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Whitman Walker Health

1525 14th Street NorthWest
Washington, DC 20005
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Whitman Walker Health DC 20005

About Whitman Walker Health

Located on 14th Street NW near Logan Circle, Whitman Walker Health is a facility that offers behavioral health services in Washington, DC. Clients can receive treatments for addiction such as outpatient therapy and medication assisted treatment. Payment options accepted at this facility include Medicaid and Medicare.

Managing Withdrawal Symptoms With Medication

The medication for opioid use disorder program or MOUD will involve taking buprenorphine to quit using opioids such as prescription pain medication and heroin. The medication is designed to manage your withdrawal symptoms so you avoid relapsing and focus more on your recovery.

Clients who experience mental health issues along with their substance use disorder can be connected to a psychiatrist, peer recovery specialist or counselor on staff. A psychiatrist can prescribe medications to manage your mental health symptoms as needed.

The peer recovery specialist available to work with you will be able to share their experience with recovering from addiction. You’ll be able to receive support individually or within a group over the telephone or in person.

A Multi Format Outpatient Program

Your outpatient addiction care will incorporate various treatments including individual counseling, groups counseling, and family education. Your family becoming educated on addiction will make them better equipped to be a support system for you in your recovery. The facility will tailor the length of time you’re in the program and the content of the program to your specific needs.

When you have time outside of your treatment sessions, you can explore all that Washington, DC has to offer. Some great places that might be fun for you to visit include the United States Botanic Garden and the Smithsonian National Zoological Park.

Similar Rehab Centers

Fact checked and written by:
Eric Owens
Edited by:
Nikki Wisher, BA

Latest Reviews

Lynn Matthysse
1 month ago on Google
1
I have been a patient at this clinic for over 10 years. While the doctors and nurses themselves are generally friendly and helpful, the administrative side of this practice is consistently disappointing, particularly scheduling, billing, and front desk operations. Over the years, I have had three different primary doctors here. When the first left, I was notified properly through the app. When the second left, I received no notice at all, and staff insisted I had been informed. Every communication runs through the app, and nothing was recorded there. I was then assigned a new doctor for a “new patient” appointment. Only later did I discover this physician was out-of-network, even though my insurance has remained the same for the past three years. The billing situation has been equally frustrating. I have contacted their outsourced billing department three times in the past two months. Each time, I am told to “wait 5–7 business days,” but no resolution follows, and no one calls back. The phone system itself also frequently drops calls. This happens whether I am waiting for a callback or holding for a representative, and on one occasion the call ended suddenly and sent me to a post-call survey. Access to care is another ongoing issue. Three years ago, I was told there was a waitlist for mental health services. To this day, I have no idea whether I am still on it or if it ever truly existed. During the height of COVID, my appointment requests were routed to lobby staff who took messages, but no one ever followed up. This is not a matter of one poor experience. It reflects long-term, systemic failures in communication, organization, and patient support. The medical providers deserve better infrastructure, and the patients deserve basic reliability and respect.
Mars
2 months ago on Google
1
Rude staff, false information on there website
Michael Cooper
3 months ago on Google
1
Terrible service. My records were entered correctly and it takes numerous calls and emails to get them to follow up on appts etc that they say they will follow up on. It’s one of the worst places I’ve been.
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Rehab Score

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6.3 / 10

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.

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.

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.

Addiction Treatments

Levels of Care

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.

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.

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.

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.

It is possible to develop an addiction to legal or illegal substances. Fortunately, drug rehab programs in Washington, DC are available to treat all types of drug addiction. If you have become physically or psychologically dependent on any substance (addicted), this type of professional treatment program can help you break free.

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 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.

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.

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 (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.

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.

Staff

Naseema Shafi

CEO

Meghan Davies

COO

Jessica Estrada

Senior Director of Nursing

David Fessler

Director of Clinical Practice

Jennifer Loken

Director of Therapy & Substance Use Treatment

Contact Information

Building icon

1525 14th Street NorthWest
Washington, DC 20005

Explore Other Centers Near Washington

Reviews of Whitman Walker Health

3.3/5 (207 reviews)
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Reviews

Overall Experience
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Google Reviews

3.3 (207 reviews)
Lynn Matthysse
1 month ago
1

I have been a patient at this clinic for over 10 years. While the doctors and nurses themselves are generally friendly and helpful, the administrative side of this practice is consistently disappointing, particularly scheduling, billing, and front desk operations. Over the years, I have had three different primary doctors here. When the first left, I was notified properly through the app. When the second left, I received no notice at all, and staff insisted I had been informed. Every communication runs through the app, and nothing was recorded there. I was then assigned a new doctor for a “new patient” appointment. Only later did I discover this physician was out-of-network, even though my insurance has remained the same for the past three years. The billing situation has been equally frustrating. I have contacted their outsourced billing department three times in the past two months. Each time, I am told to “wait 5–7 business days,” but no resolution follows, and no one calls back. The phone system itself also frequently drops calls. This happens whether I am waiting for a callback or holding for a representative, and on one occasion the call ended suddenly and sent me to a post-call survey. Access to care is another ongoing issue. Three years ago, I was told there was a waitlist for mental health services. To this day, I have no idea whether I am still on it or if it ever truly existed. During the height of COVID, my appointment requests were routed to lobby staff who took messages, but no one ever followed up. This is not a matter of one poor experience. It reflects long-term, systemic failures in communication, organization, and patient support. The medical providers deserve better infrastructure, and the patients deserve basic reliability and respect.

Mars
2 months ago
1

Rude staff, false information on there website

Michael Cooper
3 months ago
1

Terrible service. My records were entered correctly and it takes numerous calls and emails to get them to follow up on appts etc that they say they will follow up on. It’s one of the worst places I’ve been.

Maheen Dhanani
3 months ago
5

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