Month: July 2014

Categories
Addiction Recovery

Drug and Alcohol Teen Outpatient Counseling

Drugs and alcohol have become easily accessible for adolescents leading to an increase in abuse. Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers were founded on the mission of providing cutting edge mental health, substance abuse and family treatment. Visions has been administering world class teen outpatient counseling since 2002. Majority of patients come from southern California while others come from big cities like NYC, Chicago as well as internationally.  

Adolescents must be approached differently due to their unique developmental issues, contradictions in their beliefs, and environment. Visions administers clinically-based treatment options for the adolescent and the family as a whole. Visions has two locations conveniently located in Los Angeles offering teen outpatient counseling. Children ages 13 to 18 years are accepted into the program. Session are held 4:00 to 9:00 pm Monday to Friday with Wednesday off allowing the adolescent to continue with normal daily activities before attending teen outpatient counseling and go home afterwards to a loving and supportive family.

Visions supports every adolescent to become involved in community-based resources including healthy peer groups. Visions’ goals in teen outpatient counseling for drug and alcohol abuse:

  • Encourage and motivate the adolescent to achieve and sustain abstinence.
  • Assist the adolescent with identifying situations where drugs and alcohol were used to cope with life’s problems.
  • Help the adolescent to develop new effective problem-solving strategies.
  • Assist the adolescent with recognizing and acknowledging the existence of destructive behaviors and the impact on family, friends and future.
  • Support the adolescent to use the 12-step philosophy and encourage participation in Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), and/or Cocaine Anonymous (CA).

Visions’ highly skilled professionals use effective techniques and current modalities in teen outpatient counseling.

1st Step Program – introduction to the beginning of the treatment process and help families and teens reintegrate into everyday life after long term treatment

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

Intensive Outpatient Program – the next step in care in which the staff is committed to opening communication up amongst the family.

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

12-Step Program Implemented for Teens with Addictive Behaviors

Visions’ original founding clinicians have stayed with the program while adding several dynamic team members for continued growth. A Medical Doctor conducts a history and physical to determine admission. The Psychiatric Director performs a psychiatric evaluation. A patient in teen outpatient counseling is assigned a personal Licensed Therapist and Counselor. All services are performed by trained personnel under the supervision of the Program Director.

Other specialties called upon as needed in teen outpatient counseling:

  • Psychologists
  • Registered Dietitian
  • Supervising Nurse
  • Art Therapists
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Program admission involves several assessments of each adolescent’s condition and specific issues or needs, including medical, psychiatric, and psychosocial status.

Psychosocial Assessment – reviews medical history, family history, leisure and social functioning, developmental history, educational functioning, legal history, drug and alcohol history and any significant events that could hinder the treatment process.

Substance Abuse Assessment – examines psychoactive substance use, establishes a baseline and identifies areas of need. The assessment helps determine if there are any psychological issues that would prohibit complete recovery and if there are any risks for danger to self or others.

Psychiatric Assessment – performed by the Psychiatric Director ensures the initial psychiatric evaluation is properly performed and psychiatric services are provided as needed. Adolescents diagnosed with a Mental Health or Co-Occurring Diagnosis (mental health and substance abuse disorders) will be admitted to the program.

Treatment Planning – identifies issues to be addressed in the treatment program and the desired goals. The Counselor and patient review the treatment plan together to ensure that the goals and expectations are fully understood.

Substance Abuse issues affect the entire family. Many Visions therapy involves family participation. Studies show that teen outpatient counseling is only successful with the involvement of family members

Family Treatment – guides the family in understanding and participating in the teen outpatient counseling process.

Multi-Family Group – facilitated weekly by a Family Therapist to address issues common to all families such as communication, handling conflicts, and maintaining boundaries. The group also provides families with feedback and support from other family members who are experiencing similar difficulties.

Individual Family Sessions – addresses conflicts that the family may feel uncomfortable bringing up in group sessions.

Family Education – addresses roles, rules and interaction patterns commonly found in families. They discuss common issues parents bring into treatment when addressing their own family.

Discharge & Aftercare

The Discharge Plan addresses continuing care needs and provides recommendations and arrangements for support services.  

Visions Alumni Program

The Fourth Dimension, is open to graduates of teen outpatient counseling. Aftercare groups are offered on an on-going basis with attendance of up to two aftercare groups weekly. Individual sessions are available on a fee for service basis. Visions’ Alumni Coordinator makes support calls for crisis intervention and relapse prevention. The child will never feel alone.

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.

Don’t suffer through the issues alone. Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers are here to help. Sign up now for drug and alcohol teen outpatient counseling and save a child.

Please click below to schedule your consultation or call us at 866-889-3665.

