ABOUT VALLEY VISTA
Located in Bradford, Vt., Valley Vista provides specialized residential treatment for adults and young adults (ages 16-22) struggling with chemical dependency and co-occurring disorders. Pregnant women and individuals struggling with opioid addiction are given admission priority.
According to the facility’s website, Valley Vista’s additional services include sober living, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), case management, access to a primary care physician, and spiritual programming, among others. Valley Vista’s MAT program makes the center one of only four treatment facilities (8.7 percent) in Vermont to offer inpatient medical detoxification.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
Once admitted, clients may first participate in an initial substance abuse assessment and, if necessary, psychiatric evaluation, which are used to form an individualized treatment program. According to the facility’s website, the average length of residential treatment for adults is 27 days, while the program for young adults typically lasts between 40 and 65 days.
The evidence-based treatment programs at Valley Vista are gender- and age-specific and adhere to the 12-step model of recovery.
If necessary, Valley Vista offers medication-assisted treatment (methadone) to alleviate the withdrawal symptoms of opioid dependency and help curb cravings. Medication management is also available for individuals struggling with co-occurring disorders.
Although treatment differs between the men’s and women’s programs in some aspects, all clients participate in individual, group, and family counseling, relapse prevention work, and psychoeducational groups. Men’s treatment focuses on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with a trauma-sensitive approach. The women’s program puts greater emphasis on dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and addresses specific issues most-relevant to women.
Additionally, programs may also incorporate a range of alternative therapies such as guided meditation and yoga. Family participation throughout treatment is highly encouraged.
In addition to offering similar options as adult programming, the adolescent program addresses emotional and behavioral issues common among adolescents, such peer relationships and family dynamics. Valley Vista also coordinates with the Vermont Teachers Association to provide clients with tutorial and school re-entry programs.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
The center’s website notes Valley Vista employs a multidisciplinary team comprised of board-certified psychiatrists, a 24-hour nursing staff, substance misuse and mental health counselors, case managers, consulting teachers and tutors, and a support staff. To date, the nine individuals polled by Best-rehabs.com on the matter gave mixed reviews for the staff’s experience and training.
Staff’s Experience and Training: 3.7/5
Valley Vista is one of 12 treatment facilities (26.1 percent) in Vermont to be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
Valley Vista’s residential center is an 80-bed facility with separate age- and gender-specific units. Although specific information concerning the facility’s sleeping arrangements and amenities is scarce, Valley Vista’s website describes the facility as offering a “safe tranquil setting that is conducive to recovery.”
Individuals polled by Best-rehabs.com to date gave mostly neutral ratings to aspects of the facility’s accommodations and amenities that were assessed.
Facility Cleanliness and Upkeep: 3.3/5
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
The eight alumni polled by Rehabs to date provided mixed opinions about the facility. Most metrics reviewed received neutral or negative ratings. Specifically, many alumni reported a lack of structure and issues of understaffing. “Didn’t have much outside time to exercise because they were always understaffed,” Robin wrote in a representative review. However, the four alumni polled on the matters tended to appreciate the amount of counseling options available, though felt holistic approaches were lacking.
Counseling Options: 3.5/5
Connectivity/Visitor Policies: 2.8/5
Holistic Offerings: 1.8/5
This sentiment of understaffing was echoed by Guido, the lone alum to review the facility on Yelp.[1] The three alumni to offer positive overall reviews tended to praise the effectiveness of treatment and the staff’s level of experience and training.
WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY
The six loved ones polled by Best-rehabs.com gave mixed feedback that skewed positive. Those who offered positive remarks tended to emphasize the thorough communication with family members and opportunities for family participation. “Communication with family was thorough,” an anonymous loved one wrote in a representative review.
Family Participation: 4.2/5
Connectivity/Visitor Policies: 4/5
However, several loved ones did support alumni opinions regarding a lack of opportunity for physical activity and understaffing.
WHAT STAFF SAY
Though Best-rehabs.com has yet to receive any reviews from staff members, 16 current and former employees on Indeed offered on average rating of 3.4 out of five stars.[2] Most praised the effectiveness of treatment as well as their co-workers’ level of training and experience. However, several staff members did note that the facility was understaffed, echoing the opinions of those surveyed by Best-rehabs.com
FINANCING
According to Valley Vista’s website, it accepts private payment as well as most third party insurances, including, but not limited to, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Aetna, and Vermont Medicaid.
[1] https://www.yelp.com/biz/valley-vista-bradford
[2] https://www.indeed.com/cmp/Valley-Vista/reviews