Crisis Receiving and Stabilization Unit (CRSU)

A 24-hour walk-in facility located at Scranton Counseling Center, 329 Cherry Street Scranton, PA 18505, the CRSU is available to divert crisis situations where individuals may need added support on a 24-hour basis but do not quite need the level of safety support provided by an inpatient psychiatric hospital. Crisis counselors can help connect these individuals with services and resources to be successful in the community. It is an 8 bed unit that provides a less restrictive option to help manage individuals in crisis.

Who can utilize the Crisis Receiving and Stabilization Unit?

Any adult living in Lackawanna or Susquehanna county.

Call: 570.245.0579

Admission Criteria

In general, the CRSU offers no ‘wrong-door’ access to mental health and co-occurring substance use care, operating in a manner that accepts all walk-ins as well as fire and police drop-offs.

Typically, consumers appropriate for the CRSU include those who are:

  • 18 years of age or older and out of high school.
  • Experiencing a mental health crisis. Consumer’s primary need is behavioral health support.
  • Consumer may present as a risk to self or others.
  • Consumers are not required to have medical clearance prior to admission.
    • Consumers will be assessed during their stay for medical stability and supported as appropriate.
  • In some, but not all cases, treatment at a lower level of care has been attempted or considered, but may be unsuccessful.
  • Consumer exhibits impaired judgment, impulse control and/or cognitive and perceptual abilities that may preclude their ability to remain stable in the community.
  • Consumer has insufficient or limited resources or skills to maintain an adequate level of functioning outside of the treatment setting.
  • Consumers are willing to stay and participate in therapeutic activities designed to support them to be successful returning to the community.
  • Consumers that are able to be safe in a “come and go” environment with no locked doors or restrictive procedures.
  • Consumers must bring their own medication and agree to CRSU staff locking the medication in a medication cabinet and overseeing medication administration.
  • Consumers must be independent with activities of daily living (ADLs).

There may be circumstances that referral to a higher level of care is warranted.

The CRSU will offer Person-Centered treatment based on the principles of self-determination, which SCC believes is central to recovery. As individuals continue their journey to recovery the desired outcome is to become more self-reliant. This approach builds on the individual’s/family’s strengths, gifts, skills, etc. It supports consumer empowerment and provides meaningful options for individuals/families to express preferences and make informed choices in an ongoing effort to identify and achieve their hopes, goals and aspirations. This type of treatment views individuals in the context of their culture, ethnicity, religion, gender and sexuality, which all interact to compose a person’s individuality. SCC’s crisis system will provide instant access to person-centered crisis care at this facility.

Services provided at the CRSU

  • Assessment of crisis needs
  • Supervision 24 hours per day for up to 3 days
  • Treatment planning
  • Individual and group therapy
  • Needs assessments for successful discharge
  • Family / Natural Support involvement
  • Crisis safety planning
  • Follow-up measures to support transition back to the community