Christian Residential Treatment Centers
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Christian inpatient treatment centers
offer interventions based largely on Christian principles.
Many offer traditional 12-step programs. Others are based
more directly on Biblical/Christian principles. The
advantage of Christian Residential Treatment programs is that
they allow the person to be in a 24-hour residential program
that provides intense round-the-clock treatment in order to
promote optimal change. Need help selecting, or for more
information, <Click
Here> (How to select a program.)
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Choosing A Residential Treatment Program
There a number of factors to consider when selecting a Christian Inpatient Treatment program.
Disorders Addressed:
Treatment programs differ with respect to the nature of the disorder/disorders that are addressed. One of the first decisions to make when considering inpatient counseling, is whether the facility treats your particular problem, or that of your loved one?
--Anxiety Disorders
--Eating Disorders
--Drug Addiction
--Depression
--Alcohol Abuse
--Co-Occurring Disorders
--Child Behavior Problems --Adolsecent Rebellion
--Sexual Addictions
Gender/Age:
Some of the facilities are co-ed, whereas others are exclusively for men
or women. Some have age restrictions and deal with only adolecences;
others deal exclusively with adults.
--Are there age restrictions?
--Is the program exclusively designed for men? Women?
Adolescent Boys? Girls?
--In adolescent programs, are the parents involved?
When? How?
Christian Orientation:
The facilities listed in the chart above were selected because they claim to approach therapy from a Christian orientation. However, it is important to call or contact each facility to determine if their approach is similar to the Christian values that you hold. Ask questions like:
--What is the general philosophy of treatment?
How are people healed?
--Is the program linked to a particular denomination of Christianity?
--Do the therapists use the Bible and/or scriptures during counseling?
--Do the therapists pray during counseling?
--What version of the Bible do the counselors use?
--Are clients given Christian materials to read/study?
--Are regular chapel services or church attendance expected and encouraged?
--Are times set aside for prayer?
--How does the treatament approach differ from a strictly secular approach?
Location of Facility:
Always check out the location of the facility. Some of the residential facilities are located in beautiful settings that are conducive to healing. Some settings are by the sea; others are in the mountains. You will need to consider the cost of transportation and accessability of the facililty.
--Which state is the program located in?
--What type of setting? Mountain? Seaside? Isolated?
Rural? Urban?
--How far away is the treatment setting?
--How long will it take to travel there from where I live?
--What forms of transportation will I need? Plane? Car?
Train?
--How much money will transportation cost?
Rember, you can use Google Maps to get directions to the facility and find out how long it will take to get there by car. Also, you may be able to scout out the general terrain and get a peak at surrounding geography by checking out the facility by downloading and using Google Earth.
Quality of Facility:
Try to go online and have a look around the treatment facilities. They should have pictures and they may even have a webcam that is focused on the facilites or surrounding area.
--Will you have your own room? Or do you have
to share with someone?
--How are the rooms furnished? TV? Cooking Facilities? Air
Conditioning?
--What time is "lights out?" Wake up time? Noise levels in
rooms?
--Do you have any physical limitations or special needs to consider?
--Can you take walks in the country? By a stream? Waterfalls?
--What type of distances are involved when walking from one place to
another?
--What is the food like? Do you have any special dietary needs?
Allergies?
--Try to get hold of a sample menu. Can you order your own food?.
Cost:
A major factor to consider is cost. Some of the facilities are non-profit. Others are private pay. Some take insurance; others do not. Take time to discuss finances with the person in charge of admissions. Make sure you get things in writing, if you are offered special discounts or "scholarships." Also, please contact your own insurance company to insure that you have coverage. Double check that they cover the type of "disorder" that is being addressed. Once again, try to get something in writing, and keep track of the names and dates of people you talk to.
--What is the estimated daily, weekly, or monthly
cost?
--Do you take insurance, and is mine covered?
--Have my deductibles been met?
--Have I reached "maximum out of pocket?"
--Are there "extra costs" if I have special needs or requests?
--What happens if I need more treatment, but run out of money?
--Are there ways I could cut down on overall costs?
--Are any scholarships available for single moms/dads?
--If I pay cash, can I get a discount?
--Do you have any type of extended payment plans?
Staff and Staff Training:
You will want to closely evaluate the number of staff at the facility and their backgrounds and educational training. You will also want to inquire if there are medical staff available (nurses/doctors) at all times at the facility. You will also want to know what emergency services are available.
--Is there a medical doctor on staff? Does
he/she live at the facility?
--What procedures are in place in case there is a medical emergency?
--Where is the nearest hospital and how long does it take to get there?
--What level of education do staff have? Masters? Doctorates?
Certifications?
--How long have the therapists been in practice?
--How many hours of individual (one-on-one) therapy are given to each
client?
--How many hours of group theapy will the individual receive?
Ongoing Schooling:
For children entering a program who are school, it is important to consider what type of education you child will receive during his/her stay at the treatment facility...
--Is school available for school-aged children who
are in the facility?
--How many hours a day will the child be expected to be in school?
--What will the curriculum be composed of?
--Will there be a certified teacher in charge of education?
--How is progress assessed? Tests? Papers?
--Who will communicate back to my child's school?
Sports/Activities Available:
Be sure to explore the types of extracurricular activities are possible at the particular facility? You may be paying a lot of money for residential treatment, so you will want to make sure you are getting quality services.
--Sports (baseball, basketball, softball, tennis,
etc.)
--Walks, trails, mountains, falls, rivers, boating, canoeing, sailing, etc.
--Swimming? Horseback riding?
--Arts and crafts? Painting?
