ABOUT SUMMER SKY TREATMENT CENTER
Located in the central Texas town of Stephenville, Summer Sky Treatment Center provides holistic, 12-step-based residential treatment to adults struggling with substance use disorders, as well as being one of the 187 (38.3 percent) in the state to also provide services to individuals with co-occurring mental health challenges. According to the facility’s website, personalized treatment plans are a priority. Intensive outpatient and family counseling services are also offered.
Additionally, Summer Sky is one of the only 44 (nine percent) Texas treatment centers to provide medically monitored detox on site.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
Admission for treatment starts with a 10- to 15-minute phone screening. Individuals experiencing withdrawal symptoms begin a detox process which lasts up to seven days and is monitored by 24-hour nursing staff. Medication-assisted therapy, specifically involving buprenorphine, is available during residential treatment. Once stabilized, most clients will transition to another level of care at Summer Sky.
Residential programs typically last 30 to 90 days. Some gender-specific groups are offered, while most are mixed. Summer Sky’s treatment approach is grounded in 12-step concepts and utilizes a mix of evidence-based, traditional and alternative modalities, including cognitive behavioral therapy and meditation. Clients participate in individual counseling sessions two to three times per week.
An intensive outpatient program is available for morning or evening schedules, meeting four days a week for eight weeks. Treatment is offered in the North Dallas area. As part of a guarantee to clients who complete 90 days of treatment, qualifying individuals who experience a relapse within six months of discharge may enter the facility’s relapse track at no cost. The 21-day program is also open to other clients with a history of relapsing.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
The facility’s medical director is board certified in addiction medicine; he is also in recovery, according to the website. Treatment team members also include licensed vocational and registered nurses, social workers, and certified counselors, and in Texas, 98 percent of all treatment centers have continuing education requirements for staff. The five individuals polled by Best-rehabs.com to date had lukewarm feelings about the staff.
Staff’s level of training and experience: 2.8/5
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
Summer Sky’s 54-bed campus is situated on a rural landscape with access to an array of outdoor activities. Residents may participate in equine therapy; play volleyball, basketball, and horseshoes; and have use of an Olympic-sized swimming pool. The facility also maintains a ropes course on-site. The website features a resident dog that is part of a pet therapy practice. Smoking is allowed in designated places during designated times. Five Best-rehabs.com survey respondents to date showed moderate satisfaction with the facility’s accommodations.
Cleanliness: 2.8/5
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
The alumni polled by Best-rehabs.com at the time of this writing provided highly favorable reviews, and data suggests that alumni overwhelmingly found the treatment successful. In fact, one alum reported more than 20 years of sobriety following treatment at Summer Sky, and another remarked, “This one actually helped. Another did not.” Four surveyed alumni agreed that they were likely to recommend this center.
Would recommend: 3.5/5
Despite satisfaction with treatment effectiveness, lower opinions of the level of staff training and experience were reported. One alum wrote that she was very pleased with the counseling she received but not at all with the facility’s medical director. In general, metrics measuring specific aspects of treatment, including holistic options, flexibility or choice in counseling approaches, and therapy for co-occurring conditions, all received significantly lower ratings than did overall effectiveness.
Counseling options: 3/5
Holistic offerings: 3/5
Data collected regarding general accommodations, meals, and nutrition, received ratings averaging more than four out of five stars, while the facility’s cleanliness and maintenance, and opportunities for exercise and leisure activity were rated less favorably. One alum commented that some amenities listed on the website were not on-site, requiring a weekly trip to access.
Exercise/leisure options: 3.25/5
Feedback on Google to date is overwhelmingly positive, where 24 users generated a 4.2-star average rating.[1] The “caring” and “understanding” staff were repeatedly praised, and many reviewers noted that they received life-long “tools” for recovery. A few complaints about the cost of treatment were logged, but all other commentary was favorable. “I would recommend Summer Sky to anyone that wants to get clean/sober and get their life back on track,” R.H. wrote in a representative Google review.
WHAT STAFF SAY
The one anonymous staff member polled by Best-rehabs.com had only negative things to report regarding their experience working at Summer Sky, and gave only one out of five stars to most categories, including exercise activities, holistic offerings, counseling options, the center’s ability to treat co-occurring disorders, and whether or not the treatment is worth the cost. This individual rated their likelihood to recommend the program just one star and wrote that the facility was understaffed and “not up to date.”
The sole reviewer on Glassdoor at the time of this writing provided the facility with three out of five stars, and suggested that the management is more concerned with making money than helping clients.[2]
FINANCING
Residential treatment is priced at $9,500 for 30 days or $25,000 for 90 days, according to the facility’s website. Most insurance plans are accepted for in-network coverage, as well as private pay. Five Best-rehabs.com survey respondents to date were satisfied with the facility’s treatment and cost.
Affordability: 3.8/5
[1] Google Reviews
[2] https://www.glassdoor.com/Overview/Working-at-Summer-Sky-Treatment-Center-EI_IE1060884.11,38.htm