When couples make the brave decision to seek help for addiction together, it’s natural to have questions and concerns about what lies ahead. One of the most important steps in this journey is the intake process. At Trinity Behavioral Health, the intake process for their inpatient rehab for couples is designed to be comprehensive, compassionate, and customized for each couple’s unique needs.
This critical phase sets the foundation for successful treatment. During intake, healthcare professionals gather essential information, assess each partner’s mental and physical health, and begin to build a personalized recovery plan. For couples, it also involves evaluating the dynamics of the relationship to ensure that joint treatment will be safe, effective, and productive.
In this detailed article, we’ll walk you through every stage of the intake process for inpatient rehab for couples at Trinity Behavioral Health—from the first call to admission day—so you know exactly what to expect.
The Purpose of the Intake Process
Why It Matters in Inpatient Rehab for Couples
The intake process serves multiple purposes, especially in the context of inpatient rehab for couples:
-
Assessment: Evaluate each partner’s addiction history, health status, and co-occurring mental health conditions.
-
Safety: Ensure that joint treatment is safe for both individuals and that there is no ongoing domestic violence or coercion.
-
Customization: Develop an individualized and joint care plan that meets both personal and relational needs.
-
Education: Orient the couple to the treatment facility, program rules, daily schedule, and expectations.
This process allows Trinity Behavioral Health to deliver ethical, effective, and tailored care from the outset.
Initial Contact and Pre-Screening
Starting the Conversation
The intake process begins with a confidential phone call or online inquiry. A trained admissions coordinator will speak with one or both partners to gather preliminary information, including:
-
Length and type of substance use
-
Whether detox is needed
-
Any history of treatment
-
Medical and psychiatric concerns
-
Relationship status and concerns
If the couple seems like a good fit for the program, they’ll be scheduled for a more formal intake assessment.
Verification of Insurance and Financial Planning
Understanding Costs and Coverage
Before moving forward, Trinity Behavioral Health will verify your insurance coverage and explain your benefits. The team assists with:
-
Checking in-network or out-of-network eligibility
-
Clarifying out-of-pocket costs
-
Discussing payment plans or financial aid, if needed
This step ensures there are no surprises and that the couple can focus on healing—not finances.
Full Clinical Assessment for Both Partners
Gathering Personal and Medical History
The cornerstone of the intake process for inpatient rehab for couples is the comprehensive clinical evaluation. Each partner is assessed individually by licensed professionals, covering:
-
Substance use history
-
Mental health diagnoses
-
Physical health conditions
-
Medications and allergies
-
Previous treatment experiences
-
Legal or family concerns
This information helps the clinical team craft individualized care plans that also take into account how both partners can best support each other during recovery.
Couples Assessment: Relationship History and Dynamics
Evaluating the Relationship for Joint Treatment
In addition to individual evaluations, couples participate in a joint assessment with a licensed couples counselor or marriage and family therapist (LMFT). This assessment focuses on:
-
Relationship length and stability
-
Communication patterns
-
History of domestic violence or manipulation
-
Co-dependency or enabling behaviors
-
Joint goals for recovery
If the relationship is deemed safe and appropriate for joint treatment, the couple is cleared to proceed with shared therapy and activities. If there are concerns—such as active abuse—Trinity Behavioral Health may recommend parallel treatment with eventual reunification work.
Detox Evaluation
Determining the Need for Medical Supervision
If either partner requires detox, the intake team will determine the appropriate level of care. Depending on the severity and substance, detox may be:
-
Completed on-site before beginning therapy
-
Referred to a medical detox facility and followed by admission into inpatient rehab
Safety is the top priority, and detox ensures both partners are physically stable before engaging in therapeutic work.
Mental Health Evaluation
Identifying Co-Occurring Disorders
It’s common for couples struggling with addiction to also have one or more co-occurring mental health disorders, such as:
-
Depression
-
Anxiety
-
PTSD
-
Bipolar disorder
-
Borderline personality disorder
The intake team conducts mental health screenings to ensure these conditions are addressed as part of the treatment plan. Treating both addiction and mental health together results in better outcomes for both partners.
