They help many people that need it. Concerned about community. I love this place.
About Amherst H Wilder Foundation
Amherst H. Wilder Foundation is a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic in Saint Paul, Minnesota. They provide outpatient substance use treatment, mental health support and other social services for children, adults and families. You’ll receive welcoming, culturally competent care with flexible telehealth and in-person options.
One nice thing I noticed about their program is their belief that everyone should have access to quality care. For payment they will take Medicare, Medical Assistance and MNCare. They also accept most private insurance plans. Even if you don’t have insurance you can still get the help you seek. You can access discounted fees based on your income and family size.
Their outpatient programs provide a holistic approach emphasizing the significance of family support and addressing past traumas. You’ll complete a thorough assessment to determine the best level of care and approach for your situation. You can then participate in counseling, case management, peer support and other recovery services to reach your goals.
What stands out most to me is their culturally competent approach. They ensure you have an accepting space where you feel comfortable and appreciated. Their diverse team of professionals is made up of members of the BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities. You can access care in multiple languages, including English, Hmong, Spanish, Oromo, Vietnamese and Somali. They can even arrange for skilled interpreters if a staff member who speaks your native language isn’t available. I think this is a wonderful feature because it removes barriers to quality treatment.
Another helpful feature I noticed was their Center for Social Healing. This center offers a gathering space for adult members of Southeast Asian communities. You can access alternative healing practices, support groups, educational events and mental health support. You’ll benefit from a tight-knit community to connect with others of similar backgrounds. They also offer shared meals, cultural celebrations and community outings to curate a solid support network.
Latest Reviews
Between the years 1982 - 1985, I was an unwilling resident of this foundation's Busch Annex located on 919 Lafond In St. Paul Minnesota.During my 3 year tenure in this environment, I was drugged with Ritalin and Meliril. I was physically assaulted on two separate occasions by its staff members yet none of them received reprimands of any kind nor were there any legal charges filed against them.As a result, I have had to endure a lifetime of traumatic scars and unresolved yet justifiable anger from said trauma.For years I have sought to learn exactly WHY I was placed into this environment in the first place only to be told that all records were destroyed.THIS is why I've given this "foundation" the lowest score possible.
A place to work with and in community
Such a wonderful organization. Their therapists and counselors genuinely care and my kids respect top-level service.
Rehab Score
Our Methodology
Scoring is assigned by a proprietary system which helps surface key metrics that determine quality. The 10-point scale factors in categories such as operations, customer satisfaction, and trust metrics. Read Full Methodology
6.7 / 10
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Other Forms of Payment
Medicaid is a state based program that helps lower-income individuals and families pay for healthcare. Medicaid covers addiction treatment so those enrolled can use their coverage to pay for rehab. When a program accepts Medicaid the client often pays very little or nothing out of their own pocket.
Private insurance refers to any kind of healthcare coverage that isn't from the state or federal government. This includes individual and family plans offered by an employer or purchased from the Insurance Marketplace. Every plan will have different requirements and out of pocket costs so be sure to get the full details before you start treatment.
Self-pay involves paying for treatment out of your own pocket. You can use savings or credit, get a personal loan, or receive help from family and friends to fund your treatment. If you don't have insurance or your insurance plan doesn't cover a specific program, self-pay can help ensure you still get the care you need.
Financial aid can take many forms. Centers may have grants or scholarships available to clients who meet eligibility requirements. Programs that receive SAMHSA grants may have financial aid available for those who need treatment as well. Grants and scholarships can help you pai for treatment without having to repay.
Medicare is a federal program that provides health insurance for those 65 and older. It also serves people under 65 with chronic and disabling health challenges. To use Medicare for addiction treatment you need to find a program that accepts Medicare and is in network with your plan. Out of pocket costs and preauthorization requirements vary, so always check with your provider.
Military members, veterans, and eligible dependents have access to specific insurance programs that help them get the care they need. TRICARE and VA insurance can help you access low cost or no cost addiction and mental health treatment. Programs that accept military insurance often have targeted treatment focused on the unique challenges military members, veterans, and their families face.
Addiction Treatments
Levels of Care
Outpatient Outpatient Programs (OP) are for those seeking mental rehab or drug rehab, but who also stay at home every night. The main difference between outpatient treatment (OP) and intensive outpatient treatment (IOP) lies in the amount of hours the patient spends at the facility. Most of the time an outpatient program is designed for someone who has completed an inpatient stay and is looking to continue their growth in recovery. Outpatient is not meant to be the starting point, it is commonly referred to as aftercare.
