The Washington Heights Community Service (WHCS) is a comprehensive community-based program for individuals with severe mental illness who live in Northern Manhattan. The Service consists of a 22-bed inpatient unit at NYSPI and two outpatient clinics located in the communities of Washington Heights (Audubon Clinic) and Inwood (Inwood Clinic). It is affiliated with the New York State Psychiatric Institute and reports to the New York Office of Mental Health.
The WHCS Inpatient Unit, also referred to as 5 South, is an acute care unit with an average length of stay of 15-40 days. Treatment is provided for a variety of psychiatric illnesses, with a majority of people receiving treatment for a psychotic disorder (e.g., schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder) or a major affective disorder (e.g., bipolar disorder or major depression). Given the demographics of Northern Manhattan and the large number of immigrants from Latin American and Caribbean countries, the unit is run on a bilingual basis. Occupational Therapists function as members of an interdisciplinary team composed of psychiatric residents, psychiatric attendings, social workers, nurses, occupational therapists and mental health therapy aides. Every effort is made to provide coordinated care between the inpatient unit and outpatient clinics and staff from each clinic attends weekly inpatient team rounds.
The role of the Occupational Therapist on 5 South is 1) to evaluate the patient and their family to determine psychosocial stressors that may have contributed to the need for hospitalization 2) to provide psychoeducation to the patient and family with respect to all aspects of the patient's illness 3) to help with discharge planning in relation to the patient’s functioning and their expected environment, and 4) run groups to teach/reteach work, social and leisure skills. Patients are seen daily.
The Audubon Clinic is located at 513 West 166th Street. The Inwood Clinic is located at 4941 Broadway. The clinics provide a range of individualized services ranging from outpatient care to day treatment programming.
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Outpatient Services: Clients receive supportive therapy, rehabilitative services with a focus on community reintegration as well as pharmacological treatment monthly. Each client is assigned a psychiatrist and case manager / therapist. Family treatment is also encouraged.
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Day Program: This program provides more intense treatment for clients who require contact 3-5 times a week in a supportive environment. Clients are encouraged to participate in various groups with a focus towards recovery and learning independent living skills.
Occupational Therapists in the clinics function as primary therapists and lead therapeutic groups. They are also part of a multidisciplinary team and they supervise OT students and volunteers.
The Occupational Therapy Department runs a large student program. Students come to NYSPI from Columbia University, New York University, SUNY-Downstate, York College, Touro College, LaGuardia College, Utica College, Mercy College, Kean College, Long Island University, Ithaca College, Quinnipiac University, Towson State University, and Scranton University.
Department members attend regular department meetings, and in-services as well as outside seminars and conferences. They are encouraged to attend Grand Rounds and other pertinent lectures offered by NYSPI.
Our Team
Sarah Land, MS OTR
PI-5 South Intensive Care Unit
212-543-6184 or 212-543-5452
Elaine Mullen, MS OTR
Director of Occupational Therapy
Clinical Fieldwork Coordinator
Audubon Clinic
212-928-8304
Yohannan Ness OTR
Audubon Clinic
212-795-3719
Jennifer Richman, OTR
Inwood Clinic
212-942-8500
PI-5 South Intensive Care Unit
212-543-6184 or 212-543-5452
Eddie Rivera, COTA
PI-5 South Intensive Care Unit
212-543-5445 or 212-543-5452
Jeffrey Tomlinson, OTR, CSW
Audubon Clinic
212-795-3719
Darlene Williams, OTA
PI-4 South Intensive Care Unit
212-543-5445 or 212-543-5452