ABOUT MCALISTER INSTITUTE – SOUTH BAY WOMEN’S RECOVERY CENTER
Serving San Diego County area for 40 years, McAlister Institute’s South Bay Women’s Recovery Center (SBWRC) is one of 26 different programs offered by McAlister Institute, a regional treatment provider. Located in National City, Calif., the center offers gender-specific outpatient programs designed exclusively for women seeking treatment for substance abuse and co-occurring disorders. Detox services are not available on-site.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
Upon admission, women undergo an initial substance abuse assessment to develop an individualized curriculum. To accommodate the needs of its clients, SBWRC provides on-site, co-op childcare and parenting classes for mothers with young children. Nearly 52% of facilities in California have programs specifically for women, and only 6.4% of facilities in the country provide childcare services.
As a gender-specific program, treatment focuses on topics and issues relevant to women using evidence-based methods. Counseling services are driven by cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) methods and includes individual counseling and group therapy sessions. Clients work with counselors to address common issues such as trauma that contribute to substance abuse.
Educational courses are included in every client’s treatment plan to help prepare them for sober living and other common life experiences after treatment. Sober living skills are a major component of the education program. Mothers may also attend classes on parenting skills and childcare methods.
Aftercare and transition planning are also included in the process. The facility offers transition assistance including creating aftercare plans and assisting in finding stable housing and employment. SBWRC is part of the 39% of U.S. facilities that offers vocational training to support program participants.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
South Bay Women’s Recovery Center employs certified psychologists, substance abuse counselors, behavioral health specialists and case managers. McAlister Institute’s webpage claims its employees collectively have more than 1,000 hours of sobriety, indicating that many of the staff members are in recovery themselves.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
At the time of this writing, the one alum polled by Best-rehabs.com offered positive feedback for the facility. She gave five out of five stars for its holistic offerings, the level of staff support, and the effectiveness of lead counselors. “Location was perfect and for gender-specific it was perfect as well,” the alum wrote.
On Google, the Mcalister Institute earned an average rating of 3.5 out of five stars from four reviewers to date. In the only written feedback, one reviewer was turned away after being “5 minutes late” after wasting time trying to find the “hole in the wall” place. However, alum Monica felt the facility offered a “wonderful program for women addicts” with a “very cordial and knowledgeable” staff.
FINANCING
Dedicated to providing affordable yet high-quality treatment, McAlister Institute offers sliding scale fees to provide treatment to everyone. The organization also receives support from donations, fundraising efforts, and associated enterprises, such as the organization’s thrift store, to help offset treatment costs.
CONCLUSION
The McAlister Institute is working to expand its reach in the community through community-based events and activities. This year, the facility will host its six marathon event called Walk for Sobriety. It will be held in early July to bring in donations and other support methods for the organization.