This institution harms children more than they help them. The staff is completely horrible, they treat children like criminals. I don't know how they are permitted to operate in this day and age.
About Hill Crest Behavioral Health Services
Hill Crest Behavioral Health Services is a standalone hospital in Birmingham, Alabama. They specialize in mental health care and addiction treatment for adolescents and adults. You can be enrolled in their inpatient or outpatient programs. Teens can also attend their Higdon Hill school so they don’t fall behind their classmates while they’re in treatment.
Their inpatient programs are designed for those who need a high level of supervision and support. This includes folks who are in early recovery or at risk from a relapse. These treatments can include individual, group and family counseling and classes to learn new life skills. You’ll find better ways to vent your stress and anger without resorting to drugs.
The adolescent program is for 12-18 year olds. You’ll stay for 8-12 months and engage in an array of therapy, coping strategies, and family meetings. Special programs include art, music, and creative therapy so you’ll be able to express yourself in your own way. Your parents will get tips on how they can resolve conflict and help you reach your goals. Support groups are also available.
You might also attend school. Their Higdon Hill campus is accredited and is for teens ages 12-19. It has state testing programs, a full curriculum, and meets all state requirements for courses and teachers. After school, you’ll hang out in the Group Home, which has structured support for kids who need extra care. There will be group meetings, counseling, and therapy to help you at home, in school, and with your peers.
Latest Reviews
Adolescent unitHonestly and truly an excellent hospital with very great staff. I have had other experiences at other hospitals but this hospital is at the top of my list. For the month that I was admitted, it felt like everyday I was getting better mentally. Although the usual stay is 2 weeks, I ended being there longer than planned and I am not complaining.The hospital itself was somewhat clean, had a cool janitor who loves to sing (SHOUTOUT TO MR. BILLY), and despise the fact that there were hairs waxed into the floors, janitors were always in sight and were always cleaning. The cafe was really nice, had a great view of the mountains as well as the city, and had wonderful lunchroom staff. edit: the lobby and the cafe are catfish (not what they seem to be), its not terrible but i would recommend asking for a tour before admitting a patientBefore I begin saying what I have to say about the staff, shoutout to Mr. Jeff (Tech) , Mrs. Bridgett (Tech), Mr. Donovan (School teacher/coach), Mr. Mark (music teacher), Nurse Arica, and Ms. Audrey (Therapist that helped me through it all).The staff is unfortunately why there is a star missing from my rating. I, myself, experience really bad anxiety and I get overwhelmed pretty easily if there is too much commotion going on and whenever this would happen, all I needed was for the staff to listen. I understand that we cannot be in our rooms all the time because it is very draining but when were asking to go constantly because we just need a minute, we really need it (trust me, i dont wanna go in a room with only beds and shelves just for fun). Staff wouldnt really solve much conflict well either but I guess that just shows the fact that you only need a high school diploma to work here so ill move on from that. A lot of the people on the unit would argue and the unit ranges from 11-18 year olds so you could only imagine the lovely drama that would happen and would be solved simply by the messy techs that wouldnt do much about it but gossip. If the techs werent being messy about the patients they would sit there and just gossip either to the patients or the other staff about their personal drama. Although it seems like im using this as a way to diss the staff, I really did appreciate the staff that would take matters into their hands when there was stuff going on in the unit (MS. SHANA!!). When youre recieving your treatment, youre constantly reminded to focus on your treatment but when the few i listed are the main ones even doing anything, it makes your stay feel soo much longer. Anyways, love the staff that was mentioned but honestly if you werent listed, I most certainly hope you work on whatevr the heck you got going on fr, because i noticed everything...
