Gheel House is a residential psychiatric therapeutic community located in Pennsylvania, providing long-term mental health care for adults with serious and persistent mental illnesses. The facility aims to empower its residents, referred to as "friends," to find their individual paths to wellness and recovery. Surrounded by working farms, hiking trails, streams, and woodlands, Gheel House offers a tranquil and idyllic setting for its residents to focus on healing and personal growth.
Founded in 1984, Gheel House embodies the compassionate care philosophy of psychiatric therapeutic communities that have served the mentally ill in Geel, Belgium for over 700 years. The facility offers a variety of therapy programs, including art therapy, music therapy, psycho-education, and social skills groups, to support greater behavioral and emotional stability in the lives of its residents. Individualized daily living assistance, case management, and full psychiatric services are also provided within the therapeutic community.
In addition to therapy programs, Gheel House places emphasis on preparing its residents for independent living. Life skills training, such as meal planning and preparation, managing finances, using public transportation, and engaging in volunteer or part-time work, are incorporated into the residential treatment program. This focus on practical skills aims to equip residents with the tools they need to transition back to their home communities or move into the off-campus Transitional Living Program offered by Gheel House.
Gheel House caters to individuals aged 21 and older with primary diagnoses of various mental health conditions, including anxiety, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic attacks, schizoaffective disorder, and schizophrenia. Residents must be willing to take prescribed medications and comply with the treatment plan. The facility is unable to accommodate individuals with certain physical or cognitive challenges, aggressive behavior, active substance abuse, eating disorders requiring medical attention, or non-compliance with prescribed medications. Overall, Gheel House provides a nurturing and supportive environment for individuals seeking long-term mental health care to achieve wellness and recovery.