ABOUT PRAIRIE ST. JOHN’S
In the heart of Fargo, ND, Prairie St. John’s offers residential and outpatient treatment to children and adults struggling with substance abuse issues, mental health issues, and co-occurring disorders. Residential, outpatient, and partial hospitalization treatment options are all available. According to the facility’s website, most residents hail from Fargo and Moorhead, MN, however it also serves clients from throughout Minnesota, North Dakota, and other states. Medically monitored detox is available on-site.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
All clients undergo an assessment upon admission to determine the most appropriate level of care.
Treatment is based on the disease model of addiction. Residential clients attend regular 12-Step Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings, participate in group and individual therapy, and focus on the development of key recovery skills, which include emotional functioning, family dynamics, personal responsibility, work/school reintegration, and relapse prevention. The average stay in the residential program is around 12 to 13 days.
The partial hospitalization program (PHP) runs Monday through Friday during daytime hours and offers the same intensive treatment as the residential program, without requiring an overnight stay. There’s also an intensive outpatient program (IOP) that meets for three hours in the evenings four days per week, as well as a less intensive outpatient option that meets once or twice per week for ongoing care and maintenance.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
The treatment team includes board-certified child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrists, master’s level therapists, registered and licensed nurses, occupational and recreational therapists, licensed addiction counselors, and behavioral health technicians.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
The facility has 110 beds. Otherwise, there is currently limited information on Prairie St. John’s website regarding its living arrangements and related offerings.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
Reviews from the 11 alumni polled by Best-rehabs.com at the time of this writing were mixed. The five alumni who were polled on whether they would recommend treatment at St. John’s gave an average four-star rating. These same respondents gave average ratings of just 2.2 stars for holistic treatment offerings, 2.4 stars for counseling options, three stars for exercise and leisure options, 3.2 stars for family participation, 3.6 stars for the staff’s level of training and experience, 3.8 stars for affordability, and four stars for cleanliness. The four alumni who rated the connectivity/visitor policy gave an average of 4.25 stars.
All former clients who were pleased with their stay described compassionate and dedicated staff, including A.J.T. who wrote: “caring, dedicated staff” but also noted that the staff seemed overworked and there were “too few doctors.”
The negative reviews made note of these same issues, and also called out a facility in need of renovations, as well as a lack of holistic activities. One anonymous reviewer wrote: “Too big a operation, not enough staff to take care of everyone’s needs.”
WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY
Reaction from the four anonymous friends and family surveyed by Best-rehabs.com at the time of this writing was also mixed. When asked if they would recommend the facility, responses varied from two to five out of five stars, with a lukewarm average rating of 3.5 stars.
The most positive review of the four awarded the facility four and five stars in most categories. “They were able to diagnosis my son almost immediately,” the reviewer wrote. “They work great with the kids and make them feel at ease in a tough situation. However, there was not enough time dedicated to school work.”
A more critical reviewer praised the staff, writing “They seemed to actually care about the patients well being,” but noted that the facility was prohibitively expensive. “The mental health system needs a serious overhaul, it’s not just this facility. He did receive the help needed, but at a huge financial cost. Most people cannot afford this, and that is why they end up on the streets.”
FINANCING
While there is currently no information provided on the facility’s website regarding its costs, Prairie St. John’s is an approved provider for most major insurances. In addition, Prairie St. John’s accepts personal payment for services from individuals who either do not have insurance or do not want to use their insurance. A financial counselor will meet with clients to determine funding options.
Updated April 2017