Sheppard Pratt works with young adults, professionals at a crossroads, and adults facing life-changing events who face challenges with substance abuse and co-occurring mental health disorders. They provide evidence-based mind and body therapy. In addition to a comprehensive mental health evaluation, all residents receive a diagnosis and psychiatric consultation during their stay. Some of the therapies offered at Sheppard Pratt include 1-on-1 therapy, group therapy, family therapy, DBT, psychopharmacological interventions, and psychodynamic therapy. Sheppard Pratt also provides a wide array of holistic and experiential therapies and activities like rock climbing, yoga, art therapy, acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine, and equine-assisted therapy. There are 35 hours of group and family therapy each week. Their experienced team consists of psychiatrists, psychologists, psychoanalysts, therapists, social workers, and nurses. Sheppard Pratt was one of the first sites to use transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to tackle treatment-resistant depression. They continue to conduct research on site. Since 1853 when Sheppard Pratt was founded, they have remained steadfast in upholding their guiding mission and values and Quaker heritage. The Quaker testimonies of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, and equality drive not only their core values, but their guiding principles, as well. Their founder, Moses Sheppard, had a deep concern for social justice, and his charter for the asylum was granted in 1853. Upon his death in 1857, Sheppard left his entire fortune to the building of The Sheppard Asylum. His gift of $571,441.41 was the largest bequest ever made to mental health at that time. Finally, after 34 years of construction, on December 6, 1891, The Sheppard Asylum opened its doors, in Towson, MD, on a 340-acre campus where it still stands today.
