Month: July 2014

Categories
Anniversary Blogs Recovery Service Treatment

Natalie Holman – Extended Care Assistant Manager

Natalie Holman has been with Visions since 2007. She started as an administrative assistant, working at our residential facilities, and eventually moving to our Day School and Outpatient facility. She is currently the Assistant Manager at Extended Care, where her administrative know-how is complimented by her desire to give back and be of service.  Natalie is always willing to help if you need something and is the one behind the scenes making sure the T’s are crossed and the I’s are dotted. Natalie is part of the fabric that makes Visions tick, and for that, we are incredibly grateful for her presence, her laughter, and her ability to take care of us from behind-the-scenes.

 

Read on for some incredible kudos from the staff:

 

“Natalie is the office enforcer… she is organized and on top of the office work and everything that needs to be done before you even blink.  She is always available and open to questions and has been extremely helpful.”  – Koreema Walden

 

“Natalie is a beautiful, caring woman who is always willing to help anyone at a moments notice. Natalie is the glue that holds outpatient together with her knowledge of our program as well as her loving, nonjudgmental words to our clients.  I can’t imagine IOP without Natalie’s beautiful face!” – Cheryl Lane

 

“Natalie is so warm and authentic and FUNNY, she makes work more fun — but she works her tail off behind the scenes to keep us all looking good!  We’d be lost without her!” – Jesse Engdahl

 

I have worked with Natalie for the last three years. I appreciate that she always has a warm smile and is ready and willing to help. Sometimes she gets overlooked because she is behind the scenes working at the details that make a huge difference in all that we do. I often ask Natalie to get a task done that I don’t have time to do, or that truly needs her attention to detail, which she excels at! Thank you, Natalie, for all you do, it would not be the same here without you. – Noelle Rodriguez

 

“Natalie is a big part of the day to day here at Outpatient. She does a lot for the facility, staff, and clients. My favorite part about her is her random humor. She’s hilarious and her Jersey accent really makes the jokes that much better. I think our common love for Beyoncè and food has really added a spark to our friendship. I’m glad she’s a part of the Visions family” – Adriana Camarillo

 

“Natalie is an integral part of the Visions team.  Her attention to detail, follow through and comprehensive approach to administration is an important factor in keeping all of us on task. It helps to know you have someone you can rely on and I’m grateful she carries us through the day to day.  Natalie is an invaluable asset to the organization and frankly, she makes us look good.” – Fiona A. Ray

 

“Where there is chaos, Natalie can find order.  This woman is the quiet answer to a storm of crazy.  Our team depends on her to fill in the gaps of communication…Natalie is basically the Siri of Visions.  Where can I find this?  Did we order that?  What time are they arriving?  Can you organize my brain?  Natalie’s ability to sort us all out makes Visions a stronger team…no doubt.” — Christina Howard Micklish

 

 

As always, we sent along 10 questions. Check out Natalie’s answers: 

 

 

1: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

I don’t think I would want to live anywhere outside of the US permanently, but living in the US is all I know.  I’d have to do some traveling before I could answer that question.

 

2: What motivates you?

Dreams, ambitions, a desire to become a better me tomorrow than I am today, fear

 

3:  What is your favorite season and why?

Season?  There are no seasons in LA.  On the east coast I like the fall when the leaves change colors and the air becomes cool and crisp, and you would start to smell the fireplaces being used.  I always liked dressing for the cool weather (boots, sweaters, scarves and coats).

 

4: Do you prefer reading on a device or flipping through real pages of a book?

I like books.  I’ve recently started to use kindle, but nothing beats the smell of the pages in a book.

 

5: What makes your heart sing?

My cats, Gigi and Papa.

 

6: Describe your perfect day:

There’s no such thing as perfect anything.  Each of my days are perfectly imperfect in different ways and for different reasons.  I’m grateful for each day.

 

7: If you were given three wishes, what would you wish for?

Wishes?  I don’t know.  I would wish to be debt free.  I know that!  I would wish peace of mind for everyone (it gets so loud in there sometimes), and I would wish for all of the wishes I could wish for!

 

8: What is one thing you cannot live without?

Music.

