Behavior problems, mental illness and drug or alcohol use can send families into crisis. Roles change, routines are altered and everything seems to revolve around the person who is ill. Once the person enters treatment, families must readjust to life in recovery. One way we assist teens and their families to make this adjustment is with our Intensive Family Program.
Our two-day Intensive Family Program is designed to promote healthy relationships among teens and their family members as they undergo treatment at Sovereign Health. Through education, counseling and guidance, family members can begin to understand their loved one’s challenges from a new perspective, gain insight into the treatment process and learn appropriate ways to be supportive.
Intensive Family Program Elements
Sovereign Health’s Intensive Family Program strives to provide a therapeutic but enjoyable atmosphere. Some elements included in the weekend include:
- Presentations by clinical staff
- Personal and family goal setting
- Reading and reflection
- Workshops
- Group activities
- Peer-to-peer support
Some topics covered in the program include family roles and dynamics, establishing healthy boundaries, co-dependency and relapse prevention. Mental health and addiction family therapy is offered at our family rehabilitation center.
On a more personal level, families meet with case managers and receive updates on their teen’s progress. This is when families can discuss and ask questions about their loved one’s conditions, medications and therapies. Family members also have an opportunity to receive individual, group and family psychotherapy at our family treatment center.
Through research, we know that families can make a significant difference in the outcome of addiction and mental health treatment and can be a critical component in the recovery process. The program explains the many issues families face and how to stay mentally and physically healthy throughout the process. Participants identify new and positive ways of coping with adversity and developing stronger and mutually supportive relationships.
Sovereign Health of Rancho San Diego offers a Family Weekend, which currently takes place on Fridays and Saturdays. To participate in Family Weekend, participants must submit a request. Family member attendance is approved by the Rancho San Diego clinical team, based on the progress of the adolescent patient.