I was in Hillcrest from November 16th 2023 - August 12th 2024. With every facility and placement there will always be its ups and downs. I had a decent time there, I will admit there were some problems such as the ceilings caving in and leaking every time it rains, the roaches, lice, just infestation in general. The education there aswell is a little too easy in my opinion. In Mr. Daniels class youre given all the answers so there really is no actual learning. Im a college student at the age of 16 right now and coming from the education i was receiving from there compared to being in college with professors, its difficult catching up. Another issue would be the fact that you have to be on level 2 to go on day passes so thats all fun and dandy until you come from out of state (im from west virginia) so you dont get to see your family until youre on level 3 which takes around 3 months. So thats also a bit unfair.As for the good things, i met a lot of great staff there. Shout out to Ms Nubi, Shun, Yo, and Catoria and Mr Greg, HILL!!!, Cody, and Corry. Theyve all helped me get to the point im at now which wasnt an easy thing to do. A lot of these staff took me in as their own and did more for me than my own blood has and i am forever in debt to that.In conclusion, youre going to have good and bad days there, if i could say anything from my past experience, just do what you need to do to get out of there asap because theres more than those walls.Also shout out to Ms Sharon, she asked me to share my experience
Response from the owner3 weeks ago
Hi, Alexis. Thank you for taking the time to leave us these kind comments. We'd like to learn more about any concerns you may have. At your convenience, please provide us with your contact information by visiting https://hillcrestbhs.com/contact-us/. We hope to hear from you soon.
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Location
Accepted Insurance
Other Forms of Payment
Private insurance refers to any kind of healthcare coverage that isn't from the state or federal government. This includes individual and family plans offered by an employer or purchased from the Insurance Marketplace. Every plan will have different requirements and out of pocket costs so be sure to get the full details before you start treatment.
Self-pay involves paying for treatment out of your own pocket. You can use savings or credit, get a personal loan, or receive help from family and friends to fund your treatment. If you don't have insurance or your insurance plan doesn't cover a specific program, self-pay can help ensure you still get the care you need.
Medicare is a federal program that provides health insurance for those 65 and older. It also serves people under 65 with chronic and disabling health challenges. To use Medicare for addiction treatment you need to find a program that accepts Medicare and is in network with your plan. Out of pocket costs and preauthorization requirements vary, so always check with your provider.
Military members, veterans, and eligible dependents have access to specific insurance programs that help them get the care they need. TRICARE and VA insurance can help you access low cost or no cost addiction and mental health treatment. Programs that accept military insurance often have targeted treatment focused on the unique challenges military members, veterans, and their families face.
Medicaid is a state based program that helps lower-income individuals and families pay for healthcare. Medicaid covers addiction treatment so those enrolled can use their coverage to pay for rehab. When a program accepts Medicaid the client often pays very little or nothing out of their own pocket.
Addiction Treatments
Levels of Care
Outpatient Outpatient Programs (OP) are for those seeking mental rehab or drug rehab, but who also stay at home every night. The main difference between outpatient treatment (OP) and intensive outpatient treatment (IOP) lies in the amount of hours the patient spends at the facility. Most of the time an outpatient program is designed for someone who has completed an inpatient stay and is looking to continue their growth in recovery. Outpatient is not meant to be the starting point, it is commonly referred to as aftercare.
Inpatient Residential treatment programs are those that offer housing and meals in addition to substance abuse treatment. Rehab facilities that offer residential treatment allow patients to focus solely on recovery, in an environment totally separate from their lives. Some rehab centers specialize in short-term residential treatment (a few days to a week or two), while others solely provide treatment on a long-term basis (several weeks to months). Some offer both, and tailor treatment to the patient's individual requirements.
Treatments
Many of those suffering from addiction also suffer from mental or emotional illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, or anxiety disorders. Rehab and other substance abuse facilities treating those with a dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorder administer psychiatric treatment to address the person's mental health issue in addition to drug and alcohol rehabilitation.
Mental health rehabs focus on helping individuals recover from mental illnesses like bipolar disorder, clinical depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, and more. Mental health professionals at these facilities are trained to understand and treat mental health issues, both in individual and group settings.
Programs
Teen Program
Teen programs are designed to address the unique pressures teens face, pressures that can drive them to experiment with dangerous, addictive substances. They need programs that meet them exactly where they are and give them tools for long-term recovery. Therapy can help teenagers understand and work through underlying issues so they can reclaim the life ahead of them.
Adult Program
Adult rehab programs include therapies tailored to each client's specific needs, goals, and recovery progress. They are tailored to the specific challenges adult clients may face, including family and work pressures and commitments. From inpatient and residential treatment to various levels of outpatient services, there are many options available. Some facilities also help adults work through co-occurring conditions, like anxiety, that can accompany addiction.
