Residential Mental Health Treatment Program for Adults 18+
Residential treatment usually is the best level of care for individuals leaving a hospital or locked psychiatric acute care facility. Adult clients who admit to the residential treatment program typically stay at the residential level of care for about 8 to 12 weeks before stepping down to day treatment.
We offer longer lengths of stay, giving our clients the time and space they need to recover, and a tailored mix of evidence-based and supportive therapies to help each client find their own unique path to wellness.
Residences with Private Bedrooms
Clients admit to one of two adult residences depending on bed availability. All adult residential clients come to the Rollins Campus and adjacent Charles B. West Campus Monday through Friday for treatment activities and meals.
Rollins Campus
The Rollins Campus has 32 private bedrooms and bathrooms and 24/7 nursing staff support. The facility is surrounded by gardens and recreational spaces.
South Campus
Skyland Trail South residential campus includes 24 units, each with a private bedroom and bathroom. An adjoining garden provides space for outdoor reflection.
Specialized Psychiatric Care
Our recovery communities provide individualized, evidence-based treatment by diagnosis. Together with our integrated wellness model and holistic approach, this powerful combination provides a unique path to recovery for each individual client.
Structured Daily Schedules
Residential clients living at South and Rollins come to the Charles B. West Campus from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each weekday for psychiatric services and therapy sessions.
While multiple groups are offered each hour, counselors work with each client to develop an individualized schedule based on the client's diagnoses, as well as identified opportunities for growth and skill building.
Some groups help clients establish foundational skills or healthy living routines. The clients who participate in these groups are a mix of ages, genders, and diagnoses.
Other groups are more specialized and focus on topics specific to smaller groups of clients who have similar challenges. These groups are often process or support groups and include, men's group, women's group, loss and grief, dual recovery anonymous, LGBTQ support group, BIPOC support group, healthy relationships in middle to late adulthood, and healthy relationships in young adulthood.
What does a treatment day look like?
View an example residential treatment schedule.
Reset to Healthy Living
On evenings and weekends, our residential staff help clients work on re-establishing healthy sleep and meal schedules, self care and hygiene, medication adherence, and healthy social and recreational activities. Our skilled and caring residential staff ensure that our clients are safe, supported, and are taking their medications as prescribed.
Clients in our mental health residential treatment programs also participate in our LEAP program which offers evening activities on Tuesdays and Thursdays along with activities on campus and in the community on weekends, including trips to Atlanta museums, sporting events, restaurants, and community events.
Residential activities are all focused on helping clients prepare for independence and life outside of treatment.
Integrated, Holistic Approach
Complementary adjunctive therapy sessions – art, music, horticulture, and recreation – encourage client engagement in therapy and give clients opportunities to practice the skills they are learning in their individual and core group sessions.
Weekly schedules also include groups focused on workforce and school readiness, nutrition counseling, sober living, mindfulness, healthy relationships, exercise and sports, and positive use of free time.
Our integrated, holistic model is what makes Skyland Trail one of the best residential treatment centers in the country. All the components of our psychiatric, therapeutic and residential mental health programs work together to help our clients reclaim their lives. By helping them define who they are and who they want to be in addition to practical skills for managing their mental illness, we give our clients the best chance at long term and sustained recovery.
Our Continuum of Care
Chris Cline, LCSW, senior vice president of clinical services for adult treatment programs, explains how adult clients move through the continuum of care, beginning with residential treatment.
Expected Length of Stay
Clients typically stay in residential treatment program level of care for about eight weeks. Most clients then step down to our day treatment program where they continue to work toward independence for several weeks before transitioning to our intensive outpatient program for another two to six weeks. The total average length of treatment for clients admitting to residential treatment is about 12 to 16 weeks (3-4 months). (Please note that clients in our DBT program enroll in a defined 90-day treatment program.)
Costs of Treatment
Total treatment costs depend on the level of care required and the number of days needed to complete treatment. Our residential treatment program is in-network with most major private insurance providers. Skyland Trail treatment programs are not covered by Medicare or Medicaid. Many client families use a combination of insurance, private pay, and financial aid awards (if eligible) to cover the costs of treatment. Financial counselors are available to help families understand their potential financial responsibility prior to admission.