 

 

Categories
Anniversary Blogs Recovery Service Treatment

Ashley Harris — Recovery Mentor

Ashley Harris, Recovery Mentor, has been with Visions since 2011. She is one of the bright lights that graces our facilities and touches the lives of our clients and staff alike.  Ashley Harris is one of those people who make me smile at the mere thought of her. She motivates and inspires those around her to embrace life and its challenges with verve, honesty and presence. She skillfully uses humor to break the ice and to make people feel at ease and she has the ability to soften the hardest heart. Ashley retains a sense of youthful joie de vivre while maintaining firm boundaries, earning a deep sense of respect from those who get to work with her.

 

The staff echoes my sentiments about Ashley. Read on. You won’t be disappointed.

 

Ashley cares deeply about our kids and is a great role model.  She is reliable, dedicated, and passionate about her work.  She has a great sense of humor, and never takes herself too seriously.  What an asset to the Visions family.  High five Ashley! – Patrick Schettler
Ashley Harris is truly the gem of Visions. Her unconventional style truly reaches all Visions clients because she openly acknowledges her journey through recovery and celebrates everyday of it. Ashley holds no punches, and says the things we all wish we had the gall to say! – Corrin McWhinnie

 

The “everything” girl. She’s got it all.  – Mie Kaneda

 

You can trust her with your darkest secret then share your dirtiest joke right after. – Roxie Fuller

 

I first met Ashley on her first night shift and immediately I knew she was going to be part of the family.  I’ve seen Ashely grow into a strong, positive example of what we look for the clients to aspire to.  She is a great role model for women in recovery and always brings a smile and laughter into the room where ever she is! It’s truly a blessing being able to work alongside her! – Nick Riefner

 

Ashley Harris is Visions’ face of social media!  Her photos are worth a thousand words…Ashley’s excitement for our team and the families we help is so easily captured in photos.  Harris and Hoban selfies are without a doubt some of my favorite posts! — Christina Howard Micklish 

 

Read on for Ashley’s answers to our 10 questions. Her wise wit is well-played!

 

1: What makes you laugh with complete abandon?  

I laugh a lot every day- usually at inappropriate humor. I love a good “That’s What She Said,” and potty humor is a weakness. My cats make me laugh a lot too. Lately, I’ve been finding myself laughing at my own ridiculous thoughts–the things I get mad about and daily frustrations now tend to make me smile and realize it’s not that serious.

 

2: Are you a landlubber or seafaring lass?   

I’m comfortable with both. There’s something incredibly calming about the ocean though. For the first 6 months of my recovery it was my higher power.

 

3: Do you sing in the shower?

Yes! Who doesn’t? My neighbors probably don’t appreciate it but it happens. I turn into Whitney and Adele as soon as the water starts. On rare occasions I think I’m Biggie.

 

4: SuperMan or Lex Luther at 6 Flags? 

 Lex Luther, hands down.

 

5: Funniest April Fool’s day stunt? 

People are always shocked by my lack of participation in April Fool’s day. I guess I just assume that people are too paranoid that day to really fall for anything so I do it throughout the year to keep people on their toes! I usually just try to scare people as much as possible.

 

6: Top three things on your bucket list are:

Oh man. This one is tough.

1. I want to travel. I’ve always wanted to go to Iceland.

2. When I was 12, I promised myself I would live in Australia for at least a year.

3. Have as many people say “You’ve changed my life” to me as I’ve said to people in my life.

 

7: If you could say anything to your teen self, what would you say?

I would tell myself it gets better. Everything always does. I struggled with a lot of various issues as a teen and I wish I could give myself the kindness and compassion that I now have for myself. I would tell myself to slow down and take time for me. But knowing me, I wouldn’t have listened.

 

8: Would you rather sing karaoke or do stand-up comedy?

Karaoke for sure–But not alone. No one wants to hear that, unless it’s a Pearl Jam song. I can do a killer Eddie Vedder impression.

 

9: What superhero are you?

DA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA BATMAAAAAAAN

 

10: Why do you choose to work for Visions? 

I love Visions. I love the clients and the opportunity I get to help them. It’s amazing seeing them come in wounded and scared and watching the light come on. They get their fire back. Being a part of that process blows me away on a daily basis. Some of the best people in the world work with Visions and they’ve taught me a lot about the industry, relationships, and myself. Visions really is a family–we fight and bicker sometimes but at the end of the day we all have each other’s backs and it’s incredible.

Categories
Addiction Alcohol Recovery

Adolescent Outpatient Counseling For Troubled Teens

More rehabilitation centers are being developed around the world. Some cater strictly to children due to their crucial stage of physical and mental development. Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers opened in 2002 with a mission of providing cutting edge mental health, substance abuse, and family treatment. Patients come from southern California, and big cities like NYC and Chicago, as well as internationally.  

Visions has two Los Angeles centers proving adolescent outpatient counseling from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. Monday to Friday with Wednesday for rest. Outpatient counseling is ideal for those who do not need 24-hour care. Afternoon schedules allow the teen to continue with daily activities before sessions.

