New Haven RTC

Victims of Sexual Assault are 3 times more likely to suffer from Depression

Jacqueline Fairbanks — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 22:27:31 +0000

Another fact to go along with Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month: Did you know that victims of Sexual Assault are three times more likely to suffer from depression?

The girls in our Trauma Group came up with wonderful words of encouragement for anyone struggling from trauma: Trauma is who you are, it’s part of your past-something you have already survived, now it’s time to LIVE.

Alcohol & Drugs are the Leading Factors in Teenage Suicide

Jacqueline Fairbanks — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 22:41:31 +0000

Another fact to go along with Alcohol Awareness Month: Did you know that Alcohol and Drugs are the leading factors in teenage suicide?

The girls in our Recovery Group came up with wonderful words of encouragement for anyone struggling with those issues: “Keep yourself clean, because you are the window through which you have to view the world.”

1 Out Every 6 Women has Been the Victim of Rape or Attempted Rape

Jacqueline Fairbanks — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 22:06:15 +0000

Did you know that April is also Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention month? We asked the girls in our Trauma groups what words of encouragement they would share. Throughout the next couple of weeks we’ll post their thoughts along with facts about sexual assault.

Alcohol and Drugs are the Leading Causes of Crime Among Youth

Jacqueline Fairbanks — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 19:28:31 +0000

April is Alcohol Awareness Month and as part of it we have been discussing some alcohol statistics in our Recovery Group. For each statistic, the girls developed a corresponding piece of advice. We’ll be posting both the statistics and advice throughout the next couple of weeks.

We challenge you to participate by looking at each statistic and letting us know what advice you might give someone struggling with alcohol addiction.

Working with Reactive-Attachment Students in a Residential Setting

John Stewart — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 23:31:47 +0000

by Nevin Alderman

Reactive-Attachment disorder generally is rooted in relational trauma that results in the young lady either overly associating herself with others in a disinhibited and indiscriminate manner, or all together removing herself from meaningful relational involvement, attachment and investment. Either way, the young lady fails to engage in healthy attachment and growth-promoting relationships with others. At New Haven, we have found the following principles to result in success as we work with these students:

1. Team Approach Founded in Strengths-Based and Experiential Modalities: We have the ability to address a student’s presenting issues from many different angles and through many different relationships because of the number of professionals (clinicians, residential supervisors, recreational therapists, nursing personnel, educational faculty, etc.) at New Haven who come into contact with the student daily. These professionals recognize the student’s presenting issues and develop strategies for support. Each team member plays a vital role in providing the student with a unique experience that is meaningful and builds supportive relational connections. The manner in which we engage our students is founded upon the principles of unconditional love, intentionality, authenticity, and trustworthiness. Additionally, our team members utilize a strength-based approach, empowering the young ladies we serve in identifying their own goodness and allowing them to experience healthy connections with others. With hundreds of these experiences on a constant basis, the young women we serve begin to move toward healthy relational engagement.

2. Clinical Sophistication and Holistic Delivery: Our approach to treatment at New Haven includes a large number of employees coming together regularly to review the goals, objectives and interventions for each of our students on a weekly basis. This allows us to capitalize on the little successes of each team member to gain insight into the driving force behind the attachment difficulties, our individual roles in creating relational healing, and individualized action-plans to address barriers to relational healing. We can use the strengths, perspectives, and talents of a variety of team members to implement an array of unique and creative interventions delivered from an assortment of professional venues in addressing all aspects of the young woman’s life.

3. Trauma Focused Healing: A student that presents with Reactive-Attachment has experienced some level of relational trauma that has resulted in an inhibited or disinhibited (sometimes a combination of both) approach to relationships. Using this context, we work hard to gain the trust of the student and the support of her family to gain insight into the core traumas (and associated paradigms) that may drive the dysfunctional relational symptoms. Not only does this awareness facilitate our therapeutic efforts to provide the student with the processing and experiences needed to begin healing these core traumas, but this awareness also assists those in support roles (family, friends, professionals, etc.) to understand the context and direction for their interactions with the young woman to facilitate her needs. As the young lady heals at the core, finds new and healthier ways of meeting her needs, and discovers trustworthy, informed and responsive relationships, a positive feedback loop forms that perpetuates healthy growth and adaptation.