 

9: What was the last song you listened to while you were driving?

Young Folks, Peter Bjorn and John.

 

10: Why do you choose to work for Visions? 

I believe in what we do here, for entire families.  There’s nothing like being part of a team that affects teens and their families in such dramatic and positive ways.  Visions rocks!

 

Categories
Recovery

Where Can I Send My Child For Adolescent Addiction Treatment

Making the decision to send your child to an adolescent treatment facility is not an easy one to make.  However, there comes a time when a parent realizes their child needs professional help for their addiction.  Even with a parent’s help it can be virtually impossible to overcome an addiction without professional intervention.  In order to best prepare your teen for recovery and lifelong sobriety, it is important to select the best adolescent treatment center.  

What are the options for treating an adolescent with an addiction issue?

There are several methods of treating an adolescent addiction issue. Each teen is unique – what works for one child may not work with another.  Speak with an adolescent addiction professional to help determine which type of treatment is right for your child.

  • Residential Treatment – During a residential, or inpatient, program, adolescents live in the treatment center where they receive care 24/7.  A team of counselors, therapists and professionals work with each client to ensure they are receiving the treatment they need to become and remain sober. These structured programs provide a safe living environment for teens while they address their concerns.
  • Outpatient Treatment – An outpatient rehab allows clients to remain active in their everyday lives while receiving the intense therapy they need. These programs are structured to allow teens to grow as an individual while they receive assistance in a positive environment
  • Extended Residential Treatment – For some adolescents, 90 days of treatment is not sufficient. For others, their home situations are not conducive to their continued growth and sobriety.

What should I look for in a treatment center?

It is important to find a treatment center that specializes in treating adolescents.  Due to their ongoing development, adolescents have a unique set of emotional, social, and psychological needs that are completely different than the needs of adults.  First, look for a treatment center that is focused on the needs of adolescents.  Second, as a parent, it is important that you are an active participant in your child’s addiction treatment.  Ask potential centers about their philosophy on parent and family involvement.  The ideal treatment center will provide counseling services to the family unit as a whole in addition to treating the specific needs of the individual.

The ideal treatment center will offer the following:

  • Treatment care plans that are based on the specific needs of each client rather than a one size fits all approach
  • A number of recreational activities to keep adolescents engaged while they are receiving treatment
  • An atmosphere that fosters safety and security
  • Open lanes of communication between clients and their parents and between parents and the treatment staff
  • A staff of clinical professionals from multiple disciplines in order to provide well rounded treatment

What is the best treatment center in the Malibu area?

Located in Malibu, Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers focus on providing individualized addiction treatment in a safe, comfortable, and supportive setting.  Their center focuses on addressing the needs of the teen and the family in order to improve relationships and create a healthy environment to return to after leaving the treatment program.  Visions Adolescent treats a number of issues including:

  • Drug and alcohol addiction
  • Prescription drug addiction
  • Mental health diagnosis
  • Dual diagnosis
  • Eating disorder

Visions Teen offers treatment in a number of ways including:  

  • Residential treatment
  • Long term residential treatment
  • Outpatient treatment
  • Alternative education
  • Extended care for young adults

Research has shown that parents commonly have the same emotions about their child’s addiction: fear, hopelessness, anxiety, anger, and helplessness.  The care team at Visions Teen changes that through treatment of the teen and their family.  These negative emotions can be changed through hard work and dedication to the healthy emotion of hope and promise of the future.

Find out more about the addiction recovery programs offered by Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers by speaking with a counselor. Please click below to schedule your consultation or call us at 866-889-3665.

Categories
Anniversary Blogs Mental Health Recovery Service Treatment

Morgan Parker — Educator

Morgan Parker is one of our remarkable educators in our Residential program. She spends her time teaching the clients at our Latigo facility, providing them with a well-crafted through-line to their education in a supportive, clinical environment. Morgan determines the relevant educational needs for the clients, provides the appropriate support for those working with learning disabilities, and  she maintains a high standard of education.  Morgan Parker is a bright light in the Visions family: she is colorful, wise, kind, and dedicated. She is highly intelligent and not afraid to share her wisdom through humor and play. Morgan carries herself with confidence and compassion, adeptly caring for the clients and melding with the staff with grace. Morgan Parker is a true gift to Visions and we are honored that she’s been with us since 2009.

