YFA Connections Review
Located in Spokane, Washington, just west of the majestic Rocky Mountains and Spokane River, YFA Connections offers treatment for adults with substance abuse and co-occurring disorders. Originally called the Youth Help Association, YFA was founded in 1969 by a group of citizens concerned with illegal substance abuse by minors in Spokane. From the initial focus on teenagers, the agency has morphed into an outpatient resource for adults; in 1997, the name changed to Youth, Family and Adult Connections to better reflect the current services.
YFA Connections is located in a mixed residential/commercial section of Spokane. With a strip mall on one end, and some tiny, single family dwellings on the other, clients will know they are at the right place when they see a warehouse-styled structure painted robin egg blue.
Treatment
After an initial assessment, a determination is made as to which tract would be most beneficial for each potential client. The outpatient STEPPS program offers group therapy once or twice a week and individual therapy twice a month with a therapist. Although most of the counselors offer DBT-based therapy, it may vary depending on the staff member’s training. Groups take place during the day and into the evening, focusing on substance abuse education, family dynamics, anger management, life skills, and relapse prevention. YFA believes that the maximum of 10 to a group provides clients and counselors with ample time to share and process during the 60 minutes allocated.
For people who require a more concentrated approach, YFA also offers an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), which meets three times a week. Each client participates in individualized treatment planning, which addresses issues such as resolution of legal issues, improvement in life skills, development of healthy support systems and relapse prevention. These are all group sessions however an individual session can be scheduled when required. Groups meet on Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings.
For those struggling with both a mental illness and an addiction at the same time, YFA offers a dual diagnosis treatment program that addresses both diagnoses concurrently: the ASPIRE program is customized for those who fall into this category. Although group assignments depend on the initial assessment, clients in this category are guaranteed individual therapy once a week, and group sessions twice weekly. Those on medication will also meet with a psychiatrist once a month.
None of these programs are 12-step in nature, but in order to supplement its services and with an eye to aftercare planning, YFA provides 12-step literature and meeting information.
YFA Connections does not offer substance abuse counseling for adolescents, but does provide emergency housing for minors between the ages of 13 and 17 who are in conflict with their family, have run away from home, are at risk of running away or are homeless. The goal is to give them a place to stay and to provide counseling in the hopes of getting them back with their families and/or to provide links to the appropriate community services.
In Summary
YFA Connections provides affordable outpatient counseling services for adults in addition to its crisis intervention program for adolescents. This is a basic recovery center where people can come to learn about the disease of addiction and talk to a therapist for an affordable fee.
YFA Connections Location
22 S. Thor Street
Spokane, WA 99204
YFA Connections Cost
$20-$65 per session. Reach YFA Connections by phone at (509) 532-2000 or by email at info@yfaconnections.org
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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.