Medical Examination
Ensuring Physical Readiness
A licensed medical provider will conduct a full physical exam for each partner to:
-
Check for underlying conditions (e.g., liver disease, heart issues)
-
Assess nutritional status
-
Review medications
-
Identify withdrawal symptoms
-
Provide vaccines or health screenings as needed
This holistic view allows Trinity Behavioral Health to provide whole-person care during inpatient rehab for couples.
Consent Forms and Confidentiality Agreements
Legal and Ethical Preparation
Before admission, couples are asked to sign:
-
Informed consent documents
-
Confidentiality agreements
-
HIPAA compliance forms
-
Financial responsibility acknowledgments
-
Program rules and expectations
Staff will explain all paperwork thoroughly to ensure transparency and comfort.
Orientation and Tour of the Facility
Getting Acquainted with the Program
Once all assessments are complete, couples receive an orientation that includes:
-
A tour of the facility
-
Overview of daily schedules
-
Introduction to the clinical team
-
Rules and expectations for communal living
-
Guidance on visitation, phone use, and personal items
This helps ease anxiety and gives couples a clear understanding of what daily life will look like.
Assignment of Therapists and Case Managers
Creating the Care Team
Each partner is assigned:
-
An individual therapist
-
A case manager
-
A couples therapist (shared)
-
Group facilitators
-
Medical and psychiatric providers
This multidisciplinary team will guide their journey through detox, therapy, skill-building, and aftercare planning.
Developing the Treatment Plan
Mapping Out the Recovery Path
The clinical team uses all the information gathered during intake to create a customized treatment plan that includes:
-
Therapy modalities (CBT, DBT, trauma therapy, etc.)
-
Couples therapy frequency
-
Medical or psychiatric interventions
-
Group therapy topics
-
Goals for the relationship and personal growth
-
Aftercare planning from day one
This personalized roadmap ensures that treatment is not one-size-fits-all but truly tailored to the couple’s story.
Beginning the Therapeutic Journey
Starting Healing Together
With the intake process complete, couples begin their therapeutic journey. Within 24–48 hours, they participate in:
-
Individual sessions
-
Group therapy
-
Couples therapy
-
Educational workshops
-
Wellness and holistic sessions (yoga, mindfulness)
By the time they enter formal programming, they’ve already begun building trust with staff, understanding their goals, and reconnecting as a team.
Conclusion
The intake process for inpatient rehab for couples at Trinity Behavioral Health is more than just paperwork and checklists—it’s the doorway to healing, restoration, and transformation. Through compassionate assessments, medical evaluations, relationship screenings, and individualized planning, couples are welcomed into a structured and nurturing environment designed for their success.
This process ensures that both partners are medically safe, emotionally prepared, and mutually committed to the recovery journey. From the very first phone call to the moment they step into treatment, Trinity Behavioral Health provides unwavering support, transparency, and respect for the unique path each couple walks.
Choosing to heal together is a courageous act. With the right intake process, couples can begin their recovery on the strongest possible foundation—one built on trust, care, and shared hope for a better future.
FAQs About the Intake Process for Inpatient Rehab for Couples
1. How long does the intake process take?
The full intake process, including assessments and evaluations, typically takes 1–2 days. This ensures all necessary information is collected for a safe and effective treatment start.
2. Can we attend intake together or must we be interviewed separately?
Both. You will have individual assessments and a joint couples evaluation. This ensures both personal and relational needs are identified and addressed.
3. What if one of us needs detox and the other doesn’t?
If only one partner needs detox, that individual will complete detox first while the other may begin therapy or supportive services. Trinity coordinates care to align both partners as quickly as possible.
4. Is everything we share during intake confidential?
Yes. All assessments and medical records are protected by HIPAA. Confidentiality is respected for both partners individually and as a couple.
5. What if we decide inpatient rehab isn’t right after intake?
If after intake it’s determined that inpatient care isn’t the best fit, Trinity Behavioral Health can provide referrals to alternative levels of care such as outpatient treatment or individualized services.
Read: Can couples stay together during inpatient rehab for couples?
Read: Does inpatient rehab for couples include detox?