group facilitator

addiction counselor

office assistant

licensed practical nurse

case manager

Seafield Center, Inc

The GOOD... Seafield has alot of locations. The family (owners) and corporate managers in West Hampton seem to really care about helping people with addiction to get their life back on track.  The pay and benefits were fair, and hours flexible.  Staff in Amityville were great to work with and close and supportive of each other due to the bad environment we had to work in. 
 
The BAD...  My experience was that the executive director created a divided and fearful staff by pitting staff against staff.  She started and spread gossip that created hurt feelings -- and then you'd discover it was a lie -- working there was an emotional rollercoaster -- where she's the only one having fun at staff and patients expense.  She demeaned staff, mocked staff in front of other staff, curse at staff, require staff to tell her any gossip they heard.  It was an impossible situation to work in.  I left on good terms because I never complained about her, because I saw what happened to others who complained. They became her target until they left.  Who could feel good about their job under those conditions?  But worse of all, too many times to count I witnessed her shame or embarrass patients and all we could do was apologize to the patients in private.  Not quite as bad, but embarrassing, was when she walked around the office in bedroom slippers, white tube socks or barefoot.  When she wasn't in her office, she was napping downstairs in the recliners, or had left early.  She'd cry in front of patients and staff telling everyone about her tragic loss of a family member, and then use that loss as a excuse anytime she was confronted about her bad behavior.  I know first hand of at least 6 complaints filed against her and the solution was an apology from her to the victim, but after a few weeks when things blew over, she would go right back to her bad behaviors again, and again, and again, until the next time she got in trouble.   

In looking back, I could never just work at peace in the drama-filled office. I recommend stay away until things change -- and as of this date, according to friends who are still there -- its worse now than ever.

The pay is the lowest in the field, and I have spoken to (and witnessed myself) that there are no raises given even after working for several years at this agency. The Executive Director is extremely inappropriate, and encourages that all rumors be reported and will share inappropriate information with other staff members (about fellow colleagues). The Executive Director thrives off of (and seems to enjoy) bad news which she then turns into a dramatic scene. A treatment facility that claims that their goal is to help individuals maintain recovery from substance abuse should not be placing added pressure on individuals to do "make up" groups when they are absent for valid reasons (doctor's appointments, court, etc). At first I thought it was a good idea to hold patients accountable for their attendance, until it was stressed in team meetings that this practice is indeed for the money. Counselors are held accountable for their group attendance, and are threatened with their jobs if anyone misses group. Individuals are kicked to the curb if their Medicaid becomes inactive without any referrals or assistance, and the amount of treatment that a person is assigned to is not properly determined based off of what they report and based off of New York State standards. There are both supervisors and counselors who are not licensed to practice who are treating patients, as well as individuals working at this treatment facility who have started out as interns and have not been taught how to appropriately conduct themselves in a professional manner. This is an extremely toxic work environment which nobody should be subjected to.

I had the honor and privilege to be apart of this team for many years. I started working here as an intern and was hired as a case manager. I learned so many things from my peers and direct supervisors. The Directors try to be very flexible with staff and their schedules which was so meaningful to me in working around appointments I had and school over the years. Our staff meetings were productive and I learned a lot from Group Supervision which the Executive Director changed over the last year, staff now places topics in a box and we are able to discuss these with our peers. The patients are treated well and the goal from the head down is to be patient centered. Patients are cared for and it shows. At times the amount of work that goes along with being a case manager is very overwhelming but the supervisors do a good job of getting you help when you need and offering to change schedules around. One thing I like about this agency is that most patients are seen individually on a weekly basis in addition to their groups which is not the norm in this field. As someone who has worked in substance abuse I would say this place is top notch. Lastly I think its important to say that my co workers are the absolute best. We all covered for each other and schedules were always adjusted as needed. I would be lucky to work in a supportive environment like this one again! 
Thanks for the experience and support to all at Seafield Mineola

I was quite surprised to see the high rating as it was recently 2.9. I then realized, they’re using a different profile. Be careful, this is just a sign of how unprofessional, and deceitful,  management can be. Supervisors have many years clinical experience which for some is good but others are stuck in the old days and not learning new methods. They have virtually no administrative, or management skills or training. Employees are not treated with respect. Staff and patients were repeatedly exposed to COVID as a result of management’s inability to implement, or enforce, DOH, CDC and OASIS guidelines.  After literally risking our lives for patients during COVID, we were ranked with a Healthcare Hero’s Banner. Management showed just how grateful they were by making employees take personal time one week before Christmas during a snow storm when the office was closed! This is just one example of the management style. The pay is low, especially considering this is a for profit company.  Most people think that’s ok because it’s a starting pay but they don’t give raises. This means there is no incentive to work hard and people doing a good job end up picking up the slack for those smart enough to lay back and do nothing. 

The outpatient facility is a stressful, unfriendly, poorly run facility.  The employees are encouraged to report all rumors and any information that can be obtained about their peers to the directors.  The 3 head directors are more concerned with justifying what an employee is being paid by making sure they bill a certain amount weekly than client care.  There is no supervision other than a biweekly meeting to briefly discuss the case load.  No one ever discusses clinical skills and most of the counselors are doing individual therapy in addiction to group therapy.  Many of these counselors only have a CASAC-T and they are not receiving the proper training.  Most of the employees started there as interns so they have been trained to follow the unhealthy workplace culture.     Clients are told they can not return to treatment if there is any issue with their medicaid and no one helps them with referrals for other places.  This is a for profit business that is more concerned about making money than anything else.  Many of the clients are on medicaid and they are taking advantage of the system to make a profit.

