The Fenton/McAuliffe House Residential Crisis Program

Fenton/McAuliffe House is an 8-bed voluntary, community based, alternative to inpatient hospitalization residential program for people in acute psychiatric crisis. The length of stay is based on clinical necessity and is usually less than 10 days.

The Fenton/McAuliffe House Model and Goals

Fenton/McAuliffe House is based on a model that favors autonomy and individualized care. The Fenton/McAuliffe House counselors and its psychiatrists encourage clients to develop their own goals which are designed to assist clients in planning for the stabilization of the immediate crisis and to prevent subsequent crises. Fenton/McAuliffe House seeks to reduce unnecessary admissions to inpatient mental health facilities and is also used to provide support to clients transitioning back into the community immediately following a psychiatric hospitalization.

What are the expectations of Fenton/McAuliffe House?

Fenton/McAuliffe House is located in a suburban single family neighborhood and provides 24-hour counseling and crisis stabilization in a family-like atmosphere. Clients are evaluated by the staff psychiatrist within 24 hours of admission and are able to discuss medications and symptoms so that they can make informed decisions about continuing to take medications after discharge. Staff psychiatrists are available as needed throughout the clients’ stay. Clients are encouraged to participate in structured groups, individual counseling, family meetings, provider meetings, and nightly dinner preparation. Staff supports people to continue to go to work, see family, participate in regular therapeutic treatment daily, and collaboration with the clients existing treatment team in order to promote continuity of care..

Coping Skills

Fenton/McAuliffe House staff and its psychiatrists help clients develop and use the coping skills necessary to prevent another psychiatric crisis. This help comes in many forms including group and individual counseling, 24-hour on-site support, accessibility to a staff psychiatrist, one-on-one non-intrusive support of “being with” and “doing with”, providing a small and home-like environment where skills can be learned and transferred to another setting. Clients are encouraged to understand the link between their thoughts and behaviors and the experience of mental health symptoms.

Skills Training

Fenton/McAuliffe House staff encourages each client to participate in therapeutic groups, household activities and chores in an effort to model independent living skills, teach coping skills, and provide an opportunity to socialize with one another within the therapeutic setting. Again, modeling a home-like atmosphere, Fenton/McAuliffe House staff members and residents prepare a nightly group dinner.

Community Based

Clients are encouraged to maintain contact with their current treatment providers. With the support of Fenton/McAuliffe House staff and other case managers in the community, clients are supported with linkage to a variety of services including medical care, substance abuse services, mental healthcare services, shelter referrals and many others. It is the belief of the Fenton/McAuliffe House staff that collaboration with community providers assists the team with providing quality psychiatric services and ensures continuity of care upon discharge.

Is Fenton/McAuliffe House just as effective as hospitalization?

Fenton/McAuliffe House was the subject of a National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) sponsored research study comparing the program’s treatment and cost effectiveness with that of a psychiatric unit of a local hospital. This study demonstrated that the Fenton/McAuliffe Hospital Alternative is equally effective treatment at less than one-third the cost.

How to make a referral to Fenton/McAuliffe House

Fenton/McAuliffe House provides short term crisis stabilization to adults with Mental Illness. Referrals can be made by calling Fenton/McAuliffe House staff at 301-340-7482 or 301-340-6510. Staff is available 24-hours a day for referrals. They can assist you with the referral process and answer any questions you may have about the program.

Fenton/McAuliffe House accepts clients with Medicaid, Medicare, some private insurance plans, self pay, and individuals with no insurance.

Randomized Trial of General Hospital and Residential Alternative Care for Patients with Severe and Persistent Mental Illness (PDF)

Orientation to Fenton/McAuliffe House Residential Crisis Program (PDF)

For intake information call 301-340-7482 or 301-340-6510