ABOUT CARILION SAINT ALBANS HOSPITAL
Located in the southwest Virginia town of Christiansburg near Radford, Carilion Saint Albans Hospital has been providing inpatient and outpatient care for substance use and psychiatric concerns for over a century. Saint Albans is one of two mental health and chemical dependency treatment facilities operated by Carilion Clinic in Virginia, with another one in Roanoke.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
The admissions process begins with a psychological evaluation. A special service called CONNECT offers 24-hour emergency evaluation, stabilization and referral services. Most treatment plans incorporate individual, group, and family therapy, and medication management is provided as needed.
Treatment services offered at Saint Albans include electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for severe depression, psychological counseling, and groups designed to develop cognitive and behavioral skills. Patients also receive education on issues related to substance misuse.
Alumni feedback sourced by Best-rehabs.com indicated that aftercare provided ongoing treatment for depression, anxiety, and PTSD, though Saint Albans’ website makes no mention of aftercare services.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
Saint Albans’ multidisciplinary treatment team includes psychiatrists, therapists, behavioral specialists, and nurse practitioners. CONNECT staff also include psychiatric nurses and clinical social workers.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
Saint Albans’ 36-bed inpatient facility is located on the Carilion New River Valley Medical Center campus, in a rural setting near Interstate 81. The three alumni polled by Best-rehabs.com at the time of this writing each indicated satisfaction with elements related to accommodations, including the quality of meals and the facility’s cleanliness. Two of the three rated opportunities for exercise and leisure activities as four stars out of five, while the third gave only two stars.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
Two of the three alumni polled by Best-rehabs.com offered generally positive feedback of Saint Albans. The third respondent provided limited ratings, which included four stars for the effectiveness of treatment and two stars for its affordability. Data from the other two alumni revealed more favorable perspectives on financial costs. The two also agreed that treatment was effective, with ratings of four and five stars, and indicated that they would recommend the facility to others.
In addition, both alumni gave four- and five-star ratings for the level of staff training and experience and the availability of choices in counseling approaches to fit their preferences. Holistic treatment options and policies regarding connection with loved ones received lower ratings.
On Google reviews, 10 reviewers to date rated the facility an average 2.1 out of five stars, with seven negative reviews.[1] Reviewers mostly complained of discourteous treatment from staff and poor medication management. “Was taken off a medication that has been the only medication that has EVER helped me..,” Tara, a representative reviewer, wrote.
WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY
On Google reviews, two loved ones rated Saint Albans one and two out of five stars. Loved one Maggie wrote of her fiancé’s experience that it was the “worst place ever to receive treatment,” and the other wrote that her mother received limited treatment from unprofessional staff.
FINANCING
The Carilion Clinic website notes that most major commercial insurance plans are accepted, including Aetna, Medicaid, Medicare, and Commonwealth Coordinated Care. Financial assistance is available to eligible individuals.
[1] https://goo.gl/dgkhmy