If you're in immediate danger or thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or go to your nearest emergency room. We do not provide diagnosis or counseling online.
Las Encinas Hospital provides care for adults 18 and older on our picturesque 25-acre campus. Our hospital has been treating behavioral health conditions since 1904. We are licensed by the California Department of Public Health as an Acute Psychiatric Hospital and a Chemical Dependency Recovery Hospital. We are accredited by The Joint Commission.
Our Assessment and Referral Department is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Assessments are complimentary and confidential, and it do not obligate you to admit. If inpatient care isn't the right fit, we will inform you and help you find what is the best fit.
Call (877) 579-9103 to speak with Assessment and Referral or learn more here.
When Inpatient Is Appropriate
Inpatient treatment exists to address symptoms that have escalated past what an outpatient or residential program can manage. This might mean thoughts of suicide or self-harm, a psychotic or manic episode, or the inability to manage basic daily needs. Some common causes may be a medication regimen that has stopped working or a substance use disorder that has become too dangerous to manage alone.
Deciding to admit isn't a failure of willpower or the care that came before it. Inpatient care is intentionally short and intentionally intensive, and the goal is stabilization; getting symptoms under control, getting a clear diagnostic picture, getting medications right, and building a discharge plan that is effective and supportive of your goals.
If you're not sure whether this is the right level of care, allow us to provide an assessment.
The First 24 Hours
Every patient receives a psychiatric and medical evaluation within 24-hours of admission. Many physical maladies can disguise themselves as psychiatric symptoms, furthermore, many psychiatric conditions present alongside untreated medical concerns. Evaluating both on the same clock means that treatment planning starts with a complete picture of the patient’s health.
From here, the psychiatrist builds an individualized treatment plan in coordination with the entire care team. This plan is revisited and adjusted as care progresses and a patient’s needs change.
Your Treatment Team
Care is directed by a psychiatrist and delivered by an interdisciplinary team. Depending on your needs, that team may include a licensed therapist, a psychiatric nurse, an activity or recreational therapist, a clinical social worker, a chemical dependency counselor, or a registered dietitian.
The team has meetings to discuss your case, allowing for continuous updates to your treatment plan, medication management, and any other changes, if needed.
What a Day Here Looks Like
Programming runs seven days a week. Patients participate in four therapy groups per day across four categories:
- Psychoeducation groups - Covering diagnosis, symptom management, medication, and relapse warning signs
- Chemical dependency groups - For patients managing substance use alongside a psychiatric diagnosis
- Process groups - Led by a therapist and focused on each individual's feelings and experiences
- Recreational and Activity Therapy - Designed to provide light exercise and social engagement
Frequently included in the schedule are educational events and structured activities to provide patients with a structured schedule, enhance treatment effectiveness and promote better outcomes.
Inpatient Detox
We provide supervised sub-acute detoxification for those individuals who struggle with alcohol or substance use disorder. Detox is a starting point for individuals who require monitoring and supervision during the initial period of quitting drugs or alcohol. Patients who need continued substance use treatment after stabilization can be assessed to transfer into our residential Briar Program, or our intensive outpatient program. We staff registered nurses (RNs) on site around the clock, with medical staff available throughout the process.
Aftercare
The period after discharge is when the risk of relapse and readmission runs highest, and it is the period when most people have the least support. We have aftercare programming with our IOP services for individuals who wish to continue treatment while they reintegrate back into their daily routine. Our Case Managers work with each patient to determine the best course of action for them, based on their unique circumstances.
Conditions We Treat
Inpatient care at Las Encinas addresses anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, depression, OCD, panic disorder, PTSD, psychological trauma, schizophrenia, social anxiety, self-harm, suicidal ideation, and substance use disorders including alcohol and opioids.
Co-occurring presentations are common, and we treat them together rather than in sequence.
How Admission Works
- Call for a free assessment: Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We'll ask about current symptoms, substance use history, immediate risks, and what you need right now.
- Benefit verification and paperwork: Our admissions team verifies your current active coverage.
- Clinical intake: A thorough assessment covering withdrawal risk, psychiatric symptoms, and co-occurring conditions.
- Stabilization first, if withdrawal is a concern: A review of every medication you are currently taking, as well as drug and alcohol history.
- Individualized treatment plan: Built from your assessment results and any information your outside providers can share.
Please bring a photo ID, your insurance information if you have it, and a list of your current medications. Our team will tell you what personal items are allowed and how medication verification works before you arrive. The admissions process page covers this in more detail.
Start a free, confidential assessment: (877) 579-9103.
Getting Here
We're on the east side of Pasadena, about a 30-to-45-minute drive inland from downtown Los Angeles, roughly 0.6 miles south of the I-210 and about 2.5 miles east of the SR-110. The Sierra Madre Villa station on the Metro A Line is about six blocks away.
Get directions and contact information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Can Be Admitted to Inpatient Treatment?
Las Encinas treats adults 18 and older. We don't operate child or adolescent programs, so if you're calling about someone under 18, our Assessment and Referral staff can point you toward a facility that does.
How Long Does an Inpatient Stay Last?
Length of stay depends on why you came in and how you respond to treatment. Inpatient care is designed to be short and intensive, and your psychiatrist reviews the treatment plan as your condition changes. Your care team will talk with you about the expected timeline.
Do I Need a Referral to Be Admitted?
No. You can call us directly, a family member can call on your behalf, or a provider can refer you. All three routes start with our assessment.
How Much Does an Assessment Cost?
Assessments are free and confidential, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and they don't commit you to admitting. If a different level of care would serve you better, we will say so.
Can I Admit Myself Voluntarily?
Yes. We operate separate units for voluntary and involuntary patients, and voluntary admission is common. Both groups receive the same clinical standard of care and the same evaluation timelines.
What Should I Bring with Me?
A photo ID, your insurance information if you have it, and a list of every medication you're currently taking, including dosages. Our team will walk you through which personal items are allowed before you arrive, so you don't have to guess.
Can My Family Visit during My Stay?
Yes. We publish our visitation hours, and we encourage families to attend at least one family therapy session while you're here.
Will Insurance Cover My Stay?
Inpatient psychiatric stabilization is covered by both Medicare and Medi-Cal, and inpatient detox is covered by Medicare. We're also in network with most major commercial plans. Our team verifies your benefits before admission, so you know what you're responsible for ahead of time.
What Happens after I'm Discharged?
Every inpatient discharge includes a plan for what comes next, whether that's stepping into our residential Briar Program, our intensive outpatient tracks, or outpatient care with a community provider.
Do You Treat Mental Health and Substance Use Together?
Yes, and that's the importance of the interdisciplinary team. Co-occurring presentations are common, and treating a psychiatric diagnosis and a substance use disorder together is highly effective.
