THANK YOU St. Joseph's. I stayed at the Grace Unit, and I can honestly say that it's the best psychiatric help I have ever gotten. Compassion and respect were the best I have ever seen.
About Essentia Health-St. Joseph’s Medical Center (Brainerd)
The Essentia Health-St. Joseph’s Medical Center (Brainerd) is a hospital, trauma center and emergency room for clients of all ages in Brainerd, Minnesota. They specialize in treating a wide range of conditions, including substance use disorder. Here, you’ll find different kinds of treatment plans that incorporate inpatient, outpatient and aftercare services.
Most people attend treatment here for about four months. You’ll work with your provider to determine which level of care you need and how frequently you need to participate in your program. The staff in this department are trained and licensed in addiction recovery, so they’ll keep your safety top of mind at all times.
If you need inpatient treatment, you’ll live on site at the medical center. Something I like about this facility is the low patient to staff ratio, which means you’ll receive targeted attention and round the clock supervision.
If you’re stable enough to live at home while you recover, you can enroll in their outpatient program. Some of the services they offer include individual and family counseling sessions as well as medication assisted treatment.
Facility Overview
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Latest Reviews
My son is very autistic and needed tests to be done in order to find out why he was sick. The staff did a wonderful job helping us as our son does not tolerate hospital visits and needed special care to have blood and swabs taken. Given how terribly busy it was, our time there was much faster than I anticipated. One nurse even gave our son a toy car to ease his discomfort. Everyone treated him with such care and understanding. I am so happy they were able to help us figure out what was wrong with our son.
Response from the owner2 months ago
So glad to hear about your family's positive experience. It is our privilege to serve you and our communities!
Worst hospital I ve been to in the US. I ve been to hospitals in many states, from Florida, to New Hampshire, to South Dakota and even more, this hospital in Brainerd is by far the worst I ve ever been to. Nurses talking instead of doing their jobs which I m sure is why you wait two hours before even getting a diagnosis. This place truly is the worst place I ve been to, doctors give you indirect answers, no one even checks their patient log so they have no idea what the patient can and can t take until they say it. Terrible place would never recommend. Also if you re baby needs a NICU, have fun being an hour away because this place doesn t have it.
Response from the owner2 months ago
We value your feedback, and we apologize for your experience. We would like to address your concerns. For your privacy, please email us at patientfeedback@EssentiaHealth.org. Thank you.
No call backs
Response from the owner1 month ago
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We value your comments and apologize for the inconvenience. If you would like to discuss further, please email us at patientfeedback@EssentiaHealth.org. Thank you. 
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8.1 / 10
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Accepted Insurance
Other Forms of Payment
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.
Sliding scale payments are based on a client's income and family size. The goal is to make treatment affordable to everyone. By taking these factors into account, addiction recovery care providers help ensure that your treatment does not become a financial burden to you or your family, eliminating one barrier to care.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Intensive Outpatient Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) are for those who want or need a very structured treatment program but who also wish to live at home and continue with certain responsibilities (such as work or school). IOP substance abuse treatment programs vary in duration and intensity, and certain outpatient rehab centers will offer individualized treatment programs.
Aftercare Support Rehab aftercare programs provide robust, wraparound care for clients who have completed detox and/or intensive inpatient rehab. Their services may vary widely, but typically include peer coaching, relapse prevention support, 12 step program induction, career counseling, and related community reintegration services. The client's case manager and recovery team coordinates with the client to identify the rehab aftercare services they need to promote their sustained sobriety.
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).
Intervention Services A drug intervention in Minnesota is a planned effort to persuade an individual to quit using drugs or to enter a treatment program. The intervention may be led by a specialist provided by rehab intervention services. This interventionist should have training in addiction treatment and experience in the mental health profession. Their expertise can prove invaluable in leading the intervention discussion and guiding the family in appropriate next steps.
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.
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
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.
Drug addiction is defined as an inability to stop using drugs even though it causes negative consequences in your life. Drug rehab in Minnesota provides treatment for drug addiction in a variety of settings including inpatient treatment and outpatient treatment.
Opioid AddictionSubstance rehabs focus on helping individuals recover from substance abuse, including alcohol and drug addiction (both illegal and prescription drugs). They often include the opportunity to engage in both individual as well as group therapy.
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.
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.
Dialectical behavior therapy focuses on four skills: emotional regulation, mindfulness, acceptance and distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. Treatment involves individual sessions, as well as group sessions where you can start applying the skills you learn.
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.
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.
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.
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.
For a successful recovery, life skills training is key. That's why rehab programs in Minnesota include training in social skills, self care, time management, financial management, and other daily life skills. By growing in these areas, you'll gain tools that allow you to navigate challenges and avoid relapse.
Recreational therapy supports addiction recovery by giving you enjoyable activities that improve your overall well being. Treatment centers may include team sports, arts and crafts, or outdoor activities to help reduce your cravings, alleviate stress, and build a supportive community network that helps maintain long term sobriety.
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.
Amenities
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Private Setting
Staff & Accreditations
Staff
David Herman, MD
CEO
Jodi Mansfield
Executive VP & COO
Gratia Pitcher, MD
CMO
Traci Morris
CFO
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: 9509
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
Contact Information
(218) 829-2861 
523 North 3Rd street
Brainerd MN, 56401
Get Help Now - 218-208-0218
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Fact checked and written by:
Courtney Myers, MS
Edited by:
Peter Lee, PhD
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