4. Environment: At New Haven, we work tirelessly to create a positive, loving, emotionally supportive, forgiving and safe environment. As a residential program, we have the ability to utilize environmental and relational influence at a greater level than a non-residential treatment venue. Additionally, we have the ability to contain self-destructive behaviors while simultaneously focusing energy on therapeutic healing. Families find respite and hope in our environment because, historically, crisis management has consumed the energy of familial and professional support persons, leaving few resources to promote therapeutic healing in an outpatient venue.

5. Intensive, Family Focused Treatment: Not only do we provide an intensive therapeutic approach, but we do so with an approach focused intentionally on family system work, realizing that the most meaningful and poignant relationships often are found within a young lady’s own family. Additionally, we know that foundationally the family will comprise the main support network at present and for the future. We involve the family in working on the same therapeutic assignments that a young lady completes, participating in psychoeducational and multi-family systemic processing groups, and regularly engaging in traditional and experiential therapeutic interventions with their daughter to promote relational bonding, attachment and healing.

All significant therapeutic issues require time, patience and perseverance. While negating obstacles and difficulties associated with a moderate to severe reactive-attachment presentation is a life-long pursuit, we are often successful at supporting a young lady and her family in arriving at a more manageable and functional approach to life, and their relationship with one another, with insight and understanding around ongoing difficulties and action-plans to allow successful movement forward in life.

Photo by vonSchnauzer

7 ways to make your own Luck!

John Stewart — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 01:00:16 +0000

Students in each of our houses provided ideas this past week for “7 Ways to Make Your Own Luck!” in recognition of St. Patrick’s Day. HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY!

Be green- Kiss a Frog- take a chance. Be believing that good things can come your way. It’s up to you! Have a great holiday!

7 ways to make your own Luck!

John Stewart — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 01:00:10 +0000

Stay in touch with your Higher Power!

7 ways to make your own Luck!

John Stewart — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 01:00:12 +0000

Students in each of our houses provided ideas for “7 Ways to Make Your Own Luck!” in recognition of St. Patrick’s Day that is coming up on Saturday.

Luck is made by taking something that seems bad (like a green potato, or a bird pooping on your head) and believing it can be a good thing. You can make lemonade out of lemons

7 ways to make your own Luck!

John Stewart — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 23:00:07 +0000

At the end of the day, list 3 decisions that you could’ve done better and three decisions you did well with. Be kind to yourself and free up the energy to see yourself for who you are and what you can offer in your relationships.

7 ways to make your own Luck!

John Stewart — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 01:00:23 +0000

Carpe Diem- “seize the day”. Carpe literally means “to pick, pluck, pluck off, cull, crop, gather”, but Ovid used the word in the sense of, “to enjoy, seize, use, make use of”. Be the Captain of your ship and make your own Luck!

7 ways to make your own Luck!

John Stewart — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 23:00:34 +0000

Forgive and love yourself and others. Believe in yourself to let go of the pain that keeps you grounded in emptiness. ”Luck” increases through forgiveness.

7 ways to make your own Luck!

John Stewart — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 01:00:20 +0000

Students in each of our houses provided ideas on “7 Ways to Make Your Own Luck!” in recognition of St. Patrick’s Day that is coming up on Saturday.

Serve Others- it becomes an expression to find the beauty within yourself by gifting joy into their day.

7 ways to make your own Luck!

John Stewart — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 01:00:39 +0000

Students in each of our houses provided ideas on “7 Ways to Make Your Own Luck!” in recognition of St. Patrick’s Day that is coming up on Saturday. An idea will be posted each day.

“There is no such thing as luck, only the convergence of perseverance and opportunity.”

