Navigating a treatment center can be time-consuming, overwhelming, and exhausting. Sometimes, a family member is looking for a residential program on behalf of a resistant loved one; other times, an individual may conduct a search that produces too many results, all of which have websites that look the same and use similar jargon. The challenges of finding the right treatment center match have been further complicated by COVID-19 and the varying policies of each program related to health and safety.
As many educational consultants, interventionists, and other clinical professionals know, there are vast differences between residential programs and their capacities to treat specific diagnoses. Their clinical models, amenities, and levels of structure also vary significantly. For many clients, the investment in residential treatment will be the highest single expense that they have on their treatment journey, so it should be a decision that is thoughtful. Many times, patients will discount a treatment experience if they don’t feel that they can relate to their fellow patients.
To maximize the chances of a successful match, consider asking the following questions.
Questions to Ask a Treatment Center
- What is the average age in your milieu right now?
- Who is your ideal client?
- May I see a sample schedule?
- How many individual therapy and psychiatry sessions are provided?
- What is your philosophy on medication management?
- What self- help resources are offered?
- May I speak to a professional and/or client references that have had a client with a similar clinical profile?
COVID-19 Specific Questions
- Do you test patients for COVID prior to their admissions?
- Is there a quarantine period when new patients first arrive?
- What safety protocols do you have in place for staff and patients?
- Will my loved one be kicked out if they test positive for COVID while at your facility?
While the answers to these questions will help guide your decision-making, they should be the start of your conversation, not the end.
This article was reprinted with permission.
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