800-784-1361
This center is really awful - my daughter saw a psychiatrist here who - left! Could we get another appointment - not for several months - and then you get a note in the mail telling you that that appointment has been cancelled and you have to wait another two months - you c ...
About Baystate Wing Hospital – Griswold Center
The Baystate Behavioral Health’s Griswold Center in Palmer, Massachusetts, is part of the Baystate Wing Hospital and offers mental health and addiction treatment to adolescents and adults. The Griswold Center has 31 clinicians and has been a pioneer in the community, assisting individuals like you for over 25 years.
Since it’s found in Palmer, the center is close to Springfield City and the Quaboag River region, which are known for their calm, natural, and serene environment. Should you decide to explore this center, you may find that its proximity to attractions like Burleigh Park and the Palmer Historical and Cultural Center sways your decision.
Hospital-Based Outpatient Treatment for Adolescents and Adults
The providers offering treatment in the hospital-based outpatient program at the Griswold Center specialize in substance abuse disorders, so you can trust that your adolescent child or an adult will have acceptable treatment options.
Often, the treatment for adolescents includes early recovery groups, while for adults, individual counseling is provided. You might also find the medication-assisted treatment helpful, with the center providing medications like Vivitrol and Suboxone to help with recovery.
Helpful Court Program Assistance
At the Griswold Center, there is also an Under the Influence Second Offender Program that’s provided in partnership with the local court. This program can help you overcome addiction to substances, but you’ll be mandated to receive outpatient treatment for a year, with the treatment schedule determined by your clinician.
Latest Reviews
The person on the phone was scheduling appointments for labor day. Think of how dumb/LAZY you have to be too do that. Just think.
- Responded by the Baystate Health team
Response from the owner1 week ago
Thank you for sharing with us. We recognize that the healthcare experience can sometimes feel overwhelming, and we’re committed to listening and improving wherever possible. At Baystate Health, our values—respect, integrity, teamwork, and lifelong learning—guide what we do. If there's anything you'd like to discuss further or if you feel we can offer additional support, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Patient Relations team at 413-794-5456 or feedback@baystatehealth.org. - Responded by the Baystate Health team
I’m not entirely sure what’s going on, but scheduling is a nightmare. Of all the people I’ve tried to see, they’ve all had one of the following problems. Cancelling almost every appointment, making scheduling in general really hard, or having an appointment, then not knowing I showed up for said appointment and thus never coming out and missing my appointment entirely. One clinician was accepting new patients just two months before going on a planned leave, and then cancelled most appointments up until they left. I guess they weren’t anticipating their new clients to be needing more than a month or needing any intense support. I have also ended up sitting in the waiting room for 30 minutes before telling reception I had to go as the 15 minutes remaining allowed for the appointment wasn’t enough time to have a therapy sessions. Turns out, the reception forgets to check people in, and does so often enough to the point where now they have patients go back to reception if 15 minutes has passed in case they never got checked in despite being told they were checked in. Any time I try to schedule, it turns into a two or three day process because if you aren’t free for the specific time and date they offered, they have to reach out to the clinician to see if they can do a different time, reception themselves don’t have access to the schedule so it’s a lot of calling, waiting for them to get a moment to call the therapist, then they finally call back, and then you hope the new time they have works. If it doesn’t, then you have to wait for them to call the clinician again. So patients who don’t open availability is not doable with this center, but also, if you do find an opening, don’t count on it working out as it may be cancelled, or just missed entirely for one reason or the other. I’d be willing to bet that the percentage of successfully attended appointments I’ve had might be slightly over 50%.
Your feedback is incredibly important, as it helps us identify areas where we need to improve. We would like to address your concerns directly and work toward a resolution. We strongly encourage you to contact our Patient Experience Team at 413-794-5456 or email us at feedback@baystatehealth.org, as your insights will allow us to investigate these issues further.
Thank you for bringing these matters to our attention. We value your patience and the opportunity to make things right. - Responded by Baystate Health
Response from the owner1 week ago
Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We are truly sorry to hear about the difficulties you’ve encountered with scheduling and communication. The challenges you’ve described—missed appointments, cancellations, and delays—do not describe the efficient and supportive care we aim to provide. We understand how frustrating it must be to navigate these barriers, especially when seeking care that requires consistency and reliability.Your feedback is incredibly important, as it helps us identify areas where we need to improve. We would like to address your concerns directly and work toward a resolution. We strongly encourage you to contact our Patient Experience Team at 413-794-5456 or email us at feedback@baystatehealth.org, as your insights will allow us to investigate these issues further.