Treatments
Many of those suffering from addiction also suffer from mental or emotional illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, or anxiety disorders. Rehab and other substance abuse facilities treating those with a dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorder administer psychiatric treatment to address the person's mental health issue in addition to drug and alcohol rehabilitation.
Mental health rehabs focus on helping individuals recover from mental illnesses like bipolar disorder, clinical depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, and more. Mental health professionals at these facilities are trained to understand and treat mental health issues, both in individual and group settings.
Programs
Adult Program
Adult rehab programs include therapies tailored to each client's specific needs, goals, and recovery progress. They are tailored to the specific challenges adult clients may face, including family and work pressures and commitments. From inpatient and residential treatment to various levels of outpatient services, there are many options available. Some facilities also help adults work through co-occurring conditions, like anxiety, that can accompany addiction.
LGBTQ Program
Recovery is most successful when clients feel accepted and validated by their peers and treatment providers. Facilities that offer LGBTQ-inclusive programming are committed to creating a safe space where everyone can grow and recover without fear of judgment or discrimination. They will have dedicated policies in place to create a safe and supportive environment that fosters free expression.
Young Adult Program
Young adulthood can be an exciting, yet difficult, time of transition. Individuals in their late teens to mid-20s face unique stressors related to school, jobs, families, and social circles, which can lead to a rise in substance use. Rehab centers with dedicated young adult programs will include activities and amenities that cater to this age group, with an emphasis on specialized counseling, peer socialization, and ongoing aftercare.
Clinical Services
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a therapy modality that focuses on the relationship between one's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It is used to establish and allow for healthy responses to thoughts and feelings (instead of unhealthy responses, like using drugs or alcohol). CBT has been proven effective for recovering addicts of all kinds, and is used to strengthen a patient's own self-awareness and ability to self-regulate. CBT allows individuals to monitor their own emotional state, become more adept at communicating with others, and manage stress without needing to engage in substance abuse.
Whether a marriage or other committed relationship, an intimate partnership is one of the most important aspects of a person's life. Drug and alcohol addiction affects both members of a couple in deep and meaningful ways, as does rehab and recovery. Couples therapy and other couples-focused treatment programs are significant parts of exploring triggers of addiction, as well as learning how to build healthy patterns to support ongoing sobriety.
Experiential therapy is a form of therapy in which clients are encouraged to surface and work through subconscious issues by engaging in real-time experiences. Experiential therapy departs from traditional talk therapy by involving the body, and having clients engage in activities, movements, and physical and emotional expression. This can involve role-play or using props (which can include other people). Experiential therapy can help people process trauma, memories, and emotion quickly, deeply, and in a lasting fashion, leading to substantial and impactful healing.
Research clearly demonstrates that recovery is far more successful and sustainable when loved ones like family members participate in rehab and substance abuse treatment. Genetic factors may be at play when it comes to drug and alcohol addiction, as well as mental health issues. Family dynamics often play a critical role in addiction triggers, and if properly educated, family members can be a strong source of support when it comes to rehabilitation.
Group therapy is any therapeutic work that happens in a group (not one-on-one). There are a number of different group therapy modalities, including support groups, experiential therapy, psycho-education, and more. Group therapy involves treatment as well as processing interaction between group members.
In individual therapy, a patient meets one-on-one with a trained psychologist or counselor. Therapy is a pivotal part of effective substance abuse treatment, as it often covers root causes of addiction, including challenges faced by the patient in their social, family, and work/school life.
Nutrition therapy, aka medical nutrition therapy (MNT), is a way of treating physical, emotional, and medical conditions through diet. Specific dietary plans are designed by professional nutritionists or registered dietitians, and patients follow them in order to positively affect their physical and mental health.
Trauma therapy addresses traumatic incidents from a client's past that are likely affecting their present-day experience. Trauma is often one of the primary triggers and potential causes of addiction, and can stem from child sexual abuse, domestic violence, having a parent with a mental illness, losing one or both parents at a young age, teenage or adult sexual assault, or any number of other factors. The purpose of trauma therapy is to allow a patient to process trauma and move through and past it, with the help of trained and compassionate mental health professionals.
Staff
Armando Camacho
President & CEO
Keven Ambrus
CFO
Heather Britt
Executive Director of Wilder Research
Nona Ferguson
VP, Economic Stability and Aging Services
Jennie Hawkins
VP, Human Resources
Michelle Morehouse
VP, Advancement
Jennifer Thao
VP of Strategy
Pahoua Yang
VP, Community Mental Health and Wellness
Contact Information
(651) 280-2310 
451 Lexington Parkway North
Saint Paul, MN 55104
Get Help Now - 651-314-3107
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Fact checked and written by:
Mariah Bourne, M.A.
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