Family Counseling
Over its long history of treating adolescents, Daytop has learned that the rate of success is greatly increased if the adolescent's family works hand-in-hand with Daytop. Family participation is an integral and essential part of Daytop's program. It is crucial for both client and family members to learn healthy ways of interacting, to heal the family unit and rebuild the communication and trust which were disrupted by the adolescent's substance abuse.
Family Therapy Program
Daytop is a family based program. Licensed Family Therapists are part of the clinical team which formulates and monitors each client's treatment plan. Research indicates that without the help of the family, the adolescent's success in the program and in recovery decreases. Drugs are not the problem but a symptom of a bigger problem. Daytop has been working conjointly with the Minuchin Center for the Family since 1998, and incorporates its system of Structural Family Therapy. Daytop relies heavily on parents' opinions, because the reality remains that the adolescents are returning to live with them and will not be permanently at Daytop.
Structural family therapy gives power back to the family and assists parents in taking back their rightful place on the hierarchical structure. It places the family in a position where they are in control of changing themselves.
Family Association
For those whose loved ones are substance abusers, Daytop's Family Association is a place of refuge where sanity is restored to their lives. Membership is open to anyone whose loved one has abused drugs, whose loved one is in treatment in Daytop, in treatment in another program, or not yet in treatment at all. The Association is facilitated by family members for family members. They hold informative meetings and support groups for those dealing with the effects of an adolescent's substance abuse.
Through the Family Association a person can:
Receive on-going emotional support
Regain a perspective on your own life
Let go of the pain and suffering
Understand why your loved one turned to drugs
Learn how to guide your loved one into treatment
Find guidance in becoming part of the solution
The Family Association holds weekly support groups in all parts of New Jersey. Families with adolescents in all levels of treatment are invited and encouraged to attend these meetings. For information on times and locations, please call (973) 539-5764.
Families who have a son or daughter in residential treatment meet on certain Saturdays set aside as Family Saturdays. These Family Days allow families to visit our residential center and to schedule individual family sessions. Required Family Association meetings and support groups are also held on these Saturdays.
