Action Family Counseling
📍 691 North Main St., Piru, CA 91350
📞 8003678336 Full profile & reviews Claim this listing
Reviewers frequently praised the facility's counselors and staff, describing them as welcoming, caring, and instrumental to recovery. However, others criticized the management and ownership for being overly focused on money and insurance, with some alleging they were prevented from contacting their insurance providers. Opinions were divided on the program's structure and activities, with some appreciating the schedule and 12-step meetings while others found the program unorganized, understaffed, and lacking in treatment.
AI-generated summary of 18 reviews collected on rehabs.com and recovery.org through 2023. Not a review or medical advice. Review policy
| Treatment types | Substance Abuse Treatment |
| Program types | Intensive Outpatient, Residential Treatment |
| Services | Detox Services, Inpatient, Dual-Diagnosis Treatment, Residential Treatment, Intensive Outpatient Services, Sober Living Home |
| Setting | Mountains, Residential Neighborhood, Private/Secluded, Average Location/Amenities |
| Gender | Exceptionally LGBT Friendly, No Gender Restrictions, Offers Co-ed Programs, None |
| Age ranges | Senior/Elderly, Adult Age |
| Insurance accepted | Private Insurance, Anthem, Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Cigna, Health Net, Highmark, Humana, Kaiser Permanente, Magellan Behavioral Health, UnitedHealthcare, WellPoint, TriCare |
| Financing | Available |
<p><strong>ABOUT ACTION DRUG REHABS - PIRU DRUG AND ALCOHOL TREATMENT CENTER</strong></p> <p>Action Family Counseling (AFC) in Piru, Calif., in Ventura County offers <strong>residential treatment for adults</strong> struggling with drug and alcohol addiction and <a href="http://www.recovery.org/topics/dual-diagnosis-recovery/" target="_blank">co-occurring mental health disorders</a>. Founded in 1997, AFC operates four rehab facilities in Southern California. In addition to the adults-only residential program at the Piru location, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and <a href="http://www.rehabs.com/listings/action-family-counseling-the-ranch-adolescent-treatment-center-689171857/" target="_blank">adolescent</a> programs are available at AFC's other facilities.</p> <p><strong>TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT</strong></p> <p>Before admission, clients take an <strong>initial assessment</strong> to evaluate their alcohol and drug use, mental health disorders, and educational needs. Program length lasts between <strong>one and three months</strong>, depending on individual needs. According to a <a href="https://wwwdasis.samhsa.gov/webt/state_data/CA17.pdf" target="_blank">2017 SAMHSA survey</a>, 33.6 percent of treatment facilities in California offer a residential program that is 30 days or longer. </p> <p>With treatment <strong>based on the <a href="https://www.recovery.org/pro/articles/how-a-non-religious-journalist-makes-a-case-for-aa-in-2017/" target="_blank">12 Steps</a></strong>, residents are expected to attend AA/NA meetings seven days a week. The center also holds that <strong><a href="https://www.recovery.org/pro/articles/the-pain-of-addiction-in-the-family-how-counseling-can-help/" target="_blank">family involvement</a> is an important part of treatment</strong>.</p> <p>All treatment programs are individualized and use a combination of individual and family therapy, <strong>daily group therapy, <a href="https://www.recovery.org/topics/cognitive-behavioral-therapy-for-addiction-treatment/" target="_blank">cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)</a>, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)</strong>, solution-focused therapy, and <strong>specialty therapy for trauma</strong>. There are also daily addiction education groups, some of which address peer-based problem solving. Identifying behavioral triggers and developing healthy relationships are key goals.</p> <p><strong>STAFF CREDENTIALS</strong></p> <p>AFC has a <strong>staff-to-client ratio of 1:6</strong>. According to AFC's website, the staff team is comprised of highly trained experts in the fields of addictive medicine, substance misuse treatment, and mental health. Both of AFC's adult rehab centers are governed by a licensed marriage and family therapist (MFT).</p> <p>AFC's facilities are among the 182 <a href="https://wwwdasis.samhsa.gov/webt/state_data/CA17.pdf" target="_blank">facilities (13.9 percent) in California</a> that are certified by the Joint Commission.