{"id":367,"date":"2012-01-11T07:08:47","date_gmt":"2012-01-11T07:08:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/grafton.local\/?p=367"},"modified":"2014-10-29T12:42:58","modified_gmt":"2014-10-29T16:42:58","slug":"vol-3-issue-1-jan-2012","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.grafton.org\/vol-3-issue-1-jan-2012\/","title":{"rendered":"Vol 3 \u2022 Issue 1 \u2022 Jan 2012"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"Message<\/a><\/div>\n

\"\"A New Approach: Intensive Short Term Residential Stabilization<\/p>\n

At Grafton Integrated Health Network (GIHN), it is our goal to help vulnerable and high-risk populations lead better, more independent lives. Every day, we are increasing our ability to provide support to individuals across their lives, in whatever aspect of behavioral health care they may need. In the past year, we have placed a great deal of energy on our short term stabilization services. The program, based on the Leesburg campus, is a twenty-four hour trauma-informed program serving children and adolescents ages twelve to seventeen.<\/p>\n

This short term psychiatric residential stabilization in combination with our community-based triage approach is a solution-focused, outcome-oriented, person and family-centered treatment regimen. This intensive intervention focuses on the entire circle of support – client, family, and community. Combining cognitive-behavioral, trauma-informed, systems theory and psychiatric approaches to \u201ctreatment that works\u201d allows us to demonstrate real outcomes metrics with high empirical validity and reliability. In partnership with George Mason University, we are instituting a repeated measures outcomes database that focuses on and measures symptom acuity and functional autonomy. Once completed, other programs within GIHN\u2019s continuum of care are also available as \u201cstep-down services\u201d or for more acute treatment in the rare case it becomes necessary.<\/p>\n

GIHN works with all involved to ensure the right system of care is developed for each individual. A client\u2019s stay — typically between 30 and 45 days — provides an opportunity for the family and community to identify the naturalistic, community based support systems that can be engaged to continue the healing process when they return to their home environment. In many cases, this type of support can replace paid professional support systems.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were very intentional in our design of the program to integrate and partner with community resources and to limit length of stay as much as possible,\u201d explains Scott Zeiter, executive vice president of strategic business development. \u201cWe have already established close connections to community-based resources such as Family Connections in Loudoun and are actively identifying similar opportunities with other organizations. We believe that these partnerships are truly helping to improve outcomes.\u201d<\/div>\n

Our team is constantly learning and adapting in order to best meet the community\u2019s needs. For instance, we are looking forward to implementing a multi-family group program on Saturdays in the near future. Also in the works is a peer-to-peer program element, an idea that came to fruition through a friendship between \u201cKevin,\u201d who you\u2019ll read about later in this newsletter, and his Leesburg campus roommate. Peer-to-Peer programs are increasingly emerging as the bedrock of recovery- oriented best practices.<\/p>\n

Less than a year after its launch, we are proud and excited about the progress of this program. And clients like Kevin are further proof that our goal \u2013 to help families and adolescents see possibilities where they thought there were none \u2013 is well within reach.
\nFor more information about the continuum of services offered at GIHN, please contact the admissions office at admissions@grafton.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Success Story<\/h2>\n

More than Just a Phase: A Teenager\u2019s Journey Back to Health<\/strong>
\nAccording to his father, \u201cKevin,\u201d a sixteen year old adolescent, has exhibited troubling behavioral issues since he was very young. Even at two years old, he was destructive and unable to follow rules.<\/p>\n

\u201cHis day care wanted to have him evaluated,\u201d explains Kevin\u2019s dad. \u201cEvery single teacher, every single year wanted to have him evaluated. He never conformed to expectations or rules and was often argumentative and destructive at home.\u201d<\/p>\n

