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When I was there, I was bullied (physically and emotionally) and stolen from on numerous occasions and the staff did NOTHING. I dealt with inappropriate from employees and their response to my parents complaints were to move the workers to a different ward. My Dr asked ina ...
About Perimeter of Missouri
The residential care center has 96 beds. Their program is oriented around socialization with peers to build confidence and to reduce trauma. You’ll meet with counselors in individual and group therapy multiple times per week, have meetings with family members, and go to school at a nearby campus.
There are special tracks for teens with specific behavioral needs. One track addresses sexual aggression in teenage boys to curb hostile behavior. You’ll learn about empathy and expressing yourself in a more holistic way. Trust interventions are also available for youths who are at risk. You’ll learn how to cope in healthy ways to curb behavioral tendencies before they escalate.
A transitional program is also available if you complete the residential program but need more support. You’ll live and work in a setting that resembles a home, have responsibilities to help run the house, and develop life skills. That way, you’ll be more independent and self reliant when you go back to your community.
Fact checked and written by:
Peter Lee, PhD
Edited by:
Kerry Nenn, BSW
Latest Reviews
E
Reviewed on 10/03/2025
When I was there, I was bullied (physically and emotionally) and stolen from on numerous occasions and the staff did NOTHING. I dealt with inappropriate from employees and their response to my parents complaints were to move the workers to a different ward. My Dr asked inappropriate questions a lot. There were patients having sexual relationships with staff workers. I also left without a lot of my clothes because they were “too dark” (literally just the colors) and we’re confiscated, then were mysteriously missing by the time I left.
Through personally being at perimeter I can absolutely say that this place they say is supposed to help kis get better only makes them more weak and unstable. The staff not only talk down to the residents but also sometimes get physically violent in ways that aren't okay. Some might say there just doing there job but I can tell you with truth on my side that the staff who did me wrong did a number of other helpless kids wrong too and one day it will come back and get them. Perimeter also doesn't keep up the best on the residents safety. I had a staff infection three times due to the dirtyness of that place. There is food everywhere and clothes and blankets. The staff would refuse us femine products for hours after we asked telling us "use the toilet paper I don't have time". An I have myself witnessed physical abuse by staff that are still working there to this day. So in my honest and only honest feedback this facility that is supposed to be helpful to kids struggling is only making most of them struggle so much more.
Response from the owner2 weeks ago
We regret that your experience was not what you hoped for. Supporting patients with compassion and dignity is our top priority, and your feedback helps us improve. Please contact us directly at EFox@perimeterhealthcare.com so we can discuss this further in a private and supportive way.
The team here does a stellar job with the kiddos!
Response from the owner2 weeks ago
We truly appreciate your review. Supporting both patients and families is central to our mission, and we’re grateful to know your experience reflected that care. Thank you for sharing your encouragement. 
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6.7 / 10
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Accepted Insurance
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.
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 rehab enables clients to continue to work, attend school, or reside at home while undergoing treatment, including addiction counseling and recovery-focused life skills training. Evening, night, and weekend sessions are available at many facilities to ensure continuous access to care on the client's schedule. Many centers also offer ancillary services, such as career coaching and peer mentoring, to promote clients' sustained recovery and community integration. Higher-level outpatient treatment, including intensive outpatient (IOP) care, is also widely available.
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.
Rehab aftercare programs offer continuing care for clients in the maintenance phase of recovery and are designed to evolve over time. Outpatient treatment is generally categorized as drug rehab aftercare, but many clients continue to receive services after being discharged from formal care. These services are customized to clients' unique recovery goals, but typically include medical, mental health, and social services. Clients' case manager and recovery team play a key role in developing the client's care plan.
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).
Treatments
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a modified form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a treatment designed to help people understand and ultimately affect the relationship between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. DBT is often used for individuals who struggle with self-harm behaviors, such as self-mutilation (cutting) and suicidal thoughts, urges, or attempts. It has been proven clinically effective for those who struggle with out-of-control emotions and mental health illnesses like Borderline Personality Disorder.
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.
Life skills trainings involve all the skills a person must have in order to function successfully in the world. These include time management, career guidance, money management, and effective communication. Truly successful addiction recovery is based on the ability to not only live substance-free, but to thrive. Life skills teaches the practical necessities of functioning in society, which sets clients up for success in life, and therefore sobriety.
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.
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.
Recreational therapy (aka therapeutic recreation) uses creative and fun activities to help with addiction recovery. Recreational therapists lead patients in entertaining and engaging activities like sports or games; art (drawing, painting, sculpture); drama, music, and dance; and/or community outings (field trips) to improve patients' physical, social, and emotional well-being.
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 Setting -
Private Transportation
Staff & Accreditations
Staff
James R. Laughlin, MBA
PRESIDENT & CEO
George Dunaway
CFO
Greg Sassman, JD, MHA, MS
VP CCOC
Debbie Tullier
Regional VP of Operations
Barbara Wallace
Regional VP & VP Clinical Operations
Rebecca Thomas, RN, BSN
VP, Clinical Training
Erica Fox, MBA
VP, Business Development and Contracting
Carey Ouzts, MBA, BSN, RN, CDP
Vice President, Nursing
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: 1713
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Established in 1992 by congress, SAMHSA's mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on American's communities.
SAMHSA Listed: Yes
State Licenses are permits issued by government agencies that allow rehab organizations to conduct business legally within a certain geographical area. Typically, the kind of program a rehab facility offers, along with its physical location, determines which licenses are required to operate legally.
State License: Missouri
Contact Information
1000 Hospital Road
Waynesville, MO 65583
Get Help Now - 573-231-7955
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