Chronic, disabling pain affects all aspects of a person's life. Psychiatry is the discipline that cares for the whole person, not just a single organ system. Our goal is to help patients change so that they can restore their function, engage in productive activities, and improve their quality of life. If we can define all the conditions responsible for chronic pain, regardless of whether they are psychiatric, medical, neurological, or surgical, then we can begin to design individual treatment plans with the patient. This integrated, interdisciplinary process recognizes how all aspects of the patient fit together and how an individual is greater than the sum of their parts. Problem areas combine to create a disabling illness that is complicated and requires more than simple fixes, but chronic pain can ultimately be unraveled for successful treatment outcomes.

The Pain Treatment Program (PTP) is a voluntary rehabilitation program. Patient safety is paramount at Hopkins and you will find that many inpatient units throughout the hospital have limited access for staff and visitors. In addition, the PTP shares the floor with often-vulnerable geriatric patients in need of extra precautions. There are visiting hours for family and friends and patients often leave the unit for group meetings or to walk on hospital grounds. Please note that the unit is smoke-free. Nicotine replacement therapy and other supports for smokers are available.

Admission to our program is a mental health admission through the Johns Hopkins Hospital Department of Psychiatry and will be authorized under the mental health portion of your insurance, not the medical portion. Before your admission, our business office will verify your insurance benefits, and the admissions coordinator will contact you with information about your coverage as it applies to our program. (Please note: this quote of benefits is not a guarantee of payment or a precertification for admission.) Please see the Admissions section for instructions on how to obtain information about your individual benefits. Find more information about insurance and billing.

Due to limited storage space, it is necessary to pack only essentials. However, the unit does have free laundry facilities. Three-to-four days worth of comfortable clothing, including a pair of athletic shoes, is appropriate. You may also wish to bring selected toiletries. Please leave valuables at home. If cash is needed, the Hospital has several ATM machines for your convenience. When making preparations for admission, take into account that you will be on the Inpatient Unit as well as the Day Hospital. You may bring cell phones and laptops to the unit. Please remember that you are responsible for all belongings you bring to the unit. Charging cords for these items will be held at the nursing station. We have Wi-Fi on the inpatient unit.

​Suggested Items:

• Between 3-7 changes of clean clothing (washer and dryer on unit)
• Pajamas (no drawstrings)
• Bras (no underwire, sports bras recommended)
• Gym shoes with no laces (Velcro shoes recommended)
• Books and/or coloring books
• Clothes for PT (no drawstrings or metal clips)

Items that cannot be brought by the patient or guest:

• Plastic bags
• Heating pads
• Glass (to include flower vases and picture frames)
• Gym equipment (weights, ropes, etc.)
• Knives
• Lighters
• Electrical vapors or cigarettes
• High heels or wedges
• Expensive jewelry or irreplaceable items

Permitted on unit, but kept in a locked closet:

• Cords
• Razors
• Sharp objects (nail clippers, tweezers, etc.)
• Blow dryers
• Curling or flat irons
• Clippers (electrical razors)
• Canned drinks
• Glass (perfume, drinks, etc.)

Receiving packages while admitted are welcomed; however, items received must still fit in suitcase. Exceptions are flower arrangements.