Montville Adolescent Center

At our center, we embrace a nuanced and multifaceted approach to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment specifically tailored for adolescents. Our strategy goes beyond conventional methodologies, combining evidence-based therapies with medical supervision and counseling. This holistic approach was designed to address not just the physical dependency of addiction but also its profound psychological and emotional impact.

Our team includes licensed therapists, seasoned medical experts, and dedicated addiction specialists. Each member brings their expertise and compassion to the forefront, ensuring that every adolescent in our care receives a treatment experience that is as unique as their story. 

We delve deep into crafting a personalized recovery journey for each young individual, integrating educational support and life skills training. This individualized approach equips our adolescents for a future full of promise and potential. At our core, we are committed to helping our clients walk a path to recovery that is both healing and transformative, laying the groundwork for a happy and fulfilling life. 

Our unique clinical program is designed for adolescents between the ages of 13 and 17, a demographic often overlooked in the realm of addiction treatment. Our approach is multifaceted and profoundly transformative, focusing on not just the symptoms but the underlying causes of behavioral health issues.

At the core of our program is a distinctive four-pronged treatment strategy:

1. Psychoeducation — We begin with an essential foundation of psychoeducation, teaching our young participants about wellness, addiction, and recovery. This is crucial as many adolescents enter our program without a clear understanding of these critical aspects.
2. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) — CBT plays a pivotal role in our approach, helping participants reframe and redirect their thought processes, which is crucial in battling addictive behaviors.
3. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Skills — Given the high prevalence of co-occurring mental health issues such as anxiety and depression in our adolescent clients, DBT skills are employed to aid in distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and the development of mindfulness.
4. Family Systems Therapy — Recognizing the significant influence of family dynamics, we integrate family systems therapy to improve communication and interactions within the family unit.

What sets our adolescent program apart is the recognition that each young person’s journey is distinct. Thus, we tailor our approach to meet their needs, fostering skills and resilience essential for long-term recovery. Our program schedule is robust, blending traditional therapy with creative and engaging activities like music, art, and movement therapy. This diverse approach ensures that therapy doesn’t feel like a chore, instead offering a holistic and enjoyable healing process.

Understanding the critical role of family, we involve the loved ones of our clients throughout the treatment process, from initial consultations to discharge planning. This ensures a supportive environment for the adolescent post-treatment and helps families adapt to the changes and challenges that go hand-in-hand with recovery.

We accept a broad spectrum of clients, including non-binary and trans adolescents. This commitment to inclusivity extends to our aftercare planning, where we prepare for the client’s departure from day one, ensuring a seamless transition and continued support.

In essence, our program is not just about treating behavioral health concerns; it is about transforming young lives through a comprehensive, compassionate, and personalized approach that equips them with the tools for a healthier, brighter future.

Detoxification

• Duration: Typically 3-4 days, potentially longer depending on client need. 
• 24/7 medical care with nurses, a medical director, and nurse practitioners.
• Medication-assisted treatment to stabilize symptoms.
• Daily therapist or counselor sessions.
• Bed Capacity: Licensure currently permits 5 beds.

Residential Care

• Ideal Duration: Typically 28 days.
• Structured daily schedule, including therapy, creative arts, recreation, mindfulness, and group activities.
• Academic support for 2 hours daily in coordination with the school district.
• Bed Capacity: Licensure currently permits 25 beds. 

The purpose of our detox program is medical stabilization. Adolescent clients are treated by a team of compassionate medical professionals, as they are safely guided through the withdrawal process. Our goal in residential treatment is to emotionally stabilize our clients enough for discharge to outpatient care, where long-term work occurs. Our program is designed to typically  last 28 days, provided a total length of stay is completed. We aim to help teens maximize their experience and reduce the likelihood of needing additional care in the future. If a treatment team isn’t already in place before admission, our case manager will work to find a provider and/or treatment team before discharge.

Teens are assessed and evaluated by our treatment team within 24 hours of arrival. Since our team operates 7 days a week, evaluations and assessments happen on weekdays and weekends. After meeting with the teen,, the treatment team will formulate a working diagnosis.

Guardian provides structure, education, support, medication, and daily monitoring. Teens follow a structured schedule, including a daily  medical check-in, two hours of limited academics for attendance credit, individual therapy, recreation, and various group therapies. Our groups cover psychoeducation, coping skills, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), creative arts therapy, and family therapy. The goal of detox and residential treatment isn’t to delve deep but to stabilize teens for outpatient treatment, where the long-term journey begins.

At the Montville Adolescent Center, we recognize the vital role that families play in the recovery process. Our approach involves active family participation, offering family therapy sessions, virtual support groups and psychoeducational programs. These initiatives are designed to repair and strengthen familial bonds and support a sustainable recovery path.

We provide family counseling and education, helping relatives understand substance use and setting healthy boundaries. Through joint counseling sessions, families can heal together and foster a safe and supportive environment. We orchestrate conferences with the treatment team and family members of our clients at the beginning and at the end of their stay. This way, families have contact with all members of the team and are aware of the planning and strategy for discharge. 