The objectives for adolescent outpatient counseling in Mental Health:

  • Encourage and motivate to achieve and sustain a healthy lifestyle
  • Help to develop new, more effective problem-solving strategies
  • Assist in recognizing and acknowledging the existence of mental health issues and the impact on family, friends, and future
  • Help recognize and change problematic attitudes which stimulate a relapse

The goals for treating Substance Abuse & Co-Occurring Disorders in teens:

  • Assist in identifying unhealthy and/or negative coping mechanisms
  • Assist with identifying situations where drugs and alcohol were used to cope with life’s problems, and understanding that using drugs and alcohol to cope does not work
  • Support with the 12-step philosophy and encourage participation in Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), and/or Cocaine Anonymous (CA)
  • Assess and meet the psychological and psychiatric needs

Visions uses effective techniques and current modalities to treat troubled teens.

1st Step Program – helps families and teens reintegrate into everyday life after long term treatment. Parents are walked through the reality of their teen’s new lifestyle.

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

Intensive Outpatient Program – assists in communication amongst the family, addressing existing co-occurring psychiatric and/or therapeutic needs and developing support within the community.

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

Visions’ founding clinicians have stayed with the program while several dynamic team members have been added for continued growth of the adolescent outpatient counseling. Each teen is assigned a Counselor and Licensed Therapist to work with throughout the program. A Program Director supervises all counseling services.

Other consultants called upon as needed:

  • Psychiatrist
  • Psychologists
  • Medical Doctors
  • Registered Dietician
  • Art Therapist
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Admission into the adolescent outpatient counseling involves several comprehensive assessments. When required, other sources used include family, previous treatment professionals, teachers, and community experts.

Psychosocial Assessment – reviews the education, social functioning, drug, alcohol, medical, family, and developmental history.

Substance Abuse Assessment – examines psychoactive use and evaluates the teen’s treatment and recovery belief and determines any indication of treatment resistance.

Psychiatric Assessment – performed by the Psychiatric Director to ensure the initial psychiatric evaluation is properly administered and psychiatric services are provided.

Treatment Planning – utilizes information collected during the assessment process to identify issues to be addressed in the treatment programs and desired goals.

Visions’ advocates for family involvement in treatment. It is proven that the best outcome for treatment relies on the participation of the family in the therapeutic process. Mental Health and Substance Abuse affects the entire family with nearly 100 percent of patients sharing the same feelings prior to and during treatment.

  • Fear
  • Helplessness
  • Hopelessness
  • Anxiety
  • Anger

The adolescent outpatient counseling program includes a minimum of 5 weekly hours of family-focused therapy.

Multi-Family Group – led by a Family Therapist every Saturday. Issues common to all families are addressed such as communication, handling conflicts, and maintaining boundaries. The families are also provided with feedback and support from other family members sharing similar experiences.

Individual Family Sessions – addresses conflicts that the family may feel uncomfortable bringing up in group sessions. Individual patient and family members meet with a Family Therapist to assess needs in completing treatment goals.

Family Education – provides adolescent and families with information on the progression and stages of family illnesses. Parents discuss common issues each family deals with. The goal is to teach the teen and family members an understanding of typical roles and family rules that people act out in problem families.

Discharge & Aftercare

The Discharge Plan and Continuing Care Plan are developed upon admission into the adolescent outpatient counseling program by the Counselor with input from both the patient and the treatment team. The plan addresses continuing care needs that may include therapeutic schools, individual and family therapy, medication management, and/or outpatient programs.  

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 and collections.

The Fourth Dimension

Completion of the adolescent outpatient counseling allows for membership in the Visions Alumni Program. Teens attend up to two aftercare groups a week on an on-going basis. Individual sessions are available on a fee for service basis. The Visions Alumni Coordinator makes support calls for crisis intervention or relapse prevention. The alumni group holds annual events for adolescent and family members.

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

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

Visions Treatment Centers are a popular choice for families around the world. All personnel are trained in adolescent outpatient counseling for troubled teens.

Please click below or call us at 866-889-3665 to schedule your consultation.

Categories
Mental Health Parenting Prevention

Stability and Presence In Adolescence

Much of adolescence is change: physical change, emotional change, and academic change. The body changes right before our eyes. Our moods swing like swing-sets caught in a hurricane. Bodies begin to resemble adults, but the mind hasn’t caught up. The brain of an adolescent is, in essence, a developmental playground. This is the period when the Prefrontal Cortex is still developing. What is that prefrontal cortex responsible for? Oh, you know, it regulates decision-making, rationalization, problem solving, consciousness, and emotions. For adolescents, that roller coaster ride is very real.

 

Even though your kids may be experiencing mood swings, and mild irrational thought processes, parents have to become aware of when those things go awry. We have to essentially be our kids’ prefrontal lobe and help them make good decisions, and that may just mean we don the titles “meanest mom/dad in the world,” “unfair,” et cetera. I’m okay with that if it means my kid is safe.

