About
About A F Whitsitt Center
The A. F. Whitsitt Center is the inpatient residential arm of the Kent County Health Department’s behavioral health division, located at 300 Scheeler Road in Chestertown, Maryland. As a county-operated facility, Whitsitt is CARF-accredited and serves residents of Maryland’s Eastern Shore across Kent, Queen Anne’s, Talbot, and Caroline counties, with intakes also available from elsewhere in the state.
The center provides medically managed detoxification followed by inpatient residential treatment. The combined model lets patients stabilize through the acute withdrawal phase and then continue immediately into structured residential care without leaving the facility. Cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma-informed counseling, group sessions, and individual therapy form the core of the clinical program, and walk-in hours allow community members to begin the intake process without an appointment.
Whitsitt admits adult men and women, pregnant and postpartum women, veterans, seniors, adults living with HIV/AIDS, and clients referred through the court system. Patients with co-occurring disorders such as PTSD, depression, or anxiety are managed in coordination with the county’s Outpatient Mental Health Services. After discharge, clients can step down into the Recovery in Motion (RIM) program, outpatient counseling, and substance abuse prevention initiatives run by the Kent County Health Department.
Leadership at the parent health department includes Acting Health Officer Carla M. Thorpe, MSA, LBSW, CPRP and Medical Director Leland Spencer, MD, MPH. Whitsitt accepts Maryland Medicaid, private commercial insurance, state insurance, and self-pay. Patients and referring providers can reach the center directly at 410-778-6404, separate from the main Kent County Health Department line.
- 24/7 medical supervision with on-site Medical Director for withdrawal management
- CARF-accredited residential facility specializing in dual diagnosis treatment
- State-operated program with sliding scale fees based on income
- Dedicated services for specialized populations including veterans and pregnant women
- Integrated 21-28 day programs combining medical detox with residential treatment