The Hope for Heroes Difference
Hope for Heroes Military Program at Desert Parkway Behavioral Healthcare Hospital is a specialized mental health and substance abuse treatment program for Military service members (active-duty, Reserve, National Guard), Veterans, Military family members, First Responders. And Medical Professionals. We provide evidence-based treatment of depression, mood disorder, PTSD (focusing on areas of combat trauma, military sexual trauma and childhood trauma). We tailor individualized treatment in the areas of addiction, dual-diagnosis, depression, anxiety and other behavioral health needs.
The Hope for Heroes team brings a wealth of experience with specific knowledge of the unique challenges service members face when receiving mental health treatment. Many of our team members have served, and all have varying degrees of experience working with our heroes from all branches and backgrounds. Our staff is very transparent and open. We are quite comfortable communicating with family members, all levels of leadership from chain-of-command, state boards of supervision, etc. Every patient is unique and has different needs. They will be treated with the highest level of dignity and respect.
Mood Stabilization Program
Trauma Program
Substance Use Disorder
Dual Diagnosis Program
Support the Shield
Vet Link Program
Psychological Testing
Mood Stabilization Program
When you’re struggling with depression, anxiety, or perhaps a mood disorder, you may deal with strong emotional feelings of sadness or distress, or the paralysis of anger or fear. You are not alone. The Hope for Heroes team of doctors and clinicians are focused on providing you the highest quality of care available so that you can recover and live healthy and productive lives. That journey starts here.
The Hope for Heroes approach reflects our commitment to treating the whole person with integrated, individualized, evidenced-based treatments and integrative therapies. The types of therapies and the approach to treatment will be based not just on the presenting symptoms but also the core issues that are unique to each and every person. That process of identification and resolution will yield a personalized master treatment plan completed by a multi-disciplinary treatment team. Each patient will have at least two individual sessions with their therapist weekly, and one session with the psychiatrist daily. Our Mood Stabilization Program is a 30-day program.
Trauma Program
The road to recovery starts here. Our first priority is to assist in day-to-day functioning and regaining your quality-of-life. A safe and stable environment will help you re-gain control, reduce symptoms of trauma, and remind you through a full mind, body, and soul reconnection of who you are. First and foremost, you are a survivor! Along the way, you will be provided with the best clinical and medical care available. Adding new skills to your “tool box”, learning from your insights, and connecting with new resources will allow you to move forward with confidence, never to be controlled by past trauma. These skills are designed to prepare you for the expected and unexpected triggers that will eventually challenge you once you return home. In addition, you can share these skills to benefit others, and they will be with you to utilize throughout your life.
Hope for Heroes is about resiliency. We strive to exceed service standards and return our heroes at a high state of readiness and fitness, both physical and emotional. A primary goal of the program is to reintegrate to work, home, and life-as well as the next step in your treatment with confidence and a future-oriented mindset. Each patient will have at least two individual sessions with their therapist weekly, and one session with the psychiatrist daily. Our Trauma Program is a 28-30 Day program.
Substance Use Disorder (Addiction): C.D. Rehab Program
The Hope for Heroes rehab program has the flexibility and focus to address the individual needs of each patient, regardless of which stage of recovery they may be in. Consistent encouragement and motivation serve to increase and promote engagement, retention and long-term recovery objectives as determined by the individualized master treatment plan. A medical detoxification protocol may be necessary and is available on the Hope for Heroes Unit. In the Hope for Heroes program, the treatment plan will focus on the root cause of the substance abuse (trauma, environmental factors or underlying mental health issues). Each patient will have at least two individual sessions with their therapist weekly, and one session with the psychiatrist daily. Our CD Rehabilitation Program is a 28–30-day program. Medical detoxification will add 5-7 days to program when indicated.
Specific objectives of the CD Rehab program are:
- Develop a comprehensive and individualized plan of treatment with the client based on the problems and needs identified in the admission assessments.
- Introduce clients to AA and NA through group and individual counseling. Meetings are part of the inpatient program with an AA Panel available on-site, and both AA and NA meetings available via teleconference or in the community.
- Build social skills in order to prevent negative peer pressure and loss of impulse control leading to relapse. Multiple peer support groups weekly.
- Teach relapse prevention and other recovery skills through identification of precipitants to alcohol and drug usage and appropriate coping skills.
- Establish a plan for continuing treatment and long-term recovery.
Dual Diagnosis Program and Short-Term Stabilization & Medication Management
Hope for Heroes is committed to treating co-occurring addiction and mental health conditions in a Military/Veteran/First Responder centric environment on our exclusive unit. The Program Manager and treatment team will always protect the integrity of our therapeutic milieu. Our patients are able focus on personal and professional circumstances unique to them and to focus on goals from their individualized master treatment plan. This therapeutic environment, with shared backgrounds and experiences, also provides significant enhanced accountability and peer-support. The value of interacting and participating in groups with peers at different levels of recovery and treatment helps establish boundaries, gain insight, and lend perspective. Again, Hope for Heroes is about resiliency. We strive to exceed service standards and return our heroes at a high state of readiness and fitness, both physical and emotional. A primary goal of the program is to reintegrate to work, home, and life-as well as the next step in your treatment with confidence and a future-oriented mindset. There is no set program length as each patient in the program has an individualized treatment plan, and a customized discharge and safety plan.
