Atlanta’s Leading Inpatient Treatment Program for Women

Our team in Riverdale, Georgia, brings specialized knowledge and experience working with women who are living with the effects of trauma. 

According to the National Center for PTSD, about half of women will be exposed to at least one traumatic event in their lifetime, and their risk for developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result is two to three times higher compared with men. Women’s experiences of trauma and PTSD also differ from those of men in some significant ways. For example, women are more likely to cope by seeking social support and forming emotional attachments. An upside is that women have been shown to experience a greater reduction in PTSD symptoms through psychotherapy compared with men. 

A specific event may precipitate the negative health effects of trauma in women, such as being the victim of or witnessing a violent crime, the sudden or violent death of a loved one, firsthand or secondhand exposure to military combat, a serious accident, or a natural disaster. These experiences can profoundly affect cognitive, emotional, and physical functioning. 

When it comes to anxiety and depression, most forms affect women at twice the rate of men. Research is still seeking to understand whether this difference is driven more by physical variations in the brain, social and societal differences, or some combination of these. PTSD and other mental health disorders can coincide with hormonal changes, such as those women experience during puberty, during pregnancy, after giving birth, and leading up to menopause. 

While taking part in the program, women reside in a safe, secure environment overseen by our multidisciplinary team of professionals. We emphasize providing the most up-to-date, scientifically supported forms of treatment. Our dedicated team is made up of psychiatrists, physicians, nurses, therapists, behavioral health technicians, and support staff who are all here to help you during your healing journey. 

Each person’s care is unique based on the symptoms they’re experiencing, their personal strengths, and the challenges they may face during the process. Our staff will collaborate with you to create a personalized plan of care to help you achieve your goals and find lasting healing. 

The admissions process begins with an assessment so that we can tailor your experience to best meet your needs. We determine admissions on a case-by-case basis to ensure that we can provide the care that meets each patient where they are on their healing journey.  

The general criteria for our inpatient program include one or more of the following:  

• Suffering from severe symptoms of a mental health disorder that are impairing day-to-day functioning 
• Engaging in self-harming behaviors 
• Suffering from suicidal thoughts or is a danger to self 
• At risk for harming others 
• Demonstrating aggressive behaviors 
• Suffering from active psychosis 
• Being in a state of crisis 
• Being unable to care for oneself 

Note that we cannot effectively care for open wounds or other significant physical health conditions. 

You may call us anytime to begin the admissions process, or you can come to our Riverdale, Georgia, location in person. Our intake department is open to help guide you anytime, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You will receive a free, confidential assessment from our team of compassionate mental health professionals.  

One of our doctors will review the assessment and make a recommendation for care, which may be to admit you to our women’s inpatient trauma program or another one of our programs if there is one that is a better fit for your circumstances. If our doctors determine that Riverwoods Behavioral Health is not the best fit for you, we will refer you to another facility that meets your needs. We will fully explain any services we offer so that you can make an informed decision you feel comfortable with. 

If the women’s inpatient trauma program is determined to be the best path for you, we will move forward with your admission.  

Riverwoods Behavioral Health in Riverdale, Georgia, is a 105-bed, Joint Commission Gold Seal Accredited™ treatment center. Women taking part in our inpatient trauma program stay on our secure, upscale campus adjacent to the Southern Regional Medical Center campus.  

We are easily accessible from the Atlanta area and convenient to Interstate 75. Our campus offers well-equipped areas for therapeutic activities as well as a fitness center and a gym. We also have a courtyard and gazebo, which provide opportunities for quiet reflection. Physical activity and time outdoors have both been shown to reduce symptoms of PTSD.  

At our hospital near Atlanta, Georgia, we use proven methods of care to help you learn ways to cope with symptoms of PTSD and begin to heal from the effects of trauma. 

PTSD can feel overwhelming, affecting your ability to think clearly, make decisions, sleep, eat, and function properly. At our facility near Atlanta, Georgia, we’re ready to help you find the strength deep inside you so that you can learn to live a life that is not controlled by the effects of trauma. 

We understand that PTSD can happen to anyone who has gone through an event so traumatic that it overwhelms their ability to cope. It is not exclusive to those who have served in the military, nor is it a character flaw or weakness. You are simply a normal person reacting to a highly abnormal situation. 

To support women in this program, we employ trauma-informed therapy, a framework that acknowledges and addresses the impact of traumatic experiences on someone’s life. By addressing the root causes of the symptoms a person is experiencing, trauma-informed therapy fosters healing and resilience in a safe, supportive environment. Within this framework, we may recommend cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma narrative therapy, and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), depending on a person’s needs.  

Group therapy is a key aspect of care for women in our trauma program. Research shows that group CBT can be effective in treating those who are suffering from PTSD. At Riverwoods Behavioral Health, group therapy sessions are led daily by a master’s-level clinician. Topics covered in group therapy may include coping skills, relapse prevention, discharge planning, conflict resolution, healthy boundaries, and effective communication. In addition to group therapy, individual and family therapy sessions are provided as needed. 

In our women’s inpatient trauma program in Riverdale, Georgia, we offer medication management services. A nurse practitioner administers medication and monitors its effects. You may meet with a psychiatrist upon admission and again as needed. However, please note that the program does not include medical care and is not a detoxification program.  

Our goal is to make sure that you successfully continue your healing journey after you’ve completed your time in our women’s inpatient trauma program. You will work with your treatment team to develop a plan of care for after you leave. Some people may wish to try our intensive outpatient program (IOP) or partial hospitalization program (PHP) once they finish inpatient care.  

Some women choose to go straight home afterward. If that is your choice, we can connect you with available community resources to ensure your continued success and seamless transition from our care to the next chapter. 

If you or a woman in your life is struggling with the effects of trauma, please call our Riverdale, Georgia, facility for a confidential consultation from a trained professional. We will work with you to help you determine the best next steps.