Wellness Circle is an alternative to psychiatric hospitalization offering a holistic approach to mental health crisis stabilization treatment. Individuals participate in individualized, trauma informed, person-centered intensive programming.

What is the Wellness Circle?

The Wellness Circle Crisis Stabilization Unit is a 16-bed community-based residential program that provides an alternative to psychiatric hospitalization. Designed for adults experiencing acute psychiatric crises, the program offers up to 21 days of intensive, personalized support in a safe and therapeutic setting.

Our clinical team specializes in psychiatric stabilization and medically managed detox, offering tailored care for individuals with co-occurring substance use, intellectual, or developmental disabilities.

We also offer a Trauma Resilience Program, blending individual and group therapy with evidence-based, neurobiologically-informed interventions. This program helps reduce symptoms, restore safety and stability, and foster hope.

To support healing, we integrate diverse therapies such as pet therapy, gardening, art, music and AcuDetox. Residents participate in two therapy sessions daily and up to seven hours of structured programming. The length of stay is guided by the resolution of the immediate crisis, medical stability and readiness for ongoing recovery services.

Who in the community is eligible?

To be eligible for services, an individual must be:

• At least 18 years old.
• Experiencing a mental health crisis.
• Willing to voluntarily to receive treatment and psychiatric stabilization.
• A resident of Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun or Prince William counties or the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax or Falls Church.

How to Access Services?

To access services at the Wellness Circle Crisis Stabilization Unit, individuals should contact the Emergency Services unit of their local Community Services Board:

• Alexandria — 703-746-3401
• Arlington — 703-228-5160
• Fairfax-Falls Church — 703-573-5679
• Loudoun — 703-777-0320
• Prince William —
  • Manassas: 703-792-7800)  
  • Woodbridge: 703-792-4900 

What is the outcome or improvement in people’s lives after they’ve received this service?

Individuals who complete treatment at Wellness Circle often report feeling more hopeful, grounded and connected — both to themselves and to their support systems. Many experience:

• Reduced anxiety and PTSD symptoms.
• Improved emotional regulation.
• Fewer suicidal thoughts and psychotic symptoms.
• Greater self-awareness and understanding of their mental health.
• A more positive and empowered outlook on life.

Most importantly, nearly all participants leave with a personalized follow-up care plan that supports their continued recovery journey. Preliminary program outcomes also indicate strong results in promoting stabilization, safety and healing.

What is a favorite success story?

One of our most inspiring success stories comes from a former client who visited Wellness Circle multiple times before finding lasting stability. Today, they enjoy a thriving career and haven’t needed to return in several years. Here, in their own words, they reflect on their journey:

“To my surprise, no matter how many times I came to Crisis Care, I was always met with compassion — and no one ever gave up on me. Their hope gave me the courage to start believing in myself. Recovery stopped feeling like an impossible dream and became something real, modeled by others in my community. If they could do it, so could I, I just needed to learn how.

“I realized that effort mattered more than perfection. Even if I struggled, showing up and trying meant I was moving forward. Life is full of choices and I had to face the hardest one: choosing to stop being passive in my own life.

“The most difficult but powerful lesson I learned was Radical Acceptance — understanding that while I cannot change the past, I don’t have to suffer because of it. Acceptance gave me peace, grace and the freedom to see that my past does not define my future.

“Today, I hold onto three things: hope that life can get better, agency that I can create that life, and acceptance that I can let go of what I cannot change. I don’t know exactly where my path will lead but I do know this: recovery is not only possible, it’s probable.”

Stories like this remind us why compassionate, person-centered care matters and why we remain committed to walking alongside each individual on their path to recovery.