ABOUT WABASH VALLEY ALLIANCE – LAFAYETTE
One of eight treatment facilities operated by the Wabash Valley Alliance, Inc. (WVA), this facility in Lafayette, Ind., provides early mental health screenings and outpatient services for adolescents and adults struggling with chemical dependency, psychiatric disorders, and co-occurring mental health issues. WVA also offers 24-hour emergency assistance and crisis intervention, but this facility does not offer detoxification services.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
Upon admission, clients participate in a mental health screening and, if applicable, a parenting assessment to determine the most beneficial approach to care. The WVA Lafayette facility offers two levels of outpatient care: a traditional program and a more intensive “Matrix Program.” Both tracks can administer medication, if necessary, and include individual, group, and family counseling.
The Matrix Program is a highly intensive, 16-week course of treatment that progresses through various stages and groups. The early recovery skills group meets for the first four weeks, and the relapse prevention and social support groups meet for the remainder of the program. This program uses The Matrix Model, a research-backed framework most effective for dependencies on methamphetamine, cocaine, or alcohol.
The intensive outpatient program (IOP) employs a research-based curriculum called Living in Balance, which views addiction as a biopsychosocial, progressive, and chronic disease. Programming addresses lifestyle issues that may have been neglected during addiction, and emphasizes addiction education and relapse prevention. Living in Balance also incorporates 12-step principles and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) into its curriculum. Participants are strongly encouraged to attend three sessions per week for eight weeks, followed by six weeks of preventive-focused group therapy.
In order to be eligible to receive child and adolescent care, prospective clients between the ages of three and 21 must have a qualifying mental health diagnosis, and two or more functional impairments in daily living activities (e.g. inability to adapt to change). These clients work on a range of issues such as anger management, social skills, and self-care.
Additionally, WVA Lafayette also offers school-based therapy, canine assisted therapy, and more than 20 specialized groups.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
The treatment team at the Lafayette facility consists of psychiatrists, addiction counselors, substance abuse specialists, social workers, child psychologists, family and couples’ therapists, case managers, and play therapists.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
At the time of this writing there have been two alumni polled by Best-rehabs.com. One anonymous alum gave the facility three out of five stars for treatment effectiveness, four stars for accommodations & amenities, and four stars for meals & nutrition. She agreed when asked if the facility staff were experienced and well-trained; if the facility was adequately equipped and staffed to treat co-occurring mental health problems in addition to substance use disorders; and if the alum would recommend this facility to a friend or loved one who was considering rehab.
She wrote that the group sessions and treatment care plans were helpful but the facility needs better exercise equipment. She also wrote, “the treatment program was nice and I felt like it helped me some, but it is only a 21-day program and that isn’t enough time to really get a lot of benefit from it.”
Yet on secondary sources, there was some apprehension about staff turnover. Based on four reviews, WVA has an average 1.5 out of five stars on HealthGrove. Alum R.C. wrote: “I have been throught counselor after counselor,” and Engeltina said: “My concern with WVA is lack of consistency with physicians due to the state of mental health care in the entire country.”
WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY
At the time of this writing there has been one friend or family member polled by Best-rehabs.com. The anonymous loved one of a client gave the facility four out of five stars for treatment effectiveness and accommodations & amenities, and five stars for meals & nutrition. She agreed that the facility’s cell phone and visitation policy was fair; that the family and loved ones were able to participate in treatment through facility programming; and that the facility was clean and well maintained.
She wrote that a strength of the facility was its “ability to work well with most patients” and also added that “they seem to be work best with young first and second time offenders.”
WHAT STAFF SAY
Out of 28 reviews on Indeed.com, staff members of the WVA facility in Lafayette gave 3.25 out of five stars to the facility. One former employee wrote: “Great people, great clients,” and a case manager called it a “great place to work” despite being paid poorly.
FINANCING
WVA accepts private insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, and self-payment. The facility also notes on its website that it works with clients who require financial assistance.
Updated March 2017