Next Steps After Residential Treatment
Most clients step down to our day treatment program after completing the residential level of care. Transitional housing may be available to day treatment clients if approved by the treatment team.
Clients in our dual diagnosis program are not eligible for our transitional housing program. When dual diagnoses clients step down to day treatment, they likely will be referred to a recovery residence or sober living community. These specialized living communities provide appropriate support to help clients maintain sobriety during treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Visitors must register at least 24 hours in advance. Learn more >
When clients admit to residential treatment, they must check in all smart phones, smart watches, tablets, laptops, and all other devices. The residential level system outlines expectations and privileges as clients move through treatment. Clients receive
their smart phones, smart watches, and ipods when they reach level 2. (Residential clients are eligible for level 2 after two weeks.) They receive their tablets, laptops, kindles, and handheld gaming systems at level 3.
Desktop computers and gaming systems that require a TV or monitor (e.g. Xbox or playstation) are not permitted at any level.
Client access to devices may be limited if it interferes with treatment participation.
No. All residential facilities are mixed gender. However, each client receives a private bedroom with adjoining private bathroom. If you have a history of trauma or concerns in this area, please discuss them with your admissions counselor. Inclusive bathrooms are available in common areas throughout the campus.
Skyland Trail continues to work to make our programs and campuses welcoming to clients and staff with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences. We have policies and specialized services in place to meet the needs of different groups and individuals. We are committed to fostering an inclusive community and recognize that our work in this area is ongoing. If you have questions or concerns about what being a part of our client community might feel like for you or your family, please talk openly about your concerns with your admissions counselor. We are happy to answer your questions or connect you with alumni graduates or families to learn more about their experiences.
Yes. While 60% of clients are young adults ages 18 to 25, 40% are older adults ages 26 to 65 and older. During the day, you will participate in groups with clients of all ages, genders, and diagnoses. However, your primary counselor will also help select a weekly schedule for you that includes more specialized groups for clients with similar challenges.
We offer process and support groups – including men's group, women's group, grief and loss, healthy relationships in middle to late adulthood, codependence, anger and acceptance, values-based ACT therapy, and others – that focus on skills and support to manage transitions and challenges often present in middle to late adulthood. Our vocational services team can also provide guidance in considering career changes or strategies to improve work-life balance.
Family Therapy also can be tailored to address the needs of the family system surrounding older adults, including concerns related to co-parenting, "empty nesting," financial stress, or managing emerging health diagnoses.
Skyland Trail is an effective and welcoming environment for adults who identify as LGBTQ who are experiencing mental illness. Our clinical team helps each patient identify the best strategies for living a life true to their values, staying healthy, and achieving identified goals. Our weekly schedule includes groups and services specifically for LGBTQ adult clients. All staff members are comfortable and practiced at using clients’ correct pronouns and names throughout treatment. We’ve also taken steps to make our facilities welcoming, like offering all-gender restrooms. Adult clients reside in private patient rooms with private bathrooms. We are committed to fostering an inclusive community where all clients feel welcome. Learn more and see stories from LGBTQ clients here>
Skyland Trail is a 100% Nicotine-Free Campus. The Nicotine-Free Campus prohibits all smoking, vaping and the use of all tobacco and nicotine products, except those approved for use in smoking cessation strategies. If clinically indicated, clients are enrolled in the nicotine cessation program as part of their treatment. Clients receive support to quit using nicotine products, including peer support, education, and mindfulness groups; educational materials; support to obtain and use nicotine replacement products; and prescriptions for medications as indicated.
All Skyland Trail clients are expected to maintain sobriety while enrolled in our treatment program. Use of alcohol and substances can interfere with the effectiveness of new medications and can be barriers to making progress in treatment.
Alcoholic beverages, marijuana, and illegal drugs are not allowed on Skyland Trail property, and Skyland Trail clients should not use alcohol, street drugs, or non-prescribed medications while in treatment on or off campus. All clients are subject to random urine drug screens and/or alcohol tests (breathalyzer or swab).
No. Residential clients in our adult and adolescent programs may not leave campus or receive off-campus passes. Exceptions are available for healthcare appointments when necessary.
Please see information on what to bring and what to leave at home here: