River Edge Behavioral Health

About River Edge Behavioral Health

River Edge Behavioral Health is an accredited, nonprofit comprehensive mental health facility that offers care for addiction and behavioral services in Macon, Georgia. River Edge, recognized for its dedication to advancing the recovery of behavioral health issues, provides services throughout central Georgia. They provide an array of services not just for mental health disorders but also for substance use challenges rendering them a comprehensive option for those looking to receive holistic, empathetic care.

The clinic hits the nail on its head about being accessible and tailoring treatment to an individual. They cater to conditions like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and even schizophrenia. Their team provides evidence-based practices and therapies, customizing every care plan to fit the individual needs of each client. Whether someone needs crisis intervention, counseling or long-term mental health management River Edge supports them through the whole continuum of care.

They also provide outpatient (OP) programs to help manage and overcome Addiction. What sets them apart is their dedication to including the community and family members in the recovery process, understanding that true healing happens away from a treatment center. The center also offers medication assisted treatment (MAT) for individuals struggling with opioid and alcohol use, providing the necessary medical care needed while recovering.

There is a very strong priority placed on making sure that treatment can be made available to those who need it. They are Medicaid and Medicare providers, as well as most major private insurance plans, also offer a sliding-scale payment option ensuring cost is never an obstacle for needed care.

If you have acute symptoms or need stronger support, they can refer you to their residential center, also in Macon.

Facility Overview

Number of Available Beds

Latest Reviews

kelsey duncan

1 month ago on Google

I went here when I was 12 years old, the staff was very unprofessional. I remember hugging a girl who was crying and immediately was shouted at, I remember on my own life a "nurse" holding down a 5 year old boy "for everyone's safety" I remember a little girl getting the "boots juice" (sedation for crying about missing her father). I was brought in and immediately disgustinged by the nurses for being neglected and having lice. I appreciate those nurses who took the time out of their day to do that. But I felt unwanted and untreated. Most kids who go here don't turn out better for themselves or anyone, they just want to get out. On my second day a little boy told me about a escape plan having to do with the railroad tracks next to the facility. His parents picked him up the next day. My parents or no one else's were informed that you can take you're child out of this place when needed or wanted. The therapists are an absolute joke, they look like their fed up 24/7. You can't get a good night's rest of sleep ether, I understand checking up on patients but coming in at 2 in the morning every night to ask if I've had a bowel movement. What does that have to do with my mental health? Many kids who have come here looking for treatment come out the same or worse. There was tons of pentagrams on the wall and were not fixed/painted over. I was unwillingly sent and this place is a true house of horrors. The only praise I give is to one woman of color named Amber, she gave little nick names to all of the girls based off of Disney princesses. She was a good one. The rest I don't know. This place is an absolute hell and I wouldn't send someone addicted to drugs because they'd probably come out worse. Do not recommend

Jennifer Morris

1 month ago on Google

They fed me well and leveled my meds some staff are cruel to some patients making fun of me and calling them out of their name for instance a fellow patient is a big guy and has a baby face the techs would call him big baby!I could tell itmade him nervous, one of the security guards tackled a tiny young girl of 19 yrs old I hope he didn t break her shoulder , staff waited days before getting her medical attention I pray she is ok and healing

Sam Raffield

4 months ago on Google

This is a place that is doing something miraculous for people like me who can't afford mental health care. And these people truly care. It shows. They're patient, friendly, and dependable. I honestly can't thank them enough. You've helped me restart my life.

Rehab Score

Our Methodology

Scoring is assigned by a proprietary system which helps surface key metrics that determine quality. The 10-point scale factors in categories such as operations, customer satisfaction, and trust metrics. Read Full Methodology

7.6 / 10

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Location

Accepted Insurance

River Edge Behavioral Health works with several private insurance providers and also accepts private payments when possible, please contact to verify your specific insurance provider.

Amerigroup

WellCare

Cenpatico

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.

Financial aid can take many forms. Centers may have grants or scholarships available to clients who meet eligibility requirements. Programs that receive SAMHSA grants may have financial aid available for those who need treatment as well. Grants and scholarships can help you pai for treatment without having to repay.

Sliding scale payments are based on a client's income and family size. The goal is to make treatment affordable to everyone. By taking these factors into account, addiction recovery care providers help ensure that your treatment does not become a financial burden to you or your family, eliminating one barrier to care.

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

Intensive Outpatient

Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) are for those who want or need a very structured treatment program but who also wish to live at home and continue with certain responsibilities (such as work or school). IOP substance abuse treatment programs vary in duration and intensity, and certain outpatient rehab centers will offer individualized treatment programs.

12-Step

Participants in 12 step recovery programs focus on personal growth to address the emotional and psychological factors contributing to their addiction. 12 step recovery is rooted in spiritual development, but religious affiliation isn't required. Regular group meetings and individualized support with the help of self-selected sponsors promote participants' sobriety as they work through the 12 steps, gaining insight into their addiction, taking responsibility for their life choices, and releasing control over that which is uncontrollable.

Sober Living Homes

Sober living homes in Georgia offers an alternative to the abrupt change of moving from intensive treatment to an unstructured home environment. Men's and women's sober living homes replicate everyday life situations, but they do so in a sober environment while also reinforcing healthy habits. This reduces the chance of relapse. Individuals who could use extra support after rehab or don't have a stable home environment can benefit from this transitional option.

Intervention Services

A drug intervention in Georgia is designed to encourage an individual to get the treatment they need. This effort aims to break through resistance and motivate the individual to get help. The process typically involves loved ones sharing their concerns with the individual and how their substance use has affected those who care about them. A professional interventionist can help guide this conversation and explain from the clinical side how treatment can be beneficial.

Partial Hospitalization Program

Designed for individuals who don't require round-the-clock care, a partial hospitalization program (PHP) is a form of outpatient care with a higher level of support. PHP treatment can be an alternative to inpatient hospitalization or a step-down option. With daily sessions lasting 6 to 8 hours, up to 5 days a week, a partial hospitalization program may offer medication management, relapse prevention techniques, and behavioral therapy interventions. PHP treatment can be fully or partially covered by insurance.

Medically Assisted Detox

Drug and alcohol addiction often takes a heavy toll on one's body. Over time, a physical dependence can develop, meaning the body physiologically needs the substance to function. Detox is the process of removing drugs and/or alcohol from the body, a process that can be lethal if mismanaged. Medical detox is done by licensed medical professionals who monitor vital signs and keep you safe, healthy, and as comfortable as possible as you go through detox and withdrawal.

Treatments

The goal of treatment for alcoholism is abstinence. Those with poor social support, poor motivation, or psychiatric disorders tend to relapse within a few years of treatment. For these people, success is measured by longer periods of abstinence, reduced use of alcohol, better health, and improved social functioning. Recovery and Maintenance are usually based on 12 step programs and AA meetings.

A quality drug rehab in Georgia can help you overcome addiction. This environment is designed to help you address the complex issues contributing to drug dependence. The goal of treatment is to give you the tools you need to make a full recovery.

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.

A combined mental health and substance abuse rehab has the staff and resources available to handle individuals with both mental health and substance abuse issues. It can be challenging to determine where a specific symptom stems from (a mental health issue or an issue related to substance abuse), so mental health and substance abuse professionals are helpful in detangling symptoms and keeping treatment on track.

Opioid rehabs specialize in supporting those recovering from opioid addiction. They treat those suffering from addiction to illegal opioids like heroin, as well as prescription drugs like oxycodone. These centers typically combine both physical as well as mental and emotional support to help stop addiction. Physical support often includes medical detox and subsequent medical support (including medication), and mental support includes in-depth therapy to address the underlying causes of addiction.

Programs

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.

Clinical Services

While cognitive behavioral therapy in Georgia is unique for each person, this therapy follows a standard structure that has proven effective. Clients first learn about their substance use disorder, then learn and practice techniques such as coping, stress management, and resilience to change their thought and behavior patterns.

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.

Men and women in Georgia may experience Motivational Interviewing techniques while undergoing individual therapy for drug and alcohol addiction treatment. This approach helps you explore how you feel about drug use and it strengthens your commitment to maintaining treatment. It is particularly useful in the early stages of recovery.

During rehab in Georgia, you may engage in motivational interviewing. This typically lasts one to two sessions and is designed to address any ambivalence you have toward change. It helps you explore your current situation and motivations and commit to making changes for the future.

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.

The skills you learn in couples therapy are designed to help you successfully address relationship challenges as they arise. These skills can include anger management, conflict resolution, communication, and problem solving.

During family therapy sessions in Georgia, members address the emotional toll that addiction has had on them. Therapists help your family develop coping strategies and improve the family unit's communication. This provides a stable environment that supports the recovery process.

Staff & Accreditations

Staff

Cass Hatcher, CCM, EDFP

CEO

Tommy Barnes, MBA

COO/Acting HR Director

Shane Hester, CPA

CFO

Frederica McClary-Myers, LPC, CPCS, MAC, CAMS

Interim Chief Clinical Officer/Director of Fulton County Behavioral Health

Greta O’Dell, DDP, CACTS

Chief Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities Officer

Sujatha Reddy, M.D.

Chief Medical Officer

Ali Yallah, PhD, PMP, Six Sigma

CIO

Katherine Collins, RN-BSN

Director of Crisis Stabilization & Recovery

Dan Davis

Director of Training & Human Resources Analyst

Michele Fulcher, RN

Director of Nursing, Health Information & Risk Management

Mia Geiger

Director of Development

Christy Hallman, CPRP

Director of Operations

Accreditations

The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) is a non-profit organization that specifically accredits rehab organizations. Founded in 1966, CARF's, mission is to help service providers like rehab facilities maintain high standards of care.

CARF Accreditation: Yes

Contact Information

(478) 803-7600

Website

175 Emery Highway
Macon, GA 31217

Get Help Now - 478-324-3720

Who Answers?

Fact checked and written by:

Rockel Mundy

Edited by:

Peter Lee, PhD

Reviews of River Edge Behavioral Health

2.6/5 (74 reviews)

Google Reviews

2.6 (74 reviews)

1 month ago

4 months ago

Katie McKinney

10 months ago

A family member was inpatient at this facility. It was irritating enough when visits were cut short because they were running 15-20 minutes behind and wouldn t extend visitation to make up for the time that they were late. Or when you bring the patient items and they lose them or don t give them to the patient until you call them out on it. But with pediatrics, they don t take into account hardly at all what the parents say. They focus on the kid, what they say, and their current behavior. Even the discharge nurse told me Yeah. This is a honeymoon period for most of them. Where they will behave here and then go back to their behaviors when they get home. So this place is pointless then. At least at the other facility they listened to the parents and acted on that versus listening to the kid that will act like an angel so they can get out because they don t want to be there. They even wrote down that triggers was being made to do school work and being told what to do. Things all kids experience because they are kids. Her time in this facility was useless and pointless. I am hurting because I was hoping that my child would come back better than when she went in. Like the last time at the other facility. But that didn t happen and all of this was for nothing. It was serious and dangerous behavior that got her sent there and ultimately nothing was done about it other than therapy to have her talk about it. That could have been done outpatient and been just as pointless. They took away all her diagnosis that a neuropsychologist had made after multiple days of testing based off their impression of her when she is trying to act good so she can go home quicker and gave her a single simple one. Then they make her appointments at the outpatient facility without bothering to ask us when would work best for us. We discharged on a Saturday with the follow up appointment on Monday so we have no time to change the appointment. I told them just to cancel it because I had lost all faith in this place and we couldn t make that appointment anyways. The one positive is that they give you a 5 day supply of what medicines they didn t take away, that were given for a reason without substituting it for something else that might work better, and also call in a 30 day supply to the pharmacy so no dosages are missed while transitioning home. But the negatives greatly outweigh the positives. At least on the pediatric side. I can t speak about the adult side because we haven t had any experience with that side. We will not return here. Even outpatient. Much better experiences at other facilities where true improvements and differences were made. This was basically just 7 days of a completely useless camp where not a thing changed except to possibly make things worse due to taking away meds and not replacing it with anything. If your child needs inpatient care, please seek it elsewhere if you are wanting them to receive actual help.

Guppy Jones

1 year ago

This is my first time leaving a bad public review for a medical professional. Do not go here if you have chronic conditions especially ehlers danlos. The psychiatrist disregarded my medical concerns in favor of her personal bias and the opinion of my fiance who has not been in charge of my medical care for over a decade, and disregarded side effects listed on the actual pamflet given with the medications, putting me in a dangerous position with my heart health. She then chose to blame me for my pain and made uncalled for assumptions about myself and my medical history. I recommend that the staff here be retrained or sent back to school to get familiar with new research. I am very concerned about her ability to care for others with chronic genetic conditions. The rest of the staff come across as very caring and understanding of what I needed in a given moment to manage myself before my appointment thank you so much to everyone who helped me it is greatly appreciated

Vicky Jackson Battle

Terrible experience. Regretting ever going there...

Kevin White

Dez Partlow-Greer

I work at a different behavioral health facility, and myself, and co workers came to visit their supported employment! The staff was friendly, informative, and very open minded. They welcomed us with open arms! I love their space it s so big, and beautiful

Charli Barkemeyer

These people do not reply to any communications in a decent manner. Still waiting on a reply to an email sent two weeks ago. Staff will leave when they feel like it and fail to inform waiting patients/clients that there's no one available to see them. The TV is on and loud constantly forcing people to yell conversations so that you can barely hear if your name is called by staff. Decor and atmosphere hasn't changed in 21 years (personal experience). Building is vast and confusing with bad signage.

Response from the owner1 year ago

We apologize for your experience, Charli Barkemeyer. Please feel free to contact us at 478-803-7744 or drop by our office so that we can answer your questions and address your concerns.

Nia Wilson

River edge is very unprofessional and unreliable I have made numerous attempts to obtain my W2 forms. The last day to turn in these forms are next week. I will be disputing this situation and other situations to the IRS and whomever else I need to inform today.I can not access the website to print off my W2 because I no longer work there. This facility is rapidly declining and if this continues I foresee river edge closing for good.

Zafir Abdullah

I just want to know what the visiting policy for this place if we have a family member staying there. I have called and left messages to no response.

Hi Zafir! You can call the Nurse Manager's direct line for more information at 478-803-8434. They will be able to give you specific visitor information. Thank you!

Debra Sheppard

2 years ago

This place helped me get my life back so no one can ever get my mind set .I refuse to take any meds.I go back to my heritage old ways of living before the medicine went viral

Response from the owner2 years ago

At River Edge Behavioral Health, we always try to make everyone feel comfortable and help them in every way during their time here. The team works very closely with each patient and deserves appreciation for their dedication!

Overall Experience

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