 

Read on for some kudos from the staff!

“Morgan is the Rock of Gibraltar. She is the backbone of Visions Latigo. When Morgan decided to take the job as teacher, she was a perfect fit. She had worked with our challenging population of kids as a Program Aide, and brought her experience and calm demeanor with her. Morgan’s attention to detail is impeccable. She notices glitches in the machine that help to prevent major hick-ups later on. She cares about the kids and her job, silently facing everyday frustrations with grace and dignity. I am proud to be her supervisor.” – Daniel Dewey

 

“One of the most reliable, insightful ladies out there.” —  Roxie Fuller

 

Morgan is so multi talented I don’t even know where to begin. She effortlessly blends her educational expertise with a loving and fun demeanor and tackles anything that comes her way.  Morgan insists on encouraging our kids to rise to the occasion academically, we couldn’t ask for a better teacher!  — Patrick Schettler

 

“Working with Morgan has been a great experience. Not only is she super helpful and efficient with our students but she is also fun to be around. She has a great sense of humor and says some of the funniest and most random things. She is a great addition to the Visions family.” — Adriana Camarillo

 

“I’ve always thought of Morgan as the Rainbow Bright of Visions.  The Visions family is always battling dark and complex issues, and its people like Morgan who show up with pink hair and the brightest clothing that remind us to never take life too seriously.  No doubt the work she does with the VTeam is seriously exceptional!”   — Christina Howard-Micklish

 

I love Morgan’s answers to our 10 questions — she has real wisdom and wit. Read on:

 

1: What do you miss from the 80s?

My childhood! And MTV when it actually played music videos.

 

2: If you could go anywhere in the world for free, where would you go, who would you take and what would you do?

This is an overwhelming question! My brain floods with possibilities and fantasies: Sweden, Scotland, Japan, Fiji, Iceland, Bali, New Zealand, the Isle of Man…but because I’d take my 3 kids, I may choose Italy to help make some historical sites of Western civilization come alive for them, and then still have access to the beach. Travel provides the best education, and we love the beach!

 

3: What is your favorite subject to teach?

I am a bibliophile and logophile, but surprisingly I have enjoyed working with students on algebra. It is reassuringly procedural to teach, but it’s also like solving puzzles, which is fun and interactive. I like to see students figure problems out, recognize patterns, and become less intimidated by math.

 

4: Which character in To Kill a Mockingbird are you?

My only solid response to this is that I think we can all aspire to be Atticus Finch: fair, decent, resilient, accountable, courageous, and truthful.

 

5: Coffee, Tea, Soda or Water?

I am notorious for my Diet Coke consumption. I am still trying to find an acceptable, healthier replacement beverage.

 

6: What was your most embarrassing hairstyle?

Bangs were never the most flattering look for me.

 

7: What is your grammatical pet peeve?

Dangling modifiers are never OK! I also find irksome the improper use or omission of the apostrophe. And I am always willing to explain the difference between “effect” and “affect.”

 

8: Would you rather be a wizard or a ninja? Explain…

Wizard! I gravitate toward the cerebral choice. I am not known for physical prowess. I’d rather be a magician than a fighter! A ninja needs smarts but a wizard has wisdom.

 

9: Favorite time of day?

After midnight, when the world gets quiet and my brain gets alert and creative. I have always been nocturnal.

 

10: Why do you choose to work for Visions?

Everyone needs community and purpose, and it is rare to find both in a workplace, but at Visions I have found where I belong and can contribute. There is a lot of love, support, humor, good work, and good deeds happening here, and I am proud to be a part. I have truly met some of the most incredible people at Visions, both clients and staff!

Categories
Recovery

How Do I Find Adolescent Addiction Treatment For My Child

Adolescent addiction treatment is the right choice for a teen with a substance abuse issue.  While many parents try to address substance abuse issues at home through discipline, this approach is not ideal.  Despite the best efforts of a teen and their parents, it can be nearly impossible to overcome a substance abuse issue without professional assistance.  It can be difficult for parents to know where to send their child for adolescent addiction treatment.  Use the guide below to find a treatment program that is best suited for the specific needs of your child.  

