Avalon Eagan

I love it I was so scared to go at first and shy but the teacher kept it real and interesting I went about 4 years ago.

I have nearly completed the outpatient program. I too watched the Bill Murray video. The movie is a comedy about a highly regarded therapist and an obsessive compulsive patient that violates the patient therapist relationship continuously. I am not sure what needs explaining. We are all in therapy and if you paid attention you would have learned many lessons about life and life in therapy. Also it was humorous and certainly was a team building exercise. This is group therapy. I am not sure why someone would write on the comments with second hand knowledge of the therapy received. The person that received the therapy should write more detail on why he/she thought it was bad. Someone in treatment that doesn't want to be there complaining to his mom is hardly good information. The group I am is always changing and yet the group is dynamic and contributes a lot to helping each other. Some of the people that come in occasionally just don't want to participate and if you don't participate you don't get much from the group. Seldom is this a problem and that is a testament to the excellent leadership. Group therapy is not a counselor to class one way learning experience. The counselor keeps the group on point and it is up to the patient/participant to get something out of counseling. There is plenty of homework to do and the counselors are always available for after group discussions. If your son was having problems with understanding the reason for the movie he just had to ask. We also occasionally play group games. If anyone is having trouble in the group the group members are always there to help out. The facility is easy to get to and easy to park near the door if that matters. The group talks on break. There are regular drug tests and relapses are discussed openly if you unfortunately choose drugs during the program. As for insurance that probably could be explained better but as you said you should have checked up on it if you weren't getting bills. Certainly if your insurance company is not following up with any bill analysis something is wrong. It was explained to me that your portion of the bill is generally lumped into one payment at the end. Your insurance company is the one that makes the decisions not the center. My insurance is BCBS and treatment which is generally out of network thanks to the misguided forces caused by Obamacare can be expensive. There is financial help available if you qualify and you can still ask. Ultimately insurance and the bill is the responsiblity of the patient and it is your responsibility to understand how the billing works. If you didn't do this you failed in your responsibility. I have been going 3 times per week for 3 hours and the time goes by fast. The discussion is relevant and the group spends more time on anyone that needs more input. 3/4ths of the class is there because they are forced to be there by law. Yet anyone participating seems to be having a good time and they are glad they are there. Most report that it is far better than the 12 step meetings though an outside meeting each week is a requirement for each participant. Like any educational or life changing learning experience the number one determinate of success is the willingness of the patient to be open and honest. Also to put the time in necessary after group to learn the things they need to learn to be successful. If you are expecting to go there and sit around and graduate with some sort of diploma, cured of addiction, you aren't going to succeed anywhere. This is a great program and it is outpatient. The people are very focused on your success in the program. Maybe it isn't the perfect solution for a young person that is feeling put out by being there but for anyone motivated to get better this place is great.