 

Signs of trouble can manifest in many ways. For some kids, the mood swings become more exaggerated to the point of unmanageability. Parents need to look for cues. You know your child better than anyone; trust that. If you suspect trouble, investigate it. Some other indications of concern include:

 

  • Behavioral changes: If your child suddenly becomes a complete stranger, get curious  and scrutinize the situation further. This could indicate trouble.
  • Negative consequences at school or socially may indicate mental illness or substance abuse.
  • Physical symptoms: Changes in eating habits, excessive sleeping, excessive wakefulness, frequent health issues like headaches and stomachaches are some things to look for. They can be signs of stress, overwhelm, or depression and they need to be addressed.

 

Conversely, a child who has experienced trauma may act out in more extreme ways. For example, a child who has experienced sexual trauma may act out sexually. They may be exceedingly flirtatious, they may have loose boundaries or no boundaries at all, and some may seek inappropriate attention without realizing the negative consequences. Decision-making skills aren’t completely online at this time, and the addition of trauma can make for a more dire situation. In cases like this, it’s imperative for the family and child to be in active treatment.

 

Not all kids are the same. Some will have a relatively unaffected time in adolescence, while others may have a more difficult time of it. The most important thing we can do as parents is remember that it’s temporary, we were teens once, and we are not alone. Some days, you may need to make that a mantra: This is temporary; I was a teen once; I am not alone.

 

I love this age. I love the messiness of it, the curiosity, the courage, the vulnerability, and the openness. I occasionally teach yoga to this age group, and there is something truly wonderful about working with them during this time. Some days, kids come to class solemn and quiet; others, they show up wild and wily, almost mercurial in nature. My job (and I believe all of our jobs as the adults in their lives) is to remain consistent. We have to meet our adolescents’ unpredictability with compassion, kindness, and stability. Despite the natural resistance in adolescence, teens look to the adults in their lives for guidance. If we can mirror consistency and stability, the roller coaster of adolescence may not be as bumpy.

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Categories
Mental Health Recovery Self-Care Wellness

Asking for Help and Self-Care are for Everyone

Asking for help is a radical act of self-care.

Removing oneself from the isolation of overwhelm and exhaustion and stepping into vulnerability is part and parcel to taking care of our own needs. It’s not necessarily a sign of strength to strong-arm our way through our difficulties; however, we often get stuck in this idea that we have to “soldier on,” regardless of our own immediate needs.

 

Emotions come in waves. They can be placid waves or they can feel hurricane-like in their strength. It’s ok to fall apart and feel what we are feeling. It’s how we heal, how we lean into the shadow side, and how we traverse the difficult path of getting the help and support we need.

 

For some of us, we were taught early on that asking for help is a good thing. We were shown by example that it’s ok to take breaks to nourish our mind, body and spirit. We were shown that by engaging in acts of self-care, the ability to show up for others is greater.

 

Many of us have had different experiences and were shown that asking for help is a sign of weakness. The indication here is to place others first and do what we need to do for ourselves later.  In a worse case scenario, “later” ends up being in the ER with symptoms of hypertension, a heart attack, or a stroke. Not taking care of ourselves sends the wrong message to our loved ones.

 

Self-care, asking for help and developing resilience are healthy practices for everyone. They are not limited to someone in recovery or someone who has experienced difficulties. If we engage in these practices and teach our loved ones to do the same, self-care and asking for help become second nature.

 

What is resilience anyway?

 

Simply put, resilience is being able to recover quickly from difficulties—to “spring back into shape.” More definitively it is,

1. the power or ability to return to the original form, position, etc., after being bent, compressed, or stretched; elasticity.

2. ability to recover readily from illness, depression, adversity, or the like; buoyancy.

Resilience isn’t something we are born with – it is cultivated through the development of self-regulatory and self-management skills. The more informed and aware we become around our feelings and needs, the more we cultivate and develop resilience.  We become skilled in the ways we work through our difficulties. The more we are fortified (by self-care and asking for help), the easier it becomes to “spring back.”

 

Resilience is fostered by:

  • Having healthy and close relationships with family and friends
  • Having a positive view on yourself and and confidence in your abilities – Yes, you are enough.
  • The ability to self-regulate
  • Wise communication skills
  • Asking for help when you need it, and seeking resources outside of yourself when necessary
  • Viewing yourself as resilient and not as a victim.
  • Healthy coping skills (instead of substance abuse)
  • Being of service and helping others
  • Being able to notice the good and the positive things that are happening around you.

 

Self-Care can include any of these things and many more:

  • Taking a bath
  • Getting a massage
  • Restorative yoga
  • Getting enough sleep
  • Taking a dip in the ocean
  • Going for a hike
  • Gardening
  • Playing with a dog
  • Going to a park
  • Walking

 

Remember to ask for help. It’s not a sign of weakness; it is a sign of strength and self-preservation. You are worth it. You deserve to be supported.

Categories
Recovery

Find the Best Teen Treatment Programs in California

Rehabilitation centers are emerging around the world. Children require special care due to their crucial stage of physical and mental development. Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers were created to provide cutting edge mental health, substance abuse, and family treatment. Visions treats 13 to 18 year old adolescents, including their whole family, making them the best teen treatment program in California. The majority of patients come from southern California while others come from big cities like NYC, Chicago, and internationally.  

