ABOUT TURNING POINT, INC.
Operating for over 30 years and based out of Houston, Texas, Turning Point, Inc. provides residential alcohol and drug treatment for adults and adolescents (ages 13 to 17) currently incarcerated due to issues related to substance abuse. In addition, Turning Point offers outpatient-based programs for adults and adolescents struggling with chemical dependency. Designed to reduce recidivism, the treatment provider’s residential programs are offered through state jails.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
Before beginning a treatment program, clients participate in an initial assessment to help clinicians determine individual needs. During the residential program, clients continue to receive ongoing assessments to evaluate treatment progress. According to Turning Leaf’s website, the residential programs utilizes a combination of an evidence-based curriculum, “Thinking for a Change,” specifically designed to modify criminal thinking, and a substance abuse treatment program created by Texas Christian University tailored to treat criminal offenders.
The “Thinking for a Change” curriculum is a cognitive restructuring theory that is designed to promote social skills development and improve problem-solving. The program entails educational group workshops and regular assignments. Utilizing cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), the substance abuse treatment component is designed to identify the relationship between irrational thinking patterns, criminal behavior, and substance abuse.
While participating Turning Leaf’s residential program, clients may attend group counseling sessions and educational classes on substance abuse, relapse prevention, trigger avoidance, emotional regulation, and developing community-based support networks. Resident progress in the program is determined by a facility-based contingency system, helping inmates and program facilitators to set reachable goals. Once the inmate is released, program facilitators may encourage the individual to enroll into Turning Leaf’s outpatient program.
Unlike Turning Leaf’s residential program, the outpatient program is not specifically designed for individuals involved in the criminal justice system. Utilizing both cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing techniques, the outpatient program involves group therapy sessions, behavioral and coping skills workshops, and educational classes. The outpatient program typically lasts between three and six months.
Turning Leaf, Inc. also emphasizes family involvement as an important component to treatment, particularly for adolescent clients, to help ensure comprehensive aftercare planning and sustained recovery.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
According to its website, Turning Leaf’s programs are facilitated by licensed chemical dependency counselors, peer specialists. criminal justice professionals, and case managers.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
Turning Leaf, Inc. operates its adult residential programs through five state jails (Dominguez, Gist, Hutchins, Lychner, Plane and Travis) and its adolescent programs through three juvenile detention centers in Harris County. Although information is scarce concerning any separate living conditions other than general population, the facility’s website states that residential programs are conducted in a “Social Learning Environment.”
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
The sole alum polled by Best-rehabs.com at the time of this writing, Jessica, was moderately critical of the program. Out of five stars, the alum gave two-star ratings for the facility’s counseling options and the treatment staff’s level of experience and training. Although citing an outlet to share their problems with others as a strength, the alum wrote: “Counselors never had time for one on one.” However, Jessica gave more moderate three-star ratings for the amount of family participation in treatment.
FINANCING
There is currently no information provided on the facility’s website regarding its costs.