By 14, Kevin had already been arrested for breaking and entering, as he sought money to support his drug habit. He had also been at the Commonwealth Center five to six times. The same year, he was admitted to the Bon Air Juvenile Detention Center due to regressive and dangerous acting out behaviors including self injury, suicide attempts and smearing feces among others. Amid the unpredictable and sometimes volatile population, Kevin exhibited a great deal of anxiety and began a habit of cutting himself.<\/p>\n

DIAGNOSIS:<\/strong>
\nNeeding more intensive mental health and substance abuse services, Kevin was referred to Grafton Integrated Health Network\u2019s (GIHN) short term stabilization program at the end of August 2011. In addition to his self-injurious behaviors, he was not eating, experiencing hallucinations and exhibiting unstable moods, depression, anger and impulsivity. His diagnoses at the time of admission included Mood Disorder, Conduct Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Poly-Substance Dependence.<\/p>\n

ASSESSMENT:<\/strong>
\nWhen he first arrived at GIHN, Kevin presented a hopeless, defeatist attitude. Compounding this challenge, he experienced intense social anxiety that made him unable to participate in group substance abuse therapy. With an understanding that every plan of care must be as unique as the client it serves, Kevin\u2019s substance abuse counselor, Sandra Dettra accommodated his feelings by providing individual substance abuse psychotherapy.<\/p>\n

His therapist, Holly Ameen, had an open door policy. Her level of availability was extremely beneficial to Kevin. He responded very well, knowing that he could call upon his therapist at any time, as needed. He was also able to take breaks and self-initiated time outs when he felt overwhelmed within the classroom or the unit.<\/p>\n

\u201cKevin never seemed big on therapy in the past, but he really opened up to it at GIHN,\u201d says his dad. Kevin\u2019s care included a team of individuals providing specialty therapies including: monitoring of psychotropic medication, individual therapy, family therapy, and dialectical therapy. In addition to his individual substance abuse counseling, Kevin also participated in group therapy once he felt comfortable doing so.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs he began to trust us, Kevin\u2019s demeanor changed entirely,\u201d said Jenaea Ireland, his case manager. \u201cHe displayed a gentle, caring and even playful attitude. He even developed a strong connection with another client.\u201d<\/p>\n

This special bond \u2013 and its benefits on both clients\u2019 journey back to health — was the impetus behind a new GIHN peer support initiative. In fact, given his progress Kevin has been identified as a potential peer support volunteer in the hopes that his experience can help other teens and serve as a positive role model.<\/p>\n

During his time in the short term stabilization program, Kevin\u2019s team helped him to master important goals including:<\/p>\n

Reducing the incidence of impulsive and disruptive behaviors. Kevin responded well to the structure and expectations provided to him. Initially, when he was given a consequence he did not like, he would make threats to harm himself. When staff responded with increased supervision and support, he responded positively. As a result, he did not engage in any self-injurious behaviors during his stay at GIHN.<\/p>\n

No incidences of using illegal or non-prescribed substances. Kevin responded favorably to individual substance abuse therapy. He was tested when he returned from overnight passes and each result was reported negative for substance abuse.<\/p>\n

Improve communication with parents. Kevin had a history of engaging in a negative thinking pattern and focusing on past failures. During his time at GIHN, his team, in coordination with his parents, worked with him to focus on the present moment and things he could look forward to. <\/p>\n

PROGRESS:<\/strong>
\nSince leaving the short term stabilization program, Kevin has continued to make great progress. His GIHN team was very involved in helping to determine his after-care plan. Holly Ameen took Kevin to visit his new school while he was still at GIHN, helping to alleviate anxiety he felt about the impending transition and his return home.<\/p>\n

Today, Kevin is living at home with his dad and younger brother. He attends the Leary School where he is working toward his GED, He also participates in vocational training. In addition to enjoying favorite pastimes including football and reading, he also spends time with his new girlfriend. \u201cHe attends school regularly, is focused on the future and is doing better than he ever has,\u201d says his dad.<\/p>\n

\"Highlights\"<\/a><\/p>\n