What to Expect at The Ranch Pennsylvania Outpatient Center

Starting outpatient treatment can be an important transition in your recovery. The Ranch Pennsylvania Outpatient Center includes two locations in Lancaster: the Outpatient Center, where admissions and treatment sessions take place, and the Outpatient Residence, where patients in the partial hospitalization program (PHP) can live while receiving treatment.

This guide focuses primarily on what to expect when staying at the Outpatient Residence. Patients attending the intensive outpatient program (IOP) live independently in the community, so some residential policies do not apply to them.

What to Bring

If you will be staying at the Outpatient Residence during PHP, pack comfortable, practical items for your stay.

Documentation

• Picture ID
• Insurance card
• Prescription or pharmacy benefits card

Financial Items

Avoid bringing large amounts of cash. Prepaid debit cards, such as prepaid Visa or American Express cards, are preferred. It may also be helpful to notify your financial institution that you will be away from home.

Medications and Medical Devices

Your care team will review your medications when you arrive. Bring:

• A complete list of all current medications, including supplements and over-the-counter medications
• Current prescription medications in their original, labeled prescription bottles
• A CPAP machine, if applicable

Medications brought with you must remain in their original, labeled prescription bottles and will be secured by staff. The medications taken during treatment will be determined by your treatment team and may not include everything you were taking before admission.

Clothing

Dress comfortably and pack approximately:

• Seven comfortable shirts, such as T-shirts
• Two sweatshirts, pullovers or sweaters
• Seven pairs of jeans, slacks or shorts
• Seven pairs of yoga pants or sweatpants
• Seven pairs of socks
• Seven to 10 pairs of underwear or undergarments
• Two sets of sleepwear or robes
• One or two pieces of season-appropriate outerwear
• Two pairs of comfortable shoes, including one pair of tennis shoes and one pair of slip-on shoes, sandals or slides
• One pair of shower shoes

Please leave sheer or revealing clothing, expensive jewelry and other valuable items at home.

Personal Care Items

Keep toiletries and cosmetics to one bag when possible. All products should be alcohol-free and arrive unopened or sealed. Recommended items include:

• Shampoo and conditioner
• Body wash or soap
• Deodorant
• Body lotion
• Hairbrush or comb
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Alcohol-free mouthwash
• Shaving razors
• Sanitary napkins or tampons, if applicable
• Cosmetics and other items used in your regular personal care routine

Items with cords and sharp grooming items, including razors and tweezers, will be kept in locked storage and signed out by staff when needed.

Tobacco Products

Patients who smoke or vape may bring:

• Standard cigarettes in new, unopened original packaging
• Disposable, non-rechargeable vapes in new, unopened original packaging

Bring enough permitted tobacco products for at least the first 10 days after admission. Staff conduct a store run for necessities and tobacco products once per week.

Other Recommended Items

• A written list of important phone numbers
• Postage stamps, envelopes and mailing addresses
• Photographs of loved ones

Laundry and Linens

Washers and dryers are available at the Outpatient Residence, and PHP residents are responsible for completing their own clothing laundry. Basic laundry supplies are provided. Contact the facility before admission if you require a specialized detergent.

Linens and pillows are provided. Do not bring personal linens or pillows.

What Not to Bring

For safety reasons, do not bring the following items.

Clothing and Footwear

• Clothing or pictures containing references to drugs, alcohol, pornography, political content, discriminatory content or other inappropriate material
• Sheer or revealing clothing
• High-heeled shoes or wedge heels higher than two inches

Staff may require closed-toe, flat shoes for certain activities.

Toiletries and Personal Care Products

• Hair dye or hair-cutting tools
• Nail polish or nail polish remover
• Aerosol products
• Products that list alcohol among the first five ingredients, including alcohol-based mouthwash and hand sanitizer
• Glass bottles or containers
• Personal mirrors
• Mirrored compacts
• Picture frames containing glass

Weapons and Fire Hazards

• Weapons of any kind, including pocketknives
• Candles
• Incense

Tobacco and Related Items

• Refillable or rechargeable vapes
• Vape pods
• Hand-rolled cigarettes
• Cigars
• Cigarette papers
• Refillable lighters

Electronics

• Computers or laptops
• Kindles or other e-readers
• Music players
• Radios

Patients may keep their personal cell phones and smartwatches, but these devices should not be used during group programming.

Food and Beverages

Do not bring outside food or beverages to the Outpatient Residence.

Do not send food, candy, cookies or other edible items in care packages.

