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Gandara Residential Services for Women

In Crisis?

Overview

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Nestled in the small historic city of Holyoke, Massachusetts, Gándara Residential Services for Women provides trauma-informed care for substance use and co-occurring mental health conditions. Priority admissions are offered for vulnerable populations including pregnant and postpartum women, Hispanic and African-American clients, those facing homelessness, disabled women, and those in the criminal justice system. Women are encouraged to participate in community-based meetings, and case management services are available to help clients transition into independent living.

Address

933 East Columbus Avenue
Springfield, MA 01105

Directions

Ages Served

  • Adults (Ages 26-64)
  • Young Adults (Ages 18-25)

Genders Accepted

  • Female

Languages Served

  • Spanish
  • Sign language
  • English

Treatment

  • Long-term residential

Special Programs

  • Service members
  • Adult women
  • Court referrals
  • Military families
  • Past domestic violence
  • Past sexual abuse
  • Past trauma
  • Mental health disorders
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Pregnant/postpartum
  • Veterans
  • Pain management
  • Seniors

A Safe Place for Women

The long-term, women-only recovery program is designed to help clients address both substance use and mental health in a safe, trauma-informed environment. The program provides a structured, community living setting where clients can build trust and accountability with one another. The environment allows participants to feel supported and understood by peers who share similar life experiences. By living and healing together, clients can develop strong sober networks that reinforce recovery both during and after treatment.

Therapeutic Support Adapted to Individual Needs

The program applies positive reinforcement to help women recognize progress and stay motivated toward lasting change. Therapy options include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for reshaping harmful thought patterns and activity therapy to encourage healthy self-expression and connection. Clients work closely with staff to design individualized treatment plans that reflect their needs and goals. These plans are aimed to help women to not only manage substance use but also address underlying mental health concerns and the impact of trauma.

Life Skills for Lasting Recovery

Beyond therapy, the program emphasizes building practical skills that support long-term sobriety. Clients are guided in developing healthier coping strategies and learning to manage stress and regulate emotions in daily life. Life skills training addresses common recovery challenges such as rebuilding self-esteem, managing responsibilities, and navigating relationships. The program strongly encourages participation in community-based fellowship meetings where women connect with others in recovery.

Inclusive and Specialized Care

Admission is open to women ages 18 and older, with priority given to those most vulnerable. This includes Hispanic and African American women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, pregnant or postpartum women, those experiencing homelessness, and women involved with the justice system. Services are available in both English and Spanish, ensuring cultural and linguistic accessibility. Women with existing prescriptions for medications for addiction treatment (MAT) or other medications are welcomed.

Practical Case Management

Case management services are available to help clients navigate crucial needs such as housing, healthcare, or legal challenges. The program also accommodates court-ordered outpatient treatment, allowing women involved in the justice system to receive consistent support. Counseling available for clients who want to quit smoking. Staff work to guide clients through aftercare planning and next steps toward reaching their goals.

Cost and Insurance

Insurance Accepted

  • Aetna
  • Carelon
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Cigna
  • ComPsych
  • Health Net
  • MHN
  • Optum
  • UnitedHealthcare
  • Ambetter
  • First Health
  • GEHA
  • Magellan
  • Molina Healthcare
  • Other Private Insurance
  • Medicare
  • Medicaid
  • TRICARE
  • State insurance

Disclaimer: Additional insurance plans may be accepted. Please contact the provider directly to confirm current coverage details, as this information may change.


Cost

$ - Low Cost Facility

Cost ratings are our best estimates to help guide you, not guarantees. Actual costs may vary with treatment, insurance, and other factors. While we aim for accuracy, details may change.

Financial Assistance

  • Does not offer Free
  • Does not offer Payment assistance
  • Does not offer Sliding fee scale

Treatment

Treatment Setting

  • Long-term residential

Treatment Approaches

  • 12-step program support
  • Anger control support
  • Brief intervention
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
  • Incentive-based therapy
  • Matrix Model program
  • Motivational interviewing
  • Relapse prevention support
  • Substance use counseling
  • Trauma-focused counseling

Additional Support and Services

  • Case management support
  • Help with transportation
  • Residential beds for children
  • Social skills training

Counseling and Education

  • General health education services
  • Hepatitis education and support
  • HIV/AIDS education and support
  • One-on-one counseling
  • Substance use education
  • Tobacco and vaping cessation counseling

Transition Support

  • Discharge and next steps planning
  • Ongoing recovery care
  • Overdose prevention and naloxone education
  • Post-discharge follow-up

Testing & Pre-Treatment

  • Breathalyzer testing for alcohol
  • Oral fluid testing for drugs or alcohol
  • Substance use assessment
  • Tobacco use assessment
  • Urine testing for drugs or alcohol
  • Substance use screening

Amenities and Experiences

Amenities

  • Fitness center
  • Library or reading room

Room Amenities

  • Shared bathroom
  • TV
  • Shared room options

Activities

  • Animal-assisted therapy
  • Fitness activities
  • Job training
  • Life skills workshops

Settings

  • City

Policies

  • Smoking allowed in designated areas
  • Vaping allowed in designated areas

Ownership Type

  • Non-profit

Quality and Trust


Gandara Residential Services for Women
Call 413-540-9881 x7005

How we research treatment facilities

Across the site, our team has conducted over 1,000 pre-admissions calls to better understand the patient experience, interviewed facility clinical leaders, performed facility background checks, and compared our information against trusted public data sources.

Our research process begins with data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), accrediting bodies including The Joint Commission and CARF, government licensing agencies, and other trusted sources. From there, our team conducts significant original research, including:

- Pre-admissions calls: We speak with admissions staff to get a candid picture of patient experience.

- Background checks: We review complaints from past clients, media reports, actions taken by accrediting bodies, and positive recognition from notable organizations.

- Clinical interviews: We have in-depth conversations with clinical leadership, often lasting up to one hour, that give us a better understanding of clinical care.

- Data partnerships: We ingest and analyze exclusive data that provides information about in-network insurance status, cost, and more.

Research varies by facility. Each facility profile shows which research steps we completed and when each step was last performed. Learn more about our research process and background checks.

How we evaluate treatment facilities

These data help us develop a Trust Score for each facility—a simple letter grade that helps you assess how much confidence to place in a facility based on the information available to us. Trust Score considers accreditation, operating history, notable recognition, and concerns identified during our background check. Our Trust Score is an objective rating that is never influenced by advertiser payment. Learn more about our Trust Score methodology.

Important disclaimer

We cannot guarantee the quality of treatment at any facility. We cannot independently confirm the accuracy of every data point, and some information may become outdated or change over time. A Trust Score is a starting point, not a guarantee of treatment quality or outcomes. Please contact us if you would like to update or correct facility information.