ABOUT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NETWORK, INC. – MY SISTER’S HOUSE
Part of the Behavioral Health Network, a community-based health organization, Behavioral Health Network – My Sister’s House is located in Springfield, Mass. My Sister’s House provides long-term residential treatment for adult women seeking treatment for chemical dependency. Applicants must be Massachusetts’ residents to qualify. Pregnant women and post-partum women with infants are accepted into the program. Detox is not available on-site. Carlson Recovery Center, another BHN location in Springfield, offers detox. Women are allowed to continue a methadone or Suboxone regimen during residential treatment.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
Treatment at My Sister’s House begins with a consultation with each client. Clients work with trained staff members to identify specific needs and to set treatment goals. Clients are then assigned to the appropriate BHN program. Some clients may be referred to other facilities based on their gender and specific needs such as detox. Priority enrollment at My Sister’s House is given to pregnant and post-partum patients.
My Sister’s House utilizes a therapeutic community model of recovery to assist women in overcoming their addiction. To help form an individualized treatment plan, residents may participate in an initial psychiatric and substance abuse assessment. Throughout residential treatment, residents regularly participate in individual and group counseling sessions. The 12-Steps model is used to design and facilitate treatments. As a gender-specific program, counseling sessions may address issues common among women struggling with addiction, such as self-esteem, abuse, and trauma.
Along with counseling sessions, residents attend educational classes and receive life skills training. A parenting group is also available to mothers and pregnant residents. If applicable, My Sister’s House facilitates educational services and vocational training. These ongoing case management services help to promote self-sufficiency and ease the transition back into the community upon program completion.
Family participation is encouraged throughout the recovery process. Services, such as educational courses and group sessions, may be arranged to support family recovery. Clients are encouraged to include family members in the recovery process as much as possible.
Aftercare services are available for clients that complete any of the programs. An alumni group meets periodically to focus on community building, peer-led communication, and to reinforce sober living skills. Clients must successfully complete at least one BHN program to participate.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
There is currently no information provided by My Sister’s House regarding its treatment staff, yet the four individuals polled by Best-rehabs.com at the time of this writing gave the staff’s level of training and experience an average rating of 4.5 out of five stars.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
My Sister’s House is a 27-bed, homelike facility where residents are supervised 24 hours per day. The facility has accommodations for pregnant women, new mothers, and children up to 6 months old. Although specific information regarding the facility’s accommodations and amenities is limited, the four individuals surveyed by Best-rehabs.com gave an average rating of 4.25 out of five stars for the facility’s cleanliness and upkeep, yet offered an average rating of just 2.25 stars for the facility’s exercise and leisure activities. One loved one did feel that its location was in a “bad area.”
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
The one former resident polled by Best-rehabs.com at the time of this writing had mixed opinions concerning the facility. While the alum felt the facility excelled in modifying behavior, they were critical of the rehab’s ability to address destructive thinking patterns. “Plenty of options for behavioral treatment,” the alum wrote, but added: “Cognitive treatment is nonexistent.” The alum gave a rating of three out of five stars for the facility’s counseling options, yet offered five out of five stars for the level of family involvement. The alum gave four out of five stars or higher for connectivity, cleanliness, and discharge procedures.
WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY
The three loved ones polled by Best-rehabs.com approved of most aspects of the facility, with two specifically citing the staff as a strength. Describing the counselors as “great,” loved ones gave three out of five stars or higher for counseling options. Loved ones gave a four out of five stars or higher for the facility’s ability to address co-occurring disorders. One loved one wrote: “Great place for women who need substance abuse counseling.” Loved ones gave three stars or lower for its holistic offerings.
FINANCING
Services at My Sister’s House are funded by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health – Bureau of Substance Abuse Services. Clients receive services at no cost. Four individuals polled by Best-rehabs.com gave the facility’s affordability an average rating of 3.75 out of five stars.