Steppingstone – Women’s Therapeutic Community - New Bedford, MA

About Steppingstone – Women’s Therapeutic Community

Located in New Bedford, Massachusetts, Steppingstone’s Women’s Therapeutic Community provides residential rehabilitation and services to women and women with infants. The services entail rehabilitation from substance use disorders and mental health conditions.

Tailored Support for Moms with Addiction

What strikes us most about Steppingstone is their inclusion of both parenting education and prenatal coordination to thoroughly assist you and help you to meet your fullest potential. They understand the unique challenges of recovery while you’re parenting young children and they’re there to help.

Medicaid, state financed health insurance plans other than Medicaid, and self payments are accepted. Payment assistance may be available depending on your circumstances. We like that payment flexibility is built in without guesswork.

Community Praise in New Bedford

A recent review highlighted the supportive and patient centered approach of the staff. Testimonies emphasize their dedication to helping women regain confidence and achieve sustained sobriety. We feel this consistent commitment creates a setting of hope and empowerment.

Things to Do in the Whaling City

The facility is located in New Bedford, a city known for its rich maritime history and cultural attractions. Some nearby points of interest include the New Bedford Whaling Museum, Buttonwood Park and Zoo, and Fort Taber Park. These places can offer you some great opportunities for fun and community engagement.

Support for Women with SUD at Steppingstone

Their residential rehabilitation services entails a program duration between 3 to 12 months. Along with counseling, they also provide case management services like addiction education, employment readiness, and referrals to crucial community resources including providers of medication assisted treatment.

To help you learn about healthy relationships, their domestic violence support is a great offering. Their parenting education and prenatal coordination can equip you on how to provide a positive home for your child.

Additionally, Steppingstone’s discharge and aftercare planning interventions are designed to ensure you stay successful with skills and perspectives you can take with you for the rest of your life.

Facility Overview

138

Number of Available Beds

Latest Reviews

Brock Meyers

4 weeks ago on Google

I was strugglin bad when I got here and didnt kno if it wuld work The staff kept it real tho and gave me hope agan Felt safe thru the ups an downs an came out way stronger then I went in.

Erin Hurley

2 months ago on Google

This place don’t make a big show of things, but it works. Quiet vibe, no judgment, just people who know what they’re doing and treat you like a real person. 😌 I didn’t need fancy—just a clean space, solid help, and folks who got my back. And that’s exactly what I got. 💯 Steady progress, real talks, and the kind of support that actually sticks. 👣

Bryson Burch

2 months ago on Google

Alcohol and Drug Addiction Rehabilitation Treatments surprised me in the best way. Everything was clear-cut, structured, and genuinely focused on helping me succeed. They didn’t just talk recovery — they lived it, and it showed in how they treated everyone who walked through the door.The support I got there made me feel like I wasn’t fighting alone. They offered tools that I still use every day, and the staff made sure I understood how to keep moving forward. If you’re looking for a place that’s committed to real change, this one stands tall.

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

7.1 / 10

Accepted Insurance

Steppingstone – Women’s Therapeutic Community works with several private insurance providers and also accepts private payments when possible, please contact to verify your specific insurance provider.

Blue Cross Blue Shield

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.

Monthly

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.

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.

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.

Addiction Treatments

Levels of Care

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).

Outpatient

Outpatient programs 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. Steppingstone’s Outpatient Program provides ambulatory behavioral health services to individuals and families in Massachussetts. The Program began providing substance use treatment services in 1992. Recently in 2010, the Outpatient Clinic added mental health treatment services. The Program provides both individual and family involved treatment services. Licensed substance abuse counselors, psychiatrists, and mental health clinicians provide services to individuals and families experiencing substance use and/or mental health problems.

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.

Sober Living Homes

Sober Living Houses (SLHs), aka sober homes or halfway houses, are safe, substance-free, supportive living facilities for those recovering from substance abuse. Ideal for those who've just been through inpatient or outpatient treatment, SLHs are supervised environments with rules that support sobriety, such as curfews, shared chores, and therapeutic meetings. Residents are also often trained on life skills and coping skills to make it easier to transition into society. SLHs also provide a strong sense of community that can lead to the kind of deep and lasting connections with other sober individuals that supports a new, healthy lifestyle.

24-Hour Clinical Care

At certain points in the recovery process, it's important to have support available 24/7. 24-hour clinical care offers a safe environment in which to recover from drug or alcohol addiction in peace, knowing medical detox and other treatment will happen with professionals on hand.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

Private Setting
Private Transportation

Staff & Accreditations

Staff

Danielle Waskiewicz

Director, Billing

Madeleine Telfeyan

President, Human Resources & Executive at Steppingstone

Mary Sullivan

VP, Enrollment Management

Katarina Ng

Executive VP, Programs

Chablee Santos

Director, People & Culture

Danielle Brown

Program Director

Jessica Hanson

Director

Rick Miller

Co-Owner

Ashley Calise

Senior Director, Communications

Accreditations

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: Massachusetts

Contact Information

(508) 984-1880

Website

979 Pleasant Street
New Bedford, MA 02740

Get Help Now - 508-375-7527

Rehab in Cities Near New Bedford

Back to MA

Reviews of Steppingstone – Women’s Therapeutic Community

4.1/5 (16 reviews)

Google Reviews

4.1 (16 reviews)

4 weeks ago

2 months ago

Richard Martin

4 months ago

I showed up feeling completely lost, and they didn’t treat me like a screw-up—they treated me like someone worth helping. From detox to the day-to-day support, everything was handled with patience and care. No cold stares, no lectures—just real people helping me get my life back on track.What made this place stand out was how steady they were. Even when I felt like quitting, they didn’t give up on me. They helped me build confidence, one step at a time. If you’re ready for change and want a team that truly has your back, this is the spot.

