I've been hospitalized involuntarily once, at 16, then three times later "voluntarily"--only one of those was really voluntarily.

I think it's worth going to the ward's/hospital's website and looking into their program. There's a picture of the place, too, a list of the staff, usually a paragraph on their treatment focus, and a mentio of the typical length of stay of the patient.

Two more things: ask your therapist which hospital--if you have a choice, and which psychiatrist--if you have an option---every place I've been has at least three psychiatrists attending.

Finally, this is one of those situations when I think age matters. If you are very young, be prepared for the fact that many of the patients will be older than you, and it will be tempting to act out because the focus is often on returning to a life you can be in control of. When you're young, that's usually not the case and the "remedies" they offer can be exasperatingly off-the-mark for you.

Hey--also, you can ask if your therapist can talk to the therapist you will be assigned--your own t MIGHT be able to visit you, but he will not be allowed to be your therapist in the hospital.

Those are my experiences, anyway.................