Crisis-oriented residential treatment as an alternative to hospitalization.

The La Posada program, a short-term alternative to hospitalization for acutely disturbed chronic patients, combines crisis intervention techniques with techniques developed in halfway houses to enhance independent functioning and counteract regressive, dependent behavior. Highly structured days involving a variety of approaches including group and individual therapy, therapeutic activities, expectations of appropriate behavior, and responsibility for ongoing treatment enable most clients to leave the program within nine days and to begin outpatient and day treatment before discharge. The program has proved to be a cost-effective and readily reproducible way of reducing hospital utilization by diverting patients directly or allowing early discharge to La Posada.