I just want to say thank you to YSS for being there for my family and me in our difficult times. You've helped us so much and thanks to you we've come a long way. Thanks!!!
About YSS Family Counseling and Clinic
Youth & Shelter Services (YSS) Family Counseling Clinic offers integrated health and behavioral health services in Ames, Iowa. They offer mental health therapy, substance use counseling, psychiatric services, and behavioral health intervention services. YSS has other locations that offer residential drug rehab and youth shelters. They offer appointments in person or virtually via telehealth for Iowa residents. ​
Substance use counselors, sometimes called addiction counselors, provide supportive, judgment-free emotional, mental and behavioral health services to help individuals overcome addiction. They help clients develop the resources, tools and skills they need to progress towards sobriety. They may use a range of treatment options such as play therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, trauma focused cognitive behavioral therapy and systems training for emotional predictability and problem solving.
Intake of new patients begins with a comprehensive evaluation to determine each patient’s health and the impact that substance abuse has had on them. The counselor will create a treatment plan. Counselors may also refer patients to community resources such as peer support groups or drug rehab programs.
Counselors will also help family members navigate their loved one’s illness and how to nurture the relationship that may have become fraught or strained as a result of substance abuse. They can offer education for family and friends and provide resources on how to best support their loved one during recovery. If needed, the counselor can set up family therapy sessions.
YSS counselors will help patients develop a relapse prevention plan. This may include building a support network, lifestyle changes, and understanding each person’s warning signs and how to manage them. They empower clients to achieve success and strengthen their resilience as they navigate the road to recovery.
YSS Family Counseling Clinic accepts many insurance providers such as ComPsych, Magellan Health, Kaiser Permanente, Bright Health, Wellmark, HCSC and TRICARE. Contact your insurance provider to confirm benefits as out of network coverage may vary.
Latest Reviews
We have had consistently poor experiences with YSS. One of their counselors didn t read our kids file and had no idea what was going on with the situation. We have had issues with running out of kids meds and the providers have been lazy to refill our kids meds and take forever leaving us with lapses in meds for our kids. We ve just had terrible experiences with YSS, but because there s pretty much no other options in Ames, YSS is our only option for med management.
Knowledgeable, friendly and helpful staff
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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.
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.
Per session payment lets you pay for each treatment at the time of service. You may also pay for a certain number of sessions up front and then pay for more if needed. This format allows you to tailor the financial investment to your specific needs and avoid having a large lump sum payment due at the end of the treatment program.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Aftercare Support 
Sober Living Homes Sober Living Houses (SLHs), aka sober homes or halfway houses, are safe, substance-free, supportive living facilities for those recovering from substance abuse. Ideal for those who've just been through inpatient or outpatient treatment, SLHs are supervised environments with rules that support sobriety, such as curfews, shared chores, and therapeutic meetings. Residents are also often trained on life skills and coping skills to make it easier to transition into society. SLHs also provide a strong sense of community that can lead to the kind of deep and lasting connections with other sober individuals that supports a new, healthy lifestyle.
Intervention Services Intervention services can help family members communicate effectively with each other and with the individual who is struggling with a substance use disorder. A professional interventionist addresses family dynamics that have worsened the situation or prevented the individual from seeking help. This expert can also help the family plan a drug intervention in Iowa. After the intervention, ongoing intervention services can help families in their own recovery, regardless of whether the individual chooses to enter treatment.
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.
Drug rehab in Iowa is available in many formats. A variety of inpatient and outpatient options provide programs that are tailored to individual needs, making recovery possible for everyone.
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
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.
Program For Men
Men face specific challenges and concerns when seeking addiction treatment. Gender-specific recovery programs help them tackle these issues head-on in an environment that's focused, targeted, and distraction-free. It also gives them the opportunity to connect with and learn from other men who have been through a similar journey and can offer support for the next step.
Program For Women
Rehabs for women provide a safe, nurturing space for female clients to heal. These treatment programs consider the specific obstacles that women can face during recovery and place a special emphasis on mental, social, physical, and reproductive health. They explore how each woman's experience has shaped the trajectory of their substance use, addressing issues such as sexual abuse and past trauma.
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.
Seniors Program
Nearly one million adults age 65 and older live with a substance use disorder. Treatment providers who specialize in senior care understand the social, psychological, and physical effects of aging and how they relate to recovery. They can help clients address particular challenges and risks they may face as they get older such as overdosing and medication interactions and dependencies.
HIV/AIDS Program
HIV/AIDS programs support disease prevention and management in high-risk individuals in recovery. Individuals who engage in intravenous drug use and other addictive behaviors are at a higher risk of becoming infected with HIV. Rehab centers that specialize in treating this population typically have a high number of nurses, physicians, and psychiatrists on staff who can make sure both their medical and mental health needs are met.
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 helps you learn healthier ways to cope with your emotions and life stressors. The goal is to find a balance between acceptance of who you are and the advantages of making changes. You will work with your therapist to strike this balance and develop skills for better emotional regulation.
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.
During motivational interviewing in Iowa, the client and therapist collaborate to identify any discrepancies in the client's current situation and future goals. By asking open ended questions and using reflective listening skills, the therapist encourages the client to reach their own conclusions and make a commitment to any needed changes in their life.
Trauma therapy addresses traumatic incidents from a client's past that are likely affecting their present-day experience. Treating children and youth who have experienced trauma, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) helps both the child and parent address the behavioral and emotional consequences of traumatic experiences.
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.
YSS offers Multidimensional Family Therapy (MDFT) for youth who are struggling with addiction – or are at risk for addiction – and are experiencing behavioral issues. This comprehensive, family-centered treatment approach is goal-oriented, and focuses on all of the relationships that may influence teens.
Life skills trainings involve all the skills a person must have in order to function successfully in the world. These include time management, career guidance, money management, and effective communication. Truly successful addiction recovery is based on the ability to not only live substance-free, but to thrive. Life skills teaches the practical necessities of functioning in society, which sets clients up for success in life, and therefore sobriety.
Addiction recovery works best with recreational therapy activities that improve your physical health and provide emotional support. This holistic approach improves your overall physical and mental health, creates a sense of community, and helps reduce your cravings. Each of these factors is necessary to foster long term sobriety.
Amenities
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Residential Setting -
Private Setting
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
(515) 232-4977 
125 S 3rd St
Ames, IA 50010
Get Help Now - 800-985-8516
Who Answers?
Who Answers?
Fact checked and written by:
Mari Mendoza, BS
Edited by:
Courtney Myers, MS
