Paula is the founder and president of Minnesota Alternatives, a unique outpatient program providing substance use and mental health treatment through person-centered principles and interventions. Paula also serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Minnesota, where she teaches graduate students about her model. Paula’s Master of Science degree is in Psychiatric Rehabilitation from Boston University. She is a Licensed Social Worker as well as a Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner and a Certified Co-Occurring Disorder Professional-Diplomat. In her role as outside consultant and trainer, Paula is often invited to speak to both professional and consumer audiences about alternative approaches to substance use disorder treatment and harm/risk reduction. She also serves on the Department of Human Services Alcohol and Drug Division Advisory Council, the Anoka County Directors Network, and the Medica Community Advisory Council. Paula has developed programs that serve adults with mental health and/or substance use issues for more than 25 years. She has worked in a variety of settings that include intensive residential and outpatient treatment, case management, and community support. Previously, she worked at Anoka Metro Regional Treatment Center bringing progressive, person-centered care into a medical setting. She was a program director for Diane Ollendick-Wright – working with her for 11 years and she also directed programs for 9 years for People Incorporated.
Minnesota Alternatives, LLC
3.4 (12 reviews) ADD YOUR REVIEW- Insurance is Accepted
- Financing is Available
- Medicare is not Accepted
- Medicaid is not Accepted
Minnesota Alternatives is a treatment facility that offers a unique approach to substance abuse disorder treatment and provides an alternative to the 12-Step, abstinence-based “Minnesota Model”. Minnesota Alternatives offers adult outpatient mental health and addiction treatment, and focuses on skill development, engagement, neuroscience and personalized interventions. Treatment options utilize meditation, imagery and cognitive behavioral therapies.
The following is based on a combination of Surveys of Alumni, Staff, Loved Ones, and Reviews and Ratings from around the web.
Reviews at a Glance
- Individualized Treatment
Some facilities have an addiction treatment protocol that all patients or clients are expected to follow, while others customize or individualize treatment based on a person’s unique needs and circumstances. Factors that may affect treatment decisions include age, lifestyle, medical conditions, type of drug, religious beliefs, etc.
- Client & Family Support Groups
Group therapy is a vital component of addiction recovery treatment, considered as important and effective (sometimes even more so) than individual therapy. Benefits include reducing isolation and loneliness and providing the opportunity to learn from others in recovery. In the addiction setting, group therapy is run by trained professionals who guide participants toward a shared goal of recovery.
-
Paula L DeSanto, Owner and Director - MS, LSW, CPRP, CCDP-D
-
This Center is Known For...
- Person-Centered
- Flexible Programming
- Trauma Treatment
-
Center Details
- No Detox Services
- No Behavioral Disorder Treatment
- Yes Dual-Diagnosis Treatment
- Yes Outpatient Services
- No Sober Living Home
- No Day School
- No Private Rooms
- No Pet Friendly
- No Exceptionally LGBT Friendly
- No Men Only
- No Women Only
-
Setting
- Residential Neighborhood
-
Licensing & Memberships
- ADP
-
More ResourcesContact Information76378948957766 NE Hwy. 65Spring Lake Park, MN 55432Recent Pro Corner Posts
How Our Helpline Works
For those seeking addiction treatment for themselves or a loved one, the Recovery.org helpline is a private and convenient solution.
Calls to any general helpline (non-facility specific 1-8XX numbers) for your visit will be answered by American Addiction Centers (AAC).
We are standing by 24/7 to discuss your treatment options. Our representatives work solely for AAC and will discuss whether an AAC facility may be an option for you.
Our helpline is offered at no cost to you and with no obligation to enter into treatment. Neither Recovery.org nor AAC receives any commission or other fee that is dependent upon which treatment provider a visitor may ultimately choose.
For more information on AAC's commitment to ethical marketing and treatment practices, or to learn more about how to select a treatment provider, visit our About AAC page.
My husband has been going there for over 3 years. They have not done anything for him. As I write this he is drunk sleeping. His counseling has not done anything. MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND MYSELF HAVE ...