Summary
Consider:
- Professional quality
- Organizational quality
Finding a good fit to help with a mental health or substance use issue can be hard. You have to consider accreditation, quality, cost, program philosophy, insurance, and more. Here are a few ideas to help you get started:
- Ask your doctor, a friend, or others you trust if they know of a program. Where would they take a loved one who needs the same care?
- Call expert organizations and your state and local health care groups. Ask for a list of member clinics and credentialed experts who can help.
- Check with your mental health insurance group on approved clinics. Your employee assistance program (EAP) can also help.
Professional quality
There are many types of people who can help:
- Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can give meds and talk therapy.
- Addiction medicine professionals are medical doctors who have training in the diagnosis and treatment of addictive disorders.
- Psychologists have a doctoral degree and can give one-on-one, group, and/or family therapy. They can also test and do other assessments as part of the review or treatment process.
- Other therapists often have a master’s degree in a related field. They can give assessments, one-on-one or group counseling, and discharge planning. This includes:
- Licensed clinical social workers (LCSW)
- Advance registered nurse practitioners (ARNP)
- Licensed mental health counselors (LMHC)
Check your state’s licensing board website or the National Practitioner Data Bank for more info. Find out:
- What is the program philosophy and treatment goals?
- What are the expertise and credentials of the staff? What is the level of experience of the medical or clinical director?
- Is there support for the family?
Organizational quality
Two of the most influential organizations that accredit and certify standards of quality for hospitals and mental health clinics are:
- The Joint Commission (also known as JCAHO)
- CARF International (formerly Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities)
Both are independent, not-for-profit groups that set the nation’s standards in health care. They each research and create professionally-based best practices. They also test the quality and compliance of health care centers.
With these groups in mind, ask:
- Is the center or program accredited? By what group(s)?
- Does it offer a full range of care needed for the diagnosis and treatment of a specific condition?
- How long has it been under its current management?
- Does it take your health plan?
- Are there extra costs for doctors, testing, etc.?
- What are the visitation rules?
It may sound like a lot of work, but more info will help you find the right path to recovery for you or your loved one.
Resources
American Addiction Centers
https://americanaddictioncenters.org
CARF International
www.carf.org/home
National Practitioner Data Bank
www.npdb.hrsa.gov/
The Joint Commission
www.jointcommission.org
Summary
Consider:
- Professional quality
- Organizational quality
Finding a good fit to help with a mental health or substance use issue can be hard. You have to consider accreditation, quality, cost, program philosophy, insurance, and more. Here are a few ideas to help you get started:
- Ask your doctor, a friend, or others you trust if they know of a program. Where would they take a loved one who needs the same care?
- Call expert organizations and your state and local health care groups. Ask for a list of member clinics and credentialed experts who can help.
- Check with your mental health insurance group on approved clinics. Your employee assistance program (EAP) can also help.
Professional quality
There are many types of people who can help:
- Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can give meds and talk therapy.
- Addiction medicine professionals are medical doctors who have training in the diagnosis and treatment of addictive disorders.
- Psychologists have a doctoral degree and can give one-on-one, group, and/or family therapy. They can also test and do other assessments as part of the review or treatment process.
- Other therapists often have a master’s degree in a related field. They can give assessments, one-on-one or group counseling, and discharge planning. This includes:
- Licensed clinical social workers (LCSW)
- Advance registered nurse practitioners (ARNP)
- Licensed mental health counselors (LMHC)
Check your state’s licensing board website or the National Practitioner Data Bank for more info. Find out:
- What is the program philosophy and treatment goals?
- What are the expertise and credentials of the staff? What is the level of experience of the medical or clinical director?
- Is there support for the family?
Organizational quality
Two of the most influential organizations that accredit and certify standards of quality for hospitals and mental health clinics are:
- The Joint Commission (also known as JCAHO)
- CARF International (formerly Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities)
Both are independent, not-for-profit groups that set the nation’s standards in health care. They each research and create professionally-based best practices. They also test the quality and compliance of health care centers.
With these groups in mind, ask:
- Is the center or program accredited? By what group(s)?
- Does it offer a full range of care needed for the diagnosis and treatment of a specific condition?
- How long has it been under its current management?
- Does it take your health plan?
- Are there extra costs for doctors, testing, etc.?
- What are the visitation rules?
It may sound like a lot of work, but more info will help you find the right path to recovery for you or your loved one.
Resources
American Addiction Centers
https://americanaddictioncenters.org
CARF International
www.carf.org/home
National Practitioner Data Bank
www.npdb.hrsa.gov/
The Joint Commission
www.jointcommission.org
Summary
Consider:
- Professional quality
- Organizational quality
Finding a good fit to help with a mental health or substance use issue can be hard. You have to consider accreditation, quality, cost, program philosophy, insurance, and more. Here are a few ideas to help you get started:
- Ask your doctor, a friend, or others you trust if they know of a program. Where would they take a loved one who needs the same care?
- Call expert organizations and your state and local health care groups. Ask for a list of member clinics and credentialed experts who can help.
- Check with your mental health insurance group on approved clinics. Your employee assistance program (EAP) can also help.
Professional quality
There are many types of people who can help:
- Psychiatrists are medical doctors who can give meds and talk therapy.
- Addiction medicine professionals are medical doctors who have training in the diagnosis and treatment of addictive disorders.
- Psychologists have a doctoral degree and can give one-on-one, group, and/or family therapy. They can also test and do other assessments as part of the review or treatment process.
- Other therapists often have a master’s degree in a related field. They can give assessments, one-on-one or group counseling, and discharge planning. This includes:
- Licensed clinical social workers (LCSW)
- Advance registered nurse practitioners (ARNP)
- Licensed mental health counselors (LMHC)
Check your state’s licensing board website or the National Practitioner Data Bank for more info. Find out:
- What is the program philosophy and treatment goals?
- What are the expertise and credentials of the staff? What is the level of experience of the medical or clinical director?
- Is there support for the family?
Organizational quality
Two of the most influential organizations that accredit and certify standards of quality for hospitals and mental health clinics are:
- The Joint Commission (also known as JCAHO)
- CARF International (formerly Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities)
Both are independent, not-for-profit groups that set the nation’s standards in health care. They each research and create professionally-based best practices. They also test the quality and compliance of health care centers.
With these groups in mind, ask:
- Is the center or program accredited? By what group(s)?
- Does it offer a full range of care needed for the diagnosis and treatment of a specific condition?
- How long has it been under its current management?
- Does it take your health plan?
- Are there extra costs for doctors, testing, etc.?
- What are the visitation rules?
It may sound like a lot of work, but more info will help you find the right path to recovery for you or your loved one.
Resources
American Addiction Centers
https://americanaddictioncenters.org
CARF International
www.carf.org/home
National Practitioner Data Bank
www.npdb.hrsa.gov/
The Joint Commission
www.jointcommission.org