Treatment Focus

Look for an adolescent treatment center that has programs that are tailored to the needs of teenagers.  Adolescents have needs that are distinctively different than those of adults, and therefore, they should receive different treatment and programming.  In addition to navigating the underlying cause of their issues, adolescents are dealing with mental, emotional, and physical development, all of which must be taken into consideration.  A treatment center that has a mission of treating adolescents and their families is ideal.

Parental Involvement

Parental involvement is one of the largest components in an adolescent addiction treatment program.  In fact, many of the top treatment facilities will not accept a client who does not have familial support.  Select a program that has an open door policy with parents and that encourages parental involvement.  The most effective treatment centers will offer family counseling as a part of the treatment program.  Rebuilding the family unit and establishing healthy modes of communication both allows the family to heal and sets the stage for the adolescent to return to a positive environment after leaving treatment.

Program Types

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to adolescent addiction treatment.  For some, an outpatient program provides the support needed.  Others find additional benefit in an inpatient program.  Selecting a treatment center that offers multiple methods for treating adolescents can provide the flexibility your teen needs to be successful in their sobriety. The best treatment centers offer many treatment options including:

  • Inpatient treatment
  • Outpatient treatment
  • Long term inpatient treatment
  • Alternative education
  • Young adult outpatient treatment

Individualized Treatment

Personalized treatment plans set the most effective adolescent addiction treatment centers apart from the others. It is important that teens feel involved in their own treatment and that their needs and wants for treatment are incorporated into their treatment plans.  A treatment center’s client to staff ratio determines how much personal attention clients receive.  Treatment centers that are understaffed or which have high client to staff ratios are not equipped to provide adolescents with the level of care they need to be successful.

Licensing and Accreditation

Be sure to select a treatment facility that is registered in the state they operate in.  You should also check with the regulatory board for additional information on the history of a center.  Additionally, ask about a treatment center’s accreditation and information about the types of programs they provide.  Look for programs that are widely accepted as successful for treating addiction issues.  Twelve step approaches and Dialectical Behavior Therapy have been shown to be effective in treating addiction issues in adolescents.

Trust Your Instincts  

You should feel comfortable with the treatment center your child attends.  Before committing to a program, visit the facility and ask questions.  Treatment facilities should be safe and should support environments that provide the security adolescents need to feel comfortable and safe. If a center does not provide a level of comfort that is suitable for your teen’s needs, look for additional options.

Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers provide individualized adolescent addiction treatment in both inpatient and outpatient settings.  The goal of treatment is to provide clients and their parents with the support they need to heal together, and become and remain sober.  Receive additional information on the adolescent addiction treatment programs provided by Visions by contacting them today.  Please click below to schedule your consultation, or call us at 866-889-3665.

Categories
Alumni Education Events Recovery Service

Visions Cultivates Community

Walking into our Day School is emblematic of the cultivation of community. The kids are in support of each other, bonded by difficulty and a desire to change, and they are aptly supported by a team of a deeply compassionate clinical and support staff. On a given day, you may encounter laughter, tears, struggle, and frustration, joy, triumph, and accomplishment. And regardless of which of those experiences is present, they are held in a safe container of support; a container which is ultimately community.

 

A fear that is often present for teens in treatment is the suggestion that their peer group will need to change.  In a successful environment of recovery, that peer group does need to change. However, part of the recovery process includes the cultivation of a healthier, more supportive community of peers–a community that is desirous of shifting the old paradigm to one that is conducive to the mental health and stability they seek.

 

I asked Joseph Rogers, MDiv Canditate and teacher at Visions for 5 ways in which Visions helps teens cultivate community:

 

1: Engaging in social activities together. Visions supports weekly sober fun activities and recovery fun groups. Clients in our extended care have regular weekend activities such as paintball, beach trips, gardening, hiking, et cetera.

 

2: Having a spiritual support community such as Young People’s AA, where the young people are in charge of their own groups. This creates a sense of empowerment and encourages healthy independence.

