The Basics
MELA Counseling Services Center offers outpatient substance abuse treatment in east Los Angeles, California. MELA is a Christian faith-based counseling center, but treatment is accessible to all, regardless of their religious preferences. The program was founded in 1993 by Kathy Salazar, a Registered Nurse and former mayor of Montebello who sought to remedy the lack of outpatient substance abuse treatment facilities in east LA neighborhoods.
Treatment and Staff
MELA’s program is six months in duration. After an assessment, clients are placed on one of three treatment tracks: adolescent, adult or adult gender-specific. All tracks participate in group therapy three times each week. The adolescent program meets in late afternoons while the adult mixed and gender-specific tracks meet weekday mornings.
Group therapy uses behavioral modification techniques as well as addiction education to teach relapse prevention. Additionally, a family group is available for loved ones who wish to learn more about how to support those in recovery. Groups have a maximum of 12 participants and are led by addiction counselors with CCAPP credentials.
Co-occurring disorders are addressed in groups, but these clients are also referred to community mental health facilities for medication management and individual therapy.
Clients are required to attend one outside 12-step meeting each week, but more frequent attendance is recommended and encouraged.
Extras
MELA offers a domestic violence intervention which includes a program for Women Who Batter. An anger management program is available as are parenting classes and a weekly Bible Study class. Its Business Center program also provides drug screenings.
Additionally, when a client successfully completes the six-month program, MELA honors their achievement with a potluck lunch.
In Summary
MELA Counseling Services Center is dedicated to healing addiction and fostering community in East LA. By providing evidence-based group therapy alongside Bible study classes and a 12-step meeting requirement, MELA provides clients with techniques to modify their behavior as well as strengthen their spirituality and support network.
MELA Counseling Services Center
5723 Whittier Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90022
MELA Counseling Services Center Cost: Sliding scale. Reach MELA Counseling Services Center at (323) 721-6855 and by email at kathy@melacounseling.org.
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Photo courtesy of By Marshall Astor from San Pedro, United States (Los-Angeles-from-the-air) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons (resized and cropped)
Sponsored DISCLAIMER: This is a paid advertisement for California Behavioral Health, LLC, a CA licensed substance abuse treatment provider and not a service provided by The Fix. Calls to this number are answered by CBH, free and without obligation to the consumer. No one who answers the call receives a fee based upon the consumer’s choice to enter treatment. For additional info on other treatment providers and options visit www.samhsa.gov.
