Treatment Philosophy
Treatment Philosophy At Newport Academy our overarching philosophy is to provide highly individualized treatment for adolescents suffering from trauma, substance abuse, self-injurious behaviors, eating disorders and other co-occurring disorders. Treatment is driven by the specific needs of each adolescent as determined by the treatment team's extensive assessment and evaluation.
Assessment and Evaluation (Prior history and current mental status) Comprehensive Assessment and Evaluation Includes:
- Substance use
- Medical health
- Emotional, behavioral, and cognitive conditions
- Social functioning
- Recovery environment
- Readiness to change
- Family dynamics
- Body image
- Trauma
Care Management Newport Academy utilizes a Care Management approach. Each adolescent is assigned an individual, highly qualified clinician who will be the primary "point person" for that adolescent and their family throughout the course of treatment. The Care Manager works in partnership with the adolescent to provide support, evaluate progress toward established goals, revision of the care plan as necessary, and in keeping the parents apprised of daily developments in the adolescents' progress.
Goals and Care Planning The clinical staff develops a treatment plan based on the adolescents' physical and mental health assessment obtained from measures and interviews during the assessment phase. Critical Success Factors are identified and realistic goals are established for both the adolescent and the family. Strengths and assets are highlighted as well as risks and liabilities. Individual treatment plans include a combination of individual therapy, group therapy, group education, expressive and experiential therapies, family treatment, and 12-step meetings.
Individual Therapy Sessions Individual sessions serve the purpose of both educating the adolescent and their family, providing an opportunity for them to process issues related to substance use and recovery. Individual sessions aim to motivate the adolescent and increase their understanding, willingness, and commitment to abstinence. Individual sessions provide the adolescent with a safe place to address personal issues.
Group Treatment Group sessions provide a powerful and effective experience where adolescents and their families can learn and develop skills how to:
- More effectively communicate thoughts and emotions to others.
- Listen actively to others
- Recognize self-defeating behaviors and their consequences
- Identify self-enhancing alternative behaviors and their benefits
- Identify personal recovery needs and develop skills to work towards their fulfillment
- Practice skills to handle unpleasant emotions, conflict with others, and temptations (cravings) to use.
- Develop healthy and supportive relationships with others.
Topic Groups Topic groups are focused on an array of subjects including:
- Stress management
- Problem-solving
- Communication
- Healthy relationships
- Health and nutrition
- Coping in recovery
- Family dynamics
- The development and progression of substance dependence
- Identifying triggers
- Eating disorders
- Gender specific concerns
In addition to didactic sessions, clients receive both reading and written assignments designed to enhance their understanding of what a personal recovery plan looks like. These assignments are personalized to promote their commitment and investment in their individualized recovery plan.Equine Therapy
Equine Assisted Therapy
Equine Assisted Therapy is an experiential process (a therapeutic approach where individuals can address emotions and issues through experiences rather than traditional ‘talk' therapy) designed to create change. It is often in the human-horse connection that the adolescent can address and break down the barriers and resistance they feel towards the therapeutic process. Through Equine Assisted Therapy, adolescents who may not normally respond to more traditional therapies oftentimes recognize and identify feelings and emotions. As the adolescent is able to frame their emotions with language--like fear, anxiety, and rejection--they begin to develop skills to cope in a relational context. The new found confidence allows for greater emotional honesty and sharing in an interpersonal context. As a result, Equine Therapy can be especially effective with adolescents.
Expressive Therapy
Expressive therapies are used to help adolescents find a language to demonstrate what may be uncomfortable or difficult for them to express verbally. Art and Poetry are examples of expressive therapies used by Newport Academy to enhance self-awareness and self-esteem.
Family Therapy
The family program at Newport Academy is comprised of topic and therapy groups attended both with and without the adolescent. In addition, private family sessions are provided throughout the week and on the weekends.
Sessions address roles, rules, and interaction patterns common in substance-dependent families. They involve discussing common issues parents may bring to the table when addressing their own family of origin.
The family seeks to identify and address the various roles each family member plays in balancing the system in a crisis. Identifying and addressing family roles helps the family members establish and pursue a path of healing and recovery.
