The Linda J. Werlein Hill Country Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) is a 16-bed, inpatient psychiatric unit servicing adults age 18 and over who are experiencing a mental health crisis and whose symptoms interfere with a person’s ability to remain safely in the community. Individuals are referred to the CSU by our Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (MCOT) throughout our 19 county catchment area. Services focus on acute, short-term crisis stabilization providing psychiatric, psychological and nursing services.
The length of stay at the CSU may be a few days or a maximum of 14 days depending on treatment needs and the severity of symptoms. While the CSU assists individuals with management of various health and therapy needs, the program is not a primary provider for substance use treatment or major medical care.
Following admission to the CSU, each person is evaluated by a multidisciplinary treatment team composed of a Psychiatrist or Advanced Practice Nurse (Nurse Practitioner), Registered Nurses (RN) and Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVN), a Social Worker, a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), and direct care staff. Working from a recovery-oriented treatment philosophy, the treatment team may offer medication management, psycho-education, health education services, psychotherapy, discharge planning, and resource linkage. The treatment team works with individuals on a recovery plan to stabilize their psychiatric symptoms and assist them with their return to the community as quickly and safely as possible.