Programs

RESIDENTIAL

Dormitory Interaction
The dormitory living environment provides a family unit and a physical structure in which each client has the responsibility to complete his or her tasks. The dormitory is more than a place to sleep. This living arrangement provides ideal conditions which enhance the treatment efforts of the overall program and which effects change in the residents. The daily routine of the program structure serves as a basis for a creative design of a therapeutic setting to support strengths and reveal weaknesses.

Residents are involved in much of the decision-making in the dormitory. They, along with staff, work within program guidelines to design their own house routine. Group meetings involving all residents and staff, in each dorm are held three times weekly. Additional group meetings may be called as needed to deal with conflicts in the dorm. Group interaction includes problem-sharing and interpersonal feedback, designed to help clients and staff gain valuable insight into each individual group member. Residents are encouraged and required to take responsibility for supporting and confronting each other.

Free time is an important part of the treatment at Peniel and is made available to the client so that they may learn how to become an effective time manager. Friends and relatives are allowed monthly visits after the orientation phase.

During Phase I, the client is involved in six weeks of orientation, which is designed to help them feel comfortable with staff, policies and procedures. The client begins to feel a sense of security and stability, feelings that are nurtured during these weeks.

Individual therapy and family interaction
While in the residential treatment facility, the client and his family are involved in a variety of activities, which give them opportunities to confront and resolve their problems.

Psychosocial history
After the client has been accepted into the program, an initial interview is conducted. The Peniel counseling staff utilizes the psychosocial history as a tool to obtain pertinent data from the client. A staff consultation is then held, which includes the counselor and appropriate treatment staff. At this time, a detailed treatment plan is devised. This plan is used as a guide to direct the treatment of the client throughout their stay at the program. Case consultations are conducted on a weekly basis. In these meetings each client’s treatment plan is reviewed and upgraded, prognosis is made, and recommendations for follow-up and possible aftercare are given.

Individual and group therapy
Both individual and group counseling occur on a weekly basis. These sessions may be called or are regularly scheduled meetings. The clients themselves are very important to each other’s treatment. On occasion, a client may call a group session to confront an issue within the dorm. Frequently, input evolving from these groups influence programmatic as well as individual direction and changes.

Family therapy
Peniel takes the position that family involvement in the treatment is one of the most crucial factors to the client’s success. To encourage family participation whenever possible, Peniel seeks commitments from available family members to participate in as much of the program activity as is healthy for the family and the client. Classes are offered to educate the family about substance abuse and its effect on the entire family unit. Family group sessions are encouraged to give members the opportunity to communicate the different points of view that exist within the family unit. Problems, strengths and weaknesses, thus exposed and confronted within the safety of the group, can then be understood and resolved.

Recreation
Recreational activities are utilized as an opportunity to observe the resident’s behavior during his leisure time. Whether through field trips or scheduled on-property activities, the purpose is to evaluate and reinforce the client’s spiritual and emotional growth, that they might make a smooth re-entry into society.

Work therapy
Since work will become a real part of the client’s lifestyle after treatment, it is vital that functioning as a clean and sober individual in the workplace is a learned behavior. Greater emphasis is placed upon character than upon work skill. Character traits, such as initiative, neatness, responsibility, and proper response to authority are stressed. Clients must demonstrate, through their behavior and attitude, that they know how to cooperate within a designed structure. The client is taught not only how to follow but also how to lead.

Home visitation
Clients are eligible for weekend visits with their families after six months of treatment (if approved by case board). The client is expected to visit the family at home without direct supervision from Peniel. However, both the client and counselor design a "plan of action". The home pass is used as a therapeutic tool to evaluate the client ’s progress thus far.

Field trips
Monitored field trips are designed to evaluate and reinforce the client’s spiritual, emotional and social growth. Field trips are another recreational outlet utilized by Peniel to test the interaction skills of the client.

Aftercare and re-entry
This is the most critical time in the entire treatment process. The client returns to society, but not without a definite aftercare plan. This phase is closely monitored. Support agents are selected to work in conjunction with Peniel regarding the progress of each client.