Skills: Personal Growth and Development

Individual counseling is necessary for each client, either with their therapist in the community or in-house. Even when the client sees the therapist in the community, participating in the daily living situation is therapeutic. Clients work to improve self-esteem, separation from family, confidence, sexuality, hygiene and grooming, and adjusting to being an adult.

Family Involvement

It is essential that parents work together with staff to facilitate independent functioning. as the young person participates in the program, a new relationship will develop: a relationship with an adult child. Frequent visits home or visits by parents to the apartment can be counter-productive to the goal of adjusting to the new setting. Frequent phone calls to the apartment or to the parent also interfere with the opportunity for the young adult to learn to solve his or her own problems.

In order for the parents and the young adult to derive maximum growth from the program, it is important for the parents and staff to support each other. This commitment is essential for a successful program. Open communication is a key ingredient. If parents are dissatisfied or concerned about something, they should discuss this directly with the Program Director. Complaints made to each other or friends will not alleviate the discomfort. In some cases, the Director may refer the family to the Professional Advisory Board, or the family may wish to initiate the contact with that Board.

It is often difficult for parents to ‘let go’ and allow the staff of INDEPENDENCE CENTER to set goals and establish limits. The Director and the staff are available to help in this process.

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