The Ben Gordon Center – Reality House is a comprehensive behavioral healthcare facility located in DeKalb, Illinois, serving the DeKalb County area since 1968. The facility is situated at 631 South First Street, DeKalb, Illinois 60115. The primary purpose of Reality House is to provide psychosocial rehabilitation services for individuals with long-term mental illnesses, offering a supportive environment that fosters recovery and independence.
Reality House is part of the Ben Gordon Center, which has expanded to provide services at multiple sites. The facility targets individuals with chronic mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and offers a range of services including therapy, life skills development, and vocational training. A unique feature of Reality House is its “club house” model, which emphasizes community and peer support.
Key Services and Programs
Psychosocial Rehabilitation
Reality House operates under a psychosocial rehabilitation model, providing a supportive community environment where consumers can engage in various activities to enhance their mental health and daily living skills.
Life Skills Development
The facility offers life skills training, which includes activities such as grocery shopping, employment readiness, money management, and symptom management. These skills are crucial for individuals to function successfully in their daily lives.
Individual, Family, and Group Therapy
Reality House provides individual, family, and group therapy sessions. These therapeutic services are designed to help clients manage their mental health issues and improve their overall well-being.
Vocational Training and Job Placement
The facility offers vocational assessment, competitive job placement, and supported employment services to help clients transition back into mainstream society.
Levels of Care
Reality House primarily offers outpatient services, including:
- Outpatient Therapy: Individual, family, and group therapy sessions are available to help clients manage their mental health conditions.
- Daytime Skills Groups: These groups focus on mental health issues and activities of daily living, such as anger management, conversation skills, and employment readiness.
Staff and Expertise
The Ben Gordon Center, including Reality House, employs nearly 40 counselors and therapists, many of whom are licensed and certified in their areas of specialization. The clinical staff consults with three psychiatrists and is assisted by registered psychiatric nurses.
Treatment Approach
The treatment approach at Reality House is centered around the psychosocial rehabilitation model, which emphasizes community support and peer interaction. The facility uses evidence-based practices, including various therapeutic modalities such as individual, family, and group therapy, to help clients manage their mental health conditions and improve their quality of life.
Unique Features
Club House Model
Reality House operates under a unique “club house” model, which provides a supportive community environment where clients can engage in various activities to enhance their mental health and daily living skills. This model fosters a sense of community and peer support, which is crucial for long-term recovery.
Comprehensive Services
The facility offers a wide range of services, including life skills development, vocational training, and job placement, making it a comprehensive resource for individuals with chronic mental health conditions.
Accreditations and Quality Measures
The Ben Gordon Center, including Reality House, is accredited with commendation by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. This accreditation indicates a high level of quality in patient care and service delivery.
Admission Process and Insurance
The admission process typically involves an initial assessment to determine the client’s needs and suitability for the programs offered. Ben Gordon Center accepts most medical insurance and is an approved provider for numerous managed care companies. For persons needing financial assistance, a sliding fee scale is available, funded by various government sources. For inquiries, potential clients can contact the facility directly.
For more information, you can reach out to Ben Gordon Center at their main site or visit their contact page.
