Premier Residential Veterans & First Responder Program: Service Resiliency Unit at Sierra Tucson

Our clinical team is deeply committed to providing culturally competent care that is tailored to the unique experiences of Veterans and first responders. We understand that the professionals in these communities possess their own distinct identities, characterized by specific nuances in language, values and shared history. By speaking your language and honoring the specialized codes of conduct inherent to your service, we bridge the gap between clinical expertise and lived experience, ensuring a therapeutic environment that is built on genuine mutual understanding and respect. 

Our programming is crafted specifically for the following populations: 

• Veterans 
• Police officers 
• Firefighters
• Emergency medical technicians
• Nurses
• DoctorsFederal agents 

The SRU is designed for those professionals who have experienced career-related trauma, suffered from secondary traumatization or struggled with substance use concerns related to their service. Our programming also addresses other types of concerns individuals may be struggling with, including: 

• Depression
• Anxiety 
• Moral injury
• Hypervigilance
• Sleep disturbances
• Reintegration challenges 

Using evidence-based practices and taking an integrative approach to treatment, we help clients uncover their potential, heal from the wounds of trauma, build their resilience and take back control of their lives. 

To help ensure that we are able to meet each person where they are on their healing journey, we are pleased to offer a full continuum of care.  

• Detoxification services and inpatient care: We offer medically supervised detox services and 24/7 inpatient behavioral healthcare in our on-campus inpatient unit, Copper Sky. Programming in Copper Sky is designed to help clients who are in need of crisis management or stabilization services.
• Residential treatment: We provide live-in treatment on our campus, where clients receive care in a supportive setting and have access to a variety of modern amenities and evidence-based services. 
• Partial hospitalization program (PHP): Our PHP offers daylong treatment for clients who need structured, consistent care but do not require the round-the-clock supervision that is offered in inpatient or residential settings.
• Intensive outpatient program (IOP): In our IOP, clients receive targeted therapy several hours a day, several days a week. This is an ideal option for individuals who need more structured care than is offered in an outpatient setting but do not require daylong or live-in treatment.
• Connect365: In addition to crafting a thorough discharge plan for our residents and offering alumni services, we are pleased to provide clients with access to Connect365. This is an app designed specifically for alumni that helps guide them on their healing journeys by promoting responsibility, accountability and connection opportunities for one year after they leave Sierra Tucson. 

Depending on clients’ specific needs, a number of services are incorporated into their overall care plans while they are in the SRU at Sierra Tucson.  

• Basic medical care: Clients in the SRU at Sierra Tucson have 24-hour access to nursing staff for health and medical needs.
• Medication management services: Clients meet with a psychiatrist at least once each week for medication management services, and nurses are on hand 24/7 to administer and monitor the effects of any medication a client is taking.
• Detoxification services: We offer on-site medical detox services. Detox typically lasts three to seven days, depending on a person’s specific needs.
• Medication-assisted treatment (MAT): In the SRU, clients who are struggling with addictions to opioids or alcohol can receive medication-assisted treatment, including prescriptions for methadone, Suboxone® and Vivitrol.
• Individual therapy: One-on-one, confidential therapy sessions occur weekly with individual and specialty therapists.
• Group therapy: Group therapy takes place seven times each week, giving clients an opportunity to meet with peers and staff to discuss a variety of topics.
• Experiential therapies: Clients take part in various experiential therapies on a biweekly basis. 

View a complete list of therapy options by clicking here.

Clients in the SRU follow the same overarching model we use for all residents. The Sierra Tucson Model® reflects our team’s deep commitment to treating the whole person with integrated, individualized, evidence-based treatments and integrative therapies. Examples of the types of modalities, services and therapies we may incorporate into our clients’ treatment plans include: 

• Trauma-informed care
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
• Somatic Experiencing® 
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) 
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) 
• Psychodrama 
• Pain reprocessing therapy (PRT) 
• Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) 
• Medically assisted treatment 
• Nutritional support 
• Ketamine therapy, including intranasal ketamine and intramuscular ketamine
• Stellate ganglion block 
• Equine-assisted therapy 
• Experiential psychotherapy 
• Activities and adventure therapy 
• Naturopathic medicine 
• Craniosacral therapy 
• SomatoEmotional Release therapy 
• Acupuncture 
• Therapeutic massage 
• Shiatsu massage 
• Zero balancing 
• Physical therapy 
• Chiropractic care 

We also offer a number of neuroscience services, such as: 

• Neurofeedback 
• Audio-visual entrainment 
• Heart rate variability 
• Transcranial direct current stimulation 

It is important to note that each client gets their own individualized care plan that outlines what services and therapies they can expect to receive while in the SRU at Sierra Tucson. These plans of care are created following a thorough assessment in which our team learns what a person’s needs are, so not everyone will receive all the services listed above. 

Sierra Tucson is proud to be officially certified as a “Veteran Ready Healthcare Organization” through a partnership between Acadia Healthcare’s Service Resiliency Unit and PsychArmor, a California-based nonprofit program.  

PsychArmor’s mission is to help behavioral health professionals better understand military culture and the challenges faced by military members to improve the quality of services provided. PsychArmor support and coaching staff are dedicated to assisting military members, communities and healthcare providers through online, data-driven training. 

Sierra Tucson staff members participated in a variety of evidence-based virtual training courses that are designed to help them best serve Veterans and their families. Thanks to PsychArmor, our team is now fully equipped to treat those individuals who are struggling with substance use disorders and mental health concerns. 

Is the SRU at Sierra Tucson a stand-alone program? 

The SRU functions as a specialized program within the residential level of care at Sierra Tucson. Clients can enter the SRU directly, or they may first spend three to seven days in our Copper Sky inpatient unit if medical detoxification or acute stabilization is needed. 

What is the admissions process for the SRU? 

In addition to the standard clinical screening, the admissions process includes a verification of service/employment (if a VA referral is needed) and an assessment of acute trauma symptoms. Sierra Tucson will work with referral sources and clients to coordinate benefits and leave-of-absence documentation. 

What is the typical length of stay in the SRU? 

The standard length of time a client stays in the SRU is 30 days; however, extensions are common based on the complexity of the trauma a person has experienced and the requirements of the referring agency.