 

3: Allow the clients to support one another. When a client asks if they can check in with another client, we almost never say no. It’s important that the clients see each other as a support system, especially post treatment.

 

4: Alumni activities. Keep our former clients in contact with each other and remind them of the support system they have in place. Our annual Alumni Weekend is a prime example of this. Additionally, all alumni are encouraged to come to the Friday night recovery meeting.

 

5:  Visions encourages alumni to sponsor current clients and to come back to work at Visions as employees. This way, clients can see the full cycle of recovery.

We are looking forward to seeing alumni and current clients and their families at the upcoming Alumni Weekend.  This community is at the core of what we do, and supporting families in their recovery is our heart.  It is always a joy to see our alumni thriving in their recovery and reconnecting with them.

Categories
Recovery

Adolescent and Teen Outpatient Services – Top California Treatment Center

An adolescent outpatient treatment facility may be what your child needs to overcome their issues.  As a parent, it can be difficult to raise a teenager.  That job becomes even more difficult when your teenager has a substance abuse issue, mental health concern, or eating disorder.  Many parents try to address these issues themselves by relying upon discipline to change their teenager’s behavior.  The truth is that many of these issues are virtually impossible to overcome without professional assistance.  To provide your child and your family with the tools necessary to adapt to a healthy lifestyle, it is important to find the top California treatment center.  

With two outpatient facilities in the Los Angeles area, the experts at Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers provide personalized adolescent outpatient treatment.  The team at Visions understands that adolescents have unique needs due to their ongoing physical, mental, and emotional development.  Each client’s treatment plan is designed by taking into account their unique needs, their ongoing development, and their own goals and objectives for their treatment.  These things make Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers the top adolescent outpatient treatment centers in California.

In order to be eligible for treatment at Visions, individuals must:

  • Be between the ages of 13 and 18
  • Have a parent or guardian who will be involved in the treatment process

There are two programs for treatment in the outpatient centers:

1st Step Program

The 1st Step Program preserves the teen’s individuality while giving them the tools needed to be successful after treatment.  This eight week program has sessions two to three times a week that include:

  • Individual therapy
  • Family therapy
  • Group therapy
  • Drug testing

The 1st Step Program can be the entry into a treatment program for someone who has never before received professional assistance.  The program may also be used to transition individuals who received inpatient treatment back into their everyday lives.  For both sets of individuals, the staff at Visions provides the support necessary to achieve success.

Intensive Outpatient Program

The intensive outpatient program is the next step in recovery, and provides a comprehensive approach to treatment in three phases over the course of one year:

  • Months one and two – Primary Care
  • Months three to six – Continuing Care
  • Months seven to twelve – Aftercare planning

In addition to the sessions provided by the 1st Step Program, sessions during the one year program include:

  • Multi-modal group sessions – These sessions are held weekly by the family therapist to allow families to address common issues in a comfortable and safe atmosphere.  Common topics include communication, boundaries, and handling conflict.  The sessions also serve as a support group to allow families to meet with others who are in a similar situation.
  • Parental support groups – These sessions are specifically designed to help parents who are dealing with an adolescent in treatment.  Topics such as managing stress, effective methods of discipline, and healthy modes of communication are commonly discussed.

The goal of the intensive program is to open the lines of communication within the family in order to heal the family unit as a whole and to give the family the tools necessary to recognize and address symptoms of dysfunction. This outpatient program also looks at the continuing support needs after leaving treatment and works to put clients in touch with the necessary community resources for ongoing improvement.  

Treatment Goals

Despite being tailored to the needs of each individual, there are several common goals for Visions’ adolescent outpatient treatment programs:

  • Providing the motivation and encouragement to develop healthy habits and adopt a clean lifestyle
  • Equipping clients with better problem solving strategies
  • Identifying how the negative behavior impacted the life of the teen and the people around them
  • Assessing and addressing the psychological and psychiatric needs of each client
  • Establishment of coping mechanisms to deal with stressful situations without resulting to negative behavior
  • Involvement of the family in the recovery process

Contact a counselor today for additional information on the adolescent outpatient treatment facility at Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers.  Please click below to schedule your consultation or call us at 866-889-3665.

