Nova Counseling Services, Inc.

Nova Counseling Services

Nova Counseling Services recognizes that addiction is a disease that cannot be cured, but rather can be treated. The residential rehab utilizes an abstinence-based, 12-Step model and employs a team of qualified and compassionate professionals to aid clients in their recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. Treating chemical dependency is a complex and demanding process, but Nova is fully committed to assisting individuals who suffer in building an effective, sustainable, and lasting road to sobriety.

ABOUT NOVA COUNSELING SERVICES, INC.

Situated on the outskirts of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, near Lake Winnebago, Nova Counseling Services, Inc. offers residential treatment, outpatient services, and transitional living for adults seeking recovery from substance abuse. This state-licensed center does not specialize in dual-diagnosis treatment, but can provide referrals and recommendations for medical detoxification.

TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT

According to the center’s website, treatment is based on the principles of the 12-Steps and the disease model of addiction. Individuals seeking admission to the 28-day residential treatment program must undergo examination by a physician either before or upon entry and must be free of any communicable diseases.

Programming typically combines individual and group counseling with 12-step meetings both on- and off-site. Throughout the recovery process, strong emphasis is placed on the first step of admitting powerlessness over addiction. Recreational therapy is another integral component of the treatment curriculum.

A typical day in residential treatment begins with a 6:45 a.m. wakeup, followed by meditation, community meetings, educational lectures, gender-specific groups, chores, writing assignments, and various other activities. Family sessions are available for those interested in gaining further insight into the recovery process.

After completing the residential program, individuals in need of continued care may enroll in Terra House, the facility’s sober living program. Another option is Focus, an intensive outpatient program (IOP) that holds morning sessions on weekdays. Additionally, aftercare meetings take place once to twice weekly on an outpatient basis.

STAFF CREDENTIALS

Nova Counseling Services employs a team of 10 certified substance abuse counselors (CSACs). However, there are no medical doctors on staff.

ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES

The residential facility provides comfortable accommodations that are simple in nature. Daily schedules are highly structured, ensuring that clients remain engaged from 6:45 a.m. until 10:30 p.m. While the main facility can house a maximum of 50 men and women at a time, Terra House has room for up to 12 individuals.

WHAT ALUMNI SAY

Out of the 11 alumni surveyed by Best-rehabs.com to date, nine provided positive feedback regarding their personal recovery experiences. They strongly recommended treatment and believed that the program was worth the cost. Many alumni also rated the staff’s level of training and experience with five stars.

One alum, Jim, described the experience as the best of his life and credited it with saving his life. Stan referred to the center as one of the best facilities in the Midwest, while Brenda characterized it as an “Awesome place!”

In contrast, two alumni advised prospective clients to seek treatment elsewhere. Brian described his experience as an overall expensive disappointment, pointing out that the staff were cold, impersonal, stern, and sometimes militant. Nik likened the staff to prison guards and claimed that the counselors did not care about patients and barely spent any time with them. Nik warned others, “If you care about recovery, THIS IS NOT THE PLACE.”

Overall, alumni expressed dissatisfaction with the holistic and exercise options.

WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY

All seven loved ones surveyed by Best-rehabs.com at the time of this writing provided highly positive feedback. An anonymous reviewer mentioned the great family involvement and aftercare, stating that the treatment was very effective for their loved one. Others described the staff as amazing and well-trained. Charlie summed up the facility as a wonderful place with very dedicated staff.

Out of those who were polled, five loved ones rated their likelihood of recommending the center to others as excellent, resulting in an average rating of 4.4 out of five stars. Like the alumni, loved ones also rated the holistic offerings lower, falling slightly short of three stars on average.

A reviewer named Julie acknowledged that some staff members were incredible, but had concerns about weak communication, stating that they often waited days for a return call.

FINANCING

The cost of treatment is $200 per day, amounting to $5,600 for a 28-day stay. Nova also accepts private health insurance but does not offer sliding scale fees.

Nova Counseling Services, Inc. Reviews

I stayed here ready to get help after struggling with addiction for a long time. As a disabled veteran I was able to try this facility out and was discharged early for taking 2 tablets instead of 1. I was approached by my councilor and asked about it so I admitted to taking 2 vs 1 tablet then the next day was kicked out, hidden in a room for 3 hours and felt like I was being treated like a dangerous threat. I never was aggressive with staff and always respectful here. I'm not sure why they had to treat me like that. I actually felt discriminated against, but they can do whatever they want it happens all the time according to current clients here. It's sad because I was willing to start my days over to day one and do whatever they wanted. To be banned for life is demoralizing and not helpful to future sobriety. Luckily there are many other good places to choose from that don't throw you to the wolves after one mistake. Were here to get better and are not perfect. The whole reason why we are seeking help is because of a lifetime of mistakes why hammer the addict when just one is made during treatment when otherwise working hard? Just something to think about. Other clients are returning after not completing the program when I was told I couldn't come back because of not completing treatment. This isn't consistent treatment.
I am the spouse of a recently discharged patient. Although we are separated by choice (his addictions)I feel the program was an in and out deal. Never once was I talked to about my concerns over the impact this ordeal has affected his whole family as a unit.His little " impact" letter was for 1 person only his biggest enabler next to the way I used to be.This place will take your $$ and let your loved ones run the show.
Good therapy. Some patients inappropriate.
A joke. They tell you what you feel and/or think. What you say you feel and think is wrong. Your an addict and they know better. If your on state aid they will keep you in “treatment” as long as possible. They do the same to those that volunteer. They believed it was was important for my loved one to stay in “treatment” for an additional 90 day after 28 days instead of trying to find a way to transition back into life. Even though that would have ment losing their home, pets, and car. They were playing the “victim”. And the recovery was more important than keeping the most important things in life. The truth is, the guaranteed money is more important than you. In the end. My loved one snuck out of their “secure” facility, never looking back. It’s all about them. Not you. Find some other choice. I recommend Rogers Memorial.
Overall an expensive disappointment. My advice would be to look elsewhere. Zero mental health attention. Nova treats the "disease" of addiction, that is all. In the entire 28 days, no time was ever spent on getting their clients head's wrapped around why they seek to hide from the world with their substance of choice in the first place. When I asked why, I was told that wasn't important. The disease is the "real" issue. Couldn't it possibly be both...? At Nova there was almost no attempt at engaging the clientele and their specific needs. A very cookie cutter approach. And..."if this isn't working, it's your fault, not ours. We know what to do, you don't. Submit to power (Nova) and never forget that you are powerless..." Nova is big on instilling a mindset of addict for life. Including letting you know that it may take several times at treatment to make any headway. In addition, I am a counselor at several of the northern Wisconsin's prisons, and the staff that I met and spoke to at Nova were on an ego trip much like what I've observed when corrections officers interact with inmates. "Keep your mouth shut, we aren't interested in what you think." The message is, "listen to the lectures, read these papers and complete these assignments, then you'll be healed", rather than, "tell me about yourself and let's tailor something to you". Cold, impersonal and stern, often to the point of being militant. Thankfully my son went into Nova with his head on mostly straight and was able to ride it out or it would have been a disaster. Not what we had hoped for him at all.