University Behavioral Center

03/20/2026

University Behavioral Center is proud to offer three $500 scholarships to high school seniors impacted by mental health—whether personally or through someone they love. This scholarship honors the legacy of Tiffany Watkins, whose passion for supporting others continues to inspire hope and change. Applicants are invited to submit a short essay (750 words or less) sharing their story and how they plan to make a difference in the mental health community.

🗓 Applications due: May 1, 2026
📢 Winners announced: May 11, 2026
Submit applications to: sarah.paliuca@uhsinc.com

Help us continue Tiffany’s mission and support the next generation of mental health advocates.

03/19/2026

🍀 Feeling the luck of the Irish at UBC! 🍀

A huge thank you to our incredible Service Excellence Team for bringing some extra joy to our day with a festive St. Patrick’s Day celebration for our staff! From fun decorations to thoughtful treats, it was a great reminder of how lucky we are to work alongside such a dedicated and compassionate team. Moments like these help strengthen our culture, boost morale and remind us that taking care of our team is just as important as the care we provide to our patients. We’re grateful for the spirit, creativity and positivity that made today so special! 💚🌈

03/17/2026

After 22 incredible years at University Behavioral Center, we had the honor of celebrating Ed and his well-deserved retirement! Throughout his career, Ed brought dedication, compassion and a unique perspective shaped by his military experience. His ability to connect with both adolescents and Veterans made a lasting impact on countless patients, helping them feel understood, supported and empowered in their recovery journeys. Ed’s commitment to serving others has left a meaningful legacy at UBC, and we are grateful for the many lives he touched over the past two decades. Congratulations on your retirement, Ed! Thank you for your years of service, your leadership and the difference you made every single day. Wishing you all the best in this next chapter!

03/16/2026

Finding the right level of care can make all the difference in someone’s mental health journey. At University Behavioral Center, our Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) provide structured, supportive treatment while allowing individuals to maintain important connections to home, work and family. Our PHP and IOP programs help patients continue their healing with:
🧠 Structured therapeutic support several days a week.
💬 Individual and group therapy focused on coping skills, emotional regulation and recovery.
🤝 Connection with peers who understand the journey.
🏡 Flexibility to return home each day, supporting real-life application of new skills.
📈 Step-down care after inpatient treatment, helping patients transition safely and confidently back into their daily routines.

These programs are designed to provide the right level of care at the right time, empowering individuals to build resilience, strengthen coping skills and continue progressing in their recovery journey. If you or a loved one could benefit from structured mental health support, our team is here to help.

03/09/2026

We are incredibly proud to share this inspiring news story highlighting one of our very own mental health technicians, Ken. Ken has dedicated his life to serving others — as a military veteran, a mentor and a longtime coach for the Winter Park Tigers. After more than 30 years of giving back to his community, former players, families and supporters came together to surprise him with a new car to thank him for the impact he has made in their lives.

At UBC, we see that same dedication every day through Ken’s compassion and commitment to helping others. His work supporting children and individuals facing behavioral challenges reflects the heart of what we strive to do in the mental health community. Congratulations, Ken! Your impact reaches far beyond the field, and we are honored to have you as part of our team.

"This is one of the best days of my life," said coach Kenny Hodges of the Winter Park Tigers. "I'm never going to forget this."

03/05/2026

Coping Skill of the Week 💡

This week’s coping skill comes from UBC Therapist and Program Manager, Colbert. His go-to strategy for managing stress is using a hand grip strengthener to help keep his hands busy and redirect tension. Simple tools like stress balls, fidget objects or grip strengtheners can be powerful ways to channel nervous energy and support emotional regulation. Keeping your hands engaged can help reduce stress, improve focus and provide a healthy outlet during difficult moments. Sometimes the smallest tools can make a big difference in managing stress and supporting your mental wellness.

03/04/2026

At University Behavioral Center, we believe healing happens through evidence-based, personalized care. For adults in treatment, we offer a supportive and structured environment that combines clinical expertise with compassionate care to help you move forward in your recovery journey. Our therapeutic approaches include:
🧠 Individual & Group Therapy – Focused on developing coping skills, insight and emotional resilience.
💬 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – Helps adults identify and change unhelpful thinking patterns.
❤️ Trauma-Informed Care – Tailored support that acknowledges the impact of trauma.
🛠️ Relapse Prevention & Recovery Skills – Tools and strategies to support long-term wellness.
🎨 Creative & Recreational Therapies – Including art, music and movement to complement traditional treatment.
💊 Medication Support & Monitoring – Combined with therapy to address symptoms effectively.
🤝 Family Therapy & Support – Engaging loved ones in the healing process when appropriate.

Whether you’re working on stabilizing acute symptoms, managing co-occurring challenges or building sustainable wellness skills, our team is here to walk with you every step of the way. Learn more about how our adult treatment programs support healing and growth — and take the first step toward hope and recovery today.

03/03/2026

UBC is proud to once again serve as a Presenting Sponsor for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Greater Orlando Walk this year! We truly enjoyed participating in this week’s NAMI Walks Kick-Off Lunch — connecting with community partners, sharing resources and coming together in support of mental health awareness and advocacy. Events like the NAMIWalks remind us that when we walk together, we move the conversation forward, reduce stigma and strengthen hope for those impacted by mental illness. We’re honored to stand alongside NAMI and our community as we prepare for this year’s walk. Let’s keep showing up, speaking up and supporting one another every step of the way. 💚👟

03/02/2026

We’re excited to share that we’ve updated to electronic schedules on all units to help our patients clearly see what to expect each day!

Having a structured, predictable schedule is an important part of the healing process. When patients know what groups, activities and therapeutic services are ahead, it helps reduce anxiety, increase engagement and create a stronger sense of stability.

At UBC, we’re always looking for ways to enhance the patient experience — because feeling informed, prepared and supported makes a meaningful difference in recovery.

03/01/2026

Sundays are for connection, community and a little fun! 🎉

At UBC, our Activity Therapy team loves planning “Sunday Funday” experiences for our Recovery and Veteran patients — creating moments that support healing beyond the therapy room.

This week’s theme is Wings & Outside Things. 🍗🌞 Patients will enjoy some delicious wings and spend time outdoors playing games, building camaraderie and making positive memories together.

Recovery isn’t just about the hard work — it’s also about rediscovering joy, connection and healthy fun. We’re grateful for a team that makes that possible every week.

02/28/2026

We’re so proud of our incredible team for coming together to start a staff food pantry to support our coworkers who may be facing tough times. 💙

At UBC, we believe caring for one another goes beyond the workplace. Whether it’s lending a listening ear, offering encouragement or providing extra support when it’s needed most, we show up for each other — both on the job and in our daily lives.

This pantry is just one more way we live out our commitment to compassion, connection and community.

02/27/2026

At UBC, we know mental health and substance use challenges often go hand in hand — and treating both together leads to stronger, lasting recovery. Our Co-Occurring Outpatient Programs for adults include Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), offering structured, evidence-based support while allowing individuals to return home each day. These programs help build coping skills, reduce relapse risk and create a solid foundation for long-term wellness.

If you or someone you know could benefit from additional support, UBC is here to help.