From a parent: APEX has truly been a blessing to our family…the tension in our house has decreased. We have used communication skills with not only our child in treatment, but with his brother as well. APEX us get back on track.

From a fifteen-year-old male who completed APEX: There are a lot of things you think you can deal with on your own and take care of it yourself. But APEX helped me out and opened my eyes to a lot of things…it helped me solve problems better and go about things differently. It’s not like what I thought it would be; it was really helpful.

From divorced parents: The APEX approach can work for divorced families who are willing to come together for the child. I really appreciate how you included us both and how you adjusted when it was needed…the tools put in place really do work once the intervention is over.

From a seventeen-year-old male, 12 months after beginning APEX: I learned coping skills that not only helped me with my treatment, but also with living life. So to the person who might not want to come in, I’d ask, ‘What do you have to lose?’ You get someone to talk to and get stuff off your back.

From a fifteen-year-old female during her last APEX session: You can really get a lot of help from APEX…I learned a lot about myself. I learned a lot of skills that can help me in life in general. It’s not just about not using drugs; it’s about changing your life for the better.

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Philosophy

Phoenix Programs embraces a treatment philosophy that engages clients in a community which fosters self-responsibility and motivation for change. Using Motivational Enhancement techniques, we empower individuals to take control of their own recovery.  This is achieved by creating new or strengthening existing linkages within the community, for example, a couple attending reunification counseling or an individual connecting with a childhood church family.  The ultimate goal is a strong recovery-oriented system of care that supports a client throughout treatment and stays in place as an individual prepares to disengage from the treatment center at discharge.

“All of the groups were extremely helpful in the rehabilitation and habilitation process.  Never once had I not left a group without a positive thought or feeling that I could turn into action concerning recovery from a problem that I was dealing with or facing.”  – a grateful recipient

When surveyed, 84% of our clients said that the treatment programs at Phoenix Programs gave them the right tools to maintain their recovery, and 77% of clients said that the treatment they received at Phoenix Programs was superior to other programs that they they had experienced.

Best Practices

Phoenix Programs values and models evidence-based treatment practices in all of its treatment and prevention programming. Evidence-based practices that are central to the ‘Phoenix Approach’ are the Modified Therapeutic Community (MTC),  Assertive Community Therapy (ACT),  and the Adolescent  Community Reinforcement Approach (A-CRA). A new intiative, Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) has recently been launched in partnership with the University of Missouri Hospital and Clinics.

Phoenix Programs has received the following awards and recognitions:

Client Satisfaction

We are committed to ensuring that our clients receive individualized treatment to meet their unique needs. We use client satisfaction surveys to help us understand how clients experience treatment.

“I am a client at Phoenix by choice, I love all the staff who have been wonderful.  You can talk with anyone about any issues and never be judged.  Thank you.” - client

Outcomes

Our philosophy, adherence to best practice models, and listening to our clients, has created a treatment atmosphere that produces the best possible outcome for our clients, their families, and their communities.

Outcomes data is collected from individuals six months after their initial intake.  We ask:  “how is sobriety, what is work and family life like now, are you more connected to recovery supports, and is your legal status and health in better condition than it was?”  All of the responses to these questions are put together to guage how well the treatment at Phoenix Programs helped change an individual’s life for the better.  The collection tool that we use in collecting all this data is a standard instrument (GPRA Core Client Outcomes tool) which is widely used in all states.  Phoenix Programs’ data indicates that we have significant impact on our clients.  Six months after leaving treatment 72% of clients report being abstinent from drugs and alcohol, 83% report no new negative social consequences as a result of drug / alcohol use, and 89% of clients report that they are connected to self-help or peer support groups in the community.

Phoenix Programs makes outcome reports available to funders, donors, and community stakeholders regularly because we know that positive outcomes help clients and their families have confidence that they are getting best treatment possible.