Categories
Mental Health Recovery Service Treatment

Fiona A. Ray, MA, LMFT – Clinical Director

Bill Hoban has been our infallible Clinical Director for the last 12 years. His expertise and dedication helped make Visions the program it is today. It has been an honor working with him in that capacity. Recently, Bill has stepped down from his role as Clinical Director; he has passed the torch to the inimitable Fiona Ray as she steps into her new role as Clinical Director.

 

Fiona’s had an inspired vision for our clinical growth. Her fierce determination to execute positive change and create a solid team in our Outpatient facilities has been remarkable and we are excited to have her take on this role and do the same for our residential team. In her role as Director of Outpatient Services, Fiona created an environment replete with a dedicated staff willing to stand on the front lines alongside her to ensure that clients get the best care available. Fiona is not afraid of change, nor is she afraid to make the tough decisions sometimes necessary in treatment; she does it with compassion and wise intention. She is keen on creating an environment that is supportive and respectful for her staff to flourish and be the team they are meant to be.

 

We are thrilled to support Fiona Ray in new her position as Clinical Director. She is a well-respected fixture in the recovery community, recognized for her tenacity, dedication, and quiet, but fierce presence. Fiona has this ability to approach difficulty in a calm, collected way while making a family feel secure, supported and cared for. She has been instrumental in building out our Extended Care program, Launch, and the DBT training for the staff.  Fiona’s desire to create an environment that is healing and empowering for clients and co-workers is astounding.  Her drive to make Visions the best adolescent treatment is something to behold. Fiona is one of a kind and we consider ourselves deeply fortunate to have her in our midst.

 

Categories
Addiction Mental Health Recovery

The Challenge and Freedom of Letting Go

Are you faced with a big breakup and having trouble letting go?  We all know breaking up is hard to do. It’s tough whether you’re in a failing relationship, a waning friendship, a job that isn’t working out, a partnership that feels splintered, or any relationship that has simply stopped serving you. What if that relationship you so desperately need to end is your relationship with drugs and alcohol? What if the relationship that isn’t serving you is your relationship with your anger or greed? Being faced with a breakup of this caliber is tough.

 

It’s not ironic to me that we stay when we should go. Letting go is hard. It’s scary. It’s full of what-ifs and the unknown. Letting go of something that isn’t working can mean failure, but really what it most often shows us is great success. Our attachment to the familiar holds us back from investigating and cultivating change. In fact, change is something many of us fear. I once knew someone who was so afraid of change that he stayed in the same house, wore the same clothes, ate the same foods, spoke to the same people, and lived in the same town, all to his detriment. Every time an opportunity for change appeared, he recoiled, and became angry, volatile, even. The unknown was unbearable; change was his bogeyman. He ended up stuck in the sticky bitterness of his fear.

 

Addiction and the behaviors around addiction represent an unhealthy relationship. Addiction is that relationship we attach to while spinning out of control, creating external and internal harm, along with a cycle of shame. This relationship with addiction reminds me of the abuse cycle itself:

 

  • We are intimidated by it
  • We feel threatened by it
  • We feel bad about ourselves because of it
  • It isolates us and controls our relationships
  • We deny its existence
  • We lose our jobs or can’t get a job
  • It makes us financially unstable
  • It lies to us, making us feel good so we forget and start all over

 

These relationships with addiction and anger are the ones we need to end. Breaking up is hard to do. In letting go and moving toward freedom, we face the unknown, and often times, we have to face the thing we were hiding with our addiction. Things like untreated mental illness, poverty, sexual abuse, domestic violence, alcoholic parents or caregivers, and untended trauma are daunting. They are the beasts in the shadows. Still, the relationship to addiction has to end in order for any truths to come out. We have to lean toward our difficulties so we can eventually move through them. This is the breakup of your life: the one that will change your life for the better, and the one that will ultimately set you free.

 

Your relationship to addiction does not serve you. It never did. This breakup? It will serve you well. Recovery will set you on a path to heal. You will learn to set healthy boundaries; you will learn to love yourself; you will learn to be of service. You will learn to let go.

