Women, adults and teens, have distinct needs and issues that must be recognized and addressed in treatment.
Why a Separate Program?
Once a woman finds the courage to face her past and seek help, she often has difficulty talking openly and honestly about her issues in a coed setting. Our female clients are given the opportunity to discuss their problems and concerns without fear of judgment.
The Women’s Program, as all Daytop programs, is based on the therapeutic community (TC) structure. The treatment program has three stages: Entry or Induction, Primary Care, and Re−Entry. The Induction process evaluates the current status and needs of a potential client, and begins to plot a direction for treatment, whether Residential or Outpatient. Primary Care is the main body of the treatment program, and Re−entry provides a gradual return to everyday situations and stresses, with continuing support of the clinical staff.
Adult Women’s Residential Program
The Adult Women’s Residential Program, located in Dutchess County NY, is staffed solely by women clinicians.
Women entering Daytop receive a comprehensive assessment of the many areas of their lives. These include her parenting and familial responsibilities, relationships, health, legal responsibilities, and employment, as well as substance abuse history. In the Induction Unit, groups and counseling sessions are aimed to acclimate clients to the treatment process.
Specialized therapy groups are available for domestic trauma and sexual abuse victims. Many activities are designed to promote female bonding, build ego strength, self−esteem, and self−empowerment.
Women with children may be forced to leave their children with family members or foster care programs to go into treatment. This of course adds additional stresses and concerns. All women in the residential program are allowed to write to and telephone their children after two weeks in treatment. Those women who have been in a domestic violence or child abuse situation may write or call their children immediately.
All of the services of the Daytop program are incorporated in the Women’s Program, including Family Therapy, Art Feelings and music workshops, medical assistance, education, and specific supportive therapies. The women also have opportunity to engage in spiritual and recreational pursuits.
The Re−entry portion of the program may be residential as well, or a woman may attend her local Outreach center for continuing clinical support.
Adult Women’s Outpatient Program
Women entering Daytop’s outpatient programs receive a comprehensive assessment including evaluation of psychological, familial, medical, educational, vocational, legal and peer relationship needs.
In the Outpatient Program, groups and general treatment sessions are co−ed, but specialized counseling and support services are offered to address the women’s needs discovered in the assessment process.
Specific women’s services vary by location, and may include Health Awareness seminars, assistance with child custody issues, trauma counseling for victims of domestic and sexual abuse, nutritional seminars, and parenting classes. Women may be attending the outpatient center for their entire treatment program, or may be there for the Re−entry or Aftercare phase, so the range and intensity of issues is great. Outside services are incorporated as needed.
Young Women’s Outpatient Program
In addition to the basic adolescent treatment program, teen females in the Outpatient Program attend women’s groups weekly to address topics such as self−esteem, relationships, and abuse. Workshops are held periodically to focus on other issues as they emerge. Recent workshops include Women’s Health, presented by the Department of Health; Expression through Art; and Music Therapy. Female−only events are organized to promote bonding among the women clients, and to reinforce positive feelings of worth.