The services here and unhelpful. I think they have had a lot of staff changes, because of the bad attitude.
About Shodair Childrens Hospital
Shodair Childrens Hospital, located in Helena, Montana is a private alcohol and drug rehab that offers treatment for a variety of substance abuse addictions including co-occurring mental health disorders. They offer residential care providing long term support for addiction recovery, as well as flexible outpatient addiction therapy allowing patients to live at home while receiving regular treatment. Additional levels of care offered include partial hospitalization.
Specialty rehab programs at Shodair Childrens Hospital include age-appropriate treatment for teens addressing adolescent-specific issues, specialized drug rehab for veterans, addressing combat-related trauma and reintegration, and accessible addiction treatment using sign language and adapted communication methods.
Facility Overview
24 Number of Available Beds
Latest Reviews
I was a child there a few times. I lived the staff but I also knew that they really didn't wanna be there. I'm 25 now and I could never do there job but most do the best they can.. I had been in so many y bad places that the state agreed with I was hurt in all sorts of ways in other placements but whenever I was at shodair it was like a breath of fresh air.. the staff were wonderful. They helped me. They really did bur then I was sent by social workers to worse places.. bur shodair was a place was I excited to go. They really did care. Other than the places I'd been too.
I remember when I was admitted at 12 before they renovated it the waiting room outside was colorful but the as you walk into the unit all the colors fade I remember a worker there that was being perverted to patients he was eventually moved to the short term unit and wasn't fired because "the kids were lieing" 5 weeks later he was fired because children were opening up about the things he said to them he worked there for a couple years I remember family therapy was hell the first time I did one I was in short term and the lady asked me what i thought the problem was and then proceeded to shush me and let my parents talk ask mother started to scream at my father and argue then I started crying and she refused to let me out the therapy room and J's continued talking about me while I cried by the door I wanted to talk about my relationship with food and they gave me a piece of paper and told me to right down what I'm thankful for and I will get hungry then said you definitely have a Ed but we won't diagnose you because you will just feel sorry for yourself and sent me away with my paper also one of the staff members told a older teen that I was trash talking them after she had asked me what I was crying about and then went to a the older kid who was 17 and said I was trash talking and I almost got assaulted because the lady went out of her way to do that this is a staff I'm talking about other than that they do a shit job with therapy if u don't feel well to go home after long term they send you home if u want to go home they keep you longer if your kid has autism don't bring them here they keep the autistic kids locked up and they only let the kids out for a hour or 2 and kids have supposedly seen staff hit the kids with autism if your kid is nonverbal don't send them here if your baby can't speak up because I have heard about how this was seen twice now THE STAFF HERE NEED MORE HELP THEN THE CHILDREN they would gather all the kids up and proceed how to say how it was their fault they were there from their own decisions while there was kids that were there only because they were children of the state and didn't have a house to live at or a foster family to go to while I was crying a staff member came up to me and said "quit being a pain in my ass"
The fact that my child has been in a severe mental crisis and they keep denying her a bed is unbelievable. The lady asked if she was still hospitalized I said no, she said well we denied her and taking her off our wait list. I asked why she said because my daughter has been in and out so much that it's not helping, I asked what Dr denied her, she stated they wouldn't release that.Also my daughter was approved for higher level of care had a bed date, released her a few days prior. Tried communicating with kept giving me the number to facility asked if I have been in contact with this facility I said yes and no return calls. That day I got a call stating they gave shodiar all documentation that she's ready to go, needless the need of certificate was cancelled because shodiar never communicated with me stating they got the information even though they sent me home.So since then the extreme behaviors, having to run to emergency room just to get denied is unacceptable. The fact that they "don't think it's helping" well she's been through shodiar last few years since 2019 and that just says this place doesn't care cause if they did my child would be in a better spot.Last couple times when she was admitted Everytime family therapy came around I'd either get a call saying she doesn't want to do therapy or if she did she didn't open up. Obviously this place doesn't help if they let kids refuse therapy and says that they are releasing a child even with severe behaviors which leads to not even safe to come home.I feel that they don't care enough to help children, they keep kids in their shodiar based program school without us parents having a voice and they say no other schools with accept them but yet our children can be academically behind because the school focuses on behaviors and not academics. I would recommend a flat 0 for this place, DO NOT send your children to this facility it's a joke. Look at other resources because there's resources that are probably a lot more successful in helping children.
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6.3 / 10
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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 Clients enrolled in outpatient rehab typically reside in their own homes and many continue to work and/or attend school while receiving addiction treatment. The frequency and intensity of outpatient treatment varies based upon the clients' evolving needs. Many programs offer a full continuum of outpatient care, including partial hospitalization (PHP), intensive outpatient (IOP), sober living/halfway housing, and standard outpatient services. The most common treatment modalities are psychotherapy, life skills training, and medication assisted treatment (MAT).
Inpatient Clients undergoing treatment at an inpatient rehab receive intensive supervision and hands-on care. They reside at the treatment facility for the duration of the program, which may exceed 18 months in long-term residential programs. Rigorous addiction counseling, including family and group therapy, is often the primary treatment modality. Many programs also offer a range of evidence-based holistic therapies, including yoga, music therapy, meditation, and experiential therapy. Most programs promote clients' long-term sobriety through recovery-focused life skills training.
Partial Hospitalization Program Often referred to as "day treatment," a partial hospitalization program (PHP) provides structured therapy and support while allowing you to return home each day. PHP treatment is often used as a short-term alternative to inpatient hospitalization or a step-down option after a residential program. With a minimum commitment of 20 hours per week for an average of 90 days, PHP treatment often provides relapse prevention, medication management, and behavioral therapy services. Most providers offer coverage for PHP treatment.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Typically, addiction leads to poor dietary choices, which leads to nutrient deficiencies. You don't get the vitamins and minerals you need for daily functioning, which can make recovery even harder. Nutrition therapy addresses these issues and gives you the dietary support you need to get on the right track for recovery.
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.
Staff
Craig Aasved
CEO
Abdallah F. Elias, MD
Chief Medical Officer of Genetics
Thomas Hoffman, MD
Chief Medical Officer of Psychiatry
Kelley Gentry
CFO
Alana Listoe
Chief Communications Officer
Ingrid Lovitt
Director of Government Relations
Joe McClafferty
President & Chief Development Officer
Desiree Navarro
Chief Human Resource Officer
Contact Information
(406) 444-7500 
2755 Colonial Drive
Helena, MT 59601
Get Help Now - 406-213-8781
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