ABOUT THE HEALING LODGE OF THE SEVEN NATIONS- SPOKANE VALLEY, WA
Located on 50 acres of beautiful rolling terrain in Spokane Valley, Washington, The Healing Lodge of the Seven Nations offers residential substance abuse treatment designed for the Native American population. Services are available at this facility for males and females ages 13 to 17, both Native and non-Native American, of the state of Washington. The facility does not offer detox services, and residents must be substance free for 72 hours prior to admission.
TREATMENT AND ASSESSMENT
Priority admission to the facility is given to injecting drug users and pregnant substance abusers. Once admitted to the facility, each client is assigned to a primary counselor who implements a treatment program.
The Healing Lodge offers a holistic approach to treatment that is individualized to each youth’s needs. The program ranges from 90 to 120 days and combines traditional, spiritual, and cultural practices. While Native American culture is infused in the program, residents can decide whether or not to partake in tribal rituals.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is used to help residents deal with daily stressors and work toward a meaningful life. The program aims to help youth increase self-esteem, learn new behaviors, and recognize triggers that result in drug use. According to the facility’s website, nutrition is also an important aspect of treatment to “help their bodies and minds heal.”
Individual and group counseling, chemical dependency education, process groups, life skills training, and family education and counseling are mainstays of treatment. The center is unique in that it offers a social justice curriculum.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
The facility employs various counselors including chemical dependency counselors, chemical dependency counselor trainees, mental health counselors, and family education specialists.
The facility also offers “skills coaches” which are staff members that monitor the residence halls 24/7 and coach residents in daily living skills.
ACCOMMODATIONS AND AMENITIES
The facility offers 45 beds for adolescents through three main buildings arranged in a circle, designed as a symbol of harmony. The facilities feature an indoor gym with a weight room, a cafeteria, and a softball field, while teepees and medicine wheels, both aspects of Native American culture, can be seen on the grounds.
Recreation activities include basketball, volleyball, and softball while an expressive arts program engages youth in song writing, music development, and recording. The facility also operates an alternative school on campus through Spokane School District 81 – a fully accredited state educational institution.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
While Best-rehabs.com has received no alumni reviews at the time of this writing, two reviewers left perfect five-star ratings on Google and one alum, Joseph, gave five stars on Yellowpages.com. “I really liked it was the best life changing experience I had ever gone through The Healing Lodge help me find me the me I was before I started to use they have the best staff,” Joseph wrote.
WHAT FRIENDS AND FAMILY SAY
At the time of this writing there has been one review received from a friend or family member of a client by Best-rehabs.com. The respondent, L.K., gave the facility five out of five stars for the staff’s level of experience and training and the level of family involvement in the program. The loved one, however, was neutral when asked if the facility had quality holistic offerings and counseling options.
When asked about the facility’s strengths, L.K. wrote “Native American based model. Speaks to youth also has great cultural and musical programs.” L.K. added, “Very family oriented. Spiritual and physical.”
WHAT STAFF SAY
While Best-rehabs.com has not yet received reviews from staff of The Healing Lodge, four staffers on Indeed rated their experience four out of five stars. Staff members generally felt the work was rewarding and enjoyed working with residents, but some feared their positions were threatened. “Employment had great aspects but lacked in the management department,” one staffer wrote.
FINANCING
The residential program is funded by Indian Health Services and the state of Washington, as well as local, state, and federal partners.
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