</p> <p><strong>ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES</strong></p> <p>Residents <strong>share rooms with private bathrooms</strong> in a two-story <strong>22-bed</strong> Colonial Revival home built in a secluded location in 1887. According to a <a href="https://wwwdasis.samhsa.gov/webt/state_data/CA17.pdf" target="_blank">2017 SAMHSA survey</a>, the average number of beds in California residential rehab facilities is 30. Leisure provisions include <strong>regular excursions to nearby beaches</strong> and Lake Piru. </p> <p><strong>WHAT ALUMNI SAY</strong></p> <p>At the time of this writing, Rehabs.com has received feedback from 13 alumni, most of whom reported <strong>positive experiences</strong>. Many of the nine former clients who left <strong>positive feedback praised the staff</strong>. "I came here and it saved my life the staff are easy to talk to and truly care about everyone that goes through. I truly believe the staff is what makes this program so great," T. wrote in a representative review</p> <p>Offering five-star ratings for the facility's cleanliness and inclusion of 12-step programming, alum Jennifer wrote: "Our day was always structured which I liked. It kept you focused on recovery." She also gave a perfect five-star rating for the likelihood she'd recommend the facility to others.</p> <p>Contrary to what positive reviewers wrote, the three negative reviewers <strong>complained about staff being too distracted</strong> and said employees were "unprofessional." M. wrote in a representative review: "This facility is understaffed and the counselors lack the proper education...The house itself is disgusting and filthy."</p> <p><strong>Feedback from alumni on secondary review sites was also mostly positive</strong>. On AFC's official Facebook page, which facility staff can manage, 63 reviewers contributed to an average 4.7 out of five-star rating.<small class="footnote"><a target="_blank" href="#footnote-1"><sup>[1]</sup></a></small> On Google, however, six reviewers gave only an average three out of five-star rating.<small class="footnote"><a target="_blank" href="#footnote-2"><sup>[2]</sup></a></small></p> <p><strong>WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY</strong></p> <p>Of the four loved ones surveyed by Rehabs.com to date, <strong>two were negative and two were positive</strong>. A.B. wrote in a review representative of the positive perspective: "My son was there for a month, and has been in Sober Living for 7 months since then. He's clean, sober, and has a job!!! It's a miracle!" Both negative reviewers wrote that they felt the treatment was unaffordable and that the facility would not let their loved ones contact their insurance companies.</p> <p>However, loved one Amy gave perfect five-star ratings for the facility's staff experience and training, ability to treat co-occurring disorders, visitor policies, and the level of family participation. "They keep them busy and are very caring!" she wrote.</p> <p><strong>WHAT STAFF SAY</strong></p> <p>Though Rehabs.com has yet to receive any reviews from staff members, nine current and former employees rated the facility on Glassdoor.<small class="footnote"><a target="_blank" href="#footnote-3"><sup>[3]</sup></a></small> Those that left feedback specifically relating to client experience tended to have <strong>positive impressions</strong>. "Recovery program second to none," wrote one anonymous former employee in a representative review.</p> <p><strong>FINANCING</strong></p> <p>According to AFC's website, this facility accepts <strong>private insurance</strong>, and treatment fees are determined on a <strong>sliding scale</strong>. To date, the two individuals polled by Rehabs.com on the matter gave a four- and five-rating for the facility's affordability.</p> <p><small class="footnote"><a target="_blank" href="#footnote-1"><sup>[1]</sup></a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pg/afcinc/reviews/?ref=page_internal" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/pg/afcinc/reviews/?ref=page_internal</a></small><br /> <small class="footnote"><a target="_blank" href="#footnote-2"><sup>[2]</sup></a> <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=action+drug+rehab+piru+family+counseling&oq=action+drug+rehab+piru+family+counseling&aqs=chrome..69i57j69i59.4329j0j1&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#lrd=0x80e9d30bc46baff5:0x9c277bbe15ae5e64,1,,," target="_blank">GoogleReviews</a></small><br /> <small class="footnote"><a target="_blank" href="#footnote-3"><sup>[3]</sup></a> <a href="https://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Action-Family-Counseling-Reviews-E364363.htm" target="_blank">https://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Action-Family-Counseling-Reviews-E364363.htm</a></small></p>
— Kevin Schwartzbach · 2018-12-24 11:53:31 PST
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