Parental Support

At Montville Adolescent Center, we understand that having a teen in an addiction treatment program can be a challenging and emotional journey for parents and families. Experiencing intense emotions, including shame, guilt, fear, anger, sadness, and relief, is common. Acknowledging and processing your feelings is a crucial step in effectively supporting your teen. Regardless of your emotions, remind yourself that your teen is in a safe environment.

To support you through this process, we offer several valuable resources designed to provide guidance, support, and education. Remember, you are not alone in this journey. The Montville Adolescent Center is committed to supporting not only your teen but your entire family through this process.

• Community Resources and Referrals to Local Services: Guidance and referrals to local community services and programs that can provide additional support.
• Integrated Family Therapy Sessions: Scheduled family therapy sessions that include the adolescent client, focusing on healing and rebuilding family relationships.
• Family Workshops: Interactive workshops providing tools and strategies for effective parenting during and after your teen’s treatment.
• Peer Support Groups: Opportunities to connect with other parents who have experienced similar challenges, to share insights, and offer mutual support.

The Montville Adolescent Program incorporates a comprehensive and multifaceted therapeutic approach to support the recovery and well-being of its clients. This approach includes a variety of evidence-based therapies and activities designed to address the complex needs of adolescents undergoing treatment.

• Psychoeducation.
• DBT skills including Emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and mindfulness.
• CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy).
• Creative arts therapy.
• Functional Integrated Therapy
• Individual and group therapy sessions.
• Family therapy and support groups.

Below is a breakdown of our therapeutic services.

Psychoeducation

Psychoeducation is an integral part of the program, providing residents and their families with essential information about mental health conditions, treatment processes, and strategies for managing symptoms. This educational component ensures that residents are well-informed about their conditions and the skills they need to manage them.

The program places a strong emphasis on emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and mindfulness. These skills are vital in helping adolescents navigate the challenges of recovery. Emotion regulation teaches individuals how to manage and respond to intense emotions effectively. Distress tolerance equips them with tools to tolerate and survive difficult situations without resorting to harmful behaviors. Mindfulness encourages a heightened state of awareness and presence, aiding in overall mental clarity and focus

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

A central component of the program’s therapeutic offerings is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skill development. DBT helps teens learn and apply skills for managing emotions, handling stress, improving relationships, and practicing mindfulness. These skills are particularly effective in aiding adolescents in understanding and coping with their feelings, fostering resilience and emotional stability.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

CBT is another cornerstone of our treatment program. CBT focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors. It empowers adolescent clients to recognize and reframe unhelpful thoughts, contributing to more positive behaviors and coping strategies. This therapy is highly effective in treating a range of issues, including substance misuse, depression, and anxiety.

Creative Arts Therapy 

Creative arts therapy is another innovative aspect of our treatment program, providing a non-verbal outlet for expression and self-exploration. Through activities like painting, drawing, music, and drama, clients can explore their emotions and experiences creatively, often finding it easier to express themselves through art than words.

Functional Integrated Therapy

Functional integrated therapy is utilized to increase body awareness, functional movement, physical and emotional flexibility to reduce inner conflict and emotional discomfort to help and enhance the brain’s ability to respond to the stress and challenges of substance recovery.

Individual and Group Therapy 

Both individual and group therapy sessions are offered, allowing residents to receive personalized attention and benefit from peer support. Individual therapy provides a private space for residents to work through personal issues, while group therapy offers a supportive environment to share experiences and learn from others.

Family Therapy

Family therapy is crucial in involving family members in the recovery process. These sessions help families understand the challenges their loved ones are facing and teach them how to provide effective support. The program recognizes that family involvement is essential for successful recovery and long-term well-being.

The Montville Adolescent Program offers a thoughtfully designed facility to ensure the comfort and safety of its residents. We provide separate floors designated for male and female residents. This separation is crucial in providing a comfortable and secure environment, catering to the specific needs and privacy of each individual.

A key aspect of our facility’s design is the strategic location of detox beds. These beds are positioned close to the nursing station, allowing for continuous and close monitoring. This proximity is essential for the safety and well-being of residents undergoing detoxification, ensuring that medical staff can promptly respond to any needs or emergencies. The nursing team’s immediate availability plays a vital role in delivering effective and compassionate care during this critical phase of treatment.

The program also recognizes the importance of leisure and relaxation in the recovery process. To this end, the facility includes a variety of recreational spaces. There’s a recreational room where residents can engage in various activities, a game room equipped with entertaining and interactive games, and a lounge area for relaxation and social interaction. These areas are designed to balance fun, relaxation, and socialization, which are crucial for holistic healing and recovery. Each day, teens can participate in various recreational activities like yoga, music, dance, and workouts in our gym facility at our New Pathways Outpatient Center, conveniently located a few miles away.

Accommodation options are flexible, with both single and double rooms available. This variety allows residents to choose the best option for their comfort and privacy needs. Single rooms offer more privacy and personal space, while double rooms provide an opportunity for companionship and peer support. This choice is particularly appreciated by the younger residents, who often find comfort in having a roommate during their stay.

Overall, the Montville Adolescent Program’s facility is carefully crafted to provide a safe, nurturing, and supportive environment. The thoughtful arrangement of living spaces, coupled with the availability of recreational areas, contributes significantly to the holistic well-being and recovery of its residents.