St. Joseph Institute offers a personalized approach to addiction treatment. Unlike most rehab programs, which use group therapy and a “one size fits all” approach, our highly trained counselors work one-on-one to help resolve the underlying issues that so often drive addiction. We believe in a holistic approach that brings healing to the whole person—body, mind, emotions, and spirit—using both state-of-the-art therapies and proven strategies. Our staff has expertise in treating chronic pain, trauma, PTSD, depression, anxiety, grief, and other issues that need to be addressed to achieve lasting recovery. We work with the major insurance companies, striving to make addiction treatment affordable without compromising quality. Located on a beautiful mountain-side in central Pennsylvania, our campus comprises elegant log and stone lodges, miles of walking trails, a spa and wellness center, gym, library, and chapel, and very private grounds, all of which contribute to a successful recovery experience.
ABOUT ST. JOSEPH INSTITUTE FOR ADDICTION
St. Joseph Institute for Addiction in Port Matilda, Pa., offers a luxurious, resort-like setting for substance abuse treatment. The program offers residential treatment for those struggling with substance abuse and co-occurring disorders. The treatment process incorporates some faith-based elements. Staff members are trained to address trauma, abuse, PTSD, and other mental health issues, so those with co-occurring disorders can access appropriate care. Medically-assisted detox is offered, but it is only made available to those who plan to participate in the residential rehab program.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
The treatment process at the St. Joseph Institute for Addiction generally lasts up to 30 days. The process involves a holistic approach supported by a spiritual treatment process. In treatment, clients undergo individual assessments that identify the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual states of clients before being prescribed an individual treatment plan. The assessment involves five assessment types: a medical evaluation, a counseling assessment, a physical therapy assessment, a bodywork assessment, and a fitness assessment.
The majority of the treatment process focuses on individual counseling supported by education on life skills, nutrition, fitness, pain management, and stress reduction. The program also incorporates group, family, and marital counseling. Clients can participate in a variety of bodywork offerings, including raindrop therapy, acupressure, and various types of massage.
St. Joseph’s Aftercare Program offers ongoing counseling support, alumni gatherings, online recovery education programs, and retreat programs to clients who completed the primary treatment process. Aftercare services also continue the holistic and spiritual approaches by encouraging clients to participate in religious and community groups.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
The facility’s treatment team is comprised of a medical doctor, a psychiatrist, and counselors with advanced degrees and credentials. There is also a physical therapist, certified alcohol and drug counselors, education specialists, and a licensed social worker. The medical staff operates 24/7 to service the needs of clients. The facility also employees a range of administrative and facility maintenance staff members.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
The center’s campus is located in the mountains of central Pennsylvania. Residents stay in log cabin-style buildings and share a bedroom with one other resident. The living quarters are decorated with natural wood paneling and country-chic furnishings. Food is prepared each day by the facility’s kitchen staff, and the facility accommodates vegetarian diets, food allergies, and gluten sensitivity. On-site amenities include a fitness room, lap pool and hot tub. There is also an AquaMed Dry Hydrotherapy bed, tennis courts, a basketball court, and a game room with a pool table among other amenities.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
The eleven alumni surveyed by Best-rehabs.com to date gave St. Joseph mixed reviews, ranging from one to five out of five stars. Two alumni rated the facility five out of five stars in holistic offerings and four stars in individual counseling. Five alumni praised the facility’s atmosphere, hands-on staff, and nutritious food. Alum S.D.H. wrote: “It’s a holistic center with an emphasis on gluten free which seems to help my diet.”
Five alumni, however, criticized the facility harshly for false advertising, poorly qualified staff personnel, and lack of communication with their families. Alum U. wrote: “My therapist was brand new and was very bitter to me from day one and was the worst therapist I ever had , I could not open up to her and I was punished for it.” Another alum, Steve, criticized the restrictive environment and wrote: “This institution values its own rigid rules over anyone’s personal rehabilitation needs. Case in point. I was denied access to my sleeping medicine and have been a severe insomniac for over 20 years.”
On the St. Joseph Institute for Addiction’s official Facebook page, which it can manage, it earned 4.1 out of five stars based on 104 reviews to date.
Alumni happy with their experience noted the holistic and faith-based activities, such as an early morning prayer group, as alum Chris wrote: “ I was afforded the opportunity to find God again. The spiritual atmosphere is unlike any other ive ever felt. I loved it there. My days would start with a workout then I would proceed to the early morning prayer group. Starting my days on the right note.”
However, not all of the Facebook reviews were positive. Some of the most negative reviews mentioned that alumni were not able to maintain their sobriety. Alum Christine indicated that the facility was not equipped to manage co-occurring disorders and wrote: “Not a dual diagnosis facility as advertised. They are not equipped to deal with mentally ill people who also have addiction problems. They deal well with addiction, but their expertise ends with that.”
On Google, the facility received 3.2 out of five stars from 12 reviews.
Much like the Facebook reviews, alumni on Google complimented the facility for its treatment effectiveness.
On CiteHealth, the facility had 3.67 out of five stars from three reviews at the time of this writing.
Two reviewers praised the staff members and the program, while the other claimed that the facility “is an example of giving families hope while taking their cash. The staff are incompetent and not in recovery.” These sentiments also existed in the negative third party reviews on other third party websites.
WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY
At the time of this writing, Best-rehabs.com has received six reviews for St. Joseph’s. Contrary to alumni feedback across sites, five of the reviews were negative and just one was positive.
The loved ones criticized the facility for its heavy-handed religious components, high cost of treatment, broken equipment, lack of communication, and poorly trained staff. Loved ones rated the counseling options at three out of five stars or lower. Loved one Gail wrote: “very basic accommodations and terrible food…The people who led the programs seemed to be more interested in redemption than recovery.”
St. Joseph responded to negative reviews stating that they fix equipment that has broken and must sometimes remove noncompliant clients for the safety of their other clients, relying on the local hospital or other resources to further treat the client.
FINANCING
St. Joseph Institute for Addiction accepts private insurance options. However, it is not able to accept public insurance options including Medicare or Medicaid. For those who opt for self-pay, fees range from $18,500 to $26,500 for the 30-day program. Financial assistance is available for those that qualify. Payment in full is expected at the beginning of service unless otherwise noted. Payments can be made through wire transfers, major credit cards, and personal checks.