Brightli
17844 East 23rd Street, Independence, MO 64057
Embark Behavioral Health
Also known as Independence STR
Address: 3205 North Twyman Road, Independence, MO 64058 · Map
Phone: (816) 643-3058
Website: embarkbh.com
About Embark Behavioral Health
Embark at Independence provides short-term residential care in a calm, supportive setting for adolescent boys and girls who are dealing with mental health challenges and addiction. The program focuses on dual diagnosis, using proven treatment approaches alongside hands-on therapies and outdoor experiences. This holistic model is designed to treat the whole person by addressing both substance use and co-occurring mental health needs.
Within the inpatient program, Embark at Independence uses a range of clinical services to support healing and recovery, including dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), substance abuse education and counseling, and recovery-focused group sessions. Treatment is delivered in a structured environment with daily routines that encourage healthy living, including individual and group therapy, physical activity, time outdoors, and nutritious meals. Family therapy is also included to help adolescents build confidence, strengthen social-emotional skills, and improve family relationships. The center commonly supports teens facing issues such as school refusal, addiction, anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, borderline personality disorder (BPD), family conflict, and self-harm or suicidal thoughts.
The residential setting is designed to give patients access to nature and a variety of therapeutic and social activities. Residents may take part in group projects, talent showcases, trivia and game nights, and movie events. With grounds near the Missouri River, patients can enjoy a wide selection of outdoor and fitness-based activities such as kayaking, rock climbing, hiking, camping, fishing, archery, frisbee golf, and swimming. Embark at Independence also offers educational and skill-building opportunities through cultural events, as well as culinary, automotive, and trade-focused classes. To support spiritual and emotional wellness, the center provides music instruction, arts and crafts, spiritual retreats, and practices related to meditation and mindfulness.
In addition, Embark at Independence organizes off-site trips to nearby Kansas City for patients and their families, called parent weekends. These trips may include activities like a 5K color run, talent shows, and Kansas City Royals baseball games. The goal of these outings is to apply program skills in real-life situations while learning healthier ways to participate in everyday life and reinforcing stronger family connections.
Services reported to SAMHSA
- Levels of care
- Residential/24-hour residential
- Treatment focus
- Substance use treatment · Mental health treatment · Treatment for co-occurring disorders plus serious emotional disturbance (SED) in children
- Facility type
- Residential treatment center (RTC) for children
- Treatment approaches
- Activity therapy · Cognitive behavioral therapy · Couples/family therapy · Dialectical behavior therapy · Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy · Group therapy · Integrated Mental and Substance Use Disorder treatment · Individual psychotherapy · Telemedicine/telehealth therapy · Abnormal involuntary movement scale
- Education and counseling
- Smoking/vaping/tobacco cessation counseling
- Special programs
- Clients with co-occurring mental and substance use disorders · Clients who have experienced intimate partner violence, domestic violence · Clients who have experienced trauma · Persons with eating disorders · Persons with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) · Children/adolescents with serious emotional disturbance (SED)
- Ages accepted
- Children/Adolescents
- Payment accepted
- Private health insurance · Cash or self-payment · State-financed health insurance plan other than Medicaid
- Ownership
- Private for-profit organization
- Other services
- Diet and exercise counseling · Family psychoeducation · Case management service · Suicide prevention services
Facility-provided information
- Care offered
- Residential Rehab
- Substances treated
- Co-Occurring Disorders · Drug Addiction
- Conditions treated
- ADHD, ADD · Anger · Anxiety · Bipolar · Depression · Gaming · Grief and Loss · Internet Addiction · Personality Disorders
- Therapies
- 1-on-1 Counseling · Art Therapy · Dance Therapy · Experiential Therapy · Eye Movement Therapy (EMDR) · Family Therapy · Horticultural Therapy · Meditation & Mindfulness · Psychoeducation
- Approaches
- Evidence-Based · Experiential · Family Involvement · Holistic · Individual Treatment · Trauma Informed · Wellness
- Who it serves
- Adolescents · Boys · Girls
- Amenities
- Access to Nature · Basketball Court · Fitness Center · Gardens · Recreation Room · Volleyball Court · Walking Trails
- Languages
- English
Questions to ask Embark Behavioral Health
- Is my specific plan in network, and do you need prior authorization before admission?
- How long is the typical residential stay, and can family visit?
- If I need medication for opioid or alcohol use disorder, do you prescribe it or refer out?
- Do you treat mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety at the same time?
- Is there a waitlist, and how soon can you do an assessment?
- What happens after the program ends: aftercare, alumni groups or step-down care?
Also confirm the facility is licensed by Missouri. If you are withdrawing from alcohol or benzodiazepines, ask about medical detox; do not stop suddenly on your own.
Paying for treatment at Embark Behavioral Health
Embark Behavioral Health reports accepting Medicaid, Private insurance, Self-pay. With Missouri Medicaid, treatment is usually covered at little or no cost, though some levels of care need prior authorization. Most private plans must cover substance use treatment on terms comparable to other medical care under federal parity law.
Distance to specialized care from Independence
Measured from the population center of Jackson County, using SAMHSA locator data mapped by FindRehabMap:
- Nearest medical detox: Kansas City, about 5.6 miles
- Nearest methadone clinic (OTP): Independence, about 3.0 miles (11 within 25 miles)
- Nearest buprenorphine (Suboxone) provider: Kansas City, about 2.4 miles (32 within 25 miles)
See the Jackson County treatment map, methadone clinics near Jackson County and Suboxone doctors near Jackson County.
Frequently asked questions
What services does Embark Behavioral Health offer?
Embark Behavioral Health reports these levels of care to SAMHSA: Residential, Dual diagnosis. Call to confirm current services and openings.
Does Embark Behavioral Health accept insurance?
It reports accepting Medicaid, Private insurance, Self-pay. Ask whether your specific plan is in network before admission.
Where is Embark Behavioral Health located?
3205 North Twyman Road, Independence, MO 64058.
How far is the nearest medical detox from Independence?
From the center of Jackson County, the closest program offering medical detox is in Kansas City, about 5.6 miles away (straight-line), based on SAMHSA locator data mapped by FindRehabMap.
Other treatment facilities in Independence
Brightli
17611 East Highway 24, Independence, MO 64056
Centerstone
4231 South Hocker Drive, Independence, MO 64055
Centerstone
4231 South Hocker Drive, Independence, MO 64055
Midwest ADP
3923 South Lynn Court, Independence, MO 64055
Midwest ADP
3923 South Lynn Court, Independence, MO 64055
See all 9 facilities in Independence · Outpatient · Intensive outpatient · Accepts Medicaid · Accepts Medicare · Private insurance · Sliding scale
Last reviewed 2026-10-06. Facility details come from SAMHSA's FindTreatment.gov locator and facility-provided information. Confirm services, availability and payment directly with the facility.