PHP residents receive food after arrival. Grocery selections are monitored and approved by the facility to help maintain a safe environment and prevent prohibited items from entering the Residence.

Medications

Do not bring Prescription medications that are not in their original, labeled prescription bottles or over-the-counter medications or substances that are not in sealed manufacturer packaging.

Laundry and Bedding

Do not bring:

• Laundry detergent, unless specialized arrangements have been made before admission
• Personal linens
• Personal pillows

Other Items

• Specialized workout equipment, including personal weights

Arriving for Treatment

Patients begin the admission process at:

The Ranch Pennsylvania Outpatient Center
1817 Olde Homestead Lane, Suite 205
Lancaster, PA 17601

Admissions generally take place at the Outpatient Center during weekday office hours. This applies both to patients entering treatment from the community and patients transitioning from a higher level of care. After admission, PHP patients who will be staying at the Outpatient Residence are transported there by the facility.

The Outpatient Residence is located at:

The Ranch Pennsylvania Outpatient Residence
1113 Colonial Rd
Lancaster, PA 17603

Patients should coordinate their arrival with the admissions team rather than going directly to the Outpatient Residence.

Transportation and Personal Vehicles

The facility provides transportation for PHP residents between the Outpatient Residence and the Outpatient Center. PHP residents may bring a vehicle, but parking at the Residence is very limited. Only three parking spaces are available there, with access determined by staff. Other vehicles may be parked at the Outpatient Center.

Vehicles brought by PHP residents are expected to remain parked during treatment. Residents cannot use their vehicles to independently come and go from the Residence. IOP patients live in the community and travel to treatment rather than staying at the Outpatient Residence.

Expectations After Arrival

To help maintain a safe treatment environment, patients are asked to consent to a search of their person and belongings upon arrival. Items that are not permitted during treatment may be collected and securely stored. This follows the same general approach used on the existing inpatient What to Expect pages.

After completing admission at the Outpatient Center, PHP residents are transported to the Outpatient Residence and introduced to the residential environment.

The Residence has support staff available around the clock to help patients adjust to daily routines and learn life skills like meal preparation.

Phone Use

Patients may keep their personal cell phones during treatment. Phones should not be used during group programming or other scheduled clinical activities. This policy applies to PHP and IOP patients.

The Outpatient Residence

The Ranch Pennsylvania Outpatient Residence is located in a residential neighborhood in Lancaster and provides supportive housing for adults participating in PHP at The Ranch Pennsylvania Outpatient Center.

The 16-bed residence gives patients a structured place to live while continuing to build independence in recovery. Residents travel to the Outpatient Center for treatment and return to the Residence outside programming hours. Support staff are available 24/7 to assist with the living environment and learning life skills like meal preparation.

The Residence includes shared living areas, two kitchens, fitness space, onsite laundry and access to nearby parks.

The Outpatient Center

The Ranch Pennsylvania Outpatient Center is the clinical hub for both PHP and IOP treatment. Admissions take place at the Outpatient Center, and PHP residents are transported there for treatment. IOP patients live in the community and attend their treatment sessions at the Center without residing at the Outpatient Residence.

Family sessions and other approved family involvement also take place at the Outpatient Center rather than at the Residence.

Amenities and Daily Living

Amenities and features available to PHP residents include:

• Two living rooms
• Two kitchens
• Onsite fitness space
• Onsite laundry facilities
• Art supplies
• Nearby parks
• 24/7 residential support staff

Residents are expected to keep their personal spaces clean and participate with others in maintaining shared spaces. Housekeeping service is also provided at the Residence once per week.

Food

Food for PHP residents is coordinated through the program rather than brought from home. Breakfast is provided at the Outpatient Residence. Residents also have approved groceries available at the house and prepare dinner together. Lunch and snacks are provided while patients are at the Outpatient Center.

The Residence has multiple refrigerators and freezers for resident groceries. Food selections are monitored and approved by the facility to help maintain a safe environment and prevent prohibited items from entering the Residence.

Outside food and beverages should not be brought to the Residence, including food sent in care packages.

Sleeping Arrangements

The Outpatient Residence accommodates up to 16 PHP residents. Most bedrooms accommodate two residents. Two bedrooms accommodate three residents, and two single rooms are available. Single rooms are limited and cannot be guaranteed or reserved. The Residence has five bathrooms shared among residents.

A Day in the Life

PHP at The Ranch Pennsylvania Outpatient Center combines structured treatment with opportunities to build independence and confidence in everyday recovery.