Thank you for bringing these matters to our attention. We value your patience and the opportunity to make things right. - Responded by Baystate Health
This place is the worst 😭 I have called so many times to make sure I get meds before I run out and then I end up suffering without my meds do they just delete my messages and continue on I don't know but it's really unfair to people who's mental health is struggling in the first place
Response from the owner1 week ago
We are truly sorry to hear about your experience, Leeanne. Thank you for bringing this concern to our attention. We value your input and would like to help. Please contact our Patient Experience Team at 413-794-5456 or email us at feedback@baystatehealth.org to discuss this matter further. - Responded by Baystate Health 
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
5.5 / 10
Gallery
Accepted Insurance
Other Forms of Payment
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Medically Assisted Detox
Drug and alcohol addiction often takes a heavy toll on one's body. Over time, a physical dependence can develop, meaning the body physiologically needs the substance to function. Detox is the process of removing drugs and/or alcohol from the body, a process that can be lethal if mismanaged. Medical detox is done by licensed medical professionals who monitor vital signs and keep you safe, healthy, and as comfortable as possible as you go through detox and withdrawal.
Inpatient
Residential treatment programs are those that offer housing and meals in addition to substance abuse treatment. Rehab facilities that offer residential treatment allow patients to focus solely on recovery, in an environment totally separate from their lives. Some rehab centers specialize in short-term residential treatment (a few days to a week or two), while others solely provide treatment on a long-term basis (several weeks to months). Some offer both, and tailor treatment to the patient's individual requirements.
12-Step
12-step programs are addiction recovery models based on Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). A number of substance abuse programs (including some drug and alcohol rehab centers) use the 12 steps as a basis for treatment. Beginning steps involve admitting powerlessness over the addiction and creating a spiritual basis for recovery. Middle steps including making direct amends to those who've been hurt by the addiction, and the final step is to assist others in addiction recovery in the same way. 12-Step offshoots including Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Cocaine Anonymous (CA), Dual Recovery Anonymous (DRA), Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA) and Gamblers Anonymous (GA).
Aftercare Support
Completing a drug or alcohol rehab program shouldn't spell the end of substance abuse treatment. Aftercare involves making a sustainable plan for recovery, including ongoing support. This can include sober living arrangements like halfway houses, career counseling, and setting a patient up with community programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA).
Treatments
The goal of treatment for alcoholism is abstinence. Those with poor social support, poor motivation, or psychiatric disorders tend to relapse within a few years of treatment. For these people, success is measured by longer periods of abstinence, reduced use of alcohol, better health, and improved social functioning. Recovery and Maintenance are usually based on 12 step programs and AA meetings.
Addiction is a highly complex problem, and drug rehab in Massachusetts is often necessary to address it. These programs treat physical, mental, and relational issues that are involved. Treatment empowers individuals to manage these issues without the use of drugs.
A combined mental health and substance abuse rehab has the staff and resources available to handle individuals with both mental health and substance abuse issues. It can be challenging to determine where a specific symptom stems from (a mental health issue or an issue related to substance abuse), so mental health and substance abuse professionals are helpful in detangling symptoms and keeping treatment on track.
Opioid rehabs specialize in supporting those recovering from opioid addiction. They treat those suffering from addiction to illegal opioids like heroin, as well as prescription drugs like oxycodone. These centers typically combine both physical as well as mental and emotional support to help stop addiction. Physical support often includes medical detox and subsequent medical support (including medication), and mental support includes in-depth therapy to address the underlying causes of addiction.
Programs
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.
Military Program
Serving in the military is both mentally and physically challenging, and can result in trauma that persists even after combat ends. Military programs are tailored to the specific and often complex needs of active duty personnel, veterans, and military families. Clients often access these programs through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
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.
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.
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a clinical approach to helping people with substance abuse issues and other conditions shift behavior in positive ways. It is more goal-oriented than traditional psychotherapy, as MI counselors directly attempt to get clients to consider making behavioral change (rather than wait for them to come to conclusions themselves). Its primary purpose is to resolve ambivalence and help clients become able to make healthy choices freely.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) is a way of getting nicotine into the bloodstream without smoking. It uses products that supply low doses of nicotine to help people stop smoking. The goal of therapy is to cut down on cravings for nicotine and ease the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal.
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.
Amenities
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Residential Setting -
Private Rooms
Staff & Accreditations
Staff
Peter D. Banko
Chief Executive Officer
Andrew W. Artenstein, MD, MBA
Chief Physician Executive
Raymond McCarthy, MBA, CPA
Chief Financial Officer
Joanne Miller, DNP, RN, NEA-BC
Chief Nursing Executive
Jennifer Wills
Chief Marketing and Communications
Accreditations
The Joint Commission, formerly known as JCAHO, is a nonprofit organization that accredits rehab organizations and programs. Founded in 1951, the Joint Commision's mission is to improve the quality of patient care and demonstrating the quality of patient care.
Joint Commission Accreditation: Yes
Accreditation Number: 5599
Contact Information
42 Wright St
Palmer, MA 01069
Get Help Now - 413-238-6079
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Fact checked and written by:
Jason Collins
Edited by:
Peter Lee, PhD
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