 

Remember this: Asking for help is a form of self-care, and accepting it is a form of self-love. You are worth it.

 

 

 

 

 

Categories
Addiction Recovery

Find Adolescent Outpatient Treatment Programs

Today’s society puts a lot of pressure and stress on children. Some resort to harmful coping skills. Centers specializing in adolescents are necessary due to their unique developmental issues and the contradictions in values and belief systems they often grow up with. Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers opened in 2002 to provide healing for children ages 13–18. Most patients come from southern California while others come from big cities like New York City, Chicago, and internationally.  

Visions was created to provide cutting edge adolescent outpatient treatment for mental health, substance abuse, and family therapy. The original founding clinicians have stayed with Visions while several dynamic team members have been added on for the growth of the program. The treatment team consists of highly skilled professionals all specializing in adolescent care. Each patient is assigned a Counselor to work with through the treatment. Other specialists are called upon as needed:

  • Medical Doctors
  • Psychologists
  • Psychiatrist
  • Licensed Therapists
  • Registered Dietician
  • Art Therapist
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Informed Programming

A Psychosocial Assessment is performed to review an adolescent’s medical history, family history, leisure and social functioning, developmental history, educational functioning, legal history, drug and alcohol history, and any significant events that could affect the adolescent outpatient treatment process.

Visions Adolescent Outpatient Counseling center has two convenient locations in Los Angeles. Visions’ adolescent outpatient treatment is offered in the afternoon allowing the patient to continue with daily activities and go home in the evenings to the love and support of family. The center is open from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm with Wednesday for rest. Regular drug tests are administered for the safety of the children.

Visions’ goals in adolescent outpatient treatment for Mental Health:

  • Encourage and motivate the adolescent to obtain a healthy lifestyle.
  • Help the adolescent to develop effective problem-solving strategies.
  • Assist the adolescent in recognizing destructive behaviors and the impact on family and friends.
  • Help the adolescent change problematic attitudes which stimulate a relapse.

Visions’ objectives for treatment in Substance Abuse & Co-Occurring Disorders:

  • Support the adolescent to use the 12-step philosophy and encourage participation in Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), and/or Cocaine Anonymous (CA).
  • Assist the adolescent in identifying unhealthy coping mechanisms.
  • Assess and meet the psychological and psychiatric needs of the adolescent.
  • Assess and meet the adolescent’s medical needs.

The adolescent outpatient treatment comprises of several solution-based treatment programs for the individual, group, and family. Family members, significant others, and guardians are urged to participate in the treatment programs for a successful recovery.

Individual Treatment

1st Step Program is an introduction for the adolescent to the beginning of the treatment process. The program helps families and adolescents reintegrate into everyday life after long term treatment. Visions’ staff walk parents through the reality of their child’s new lifestyle.

  • 8 Weeks of Clinical Support
  • 2 to 3 Nights Per Week
  • Includes 1 Individual Session

Intensive Outpatient Program represents the next step in care. Visions’ staff helps in opening communication among family to address existing psychiatric and/or therapeutic needs and develop a solid foundation of support in the community.

  • 1 Year of Clinical Support
  • Individual Sessions
  • Family Sessions

12-Step Program Implemented for Teens with Addictive Behaviors

Treatment Planning

Information collected during the assessment process is used to create a Treatment Plan. The plan identifies issues to be addressed during the adolescent outpatient treatment. The Counselor meets with the adolescent to review the Treatment Plan and ensure complete understanding of expectations and goals.

Family Treatment

Studies have shown that the best outcome for treatment depends on the family’s understanding and participation in the therapeutic process. Majority of Visions’ families share the same feelings about their child’s issues before and during treatment.

  • Fear
  • Helplessness
  • Hopelessness
  • Anxiety
  • Anger

Multi-Family Group

A Family Therapist leads the group on a weekly basis. The multi-family group addresses common issues to all families. The group also provides families with feedback and support from other family members who share similar experiences.

Individual Family Sessions

A Family Therapist meets the patient along with the family to address conflicts that the family may feel uncomfortable discussing in group sessions.

