Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the requirements for enrolling in a program at Interim House?

A: To be eligible for treatment at Interim House, you must be a woman 18 years of age or older, dependent on alcohol and/or other drugs or with a recent history of substance abuse and meet the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) criteria for the specific level of care you are requesting.

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Q: How do I get to Interim House??

A: Directions can be found here.

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Q: Do I need insurance to get treatment at Interim House?

A: Interim House accepts the following insurance:

  • Philadelphia County Residents: Community Behavioral Health (CBH) and Behavioral Health Special Initiative (BHSI)-- for uninsured women
  • Chester County Residents: Community Care Behavioral Health (C-CBH) and Chester County Drug & Alcohol Services
  • Montgomery County Residents: Magellan and Montgomery County Drug & Alcohol Services 
  • Bucks and Delaware County Residents: Magellan Health
  • Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Cumberland, Perry and Franklin/Fulton County Residents: Perform Care

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Q: What are your hours? Do I need an appointment?

A: Interim House offers both day and evening hours, Monday through Friday, to accommodate clients' schedules. Please call 215.849.4606 for more information or to schedule an appointment. Staff members are available by phone at all times, day or night, 7 days per week.

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Q: Do I need a referral to be admitted to Interim House?

A: Provider referrals are not necessary for enrollment at Interim House; clients may admit themselves as long as they meet the admission requirements.

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Q: What types of activities does Interim House provide to its residential clients?

A: Interim House provides art, music, dance and psychodrama therapy as well as life skills workshops, spirituality groups, anger and stress management classes, yoga, physical fitness and nutrition classes, vocational training and GED preparation, along with many other activities.

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Q: How long does your residential program last? Your outpatient program?

A: Residential clients stay with us up to six months, while our outpatient treatment ranges from four months to one year.

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Q: How does Interim House promote a recovery oriented environment?

A: Several evidence-based and evidence-supported treatment practices and services are at the heart of Interim House's clinical treatment approach. We view each client individually and work with them to and develop unique treatment and recovery plans based on individual addiction issues, personal history, and strengths. Interim House's treatment programming supports each woman's uniqueness, including their culture, sexual orientation, age, and/or disability. The Interim House philosophy promotes the belief that healing and growth can only take place in an environment that is safe. A safe environment respects the dignity of each woman and her unique story. Interim House strives to foster a safe environment by respecting the uniqueness of each individual and the different emotional level of each woman as she arrives and continues through treatment and recovery. The women of Interim House are encouraged to advocate for themselves while in treatment, make treatment suggestions, and partner with us in their treatment.

Our focus on individual recovery is based in several evidence-based practices. Given the extremely high prevalence of trauma, abuse and exposure to violence among women at Interim House, as well as the critical role that traumatic life experiences play in the development of mental health and substance abuse problems, one such practice is incorporating a trauma informed therapeutic environment. Developed by Dr. Sandra Bloom, this approach, called the Sanctuary Model, provides a recovery framework for helping victims of trauma overcome the effects of traumatic experiences.

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*Low-income is defined as someone who is receiving public assistance.