Strengthen Your Marriage Month Recap

John Stewart — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:00:46 +0000

In case you missed it, we’ve been posting tips on strengthening and celebrating marriage during the month of February! You shared daily thoughts and suggestions throughout the month of February that came from staff, students, and families. Below is the complete list of articles. Please let us know in the comments what your favorite tip was, or what tip we missed.

1. Choose who you love, love your choice

2. Listen to Understand Instead of Listening to Fix

3. Gottman’s 5 positives for every negative rule

4. Repair Faster

5. Be Polite

6. Don’t go to bed angry, just go to bed

7. Speak kindly

8. Have a fundamental change of attitude from “Me” to “We.”

9. Conflict is a catalyst for change

10. Learn something new about your spouse today

11. Tell your spouse something you love about them

12. Manage your finances

13. Our lives are given to that which we give our time

14. Be fluent in your spouse’s language of love

15. Don’t keep score

16. Court your spouse

17. Forgive and seek forgiveness

18. Cultivate an attitude of gratitude

19. Take a moment to think of your spouse during the day

20. You are on the same team; be on the same team!

21. Communicate, communicate, communicate

22. Learn to tolerate the little things that annoy you

23. Make love incessantly!

24. Take interest

25. Remember When?!

26. Have a Model Relationship

27. Time-out for Intimacy

28. Never Give Up

29. Be Your Spouse’s Biggest Fan

Strengthen Your Marriage Tip: Be your spouse’s biggest fan

John Stewart — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 14:00:52 +0000

Celebrate your spouse’s wins, share their losses. Support them before their big game, and stick around after the game to review the highlights. Show up in team colors and don’t forget to cheer!

——————————–

Join us in strengthening and celebrating marriage for the month of February! You will find daily thoughts and suggestions throughout the month of February coming from staff, students, and families. You can find these updates on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, or you can view past ideas here:

1. Choose who you love, love your choice

2. Listen to Understand Instead of Listening to Fix

3. Gottman’s 5 positives for every negative rule

4. Repair Faster

5. Be Polite

6. Don’t go to bed angry, just go to bed

7. Speak kindly

8. Have a fundamental change of attitude from “Me” to “We.”

9. Conflict is a catalyst for change

10. Learn something new about your spouse today

11. Tell your spouse something you love about them

12. Manage your finances

13. Our lives are given to that which we give our time

14. Be fluent in your spouse’s language of love

15. Don’t keep score

16. Court your spouse

17. Forgive and seek forgiveness

18. Cultivate an attitude of gratitude

19. Take a moment to think of your spouse during the day

20. You are on the same team; be on the same team!

21. Communicate, communicate, communicate

22. Learn to tolerate the little things that annoy you

23. Make love incessantly!

24. Take interest

25. Remember When?!

26. Have a Model Relationship

27. Time-out for Intimacy

28. Never Give Up

Strengthen Marriage Tip: Never give up

John Stewart — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 14:00:08 +0000

It is said that good things in this life are worth fighting for. Certainly, those things we work the hardest for are the most rewarding, and things that come easy are often taken for granted. Marriage is the same. Remember patience, commitment, humility, fidelity and diligence!

——————————–

1. Choose who you love, love your choice

2. Listen to Understand Instead of Listening to Fix

3. Gottman’s 5 positives for every negative rule

4. Repair Faster

5. Be Polite

6. Don’t go to bed angry, just go to bed

7. Speak kindly

8. Have a fundamental change of attitude from “Me” to “We.”

9. Conflict is a catalyst for change

10. Learn something new about your spouse today

11. Tell your spouse something you love about them

12. Manage your finances

13. Our lives are given to that which we give our time

14. Be fluent in your spouse’s language of love

15. Don’t keep score

16. Court your spouse

17. Forgive and seek forgiveness

18. Cultivate an attitude of gratitude

19. Take a moment to think of your spouse during the day

20. You are on the same team; be on the same team!

21. Communicate, communicate, communicate

22. Learn to tolerate the little things that annoy you

23. Make love incessantly!

24. Take interest

25. Remember When?!

26. Have a Model Relationship

27. Time-out for Intimacy

Strengthen Marriage Tip: Time-out for Intimacy

John Stewart — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 14:00:29 +0000

Intimacy is a vital contributor to healthy bonding, and of healthy marital relationships, and an area that often becomes neglected during high-stress and/or demanding stages of life. One parent offers: “Something that I’ve found helpful after 20 years of marriage is not to forget about romantic time… Remember, these interludes don’t happen by magic; they usually involve one spouse suggesting it to the other and the other one being flexible about taking a break from their scheduled plans.”