The goal of Visions teen treatment is:

  • Encourage and motivate to achieve and sustain a healthy lifestyle.
  • Assist to develop effective problem-solving strategies.
  • Help recognize and change problematic attitudes which stimulate a relapse.
  • Assist with recognizing and acknowledging the existence of destructive behaviors and the impact they have on family, friends, and future.

Visions Residential Treatment is a 25 acre gated community located on the hills of Malibu. The average length of stay is 45 to 90 days. Male and female quarters are constantly supervised by day and night staff with crisis intervention available on a 24-hour basis.

Visions centers’ founding clinicians have stayed with the program while several dynamic team members have been added. All of Visions’ professionals are highly skilled in dealing with adolescents. A Medical Doctor conducts a history and physical exam to medically clear the patient for admission. The Psychiatric Director ensures that the initial psychiatric evaluation is properly performed. Each resident is assigned a personal Counselor and Licensed Therapist.

Other teen treatment personnel utilized as needed:

  • Psychologists
  • Supervising Nurse
  • Registered Dietitian
  • Equine Therapist
  • Art Therapists
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

An on-site school uses a personal education plan for each patient on weekdays for three hours. An Activities Consultant supervises a physical fitness program “tailor-made” for each patient.

Visions’ mission is to provide clinically based teen treatment which includes family members. It is proven that nearly 100 percent of families share the same feeling about their child’s problems.

  • Fear
  • Helplessness
  • Hopelessness
  • Anxiety
  • Anger

The success of teen treatment depends on the understanding and participation of family in the therapeutic process. Family sessions are led by a Family Therapist.

Multi-Family Group – address issues common to all families and provides families with feedback from other family members in similar situations.

Individual Family Sessions – assesses family therapy needs and addresses conflicts the family may feel uncomfortable bringing up in group sessions,

Family Education – provides families with an overview of the stages of family illnesses including adjustments made.

Family Passes – a unique incentive for good behavior in the teen treatment program. Every Sunday and Monday involves outings to include movies, museums, the beach, go-cart racing, community service, ropes courses, and rock climbing.

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

Visions Outpatient Treatment has two convenient locations in Los Angeles. Afternoon sessions are 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. on weekdays with Wednesday for rest. The child is able to continue with daily activities and go home after sessions.

1st Step Program – an introduction to the teen treatment process which helps families and adolescents reintegrate into everyday life after long term treatment.  It entails eight weeks of clinical support, on two to three nights per week, including one individual session.

Intensive Outpatient Program – the next step in care that opens communication among the family to address existing psychiatric and/or therapeutic needs.

  • Primary Care Phase (Months 1 to 2)
  • Continuing Care Phase (Months 3 to 6)
  • Aftercare Planning (Months 7 to 12)

All counseling services are supervised by the Program Director. Some treatment services include:

  • Substance Abuse Groups
  • Individual Sessions
  • Family Therapy
  • Art Therapy
  • Anger Management Group

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 and collections.

The Fourth Dimension is an alumni program for those successfully completing the active phase of teen treatment. Aftercare groups are offered on an on-going basis twice a week. Individual sessions are available to Visions’ alumni on a fee for service basis. The Visions Alumni Coordinator makes support calls for crisis intervention and relapse prevention. Annual events are held for the adolescent, family, and Visions’ staff.  

Visions Adolescent Day School has open enrollment with educational services from remedial to honors level. School hours are 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Each patient uses an individualized educational plan and has direct access to teachers with 1-on-1 instructions.

  • WASC Accredited Curriculum (Western Association of Schools and Colleges)
  • Transferable Accredited Curriculum
  • 3 to 1 Student to Staff Ratio
  • Random Weekly Drug Testing

Many Visions Day School graduates are accepted to esteemed colleges and universities. Aside from academics, students receive weekly teen treatment sessions on an individual basis.

Objectives for Visions Day School is to administer teen treatment and offer other services such as:

  • Give a Positive and Clinically Supported Education.
  • Complete General Education to Reintegrate into a Mainstream High School Environment.

Or

  • Successfully Complete Academic Curriculum and Graduate from Visions Day School.
  • Help prepare for College
  • Assist in Completing Honors Level Work.

Visions Centers offer teen treatment for mental health, alcohol abuse, and substance abuse. Be it 24-hour care, afternoon sessions, or day school, there is a program for each adolescent. Don’t wait too long to seek help so your child can grow into a happy and productive adult.

Please click below to schedule your consultation or call us at 866-889-3665.

Categories
Mental Health Mood Disorders Personality Disorder Recovery Self-Care

Mental Health is Mental Wealth

When someone suffers from mental illness, there is a deprivation of the joy and emotional wealth that’s present when there is ideal mental health. Mental illness can drain our joie de vivre, and make for a muddy emotional existence. Relationships with loved ones tend to be difficult, and there tends to be a propensity for loneliness and isolation. Worse yet, when mental illness is left untreated, the toll it can take on the one suffering and their loved ones can be taxing and sometimes devastating.

