Services and Activities

Group Counseling: All students participate in one hour of group counseling each day. An emphasis is placed on building a community of young adults committed to the goals of the program and creating positive peer support. The configuration of group adheres to the requirements of at least 4 but no more than 10 students. The Sober School counselor and Clinic Director are co-facilitators for the group counseling. Topics for group counseling include:

Social skills - Feelings management - Life Skills
Family dynamics - Art therapy - Gender Issues
Drug Education - 12 step study - Guest Speakers

Individual Counseling: Each student has an individual treatment plan with specific treatment goals. The program counselor meets with each student on-site for at least one hour each week. Individual counseling targets the treatment goals and measures progress toward those goals.

Family Involvement: Time is available to meet with students for crisis intervention on an as-needed basis. The group counselor communicates with parents and/or families of students on a regular basis to make progress reports and enlist support for student sobriety.

12-Step Meetings: A 12-step meeting is held one day each week at the school-site for all students wishing to attend. Local members of 12-step groups volunteer time to be role models for students in the program. All students are encouraged to attend 12-step meetings in the community.

Outdoor Education: Physical education and outdoor education opportunities are viewed as an important component of the Sober Community School. The outdoor education program includes hiking, team sports, kayaking, backpacking trips. Summer backpacking trips are available to students on a voluntary basis.

Experiential Education: The academic program focuses on project-based learning activities enhancing group dynamics, real life and vocational types of problem solving, and the incorporation of a life-skills curriculum.

Vocational and Career Counseling: Vocational counselors are available through the Community Schools to help students find employment. Counselors help to build student skills in completing job applications and interviewing.

After Care: Students exiting the program are connected to services and resources in the community and are encouraged to make use of these to maintain sobriety.