ABOUT INDIAN RIVERS MENTAL HEALTH CENTER
Established in 1967 and situated in downtown Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Indian Rivers Mental Health Center is a non-profit, comprehensive health center that delivers diverse behavioral health services, including adult substance abuse treatment. The center offers outpatient treatment for women and the general population, as well as inpatient residential treatment for women. It is important to note that detoxification services are not available on-site.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
According to the center’s official website, substance abuse treatment services are provided through three separate facilities in and around Tuscaloosa. Both day and evening educational sessions are available, along with assessments, individual therapy, and group therapy. Case management and referrals to additional services are also provided.
The center offers inpatient residential treatment specifically for women, and gives priority to pregnant women. As mentioned on the website, the duration of stay is short-term (a survey conducted by Best-rehabs.com revealed that one alum remained in treatment for 28 days), and female counselors administer “person-centered” treatment.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
While the counselors for women’s programming are female, the center’s website currently does not provide any information regarding the treatment staff.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
The organization does not disclose any information regarding accommodations and amenities. However, according to three alumni surveyed by Best-rehabs.com, who provided feedback at the time of this writing, the center received five-star ratings for accommodations, cleanliness, and meals/nutrition.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
Presently, there are limited reviews for this center. However, all three alumni survey responses collected by Best-rehabs.com at the time of this writing were positive. All respondents expressed that they would recommend the facility to others, and two of them rated counseling options and staff experience/training with five out of five stars. One alum, Kristine, wrote, “The groups are small enough that one on one counseling is given to each patient, as well as the group sessions. I left there with a much higher feeling of self-worth, as well as confidence in my ability to overcome my addictions.”
According to the opinions of the alumni who wrote to Best-rehabs.com, programming at the center is strict, which was seen as both challenging and beneficial. Dana mentioned, “The rules both had their benefits and downfalls. I loved it.” L.J. described initially resisting treatment, but later developing a desire to maintain sobriety.
In contrast to the alumni reviews on Best-rehabs.com, Google ratings average 1.7 out of five stars, based on feedback from seven reviewers. These reviews solely consist of complaints, predominantly centered around staff. One reviewer, K., mentioned observing “tired” and “overwhelmed” nurses. Another alum wrote in a Google review, “I am a client of this clinic, and many former employees report how little time they have to manage their patients. The staff has no sympathy, and the psychiatrist doesn’t even listen to what the patients say.”
WHAT STAFF SAY
As of now, Best-rehabs.com has not received any reviews from the center’s staff. However, feedback left on secondary review sites displayed a mixed sentiment. On Indeed, 12 current and former employees rated Indian Rivers with an average overall rating of 3.2 out of five stars.[2] The majority of these reviewers enjoyed working at the facility and found the work rewarding. An anonymous reviewer mentioned appreciating the way the clients were treated, noting, “Dignity, humor, kindness, and caring were all things I observed while working for Indian Rivers.”
Most of the complaints from reviewers referenced issues with management and a lack of benefits. One reviewer described the staff as “messy” and the coordinators as “messier,” while another mentioned favoritism within the management. Another former employee cited a lack of communication between staff and management, stating, “The coordinators never get anything fixed and never listen to the staff members that work with the clients.”
CONCLUSION
According to the center’s website, they accept Medicaid, Medicare, All Kids, and many private insurance policies. Additionally, a sliding fee scale is available for eligible individuals.
In February 2015, TuscaloosaNews.com reported the filing of a wrongful death suit against Indian Rivers Mental Health Center, following the death of a woman due to hyperthermia caused by a broken air-conditioning unit. At the time of this review, no further information was available.
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