As someone has created a Yelp page for this hospital, I thought that I had to put in my two cents about Butler. Butler is a co-occurring psychiatric facility which means they offer psychiatric and substance use hospitalization, detox, and outpatient services. The grounds are gorgeous and the hospital has been around since the 1800s. It is located on the Butler campus off of Blackstone Blvd in the East Side of Providence. The Butler campus has many buildings including an assisted living facility and other businesses, but the hospital is in the very back of the campus, near the Seakonk River.
I have experience with Butler both professionally and personally. I used to work at a mental health agency in RI and my clients always preferred Butler when in psychiatric crisis and in need of admission to a psych hospital. The staff do seem to care and appear to enjoy their jobs. They reach out to families, assist with discharge planning, and attempt to get clients to do some sort of step down program to assist them with after care.
On a personal note, I've had a person I am close to that was hospitalized here a few times and for an outpatient hospital program. Again, the staff were very attentive and supportive of this person. They offer and encourage visiting by family and friends and do appear to genuinely care about the patients. These are locked units and visitors must follow strict rules and check in at the registration desk. The patients meet with their psychiatrist regularly, get vital signs read daily, and go to groups. Apparently the food is pretty good, according to both my clients and the individual I know personally.
I've been in numerous hospitals' psych units as part of my previous job and of all of the ones I've seen, Butler has the most therapeutic style milieu I've witnessed in the state. It doesn't look like a dull, sterile (scary) hospital floor. It is open, bright, and calming. I can only imagine how scary it could be to be in a psychiatric facility (due to stigma and just not being able to go home when you want to) and Butler seems to have an atmosphere that is least hospital-esque. Staff are present to answer questions and aren't behind a huge glass wall, like in some of the other hospitals. They also allow patients who have been deemed safe to go outside to go on staff led walks, which I believe is very important to their well being.
If you are person who is deal with mental health or substance use issues, Butler is what I would consider to be the top for-profit hospital in the area. They provide inpatient and detox services and also partial hospitalization programs that are specific to what patient's needs are. You can call the hospital in advance to arrival to check on beds, insurance info, and get on a waiting list if need be. it is important to be aware of the care that is out there for you and your loved ones who have these issues. read more