Centra, Mental Health Services

Centra Adult Acute Psychiatric Program

Centra provides comprehensive inpatient psychiatric treatment for adults (ages 18 and older) who struggle with daily life because of emotional crises or troubling thoughts and behaviors. They may suffer from depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, personality disorders or other psychological disorders.

Established in 1962, our intensive program is designed to lead our patients to a more optimal level of mental health and personal functioning. Short-term, this means helping them to cope with immediate problems so they can return to work, school and family. Long-term, it means teaching them healthy methods for resolving problems so they can enjoy more fulfilling lives. The total well-being of our patients is our first concern.

Our approach is to treat each patient as an individual with specific needs. After a thorough evaluation, our team of psychiatrists and clinical psychologists, occupational and recreational therapists, clinical social workers and counselors, nurses and other specialists, develops a treatment plan tailored to each patient. In addition to providing individual treatment plans, the treatment team meets regularly to discuss and evaluate each patient's progress.

Our Comprehensive Treatment Program

• Psychiatric evaluation and treatment
• Individual and group psychotherapy
• Occupational and recreational therapies
• Psychopharmacology
• Psychological services, including diagnostic testing
• Milieu therapy
• Pastoral counselling
• Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
• Geriatric treatment services
• Physical and social evaluation
• Family support
• Pet therapy

Discharge planning begins shortly after admission to ensure the patient's smooth transition from hospital to home, family and community.  It's all part of our commitment to assure patients of comprehensive, continuous care.

Dual Diagnosis Program

Dr. James Gallagher, Medical Director of the Dual Diagnosis Program on the Adult Psychiatric Unit, received special training in comorbid substance use disorders and psychiatric illnesses at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center.  In 2009, the Dual Diagnosis Program opened at Virginia Baptist Hospital on the Adult Psychiatric Unit.  Admission criteria requires the presence of an Axis I diagnosis co-occuring with a substance use disorder.  This program is suitable for those who require brief, inpatient, substance abuse treatment due to relapse or prior to entering an IOP (intensive outpatient program).

Driving Directions, Contact Information and Visiting Hours

Visiting hours are from 5:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m., Monday through Friday.  Visiting hours are from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m., weekends and holidays.  Visitors must go to the nurses' station to sign in before visiting.  

The Adult Acute Psychiatric Unit is located at Centra Virginia Baptist Hospital on the third floor of the Mundy building.

Centra Virginia Baptist Hospital
Adult Acute Psychiatric Unit, Mundy building, 3rd Floor
3300 Rivermont Avenue
Lynchburg, Virginia 24503

For driving directions, please click here and follow directions to Centra Virginia Baptist Hospital.

Centra Adult Acute Psychiatric Unit . . . 434.200.4644 (phone) and 434.200.7463 (fax)

Brent McCraw, Director of Acute Psychiatric Services
Tammy O'Neill, Unit Manager

Accreditation

Centra Adult Acute Psychiatric Program is licensed by the state of Virginia and accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).

Randall A. Scott, M.D.

• Medical Director, Centra Adult Acute Psychiatric Program

George W. Luedke, M.D.

James Gallagher, M.D.

• Medical Director, Centra Dual Diagnosis Program

To make a referral or for more information, please call Centra Mental Health Intake and Resource Center at 434.200.4444 or 800.947.5442. All calls are confidential.