ABOUT THE GUIDANCE CENTER- MENA
Operating seven facilities throughout Ark., the Guidance Center (also known as Western Arkansas Counseling & Guidance Center) provides a full continuum of treatment programs for adults and youth struggling with chemical dependency and co-occurring mental health disorders. The Guidance Center of Mena, a community located in western Ark., provides outpatient-based treatment programs for adults and adolescents (ages 13 to 17). The facility also provides an educational program for individuals charged with alcohol-related offenses.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
Before admission, clients participate in an initial substance abuse and psychiatric assessment to form an individualized treatment program. According to the Guidance Center’s website, the facility specializes in treating individuals struggling with co-occurring disorders. The initial assessment helps clinicians to form a program that addresses both behavioral and mental challenges concurrently.
The Guidance Center of Mena utilizes evidence-based treatment approaches to treat its clientele. During outpatient treatment, clients regularly participate in regular group, individual, and family counseling sessions. Counseling sessions are designed to identify any underlying social, mental, emotional issues that may contribute to addictive behavior. Family counseling sessions may also address issues related to family dynamics and co-dependency. Adolescent programs a held separately from adult programs, and counseling sessions may address issues relevant to adolescents, such as peer pressure.
As a facility that specializes in treating co-occurring concerns, the Guidance Center may also facilitate disorder-specific group counseling session, which may focus on depression, trauma-related disorders, anxiety, and bipolar. Clients may also regularly meet with a mental health professional for ongoing psychiatric evaluations, as well as medication management and monitoring. The center may also facilitate coping skills workshops.
In addition to its outpatient programs for chemical dependency, the Guidance Center also provides an educational program for individuals charged with alcohol-related offenses, its Drug & Alcohol Safety Education Program (DASEP). Available to individuals charged with Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), Driving Under the Influence (DUI), and Minor in Possession. The program are given in both English and Spanish and are designed to satisfy Arkansas court requirements for license reinstatement.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
The Guidance Center of Mena employs a multidisciplinary staff comprised of licensed psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and substance abuse counselors.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
Although Best-rehabs.com has yet to receive alumni reviews at the time of this writing, secondary sources revealed mixed opinions of the Guidance Center organization as whole. On the facility’s unofficial Facebook page, 19 individuals gave the facility an average rating of 3.9 out of five stars. Satisfied clients tended to cite the facility’s staff as its strength. “I could not have made it through without my amazing therapist, Kristi, a representative reviewer, wrote.
However, alumni opinions on Google reviews were more critical. [2] Eight individuals gave the organization as whole an average rating of 2.1 out of five stars. Numerous unsatisfied alumni cited the staff’s attitude as a weakness of a particular facility. “Staff is very rude!!! Also seem to have problems communicating,” Janice, a representative reviewer, wrote.
WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY
The sole loved one polled by Best-rehabs.com at the time of this writing was generally satisfied with most aspects of treatment. Out of five stars, the anonymous loved one gave four-star ratings for the staff’s level of experience and training, the facility’s ability to treat co-occurring disorders, and the amount of family participation. Although describing the facility as “quick and effective” and offering an “effective program,” the loved one did give a lower two-star rating for the facility’s counseling options.
One parent on the facility’s unofficial Facebook page was critical of the facility’s scheduling. “I would not recommend this place. The scheduling is awful,” loved one Megan wrote.
**FINANCING **
According to the facility’s website, the Guidance Center of Mena accepts most private insurance plans and Medicaid.
[1] https://www.facebook.com/pages/Western-Arkansas-Counseling-and-Guidance-Center/119167981470372
[2] https://goo.gl/vGryKj