——————————–

1. Choose who you love, love your choice

2. Listen to Understand Instead of Listening to Fix

3. Gottman’s 5 positives for every negative rule

4. Repair Faster

5. Be Polite

6. Don’t go to bed angry, just go to bed

7. Speak kindly

8. Have a fundamental change of attitude from “Me” to “We.”

9. Conflict is a catalyst for change

10. Learn something new about your spouse today

11. Tell your spouse something you love about them

12. Manage your finances

13. Our lives are given to that which we give our time

14. Be fluent in your spouse’s language of love

15. Don’t keep score

16. Court your spouse

17. Forgive and seek forgiveness

18. Cultivate an attitude of gratitude

19. Take a moment to think of your spouse during the day

20. You are on the same team; be on the same team!

21. Communicate, communicate, communicate

22. Learn to tolerate the little things that annoy you

23. Make love incessantly!

24. Take interest

25. Remember When?!

26. Have a Model Relationship

Strengthen Marriage Tip: Have a model relationship

John Stewart — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 14:00:12 +0000

The example of marriage we set today can and will influence the marriages of our children in the future. Young eyes and ears are ever-attentive and will often adopt the attitudes, opinions and relational styles exemplified in the home.

——————————–

1. Choose who you love, love your choice

2. Listen to Understand Instead of Listening to Fix

3. Gottman’s 5 positives for every negative rule

4. Repair Faster

5. Be Polite

6. Don’t go to bed angry, just go to bed

7. Speak kindly

8. Have a fundamental change of attitude from “Me” to “We.”

9. Conflict is a catalyst for change

10. Learn something new about your spouse today

11. Tell your spouse something you love about them

12. Manage your finances

13. Our lives are given to that which we give our time

14. Be fluent in your spouse’s language of love

15. Don’t keep score

16. Court your spouse

17. Forgive and seek forgiveness

18. Cultivate an attitude of gratitude

19. Take a moment to think of your spouse during the day

20. You are on the same team; be on the same team!

21. Communicate, communicate, communicate

22. Learn to tolerate the little things that annoy you

23. Make love incessantly!

24. Take interest

25. Remember When?!

Strengthen Marriage Tip: Remember when?!

John Stewart — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Take time often to reflect upon some of your favorite times together – Reflecting upon good memories not only bids the return of joy and pleasures gone before, but also promotes healthy perspective when wading through challenges in the present. Enjoy memories together, time and time again!

——————————–

1. Choose who you love, love your choice

2. Listen to Understand Instead of Listening to Fix

3. Gottman’s 5 positives for every negative rule

4. Repair Faster

5. Be Polite

6. Don’t go to bed angry, just go to bed

7. Speak kindly

8. Have a fundamental change of attitude from “Me” to “We.”

9. Conflict is a catalyst for change

10. Learn something new about your spouse today

11. Tell your spouse something you love about them

12. Manage your finances

13. Our lives are given to that which we give our time

14. Be fluent in your spouse’s language of love

15. Don’t keep score

16. Court your spouse

17. Forgive and seek forgiveness

18. Cultivate an attitude of gratitude

19. Take a moment to think of your spouse during the day

20. You are on the same team; be on the same team!

21. Communicate, communicate, communicate

22. Learn to tolerate the little things that annoy you

23. Make love incessantly!

24. Take interest

Strengthen Marriage Tip: Take interest

John Stewart — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 14:00:51 +0000

Find out what their biggest stress will be during the day and follow up on it during the evening. Take time to learn about one of their hobbies. Showing interest in your spouse will communicate your admiration and appreciation for them, and reiterate for them their place of importance in your life.

——————————–