The company is a for profit rehab owned by a family that cares more about making money than helping clients.  The Mineola OP program is terrible.  The environment is stressful and unhealthy and the supervisors base an individual's job performance on rumors and reports from other employees.  They are never around after 3:00/4:00 and the program is open till 9:30.  There is no clinical supervision so all of the counselors (which is mostly CASAC-T/CASAC) do not receive any real guidance/supervision.  They take full advantage of every opportunity to bill for a service and put it above patient care.  If someone's medicaid has an issue they tell the client they cannot return.  This is done with no warning and without referrals for other services.  If clients miss.a group for an acceptable reason (court, sick, etc).  They are forced to make it up.  At first I thought this was. a good thing because it appears to be about being accountable but I began to realize it was about the money and being able to bill them to keep the numbers up.  There is no consistency with the rules being enforced and the supervisors play favorites among the counselors.  To top it off the pay is the lowest in the industry.

If the owners [family run] actually listened to the staff the place would actually be a healing environment. The high turn-over rate alone, should be sending off bell and whistles. They nickle and dime the clients on everything from laundry to phone calls; the majority of the staff, administration included, are too busy stabbing each other in the back, kissing up to the owner, to really do any meaningful work; and, the few staff that truly care - are too afraid (rightly so) to say anything. New York (like most states) is an AT WILL employment state; and, Seafield Center, Inc. - takes that concept to heart. When you have a company that fires people base on rumor alone, what kind of environment are you really trying to cultivate. On the plus side: they will feed you. They have some of the best cooks in the business. If you were under-nourished when you got there, you will definitely have a few extra pounds when you leave. The also have some of the most caring nursing staff around - period; but, the high turnover rate alone, says it all. If you need work - take it; but, keep that resume up to date; you'll be needing it any day now.

The clinic was busy with groups throughout the day.  Unfortunately, most of the staff had split schedules, which made it difficult to get into a routine.  Also, with the high turnover of staff, there were critical needs at odd times creating this split schedule necessity.

The management did their best under the circumstances.  It is a for-profit situation and the pay is $15/hour.  Across the board, many addiction counseling companies are paying this low hourly wage.  Other places are known to pay much more, up to $22/hour and even higher in contract situations.  It can be a stressful position requiring a degree, continuing education, and hours of work toward the CASAC certification; therefore pay should be more in the recovery field.  Social workers make better salaries, but must go to school longer.

Seafield was a good experience and I enjoyed the work. It is a labor of love and one must desire and enjoy helping addicts through early recovery and developing the critical time needed to maintain longterm sobriety.  The pay is not an issue if you have that.

Company still works off of paper time sheets, meaning you fill in on a paper with pencil when you clock in and out which creates a level of distrust within upper management & employees. Anything can be changed in the system without you knowing. The Epley’s (or perhaps better called Epsteins) own the company and consistently hire and give raises to their own family and friends rather than regular employees. People who work with you may have a phone, car, even house that was “helpfully” given to them by the people who own the company while you struggle to pay your bills, or get hours. If you’re applying and haven’t heard back it’s because every application gets screened behind anyone they may know first, and directors have no time frame, or limit to their job postings. Ghost jobs is what some may call it. Every person in a higher position of power uses AI to write their policies & emails while taking advantage of the grunt work below them. And get paid 2x as much as you to do so! Weekly justice center complaints and security that is ran by ex convicts & addicts working with a vulnerable population. Hopefully this place shuts down or gets bought out soon.

I do counselor substitution as needed on a per diem basis, intakes, and assist in quality contrrol.
I generally facilitate one to three hour (intensive out patient) groups of up to fifteen clients in early recovery from addictions.
My co-workers are mostly cooperative and willing to assist when necessary and devoted to the wellfare of their clients.
I seasonally migrate North and South i.e. am a "Snow Bird" and welcome the ability to work in this field. I have worked for this institution, Seafield Center, Westhampton Brach, New York, on and off, full tme and part time, since it's inseption in 1985 as time restraints of my primary vocation, Art Education, and health etc, allowed. In the in-patient Facility I worked from 1985 until 2010 as an intake counselor, case manager, evening and weekend supervisor, presented lectures, substituted for the clinical supervisor and assistant clinical supervisor and have presented in-service trainings.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Group facilitator 14 salaries reported	$21.50 per hour
Addiction counselor 15 salaries reported	$21.10 per hour
Office assistant 6 salaries reported	$16.75 per hour
Licensed practical nurse 4 salaries reported	$33.50 per hour
Case manager 4 salaries reported	$21.50 per hour

Working at Seafield Center, Inc: Company Overview and Reviews

Seafield Center, Inc

Seafield Center, Inc Ratings

Popular jobs at Seafield Center, Inc

Salary Satisfaction

Job Seeker Tools

Employer Tools

Browse

Stay Connected