 

Some types of mental illness are more straightforward in their treatment: anxiety and depression, for example, are often treated with various modalities of psychotherapy and balanced with medication. Personality disorders are complex and there are some instances where the patient doesn’t recognize their illness despite their deep suffering. The work involved in treating all mental illness requires a nexus of therapeutic support and a desire for positive change from the patient themselves. The question many have is, Why are personality disorders so challenging?

 

Personality disorders are grouped into three clusters:

  • Cluster A personality disorders are “characterized by odd, eccentric thinking or behavior.” The disorders that fall into this category are:  paranoid personality disorder, schizoid personality disorder and schizotypal personality disorder
  • Cluster B personality disorders are “characterized by dramatic, overly emotional or unpredictable thinking or behavior.” The disorders that fall into this category are: antisocial personality disorder, borderline personality disorder, histrionic personality disorder and narcissistic personality disorder.
  • Cluster C personality disorders are “characterized by anxious, fearful thinking or behavior.” The disorders that fall into this category are: avoidant personality disorder, dependent personality disorder and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.

 

Psychotherapy is the most common treatment for all types of mental illness; the most efficacious modality is determined by the needs of the client. Findings show that DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) in particular is the most effective therapeutic treatment for personality disorders and bipolar disorders. Other effective tools used in treatment may include:

  • Individual psychotherapy
  • MBSR (Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction)
  • Yoga
  • Meditation
  • Somatic Experiencing
  • Neurofeedback

 

To date, the FDA hasn’t approved of any medications to treat personality disorders. However, medications are often used to treat symptoms that are detrimental to the individual’s recovery. Medications like:

 

  • Antidepressents: for depressed mood, anger, irritability, mood swings, impulsivity and hopelessness.
  • Mood stabilizers: to even out mood swings, and to reduce impulsivity, irritability and aggression.
  • Antipsychotic medications (also known as neuroleptics): if symptoms include losing touch with reality (psychosis), and sometimes anxiety and difficulty with anger
  • Anti-anxiety medications: For anxiety, agitation or insomnia. Note, in some cases, they may increase impulsive behavior and are avoided with some personality disorders.

 

Treating mental illness requires the cultivation of balance. Participation from the client, a cohesive treatment team, and the correct combination of medication can create the desired environment of mental health.  It takes work, dedication, and a willingness to unveil one’s difficulties in order to create a healthy shift toward mental health. I have experienced the shadow side of untreated mental illness with family members who are unwilling to get help. It does, in fact, take a toll on everyone involved. I have learned that one of the key pieces for my own recovery is developing clear communication skills, creating firm, compassionate boundaries, and building consistent program of self-care. Families struggling with mental illness need to ensure that their own wells are filled, that they are getting their own needs met, and that they have a community of support around them.

Categories
Recovery

What Does Teen Outpatient Treatment Cost

More rehabilitation centers are emerging around the world making it an overwhelming decision to choose one. Cost is a factor many weigh when deciding on treatment centers. Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers opened in 2002 with a mission to provide mental health and substance abuse and family therapy. Visions advocates for the family in its entirety making them a top choice for teen outpatient treatment.  The nmajority of patients come from southern California while others come from big cities like NYC, Chicago, and internationally. Teen outpatient treatment is not cheap but it is cheaper than the alternative outcome of hospitalization, incarceration, or a lifetime of internal conflict.  

Visions Outpatient Counseling has two Los Angeles locations providing teen outpatient treatment for ages 13 to 18 years old. Sessions are 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. on weekdays with Wednesday for rest. Afternoon hours allow the child to continue with daily activities before sessions and go home afterwards to their family.

Visions’ centers employ highly skilled professionals trained in adolescent treatment while the founding clinicians have stayed on for a successful program. Each patient is assigned a counselor to work with throughout the teen outpatient treatment. Other specialized consultants are utilized as needed.

  • Licensed Therapists
  • Psychiatrist
  • Psychologists
  • Medical Doctors
  • Registered Dieticians
  • Art Therapists
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

1st Step Program

The 1st Step Program is an introduction to the treatment process. This program helps families and adolescents reintegrate into everyday life after long term teen outpatient treatment.  It includes 8 weeks of clinical support on 2 to 3 nights per week including 1 individual session

Intensive Outpatient Program

The Intensive Outpatient Program represent the next step in care. Visions staff help open communication upon family, addressing psychiatric and/or therapeutic needs.

  • 1 Year of Clinical Support
    • Primary Care Phase (Months 1 to 2)
    • Continuing Care Phase (Months 3 to 6)
    • Aftercare Planning (Months 7 to 12)
  • Individual Sessions
  • Family Sessions

The 12-Step Program is implemented for Teens with Addictive Behaviors.