Ginja Bella

1 year ago

This used to be Stepping Stone Inc House for females. It was referred to as the ivy league of halfway houses. All the staff members at WATC would recommend this house. It saved my life and many others. The graduate house used to be next door. I was here in 2015 and they were one of the best organizations around Steppingstone Inc. I am curious to know what it is now...I just know this was one of the best houses I had been to back then. Jessica was the director and also my counselor at the time she was amazing along with the other staff who helped run the house wish I could remember names. All of them were fabulous and cared about each and every woman who entered their doors.

Burd Stokes

2 years ago

The Alcohol and Drug Addiction Rehabilitation Treatments had a major impact in my life and the lives of many others. The counselors are fantastic and extremely knowledgeable.

Ashbaugh Webster

My life was saved by Resurgence. This place is incredible; they not only saved my life but also allowed me to begin rebuilding my life and self-esteem. The clients I worked with, the staff, and the people I met have all become like family to me. I've been in and out of treatment for the past 16 years, and this has been the best place with the best people. They didn't abandon me when I did. They truly care, and it is a truly healing environment.

Ashe M.

4 years ago

There are some staff members who care about the women and are wonderful people, and those staff members should be commended and praised. There are other staff members at this facility who should not be employed in the recovery field at all. I graduated this house, but while I was there, I witnessed absolute insanity. One staff member was purposefully triggering women in groups for the sole purpose of making them upset and causing friction and drama. On one such occasion, this staff member told all the women in a group that a recently discharged resident had been beaten into a coma by her ex and refused to disclose anything further, which obviously was very upsetting. This same staff member frequently expressed her negative opinions on what kinds of medications some of the residents were on while distributing them and was constantly misinterpreting dosage instructions. She would give information about new medications that was wildly incorrect--another lovely staff member kindly always printed out information about any newly prescribed medications to clear up any questions (very helpful as I personally began a regime of psyche meds for the first time while residing here) but this staff member would make things up and spout them as truth and make women feel badly about taking medication they were PRESCRIBED. For months, there was no cook at this facility so meals had to be delivered. There were frequently times when meals were not delivered and everyone had to eat questionable cold cuts/peanut butter for days at a time. I hear there is a cook now, which is good. This is a walk-to-meetings house. There wasn't a full time driver when I was there, so that meant walking for miles in the wintertime through dangerous areas at night. And of course no one is allowed to have a cell phone, so gods forbid if some creep follows you home. (this happened to me, by the same guy, multiple times.) This began to improve by the time I was graduating and moving on, but for a long time, there was very little actual focus on recovery. Groups were often "peer-led" which meant that one of the senior residents did a craft or something while staff caught up with paperwork. Not helpful. There was one instance where two girls relapsed. One of the girls hadn't gotten a urine screen in months because she was going to school during the day, and this one day she disappeared for like 12 hours with another girl and they both came back blitzed. This was on a holiday weekend so all of the rest of us had relapse in our faces for 5 days before they finally were discharged. (yes, 5 days. The entire holiday weekend, and finally on the Wednesday afterwards the urine screen lady came to test everyone.) Another instance, a girl was getting high for weeks and tested TWICE before they realized it and discharged her. This literally was because they were understaffed and didn't have time to review the screen results. Melissa K and Chris, you two do great work and I know how much you were doing to make things better here. I graduated a year ago, I don't know how things are now. Better, I hope. I've got a year and 3 months of recovery now, and part of how I maintain it is telling myself that I never, ever have to go through an experience like this place ever again.

Nicole Tangney

This place saved my life and gave me the tools I needed to heal and become the best version of my self. Melissa K is so amazing I have never met any one who trully cared about the people shes trying to help like she does. Take the step in the right direction and go to stepping stone! You have to really want it.

Scotty McMahon

5 years ago

My Mom went there and then went on to the grad house and is sober 14yrs know I was just starting kindergarten. I am very blessed for this place it saved my Mom’s Life. She got to see me graduate high school... Thank you Steppingstones SJM

Alison Makseyn

6 years ago

This is the worst house I’ve ever been a part of. They have 2 staff members only! No clinicians, no counseling and hardly any groups that are recovery based. They pack the girls in one after another. You get no individual help or attention. They rarely allow you to make phone calls. The only payphone has been broken over a month and all there is is punishment. They disregarded the positive things you do and have no reward system for the progress you make.

Kay Brogna

I went here for not even a month and they lost my phone. Not only did they my phone they lost my $150 headphones too. They are saying in their handbook they are not responsible for my property being lost when they took possession of my property. I have filed a police report and the police say once they took possession that they are responsible for my phone and headphones. The police station said they will be sending two detectives to the house as they are taking very seriously. On top of all this my father and I have called the director of this steppingstone and the director of the company Multiple times with no response.

Overall Experience

5 Star
4 Star
3 Star
2 Star
1 Star

Date Submitted

Last 6 months
Last 12 months
Last 2 years
2+ years

Steppingstone – Women’s Therapeutic Community