ABOUT THE AQUINAS CENTER
One of 18 facilities operated by Southeast Missouri Behavioral Health, Inc., a regional treatment provider for substance abuse and co-occurring disorders, the Farmington location — also known as the Aquinas Center — provides comprehensive substance treatment. It has a primary stabilization program and specialized outpatient programs for adults. The facility does not provide medically supervised detoxification services. A few of its sister locations are in Pilot Knob and Park Hills.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
Upon admission into the program, clients undergo an initial substance abuse assessment to form an individualized plan of care. C-STAR is the Aquinas Center’s community-based, nonresidential treatment program. There are three levels of treatment — intensive community-based outpatient, intermediate outpatient, and long-term outpatient. The first level is the most structured, and the last level aids in maintaining the therapeutic gains.
Treatment in outpatient programs may include individual, family, and group counseling. Participation from family members is highly encouraged. In the traditional outpatient program, more educational classes are available, including on parenting, anger and stress management, relapse prevention, co-dependency, communication skills, and assertiveness. In addition, specialized counseling sessions are held for clients affected by domestic violence, divorce and remarriage, and other specific situations.
A primary recovery stabilization program is available at three of the facility’s locations, including Farmington. The goal of the stabilization program is to “interrupt the destructive cycle of chemical abuse,” according to the facility’s website. Clients participate in individual and group counseling sessions that utilize a range of evidence-based treatments, and the program offers specialized treatment for clients with co-occurring disorders. Southeast Missouri Behavioral Health also incorporates 12-step principles and educational classes on the biological, social, and spiritual effects of chemical dependency.
According to the center’s website, Southeast Missouri Behavioral Health provides medication-assisted therapy when necessary. Medication-assisted therapy includes Suboxone to reduce opioid cravings or naltrexone for alcohol addiction.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
Southeast Missouri Behavioral Health employs a team of licensed substance abuse counselors, case managers, group facilitators, clinical social workers, registered nurses, and behavioral health technicians.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
At the time of this writing, three alumni had provided mixed feedback for the Aquinas Center. All alumni agreed that the staff’s level of training and experience and affordability were strengths, with a mix of four- and five-star ratings from each respondent. Two of the alumni also provided four or five out of five stars for treatment effectiveness, affordability, and available treatment options for co-occurring disorders.
However, all alumni gave the center two out of five stars or lower for accommodations, the facility’s holistic offerings, and available counseling options. One anonymous reviewer admitted: “Sessions are fairly repetitive,” and alum Courtney added that the program did not address “deep rooted personal issues.”
The three former clients surveyed by Best-rehabs.com praised the staff. Alum Ernie wrote the staff were “friendly and caring,” and an anonymous reviewer wrote: “Experienced staff.”
On CiteHealth, one alum to date provided a three- out of five-star rating.[1] The anonymous alum complained about the staff, writing: “staff doesn’t know what they are doing.”
WHAT STAFF SAY
On Indeed, 17 current and former employees to date rated Southeast Missouri Behavioral Health, Inc. as a whole network an average 2.8 out of five stars, with six positive reviews, three mixed, and eight negative.[2] On GlassDoor, seven employees rated the network an average 2.9 out of five stars, with three positive reviews, two mixed, and three negative,[3] suggesting mixed reviews from staff.
A behavioral health technician wrote in a representative review on Indeed: “Loved what I did here for the clients, but management makes it hard to get your job done. Any overtime is consistently cut and raises are not given. The clients aren’t even what makes the job that stressful.”
FINANCING
According to its website, the Aquinas Center accepts private payments, employee assistance program, third-party insurance, Missouri Medicaid, and private pay. Fees may be offered on a sliding scale.
[1] http://citehealth.com/rehab-centers/missouri/cities/farmington/southeast-missouri-behavioral-health#reviews
[2] https://www.indeed.com/cmp/Southeast-Missouri-Behavioral-Health/reviews
[3] https://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Southeast-Missouri-Behavioral-Health-Reviews-E796879.htm