Discharge & Aftercare

A patient is given a Discharge Plan after discharge from the adolescent outpatient treatment. The long term treatment plan was developed by the Counselor with input from the patient and the treatment team.

Alumni Program

The Fourth Dimension is open to all former patients of the adolescent outpatient treatment program. Adolescents are able to attend aftercare groups on an on-going basis, up to two groups a week. Individual Sessions are available on a fee for service basis. The Visions Alumni Coordinator makes support calls for crisis intervention or relapse prevention. Annual alumni events are held for the adolescents and family members.

  • Winter Ski/Snowboard Trip
  • Alumni Family Weekend
  • Alumni vs. Staff Softball Game
  • Knott’s Scary Farm Night
  • Magic Mountain

Adolescents do not simply walk out the door of Visions Centers once treatment ends. Visions provides care beyond adolescent outpatient treatment allowing the child to find help when needed. Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers are a top choice for many around the world. Stop living in fear and let Visions treatment centers help.  

Visions Outpatient works out of network with insurance. We will provide the following services to our Outpatient families: Benefit Verification, Pre-Authorization, Utilization Review, Billing & Collections.

Visions Residential is a private pay program and full payment is required from the family. Our team will assist with insurance benefit verification & utilization review.

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Categories
Feelings Mental Health Recovery Self-Care Trauma

Acknowledging and Honoring Grief

With addiction and mental illness comes something that we often don’t want to look at, which is grief and the deep sense of loss that arrives when we or a family member steps into recovery. Drugs and alcohol and/or mental illness are often viewed as the villains in the aftermath of addiction. But the underlying weight of grief often gets shoved to the side or bypassed entirely.

 

The truth is, grief can be crippling. It can take the wind out of us and make us feel like we’ve landed flat on our faces, gasping for air. When we ignore it, or devalue the importance of the grieving process, we suffer more.

 

Mental illness and/or addiction may have ripped your family at the seams. It may have poked holes in your belief system, and placed a shadow on your hopes and dreams for your family. The truth is, everyone suffers: the one with the disease and the ones close to them.

 

I grew up with a parent mired by the tragedy of her own childhood, which was fraught with a mentally ill mother and a stoic father. Now, I see this same parent as an adult and it affords me the opportunity to recognize the untended grief and loss she’s endured and the great suffering that has resulted. A large portion of our existence in a scenario like this revolves around survival and learning how to endure the shame and fear associated with our circumstances. It’s not uncommon for the grief we feel to be ignored or for us to feel as though it is something to endure.

 

How can we stand tall in the midst of suffering while honoring our grief?

 

Talk about it. Develop a relationship with someone you trust that can help you process your feelings. It could be a counselor, a therapist, a psychologist, a good friend. What we hold onto holds onto us. Processing grief is part acknowledgement and part letting go. It evolves and becomes something we can hold with care instead of treating it like a hot stone.

 

Practice self-care. Take walks, meditate, do yoga, surf, get a massage, take a bath. Indulge in yourself. Healing is hard work; it’s important to nurture ourselves in the process.

 

Lean toward your difficulty. As counterintuitive as that may sound, this is ultimately the way out. That which we fear, can hold us back. We have to find a way to feel our feelings, touch our own hearts with kindness and compassion, and begin the process of finding acceptance and letting go. Take baby steps here. You don’t have to take on the high dive just yet.

 

Grief is present all around us. In adolescence, we grieve the loss of childhood and the inference of responsibility. In recovery, we grieve the person we were, the things we missed, and the damage we did. We also grieve the perceived “fun” guy/gal we thought we were. Be patient: recovery will afford you many more fulfilling ways of having fun.  This list goes on, but it doesn’t have to be daunting.

 

My experience has shown me that when I lean toward the thing I fear, the fear lessons. When I acknowledge the shadow side and hold the difficulties with compassion, the light starts to trickle in. I suffer when I turn away, and when I ignore the suffering, it becomes more unbearable.  The work in recovery teaches us that we can walk through difficulties with grace, we can begin to feel our feelings and we can crack open the barriers around our hearts. With our feet planted on the earth, and our minds open to possibility, the plight of suffering has a place to fly free.

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