ABOUT PARK AVENUE CENTER – MEN’S PROGRAM
Established in 1979, Park Avenue Center in south Minneapolis, Minn., serves adults struggling with substance abuse and co-occurring disorders through evidence-based, gender-specific programs.
Park Avenue Center’s community-based Men’s Program provides comprehensive outpatient treatment for adult men with chemical dependency, mental illness, homelessness, financial problems, or legal issues. It also facilitates DWI and drug court and coordinates with appropriate law enforcement and social services. Sober living is available for some clients.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
To form an individualized treatment plan, new clients undergo an initial substance abuse history assessment, and walk-in assessments are available.
Clients participate in a rigorous schedule of group therapy, educational classes, and brief one-on-one counseling sessions. The rehab also offers specialized program tracks for dual-diagnosed clients, African Americans, and clients recovering from opioid dependency. Other therapeutic activities include art therapy and equine-assisted therapy.
Treatment in each of the rehab’s two outpatient services typically lasts 13 weeks, followed by 12 additional weeks of aftercare. The intensive outpatient program (IOP) offers free off-site housing to those in need, generally for three to six weeks. As clients progress, they transition to the morning, afternoon, or evening outpatient program (OP), although some clients can start directly in the OP phase. Clients who utilize the assisted housing attend off-site 12-Step meetings, and visit the local YMCA on a weekly basis.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
The treatment team includes licensed psychologists, licensed alcohol and drug counselors, registered nurses, social workers, therapists, as well as a consulting family psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
The gender-specific housing facility offers a therapeutic, supervised, and safe environment, allowing clients to focus on recovery. Housing units feature full kitchens, spacious communal areas, meeting rooms, and shared bedrooms.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
Three alumni reviews of Park Avenue Center submitted to Best-rehabs.com at the time of this writing are mixed. “There are several good counselors, but also some who are very poor and did not/could not relate to patients,” said B.J., a former client. He mentioned that the program was lacking in 12-Step help, and wrote that “most attend Park Avenue because of legal issues.”
Former client Casey told Best-rehabs.com that: “It’s a good program for the most part.” He echoed the sentiment about both good and not-so-good counselors and suggested that they are stretched to capacity. He added: “But a lot of the people there, the staff mostly did not appear to be there to help you and take care of your needs.”
Elsewhere online to date, there are a couple positive ratings on the facility’s Facebook page. Christian gave four out of five stars and wrote: “It’s a good program. Very busy, and lots of use in the “off site” housing. But they have helped me a lot.”
WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY
Despite scarce reviews from loved ones at the time of this writing, Linda, a parent, referred to the facility in a review for Best-rehabs.com as “accessible, friendly, thorough…” although she noted “Not much push to attend mtgs, once you leave you are on your own to stay in touch.” She also told Best-rehabs.com: “My 31 yr old son attended twice this facility. He said there were many changes the 2nd time and is staying sober.”
WHAT STAFF SAY
The one staff member who reviewed the facility for Best-rehabs.com offered a mixed, but largely negative opinion of the facility. R.T. said the rehab offered “numerous programs” but noted the facility was “disorganized” with “poor treatment of staff and interns. Little guidance for interns and too many staff focused on the same issues.”
Additionally, on CiteHealth to date, the center has received 1.85 out of five stars from 20 reviewers, many of which were from staffers. An anonymous reviewer who gave three stars wrote in a representational review that “I am noticing a pattern that nobody seem to stay around here very long I can count on one hand the number of employees who have been here longer than 5 to 10 years.” They also said “the place is all about money.”
Also at the time of this writing, there were 30 ratings on Indeed that averaged 2.8 out of five stars. Many complained about micromanaging while others said that management was supportive. “Training is not good. High turnover of employees, management does not care about loyalty. The management does not care about its people,” wrote a two-star reviewer. On the other hand, giving five-stars, another reviewer wrote, “Management is easily accessible and focused on problem solving, whether it’s a professional or personal matter.”
FINANCING
The facility accepts private insurance and self-pay, and financial assistance is available to clients who qualify. For individuals who do not receive assistance, assessments cost $100.