Young Adult Program
Young adulthood can be an exciting, yet difficult, time of transition. Individuals in their late teens to mid-20s face unique stressors related to school, jobs, families, and social circles, which can lead to a rise in substance use. Rehab centers with dedicated young adult programs will include activities and amenities that cater to this age group, with an emphasis on specialized counseling, peer socialization, and ongoing aftercare.
Child Program
The providers who specialize in the children's rehab space understand the specialized needs that this population faces. School-based and social services such as tutoring and family counseling are often central to treatment. Child programs may also address the needs of youth experiencing substance abuse in the home, including a parent's or sibling's addiction.
Clinical Services
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a therapy modality that focuses on the relationship between one's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It is used to establish and allow for healthy responses to thoughts and feelings (instead of unhealthy responses, like using drugs or alcohol). CBT has been proven effective for recovering addicts of all kinds, and is used to strengthen a patient's own self-awareness and ability to self-regulate. CBT allows individuals to monitor their own emotional state, become more adept at communicating with others, and manage stress without needing to engage in substance abuse.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a modified form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a treatment designed to help people understand and ultimately affect the relationship between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. DBT is often used for individuals who struggle with self-harm behaviors, such as self-mutilation (cutting) and suicidal thoughts, urges, or attempts. It has been proven clinically effective for those who struggle with out-of-control emotions and mental health illnesses like Borderline Personality Disorder.
Group therapy is any therapeutic work that happens in a group (not one-on-one). There are a number of different group therapy modalities, including support groups, experiential therapy, psycho-education, and more. Group therapy involves treatment as well as processing interaction between group members.
In individual therapy, a patient meets one-on-one with a trained psychologist or counselor. Therapy is a pivotal part of effective substance abuse treatment, as it often covers root causes of addiction, including challenges faced by the patient in their social, family, and work/school life.
Trauma therapy addresses traumatic incidents from a client's past that are likely affecting their present-day experience. Trauma is often one of the primary triggers and potential causes of addiction, and can stem from child sexual abuse, domestic violence, having a parent with a mental illness, losing one or both parents at a young age, teenage or adult sexual assault, or any number of other factors. The purpose of trauma therapy is to allow a patient to process trauma and move through and past it, with the help of trained and compassionate mental health professionals.
Whether a marriage or other committed relationship, an intimate partnership is one of the most important aspects of a person's life. Drug and alcohol addiction affects both members of a couple in deep and meaningful ways, as does rehab and recovery. Couples therapy and other couples-focused treatment programs are significant parts of exploring triggers of addiction, as well as learning how to build healthy patterns to support ongoing sobriety.
Research clearly demonstrates that recovery is far more successful and sustainable when loved ones like family members participate in rehab and substance abuse treatment. Genetic factors may be at play when it comes to drug and alcohol addiction, as well as mental health issues. Family dynamics often play a critical role in addiction triggers, and if properly educated, family members can be a strong source of support when it comes to rehabilitation.
Recreational therapy in Alabama integrates sports, art, and outdoor adventures into drug and alcohol addiction treatment. This promotes physical, mental, and emotional health alongside improving social skills, offering a holistic approach to sobriety. Recreational therapy can help you rebuild your life within a supportive and engaging environment.
Experiential therapy is a form of therapy in which clients are encouraged to surface and work through subconscious issues by engaging in real-time experiences. Experiential therapy departs from traditional talk therapy by involving the body, and having clients engage in activities, movements, and physical and emotional expression. This can involve role-play or using props (which can include other people). Experiential therapy can help people process trauma, memories, and emotion quickly, deeply, and in a lasting fashion, leading to substantial and impactful healing.
Amenities
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Acupuncture Room
Accreditations
The Joint Commission, formerly known as JCAHO, is a nonprofit organization that accredits rehab organizations and programs. Founded in 1951, the Joint Commision's mission is to improve the quality of patient care and demonstrating the quality of patient care.
Joint Commission Accreditation: Yes
Contact Information
(205) 833-9000 
6869 5th Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35212
Get Help Now - 800-985-8516
Who Answers?
Who Answers?
Fact checked and written by:
Peter Lee, PhD
Edited by:
Kerry Nenn, BSW
