ABOUT BURKWOOD TREATMENT CENTER
Located in quiet, Hudson, Wisc., less than two miles from Willow River State Park, Burkwood Treatment Center provides evidence-based, research-backed substance abuse treatment programs for adult men and women. Building off more than 20 years of experience, the CARF-accredited center’s premiere residential program features an intimate staff-to-client ratio, experiential therapies and activities, and the Way of Life System, a unique intervention program designed to facilitate 12-step participation.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
Programming here is based on the premise that alcoholism is “a chronic progressive disease that can be diagnosed and treated.” Combining holistic, evidence-based, and 12-step principles, Burkwood Treatment Center’s residential program helps program participants achieve their personal treatment goals and learn to apply recovery skills conducive to long-term recovery.
Beyond meeting regularly with their assigned counselors for individual counseling, residents attend a variety of groups, including process groups, guided imagery groups, and activity groups, where they’ll find support in sharing with and listening to others. Families are also encouraged to partake in their loved one’s recovery, though counselors help determine who may benefit from attending sessions. Additional interventions, titled Making Alcoholics Anonymous Easier (MAAEZ) and the Way of Life System, help clients acclimate into the 12-step environment, and continues to guide them through treatment.
As they prepare for their upcoming discharge, clients reintegrating into their respective communities are supported through detailed continuing care plans. Among various recommendations made by staff, clients may receive referrals to sober living homes, intensive outpatient (IOP) programming, and follow-up medication management with a psychiatrist, when appropriate.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
The clinical team here is comprised of a psychiatrist, a registered nurse, licensed chemical dependency counselors, a mental health professional, and other licensed and trained professionals. The residential program boasts a counselor-to-client ratio of 1:8, ensuring clients receive individualized attention.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
Burkwood Treatment Center makes great use out of the nearby Willow River State Park, providing clients with ample opportunity for outdoor recreation throughout the summer. Yoga for men and women is held year-round, as are “Gestalt-influenced and analogy-based plays.”
Each weekend, clients may attend religious services or spend time with a visiting family member, between the hours of 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
The single anonymous alum surveyed by Best-rehabs.com at the time of this writing reported having “awesome” counselors, but felt that their over-leniency did more harm than good. Still, this alum awarded four out of five stars for counseling options, affordability, and treatment effectiveness. The categories to receive the fewest stars were holistic options and exercise and leisure activities, which the alum gave only one and two stars, respectively.
Nevertheless, this alum did recommend the facility to others: “It was a good experience and I learned a lot. I had needed a break from life and time to reevaluate and that is what I received.”
Feedback on Google is quite positive as well, where the facility earned a 3.9-star average from seven users to date.[1] The six positive reviewers all praised the quality of the care and in a representative post, K.D. wrote, “I felt the care and compassion of the staff.” The sole one-star reviewer complained about the administration and commented, “Severely understaffed” but still conceded, “Counselors are great.” The only other written complaint came from a reviewer who criticized the facility’s accommodations. He noted that private-insurance clients stayed in a nicer facility than the rest of the clients.
FINANCING
Per the treatment center’s webpage, residential treatment is covered by most insurance plans, such Aetna and BlueCross BlueShield, and private pay. The center also receives support via state consolidated funds and local counties.
[1] https://goo.gl/h3f9hf