Claimed
Horrible place overall. Unqualified staff, inedible food and unsanitary conditions. Group therapy was a joke since all they did was say the same childish nonsense over and over again. None of the group "leaders" seemed to have any kind of psychological education or have any ...
About Riverwoods Behavioral Health System
Riverwoods Behavioral Health System is an addiction and mental health treatment facility based out of Riverdale, Georgia. The center treats patients of all ages throughout South Atlanta who are experiencing drug addiction, dual diagnosis disorders, alcoholism, ADHD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD, anxiety and self harming behaviors. The clinic accepts a wide range of insurance plans including Medicare. If you don’t have insurance, then the facility will work with you to create a payment plan based on your budget and needs.
The facility offers a large range of treatment options depending on each person’s individual needs. They provide detox services, partial hospitalization programming, intensive outpatient programming and aftercare planning.
Riverwoods also offers a wide range of therapy options. These are offered in individual and group session formats. Focus of therapy includes educational sessions, chemical dependency education, social skill focus classes, relapse prevention courses, anger management, illness education, peer pressure groups, coping skills sessions, medication classes, relaxation therapy, and spirituality groups.
One unique quality about Riverwoods is that they are open 24/7 and accept walk in patients without a referral. This type of fast and immediate help can be lifesaving in a crisis.
Facility Overview
105 Number of Available Beds
5 - 7 Avg Length of Stay in Days
Latest Reviews
I give all psych wards a one, except for the one that helped me. I was getting a ride home from an ambulance when I couldn't make it back home walking and accidentally got psych warded by the ambulance (driven to a mental health ER for no reason). Riverwoods would not fix the mistake, and I think I was there for 2-3 weeks for no reason. Can't contact them regarding the bill at all. No one calls me back. Pretty angry. My purse was stolen by the ambulance or psych ward and my clothes immediately confiscated and probably never returned, so I was wearing this dumpy stupid thing the whole time. Rooms are dilapidated like all psych wards for some reason. Nothing to do with your time so like sitting waiting for the bus to come forever for weeks. Miserable. No interruptions but the gym. TV kept low and on the news. Everyone there bored and probably miserable. Caught "the voices" there. (I have auditory hallucinations, but it doesn't manifest usually unless I'm miserable or tortured.) My normal medicines didn't help. In summary, my experience there took me from less mentally ill to more mentally ill because of poor living conditions. I also can't get them to submit the bill to insurance. But that's a standard psych ward, giving me voices when I previously had none because of poor living conditions. (I hate them all - psych wards- , and I'm usually psych warded by my parents for civil disobedience.) This psych ward was better in that they asked me what drugs I was taking instead of trying to drug me senseless with foreign drugs.
I just want to say thank you so much to Mr.Terrel and Shayla!! I really enjoyed and appreciate all they do..Terrel class was amazing and has really motivated me, I really needed the help and looking forward to using the tools I learned!!
Response from the owner2 days ago
We’re so grateful for this feedback! Our goal is to offer premier services with respect and compassion.
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I was sent to stay here for 5 days and during my transition into the adolescents unit. I was threatened and was terrified by/of an on site therapist there. She repeatedly said she knew who I was and what my character was like. They also put laxatives in the food it was absolutely disgusting I never want to go back.
Rehab Score
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7.1 / 10
Gallery
Location
Accepted Insurance
Peach State Health Plan
EmblemHealth
Cenpatico
PHCS (Private Healthcare Systems)
Other Forms of Payment
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.
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.
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 rehab enables clients to receive addiction treatment while continuing to work and reside at home. Many programs offer evening, night, and weekend services so that clients may receive treatment on their own schedule. Outpatient treatment modalities typically include addiction counseling, recovery-focused life skills training, and/or medication assisted treatment (MAT). Many programs also provide step-down care, including partial hospitalization (PHP), intensive outpatient (IOP), and standard outpatient services, to align with clients' evolving needs.
Intensive Outpatient IOP is a 2-4 week program that is utilized as a transitional step-up or step-down program. IOP is much less restrictive than PHP and offers 5 or 7 days a week programming from 9 am to 12 pm. Patients will attend a minimum of 2 group therapy sessions a day. Individual and family therapy can be used throughout the process if deemed beneficial by the therapist. As IOP is therapy based only, patients needing medication monitoring and administration will be assisted by staff to arrange for private psychiatric treatment. IOP offers much more freedom and allows patients to receive the treatment they need while still being able to maintain their daily lives and complicated schedules.
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).
Partial Hospitalization Program A partial hospitalization program (PHP) is a short-term form of intensive rehab, usually for those with acute symptoms that are hard to manage but don’t require 24-hour care. PHPs have structured programming (i.e. individual and/or group therapy), and usually meet 3-5 days a week for around 6 hours (i.e. 9am-3m). Some PHPs are residential (patients sleep on site) and some are not, so patients sleep at home. PHPs can last from 1-6 months, and some offer transportation and meals.
24-Hour Clinical Care 24-hour clinical care in Georgia reduces the risks involved in detox and addiction treatment. Without access to professional medical care, individuals may experience withdrawal symptoms that become life threatening. For example, alcohol withdrawal can cause delirium tremens, confusion, and cardiac symptoms. Without medical supervision to step in, these symptoms could potentially turn fatal.
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.
Treatments
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.
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.
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 form of therapy that’s used to change the way you think about your life. Negative patterns of thinking, such as “I’ll never get better,” are challenged by the therapist so that you learn to think, “I’m working on my recovery one day at a time.” This allows for a more encouraging world view and more constructive ways of thinking.
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.
Group therapy is so important to the recovery process as it allows you to connect with other people who are facing similar struggles so that you can all learn, grow, and heal together. Process groups are centered around a specific theme to help you to process your feelings about the problems you face. Educational groups are designed to provide you with more information about addiction, co-occurring disorders, and medications. Other groups focus on relapse prevention and stress management.
Individual therapy is a one-on-one therapy that’s often used to discuss the problems addiction has caused you and identify ways to solve these problems. It may explore the reasons behind your addiction and emotional pain and seek ways to better cope with the challenges in your 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.
They use family therapy sessions at their hospital to help your loved ones better understand your addiction and the treatment you’re going through. During family sessions, they explore family dynamics that may have led to the development of the addiction as well as allowing your family the time and space to discuss their own feelings about your addiction. They can also help family members locate community resources to allow them to continue to process their feelings and discover ways of coping with them.
Amenities
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Private Transportation -
Residential Setting -
Private Rooms
Staff & Accreditations
Staff
Alycyn Kimmey
Chief Nursing Officer
Katherine Sheppard
Director of Quality and Performance Improvement
Mona Gray, MBA, CPLC
Director of Business Development
Andreia Ford
Director of Health Information Management
Dwight Austion
Director of Facility Operations
Shani Studstill
Director of Outpatient Services
Joseph Washington Jr., PhD
Director of Human Resources
Lillian Campbell
Director of Food and Nutritional Services
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: 472946
Contact Information
(678) 674-4004 
223 Medical Center Dr
Riverdale, GA 30274
Get Help Now - 470-866-4553
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Fact checked and written by:
Jennifer Martin
Edited by:
Kerry Nenn, BSW
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