ABOUT MERCY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH – FIRST STEP RECOVERY CENTER
Part of Mercy, a healthcare network comprised of four nonprofit hospitals, First Step Recovery Center of Des Moines, Iowa, provides behavioral health treatment for clients of all ages struggling with chemical dependency and co-occurring disorders. First Step offers outpatient-based treatment and referrals to on-site medical detoxification. A specialized program for adolescents is also available.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
To determine an appropriate level of care, clients first participate in a comprehensive assessment. This assessment evaluates psychiatric and mental health, substance abuse history, previous treatments, and available support systems. If clinicians determine detoxification is necessary, patients are referred to the Mercy Emergency Department to undergo detox.
Once a client is stable, they are referred to the First Step outpatient program. Clients participate in one-on-one counseling sessions, group therapy, addiction education, peer support sessions, and family therapy. According to the program’s website, family involvement is an important component to treatment, with education and support provided to loved ones. Best-rehabs.com survey respondents reported that treatment incorporated the 12-Steps.
Once a client completes the outpatient program, First Step offers a continuing recovery program. The no-cost aftercare program includes weekly peer support groups. First Step also provides a separate relapse prevention program, which is designed for individuals who have completed treatment but require additional programming to maintain sobriety.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
There is currently no information provided by First Step regarding its treatment staff. Five individuals polled by Best-rehabs.com to date rated staff’s level of training and experience an average 4.6 out of five stars.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
Three alumni polled by Best-rehabs.com to date provided mostly positive reviews of First Step. All three former clients indicated they would recommend First Step Recovery Center, with two rating the facility a perfect five stars in all metrics and the third rating it four stars in several categories, including holistic treatment offerings, counseling options, and affordability.
Two of the respondents provided five out of five stars for both individual and group counseling sessions. Alum Lars wrote: “Great program! I am sober.” The alumni also praised the staff. Alum Daron wrote: “Continual post treatment care, strong sense of well educated and dedicated staff.”
WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY
To date, two anonymous loved ones surveyed by Best-rehabs.com provided less positive feedback than alumni of First Step. They gave the center three and four out of five stars in most categories when asked if they would recommend First Step Recovery Center, though one rated its exercise and leisure options only two stars, and both rated its holistic treatment offerings two stars.
Both loved ones gave the facility four stars for the level of family participation offered. One commented that employees were a strong point of the center. They wrote: “staff is great very helpful and very understanding lots of options to choose from.”
WHAT STAFF SAY
To date, the one employee who left a review for Mercy Behavioral Health in Des Moines on Indeed has a positive opinion of the program.[1] The currently employed registered nurse wrote: “The staff is welcoming, helpful, and everyone works as a team.”
FINANCING
Mercy accepts a wide range of private insurance plans, Medicaid, and Medicare. Financial assistance may be available to eligible clients.
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