In September 2021, The Sylvia Brafman Mental Health Center (SBMHC) opened its doors in Tamarac, Florida to new patients seeking mental health treatment for chronic anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, substance abuse disorder, schizophrenia and several other issues people struggle with daily. The Center is unique for a couple of reasons. First, because it takes a comprehensive mental health approach to treating all disorders, including drug addiction. The second is the serendipitous journey of how Jaime Blaustein, CEO, and Ben Brafman, chief clinical officer, came together to open the world-class facility.
Blaustein battled addiction for several years. When he was 21 years old, he attended an inpatient drug rehab facility called Destination Hope Treatment Center which was previously owned and operated by Brafman. It was his fourth rehab in just a few short years. Ultimately, Brafman dismissed Blaustein, who couldn’t escape the grips of addiction and went through seven treatment centers before recovering.
Three years later, Blaustein finally got clean. He applied to business school and got his M.B.A. from The Fuqua School of Business at Duke University. It was there that he recognized the value of his recovery: a rich and full life, one worth living. He experienced two amazing years of learning, making life-long friends and traveling the world. Following graduation, he entered the investment banking industry where he worked for Credit Suisse’s Global Industrials Group (GIG). He focused on mergers and acquisitions, equity and leverage finance which sharpened his skillset and his understanding of finance and strategy.
It was during this time that Blaustein started sponsoring other addicts, and one day during the pandemic, he got a call from his past life. Brafman was checking in to see if he was interested in using his finance and Wall Street background to serve as CEO of a new mental health center. Brafman explained that he had sold Destination Hope and wanted to launch a new center focused on mental health. He talked about needing a partner with business acumen who could also be a patient advocate.
Blaustein needed a bit of convincing to leave his life on Wall Street, but after discussing how the new partnership would work, he decided to make the move. Ultimately, it was the realization that Blaustein could help more people like himself at SBMHC that convinced him to make the move. He loves helping people and he loves business, so it became clear that this was the perfect opportunity. He built a financial model and created an investor deck that was used to raise capital. He then moved to South Florida to make the vision a reality.
The dynamic partnership brings together Brafman’s strength as a clinician and Blaustein’s business savvy, along with his ability to be a patient advocate because of his backstory and his ability to understand what a patient with addiction and mental health issues truly needs. Brafman, MS, LMHC, CAP, has been in the behavioral health field for 25 years and has founded a multitude of programs focusing on addiction, men’s issues, eating disorders and personality disorders. He is recognized as a leading authority in behavioral health and a pioneer in clinical services. He also acts as president and CEO for several different organizations.
SBMHC treats adults suffering from chronic cases of mild to severe mental disorders, ranging from bipolar disorder to acute generalized anxiety disorder, clinical depression, schizophrenia, substance abuse disorder and personality disorders, among several other disorders. Typical patients have likely sought treatment in the past with limited success and often feel misunderstood and alone. When they enter treatment, patients need stabilization that is not as confining as a psychiatric hospital. They find it difficult to function as a human being and are in a dark place emotionally, mentally and spiritually. The team at SBMHC has the expertise to treat patients, so they can recover before getting to the most intensive level of care.
Treatment programs include a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), a small and intimate clinical therapy session five to six hours per day with living accommodations and 24/7 support. The Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) is a small and intimate clinical therapy at least three days per week for three hours that can be done in-person or virtually. The Outpatient Program (OP) is less intensive than IOP and focuses on a 90-minute session once per week with an emphasis on growth and maintenance as patients become more independent. The Family Program is grounded in principles of family systems and psychology and is developed by Brafman himself.
Coming from a Wall Street background, Blaustein felt it was important to reach out to those bankers, traders and other financial professionals who deal with mental illness in high-pressure situations. He spearheaded the Wall Street Wellness Program, an IOP program focused on the nuances of day-to-day life in the industry, and is currently working with several banks on launching the unique offering.
Navigating a career as someone who is recovering comes with its own set of challenges which SBMHC addresses through its Career Mentorship program. This program aims to channel the potential for career success that many patients hold deep within but have yet to realize due to the impact of mental health on their ability to move forward. The program is focused on helping patients succeed in their careers once they leave treatment. Blaustein personally designed and facilitates the program which consists of five phases: contextualization, reflection, consideration, preparation and execution.
Blaustein has said that “pain is the touchstone of personal growth.” With a new approach to mental health and addiction and a founding team that truly understands patients’ needs, SBMHC is helping to change the stigma of mental health and provide much needed help with support, understanding and professional guidance.
