Psalm 23 Transition Society Review
Situated in the British Columbia countryside, Psalm 23 Transition Society is a non-profit Canadian charity that provides residential treatment for chemical dependency. Since their opening in October, 2001, the PTS program has evolved and services are now only available for adult men (a women’s chemical dependency program is targeted to open by 2020). Treatment at PTS is faith-based and aims to help individuals who have struggled with homelessness and co-occurring disorders get and stay sober.
Accommodations and Food
Clients are accommodated in one of two facilities. The Psalm 23 Recovery Training Center is a converted, 6,500 square foot, two-story home surrounded by wooded countryside. The spacious home has 11 double- and triple-occupancy bedrooms as well as a fitness room, computer lab and gaming room. Clients cook community meals in the fully stocked kitchen. A workshop with wood-working tools is also available for residents to use. Adjacent to the RTC is a usable barn, RV park and a restaurant.
Genesis House is the secondary residence reserved for program alumni and individuals in the second phase of extended care. The home has a total of 10 beds in five double-occupancy bedrooms and bathrooms are shared with linens provided. This home is less structured but still provides guidance from staff members. Laundry facilities and a recreation room are available for socialization and down-time, and a communal kitchen is available for clients to cook their own meals, typically prepared and served family-style.
Treatment and Staff
Before clients are admitted into treatment, they undergo an assessment to ensure PTS is the ideal facility for their needs. Psalm 23 is a faith-oriented facility that utilizes the 12-step principles to help clients recover from alcohol and drug addiction. The program employs a holistic treatment approach to help clients recovery in mind, body and spirit.
Residents work through five levels of treatment which gradually help them rebuild their lives and become productive members of society. Moving from one level to the next is dependent upon individual progress and accountability.
Level One is the first 30 days of recovery during which clients participate in basic psychoeducation groups and introductory activities. They learn about the disease of addiction and are introduced to spirituality as a means of relief. Level Two is a 90-day process which incorporates group and individual therapy to help clients break through old belief systems and self-doubt. Negative behaviors are put in check and clients are held accountable for their actions. Meetings, groups and service work are essential during this period.
Level Three is the life-planning phase when clients begin to develop employment skills and search for jobs they feel suited for. Clients reconnect with the community and focus on relapse prevention skills so they feel comfortable integrating back into the community. For 20 days, residents are supported by the staff and their peers to make the transition to Level Four when they are weaned off the welfare system and put to work or enroll in full-time school. Service work is essential, and clients become active in local church groups and the recovery community. During this phase, clients are either transported to meetings and appointments, or they take public transportation. Level four also asks clients to focus on rebuilding family relationships and develop healthy communication skills.
For the fifth and final level, alumni and discipleship moves the men from the RTC house to Genesis house. They still participate in program activities but focus on church, relapse prevention, work and school and are required to sponsor a client enrolled in Level One or Two. Clients are guided through the process of restructuring their lives from top to bottom, ensuring a safe transition from residential treatment to the community. All activities are led by CADCs who are either familiar with the program or alumni themselves. All staff members are male, creating a safe and understanding atmosphere.
Extras
The Genesis House is essentially Psalm 23’s aftercare program. Clients are still active in treatment through RTC house, but take on a leadership role for new residents. Throughout the program, clients are guided to develop a healthy mind, body and soul. Healthy cooking lessons, exercise, psychotherapy and financial guidance provide a bridge to freedom.
In Summary
Psalm 23 Transition Society is a men’s residential treatment program that helps men with co-occurring disorders and chemical dependency recover in a safe and supportive environment. With a special focus on helping men who are on welfare or are homeless helps set PTS apart from other facilities. Through faith-based guidance and the 12-step framework, clients are given the tools to rebuild their lives and relationships, ultimately transitioning into contributing members of the community.
Psalm 23 Transition Society Location
P.O. Box 2428, Station A
Abbotsford, BC V2T 4X3
Psalm 23 Transition Society Cost
$1,650 CAD ($1259.94 per publishing day exchange rate, 30 days). Reach Psalm 23 Transition Society by phone at (604) 870-5616 or by email at psalm23society@shaw.ca. Find Psalm 23 Transition Society on Facebook
Do you have a complaint or review of Psalm 23 Transition Society to add? Use the comments area below to add your Psalm 23 Transition Society review.
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.
