours are available seven days a week in most cases. However, different programs at the Brattleboro Retreat have different policies regarding visiting hours. Check with the appropriate nurse manager or charge nurse if you have questions.

On the day you are scheduled to leave inpatient treatment, we will assist you in arranging for transportation to a safe, stable environment where you can continue the next phase of your recovery.