Support the Shield- First Responder Treatment and Wellness Program
Our first responders share strong bonds with one another. Due to the unique nature of their service, they often have experiences that only their peers can relate to. At Support the Shield, part of our Hope for Heroes Program, our team features culturally competent staff who provide an authentic source of support and empathy. Our goal is to provide a safe place for treatment in a friendly confidential space.
We understand that many members of the emergency response, public safety, and medical professional community have endured events that have negatively impacted their lives. For this reason, we proudly offer the focused care needed to achieve the best outcomes possible. We will assist and facilitate to continued care at a rehab or residential program. Length-of-stay will be determined by diagnosis and individual treatment plan.
What we treat:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Addiction (Detox)
- PTSD
Support the Shield at Desert Parkway offers:
- Use of evidence-based practices, trauma-informed care, Seeking Safety
- Medical detox and withdrawal management
- Culturally competent and compassionate staff
- Clean, safe, and supportive environment
- Collaboration with your wellness department, provider, or E.A.P. coordinators
- Licensed clinicians and medical staff
- Safe discharge planning
- Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) available on-site as a post-discharge or “step-down” option
Vet Link Program
For our Veterans who walk-in or for those referred and awaiting treatment at a VA facility, Vet Link provides the Veteran with the immediate care they need. With medical clearance and VA authorization the Veteran can start treatment on the Hope for Heroes Unit, Aspire Recovery Unit, or another unit at Desert Parkway based on their specific needs at the time of admission. This is a vital link in treatment and recovery while follow-on care can be arranged at a VA facility. Vet Link is Desert Parkway supporting Veterans while getting them on the path to recovery faster and in a safe, caring environment immediately. Length-of-stay will be determined by diagnosis and individual treatment plan.
Vet Link at Desert Parkway offers:
- Use of evidence-based practices, trauma-informed care, Seeking Safety
- Medical detox and withdrawal management
- Culturally competent and compassionate staff
- Clean, safe, and supportive environment
- Collaboration with VA- Community Care Team on-site weekly
- Licensed clinicians and medical staff
- Safe discharge planning
- Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) available on-site as a post-discharge or “step-down” option
Psychological Testing Available Upon Request from Military or VA providers
Psychological testing can be the basis for mental health treatment. These tools are often used to measure and observe a person’s behaviors, emotions, and thoughts.
Tests are performed by a psychologist who will evaluate the results to determine the cause, severity, and duration of your symptoms. This will guide them in creating a treatment plan that meets your needs. In many ways, psychological testing and assessment are similar to medical tests. If a patient has physical symptoms, a primary care provider may order X-rays or blood tests to understand what’s causing those symptoms. The results of the tests will help inform develop a treatment plan.
Testing involves the use of formal tests such as questionnaires or checklists. These are often described as “norm-referenced” tests. That simply means the tests have been standardized so that test-takers are evaluated in a similar way, no matter where they live or who administers the test.
*Source: American Psychological Association, 2022: https://www.apa.org/topics/testing-assessment-measurement/understanding
Hope for Heroes Highlights
• Our unit is separate from the other adult units in the hospital with our own gym and patio
• We are active partners with our referring military providers, clinicians, facilities, and first responder agencies. There is consistent communication and reporting with frequency to be determined by referring provider/agency
• Program Manager and key staff have military backgrounds
• Medication management is in compliance with updated military service-specific and VA formularies
• In-network TRICARE and TriWest provider (In-network with most private and commercial insurance)
• Individual case management and discharge planning by Unit Clinical Manager, our care coordinator
• Dedicated full-time National Military Liaison
• 23 dedicated beds for our program
• Tenured staff of mental health professionals
• Direct admissions with the fastest response times
• Central location near International Airport (5-minute drive)
• Van transportation available to pick-up/return to regional bases, pick-up from airport for distant travelers
• Special visiting hour accommodations
• Mindfulness and Relaxation techniques
• Experiential therapy (outings)
• Focus on resiliency and returning to duty
• Psychological testing available upon request from referring mental health provider
Since 2014, Desert Parkway Behavioral Healthcare Hospital has been a leader in the field of behavioral healthcare, recognized for superior patient care and the highest quality of service. Desert Parkway is Known for our extraordinary staff, and exceptional setting in fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada. Our mission is to serve as a community resource and employer of choice by providing high quality behavior and addiction treatment to those in need- with dignity, respect, and compassion. Discover for your self what makes Desert Parkway the best healthy and healing environment for you or your loved one.
Direct: 702-279-1268 | Toll-Free: 877-663-7976
Fax: 702-776-3597 | www.desertparkway.com
Click here to download the Hope for Heroes brochure.