Inpatient Psychiatry

Inpatient Psychiatry at UVM Health

Mental illness is a medical condition. Sometimes people need hospitalization to gain control of mental health symptoms and start treatment, just like with a physical disease.

We provide a safe and supportive inpatient environment for adults 18 and older whose mental illnesses are interfering with everyday living. Our psychiatric specialists are highly skilled in diagnosing and managing severe mental illnesses, such as anxiety, major depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

A team of psychiatrists (medical doctors who specialize in mental health), psychologists (experts in talk therapy), nurses, social workers, and other providers work together to help you feel better. We strive to help you return to your community and normal activities as quickly as possible.

Why Choose UVM Health?

As one of the leading mental health care providers in the region, we offer:

A comprehensive approach to mental illness: We seek to understand what's happening in your life so we can get to the root causes of your illness. Physical exams can help us determine if you have a physical condition that impacts your mental health. Conversations with you help us learn about your life stressors.
Caring, experienced staff: When you come to UVM Health for mental health treatment, you receive judgment-free care from people who will approach your care with compassion.
Collaborative care: A team of professionals works together on your behalf to meet all of your mental and physical needs. Your team may include psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, nurses, nutritionists, recreational therapists, and music and art therapists.
Proven therapies: Our mental health providers are specially trained in a wide range of evidence-based therapies. As part of a health system anchored by an academic medical center, our clinicians are active researchers, many of whom train the next generation of experts.

Conditions We Treat With Inpatient Psychiatry

Serious mental illnesses are mental, emotional and behavioral disorders that significantly interfere with daily life. Our highly trained and skilled professionals help people with severe mental illnesses such as:

Anxiety disorders, including panic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Mood disorders, such as major depression and bipolar disorder
Personality disorders
Schizophrenia
Substance use disorders

What to Expect From Inpatient Psychiatry

When you arrive at the UVM Health, we carefully listen to you and meet you where you are. You, your health providers, and your family and friends work together to create a treatment plan that will help manage your symptoms now and in years to come.

While each person's mental health journey is unique, you can expect several general stages of inpatient psychiatric care, including:

Assessment: We talk with you and your family to understand the stressors that may have caused you to need inpatient psychiatric care. We may take a blood or urine sample to see if a physical condition is contributing to your symptoms.
Stabilization: Our team provides intensive care to reduce your immediate symptoms. When you are ready, you and your care team develop a treatment plan that includes psychotherapy (talk therapy), medication or both.
Learning and practice: In one-on-one or group settings, we help you learn ways to manage stressors and develop skills for coping with mental illness. Your family members or other support people are welcome to participate in some or all of your treatment, if you so choose.
Preparation to return home: We help you set a plan for long-term mental health care and a return to your community. We can also connect you and your family with community agencies and groups to support you when you get home.

If you need intensive psychiatric care after leaving the hospital, your care team may recommend our psychiatric partial hospitalization service, which allows you to receive comprehensive treatment during the day and go home at night.

Support Groups

Support groups connect people facing similar challenges. We can help you connect with support groups focused on cancer, dementia, bereavement, diabetes, mental health and more.