Center Building – Institute of Living

The Institute of Living in Hartford, Connecticut, is one of the oldest mental health facilities in the United States. It was founded in 1882 and has been part of Hartford Hospital since 1994. They provide treatment for behavioral health and substance use disorders. The clinic works with children, adolescents and adults through services such as inpatient and outpatient programs. Some of their treatment specialties include peripartum mood disorders, anxiety disorders, alcohol addiction, panic disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder.

The Institute accepts a variety of insurance plans including Medicaid, Medicare and many commercial insurance providers. When you’re admitted to the facility you’re assigned a case coordinator who assists with discharge planning.

Staff here take a humanistic approach to treatment and aim to ensure that you play an active role in the treatment and recovery process. They pride themselves on maintaining a diverse and accepting environment. They offer gender affirming care and also understand how things like racial trauma can impact your recovery journey. Once you’ve successfully completed your program you may have the option to become a Recovery Support Specialist. This allows you to assist other clients through the program.

Some reviews indicate negative experiences with staff members. Others noted that their time at The Institute was successful, with one former client sharing that they do great work.