The objective for Visions’ teen outpatient treatment:

  • Encourage and motivate the adolescent to achieve and sustain a healthy lifestyle.
  • Help the adolescent to develop new, more effective problem-solving strategies.
  • Assist the adolescent with recognizing and acknowledging the existence of destructive behaviors and the impact they have on family, friends, and future.
  • Help the adolescent recognize and change problematic attitudes which stimulate a relapse.
  • Assist adolescent in identifying unhealthy and/or negative coping mechanisms.

Additional goals for Visions’ Substance Abuse and Co-Occurring Disorders:

  • Assist the adolescent with identifying situations where drugs and alcohol were used to cope with life’s problems and in understanding that using drugs and alcohol to cope with or solve problems does not work.
  • 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 to address any legal issues, which may involve criminal activity.

Studies have shown that teen outpatient treatment is more likely to succeed with the participation of family in the therapeutic process. Nearly 100 percent of families share the same feelings about their child’s issues prior to and during treatment.

  • Fear
  • Helplessness
  • Hopelessness
  • Anxiety
  • Anger

All counseling services in the teen outpatient treatment are performed by trained personnel under supervision of the Program Director. Visions offers several counseling groups which focus on the family unit. All counseling groups are facilitated by a Family Therapist.

Multi-Family Group

This group is held weekly to address issues common to all families. The multi-family group also provides feedback for families and support from other family members experiencing similar complications.

Individual Family Sessions

Individual sessions are for adolescents and their families who feel uncomfortable bringing up certain issues in a group. Individual sessions assess family therapy needs for completing treatment goals.

Family Education

Adolescents and families are given information on the family progression and stages of family illnesses. Roles, rules, and interaction commonly found in families are addressed.

Discharge & Aftercare is provided after completion of the teen outpatient treatment program. The Discharge Plan is a continuing care plan developed by the counselor with input from the patient along with the treatment team upon admission to the program. The plan addresses continuing care needs which may include individual and family therapy, and medication management.

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.  

The Fourth Dimension, Visions Alumni Program, is free of charge to all after successful discharge from the teen outpatient treatment program. Information learned from the active phase of treatment are put to use in aftercare groups and self-help groups. Aftercare groups are offered on an on-going basis. Alumni can attend up to two aftercare groups a week. Individual sessions are available to all Alumni on a fee for service basis. The Visions Alumni Coordinator makes support calls for crisis intervention or relapse prevention.

An added bonus to enrollment in the Visions Alumni Program are annual events for Alumni and family members.

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

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.

Teen outpatient treatment is worth the cost to save a troubled child. Value cannot be placed on a life. Please click below to schedule your consultation or call us at 866-889-3665.

Categories
Anniversary Blogs Recovery Service Treatment

Mollie Mylar, BS, Director of Professional Relations

Mollie Mylar, BS, Director of Professional Relations, is one of the most engaging ladies I know. She is a bright spot on the marketing team, always lighting up a room when she walks in and is capable of making anyone feel at ease. She has a light in her heart, joy in her eyes, and a wicked sense of humor. She is truly humble and kind, and both of these qualities make Mollie a true gem. Mollie lives in Utah with her family, but she travels all over the United States to engage and educate people about seamless transitions in treatment.  Frankly, I lament the fact that we don’t see more of her, but I am extraordinarily grateful and humbled by the work she does; she is an invaluable player on the Visions team.  Quite honestly, the world needs more Mollies.

 

Read on for some staff accolades about this lovely lady:

 

Mollie is absolutely one of the most upbeat and positive souls you will encounter in this world; her energy is contagious. The minute she walks into a room, or you hear her voice on the phone, you cannot help but smile.  Anytime I get a chance to speak with her or see her is a pleasure and a joy. – Jenny Werber

 

I wish Mollie were around all the time!  — Jesse Engdahl

 

I like Molly.  In fact, how can you not like Molly? She is a business woman doing business in a way that doesn’t feel like business.  She is a Mom.  She is personable, humble, creative and hard working. Molly is one of the people in life that I look forward to seeing. She makes the room lighter and brighter when she walks through the door.  Good egg = Molly. And, I never use that term. In fact, I may call her and tell her she’s a good egg just so we can laugh.  – Angela Carrillo

 

Mollie is spunky, full of life and has the ability to light up any room she walks into within seconds! She has an uncanny talent for just meeting someone and making them feel like they have been friends with her for years.  – Ashley Shortridge

 

It is a pleasure to work side-by-side with Molly. Molly always finds the bright spot in the darkest situations. Molly fights for the best interest of the families and kids she works with. – John Lieberman

 

Mollie defines being authentic with every cell of her being.  This is how I see her:  Trustworthy, Tenacious, Persistent, Tall, Adventurous, Silly, Open, Hilarious, Loving and Kind.  Mollie oozes with love for her son and husband.  She is a woman I look up to.  Her balance of being mom, wife and business woman is always transparent and remarkable to be in the presence of.  I am grateful to know Mollie Mylar. – Christina Howard

 

Read on for Mollie’s answers to our 10 questions:

 

1: What inspires you to work in education?

