ABOUT OAKLAND FAMILY SERVICES PONTIAC
Founded in 1921, Oakland Family Services provides a range of outpatient-based behavioral health services for adults and adolescents (age 12 to 18) struggling with substance use, mental health, and co-occurring disorders. The facility in Pontiac, Mich. is one of four locations serving the Eastern Michigan area. There is also a specialized program for mothers struggling with substance use issues, and services are available in Spanish. The facility is among the 19.2 percent of facilities in the state to offer specialized programming for mothers.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
Oakland Family Services’ Pontiac location provides a wide range of substance use services. To determine the most effective approach to treatment, clients may first undergo an initial substance abuse assessment. The facility also offers psychiatric evaluations to identify any co-occurring mental health concerns. Outpatient services to treat substance use include individual therapy sessions, group counseling, psychoeducational groups, and family counseling sessions.
Clients may also be referred to specialized groups (educational, support, or therapeutic) that address specific issues contributing to addictive behavior. Groups may focus on anger management, adult mood management, opiate management, or prison reentry.
Similarly, the substance use program for mothers focuses on the unique needs of mothers in recovery. The Project Recovery Intensive Services for Mothers (PRISM) offers transportation and childcare services, as mothers participate in support groups, life skills workshops, family education classes, mood management groups, and counseling sessions. Adolescent treatment for substance use emphasizes family participation and offers an enhanced outpatient program.
In addition, the Pontiac location offers services for individuals struggling with a primary psychiatric disorder. Individuals meet with a board-certified psychiatrist for psychiatric evaluation and ongoing medication management. The facility also offers counseling sessions for individuals, families, and groups.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
Oakland Family Services’ substance use treatment is provided by a team of substance abuse counselors, case managers, and social workers, while psychiatrists and therapists provide mental health services. The two alumni polled by Best-rehabs.com at the time of this writing both awarded the treatment staff’s level of experience and training perfect five out of five-star ratings.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
The two alumni polled by Best-rehabs.com to date both gave the facility generally positive reviews. They rated the facility’s counseling services with four and five out of five stars respectively, while both submitted four-star ratings for the facility’s ability to treat co-occurring disorders. Although one anonymous alum described the staff as “Pleasant, polite supportive,” they did not feel that treatment was effective overall.
Offering four out of five stars for the facility’s discharge planning, the other alum wrote: “Supportive caring atmosphere. Distance was an issue. I was very satisfied with my care.” The survey respondent also gave a perfect five-star rating for the amount of family participation.
Reviews on secondary sites were equally positive. On the Oakland Family Services Facebook page, which the facility may have the ability to manage, 52 reviewers offered an average rating of 4.4 out of five stars to date.[1] Note, the Facebook page represents all Oakland Family Services facilities, and not specifically the Pontiac location. On Google reviews, 40 reviewers gave Oakland Family Services an average rating of 4.4 out of five stars.[2]
WHAT STAFF SAY
On Indeed, 13 employees gave the facility an average rating of 3.5 out of five stars to date.[3] Most employees reported a positive experience, with many citing the dedication and support of coworkers as strengths of the facility. “Our behavioral heatlh team is a very warm, cohesive, team,” one former staffer wrote.
FINANCING
Oakland Family Services accepts many private insurance plans, including CIGNA, PPOM, and Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Costs are based on a sliding fee scale, determined by the client’s income. Some programs are subsidized by the United Way, government contracts or private foundation grants.
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