PHP residents live at the Outpatient Residence and are transported to the Outpatient Center for treatment. Outside of programming, residents can connect with their peers through group activities, outdoor recreation and community outings. They also build practical life skills that can support long-term recovery, such as preparing meals, maintaining their shared home and spending time on hobbies and personal interests.

IOP patients have a different experience. They live independently in the community and come to the Outpatient Center for treatment rather than participating in residential life.

Types of Therapy

Treatment at The Ranch Pennsylvania Outpatient Center may include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Dialectical behavior therapy
• Cognitive processing therapy
• Motivational interviewing
• Experiential therapy
• 12-Step recovery programming
• SMART Recovery
• NAMI-related support and programming

Treatment is individualized based on each patient’s needs and recovery goals.

Family and Support Visits

Visitors are not permitted at the Outpatient Residence. Family members and other approved loved ones may participate in supervised family sessions with clinicians at the Outpatient Center. These clinical sessions are separate from ordinary visitation.

Family Therapy

Supervised family sessions may be provided at the Outpatient Center as part of treatment when appropriate.

Off-Site Activities

PHP residents may participate in approved community activities that support recovery, independence and connection with others. These may include:

• Grocery shopping
• SMART Recovery meetings
• AA or NA meetings
• NAMI meetings
• Alumni meetings
• Other approved community activities

The facility also provides transportation between the Outpatient Residence and the Outpatient Center.

Smoking Policy

Smoking and vaping are permitted only in designated outdoor areas at both the Outpatient Residence and the Outpatient Center. Patients may bring:

• Standard cigarettes in new, unopened original packaging
• Disposable, non-rechargeable vapes in new, unopened original packaging

Refillable or rechargeable vapes, vape pods, hand-rolled cigarettes, cigars, cigarette papers and refillable lighters are not permitted.

Patients should bring enough permitted tobacco or vaping products for at least the first 10 days. Staff conduct a store run for necessities and tobacco products once per week.

The Treatment Process

Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)

PHP provides structured outpatient treatment while allowing patients to continue building independence in their recovery. Patients may live at The Ranch Pennsylvania Outpatient Residence while attending treatment at the Outpatient Center, with transportation provided between the two locations. Patients may enter PHP from the community or transition into the program after completing a higher level of care. PHP typically lasts approximately 8–12 weeks, depending on clinical needs and insurance coverage.

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

IOP provides a less intensive level of outpatient treatment for patients who live independently in the community rather than at the Outpatient Residence. Patients attend treatment at the Outpatient Center while continuing to manage responsibilities and recovery outside the program. IOP typically lasts approximately 5–6 weeks, although treatment length is individualized based on clinical needs and insurance coverage.

Alumni Program

At The Ranch Pennsylvania Outpatient Center, we have an alumni program that provides our clients with the support and resources they need to continue in their recovery journey. Our alumni programs are tailored to meet the individual needs of each client. It will provide them with a sense of community to help them stay motivated in their recovery.

Our Staff

The Ranch Pennsylvania Outpatient Center leadership team includes:

• Dr. Michael Su, Medical Director and Psychiatrist
• Michael Fanjoy, MA, LPC, Executive Director, PHP
• Tamiko Robinson, Director of Operations
• Jacob Mouliert, Lead Therapist

Insurance and Your Obligation During Treatment

Many health insurance plans require out-of-pocket costs in order to access your healthcare benefits. These expenses may include Deductibles, Co-Pays, Coinsurance and Maximum Out-of-Pocket Expenses (collectively, the “Patient Responsibility”).

Your individual Patient Responsibility may vary based on a number of factors including:

• Your individual benefits plan
• Length of stay at the facility
• Type of services received during treatment
• Other services offered at the facility, but not covered by your insurance provider (such as lab tests, non-covered prescriptions, etc.)
• Reasonable boarding fees should you decide to stay with the facility for treatment at outpatient levels of care.

A staff member will review your Patient Responsibility with you at the time of admission or as soon as possible once you are medically stable. They will explain that the deductible is due upon admittance to the facility and the co-insurance amount and out-of-pocket balance will be billed and paid for after treatment once services are complete. On-site financial counselors will again review your financial responsibility during treatment with case managers who can help you navigate FMLA.

It is your responsibility to check with your insurance provider prior to being admitted at The Ranch Pennsylvania Outpatient Center to understand your individual benefits plan. Please note that your insurance plan may not be a “participating provider” with The Ranch Pennsylvania Outpatient Center. You are responsible for all non-covered and out-of-pocket costs related to your treatment stay.