Being able to watch families and students heal and reach their potential.  I do not like to see people suffer.

 

2: You live in Utah but you work all over the country, what do you do to stay connected with your loved ones?

Call and face time.

 

3: Would you rather be able to fly or read people’s minds?

Definitely read people’s minds.

 

4. Would you rather speak in public or work at the Los Angeles Waste pumping station for one week?

Work at Los Angeles Waste pumping station for one week.  I would do just about anything to avoid public speaking…

 

5: What is your favorite season and why?

Fall, love seeing the leaves change, temperatures drop and most of all SWEATSHIRT weather!!!

 

6: What is your Starbucks order?

 Grande Soy Latte.

 

7: If you could have been told one thing that you weren’t told when you were a teenager, what would you like to have heard?

I had an amazing mother, that I miss everyday, and I feel like she prepared me well for life!!

 

8: Funniest Visions memory?

Wearing a Christmas sweater to my first company Christmas party, (I hate Christmas sweaters)  when nobody else was wearing anything having to do with Christmas…awkward.

 

9: What do you keep in the trunk of your car?

 My own grocery bags.

 

10: Why do you choose to work for Visions?

I love the team and what we provide for our students and families.

Categories
Recovery

Adolescent Treatment Options Near Malibu, CA

Finding the right adolescent treatment facility for your teen is an important step in allowing your family to heal and move forward.  In order to allow your teen the best chance at recovery, it is important to find a center that is qualified to address the unique situations adolescents face.  Finding the right adolescent treatment center can be made easier if you evaluate each potential center on the following:  

Type of Program

There are a number of approaches to adolescent treatment.  Ask questions about how the program is structured, what types of activities are used and how the family is involved.  Ideally, residential treatment should be structured with activities that allow teens to develop healthy habits and interests while they recover.  The setting should be homelike, in an environment that allows teens to relax and focus on developing the tools necessary to live healthy and productive lives after leaving treatment.

Parent and Family Engagement

Parental involvement is a key indication of the quality of the program.  Parents should feel free to speak with the treatment team, to visit with their teen and to be an active part in the treatment process.  Adolescent treatment facilities that discourage parental and family involvement should be avoided.  While the treatment facility is responsible for a number of aspects of the care process, parents should not be absent from the process.  Parents should have the right to monitor how treatment is going.

Licensing

It is important to verify that potential treatment centers are registered in the state they are located in.  Check with the state board to find out additional information on the history of the center.  If the center is not licensed or has had serious issues in the past, you should look into other options.

Aftercare

The needs of teens do not stop once they leave a treatment program.  For optimal results, look for a center that provides ongoing support in the form of aftercare.   For some, aftercare begins with a transition into outpatient treatment.  For others it includes family and individual therapy, connecting with community services or putting together a 12 step meeting schedule.  As with the adolescent treatment process, aftercare should be personalized for each client.  Aim to find a treatment center with a comprehensive aftercare plan.

Conveniently located in Malibu, Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers provide individualized, clinically based treatment to address a number of needs.  Their comprehensive treatment options include:

Residential Treatment

Focused on teens aged 13 to 18 and located in Malibu, Vision’s residential treatment facility provides an option for families who are dealing with a substance abuse or mental health problem.  With average stays of 45 to 90 days, teens receive the support and tools they need to become and remain sober.  A team of mental health experts, physicians, counselors and psychiatrists work together to develop a treatment plan that addresses each teen’s specific needs.

Outpatient Counseling

In a nonresidential setting, Vision’s outpatient counseling provides two fully structured programs that focus on building healthy habits while addressing the underlying substance abuse and mental health issues.  Counseling includes the entire family and provides solution-based treatment based on each teen’s specific situation.  This ensures the teens are engaged in the process as their own goals and objectives are incorporated in their treatment plan.

Day School

Visions’ Day School provides an alternative option for teens who are unable to be successful in a mainstream school setting.  Specifically for individuals aged 13 to 18, Day School provides one on one attention not available elsewhere.  A student to staff ratio of 3:1 allows the Day School to meet the educational and clinical needs of their students.  

Extended Care

For some, the average residential treatment time of 45 to 90 days is not sufficient.  Visions offers NeXt, an extended care program for individuals between the ages of 15 and 18.  Separate housing units offer male and female clients an alternative to living at home while continuing to receive the treatment and therapy needed to address their mental health or addiction concern.

Young Adult Outpatient Counseling

Young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 face a unique situation as they aim to gain independence while working on their addictive behavior or mental health issues. LAUNCH is Visions’ long term program that works in conjunction with sober living residences to build life skills and work toward completing a higher education.

For additional information on Visions Adolescent Treatment Center’s team based approach or to schedule a meeting with the Visions staff, contact them today. Please click below to schedule your consultation or call us at 866-889-3665.

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