FAQs

A typical length of stay is 7 to 10 days. However, the length of stay is determined by multiple factors and can be discussed in more detail during your stay with the treatment team.

All clients will receive daily psychotherapy and psychoeducation groups that are appropriate for their level of care, diagnosis, and current symptoms. Groups are led by Master Level Clinicians including Therapists and Social Workers. Clients will meet with their Psychiatrist daily during their stay in an effort to maximize the treatment they receive. Some clients may be referred for individual therapy in addition to their ongoing group and structured treatment activities.

You can learn about all insurances we are in network with here.

What should I bring?

All items will be searched and inventoried for our client’s safety and protection prior to being allowed in any program. If items are brought which clients are not allowed to have, they will be securely stored until discharge.

Clothing

Enough to last for several days, without belts or strings, as they are not allowed on the unit.  A washer and dryer are available on each unit for client use.

Toiletries

Are provided on the unit for all clients; however, clients are allowed to have their own toiletries if they are previously unopened.

Personal Items

Soft cover books, photos, and other personal items that are not restricted below may be brought for the client. Also: Stuffed animals, blankets, pillows

What should I leave at home?

• Glass or plastic containers including cassettes, CDs, and CD cases
• Sharp objects
• Any tobacco products, including smokeless products (i.e. cigarettes, pipes, pipe tobacco, tobacco substitutes such as clove cigarettes, chewing tobacco, cigars, e-cigarettes, vaporizers, etc.).
• Liquids containing or including alcohol
• Electronics – Tape recorders, televisions, radios, apple watches, etc.
• Electric appliances brought from home – hair straighteners, blow dryers, and curling irons
• Weapons or protection devices
• Scarves, belts, drawstrings in sweatpants, cords, straps, ties, and shoelaces
• Anything containing batteries
• Magnets, including games and toys containing magnets
• Illegal substances and/or medications
• Anything of significant value

Each client is assigned a clinical treatment team composed of an Attending Physician, a Social Worker, Therapist, a mental health technician, and a Nurse. These are the primary staff responsible for the client’s treatment and discharge planning. If a release has been signed, the staff can provide you with the contact information for the treatment team. Pending a release, a staff member may request your contact information for someone to get back to you, this is to protect the privacy of our clients.

Family Meetings are essential and designed to help the patient and other caregivers involved to explore new ways to effectively deal with difficulties and problems a patient may face. Family sessions are provided by our social work team as recommended by the treatment team or by request of the patient’s loved one. These meetings may occur in person or via phone or virtually.
The treatment team will work with the patient and others connected with their care to plan a treatment program, which addresses their particular needs.

Our program is dedicated to protecting our client’s right to confidentiality. All employees are required to follow federal and state laws, as well as hospital policy in getting a client’s permission before contacting anyone outside the hospital in the course of their treatment. This includes disclosing whether or not a client is even admitted to this facility.

If you are unsure if your loved one has signed a release for staff to speak with you, please ask for a release to be signed. Please note that without a release, the staff is unable to release any information regarding a client. If there is any information that is critical to a client’s treatment, feel free to disclose this information to a staff member.

There is a garage that adjoins our complex. The entrance is on McKean Street.

Yes, visitation hours are on the weekends. Each unit has its own schedule which includes visitation hours: Treatment and Visitation Schedule. In addition, you may request to schedule an in person visit during your family session. If you live out of state or out of the country, you may also stay connected to your loved one through FaceTime, Skype or through the phone. Family and friends of our clients are able to visit during regularly scheduled visiting times or by appointment arranged with the assigned Social Worker.

Clients have the right to use our telephones to make and receive confidential telephone calls unless the call violates criminal law or would unreasonably infringe on other client’s use of the telephone. A live person can be reached 24 hours a day and would be happy to direct your call to the appropriate person. Please be patient as clients are often participating in groups and other treatment activities. In that case, a message will be taken for the client to call back during their free time.

Your loved one can also stay connected with you through FaceTime, Skype or through the phone.

Main Number: 610-480-8919. This link will provide you additional information: https://www.malvernbh.com/patients-families/faqs/

Malvern Behavioral Health is located in the Constitution Health Plaza at 1930 S. Broad Street. Upon arrival please go to the front desk on the first floor/lobby area. A staff member will greet you in the lobby and walk you to the elevator, we are located on the 4th floor. Visitors must be escorted to and from the unit. Visitors will be asked to lock their belongings in a designated area for the duration of their visit. We do not permit family members to bring anything onto the unit. There is a parking garage on site. If you park in the garage take the elevator to the 1st Floor to access the main lobby.

For the safety of our clients, staff, and visitors, cameras are installed in most common areas of the unit (including entrances, hallways, day rooms, and most other common rooms). Cameras do not record sound and are not installed in private rooms, showers/bathrooms, etc., and are only intended to provide an added level of security.

Discharge planning begins once the client is admitted to the facility. Discharge planning is a collaborative process with the client, the treatment team, and with the client’s approval, involving family members, outside supports, and/or resources in this process. Support system involvement is highly encouraged regarding the treatment and process. Throughout the duration of their hospital stay the treatment team will work with the client to plan appropriate outpatient care, living situations, and provide any additional resources necessary to keep the client safe and stable outside of the hospital. Discharge planning remains a continuous and fluid planning process throughout the client’s hospital experience.

We do not allow cell usage on the unit. However, we do permit our young people access to their phones if needed for email address/ phone numbers and passwords. At admission, phones are secured in a safe for the duration of treatment.

We have found that patients are able to remain present when they are not distracted by the outside world of social media. Patients have also reported finding relief in taking a break from the pressure of social media and technology dependence.

Our clients enjoy receiving mail and have the right to send and receive sealed, unopened, uncensored mail. However, for good cause, their mail may be opened and inspected in front of them, without it being read by staff, for the sole purpose of preventing contraband coming into the program. Our clients also have the right to be provided with stationery and postage in reasonable amounts.

Laptops/tablets are secured but we allow our patients access to their laptops / tablets in a supervised setting during set times in the evening to complete academic work.
Use of a laptop or tablet during the day to attend classes or lectures is case by case

If you would like us to communicate with your academic institution during your stay, we are happy to accommodate releasing information with your written permission.

You can drop off clothes any day of the week. Just call us at 610-480-8919 to find out a good time to drop off clothes or other personal items.

Yes. You may drop off factory sealed food, but please only 2 items. We typically only permit food prepared at home if, for religious reasons.

As part of a city-wide smoking cessation program, Malvern Behavioral Health is officially a smoke-free area, this includes all tobacco products and substitutes such as vaporizers and e-cigarettes. We offer smoking cessation supportive treatment such as Lozenges and the patch.