Program Schedule / Daily Life at Cove Forge

Our treatment programs are designed to meet the special needs of our residents. In a typical week, the young men at Cove Forge residential mental health programs participate in the following activities:

Community Meetings: Conducted daily, these meetings serve as a forum for both staff and               residents to address each other on any issue affecting the community. For example, residents may confront peers regarding behavioral issues or commend them for positive growth, or staff may discuss concerns or expectations for the day or address issues surrounding rules or behavior. The purpose of the meeting is to address community issues at the beginning of each day and give staff and residents the opportunity to begin the day on a positive note.

Reflections: Reflections is a short meeting that allows staff and residents to put closure to the day by reviewing the goals they set at morning meeting and tending to any unfinished business.

Education: Daily participation in a structured school program is a major part of the treatment day. There are five school periods, plus a study hall, each day. The school program offers regular education and special education classes in math, English, social studies, science, and health/physical education. 

Group Therapy: Residents at Cove Forge attend group therapy four days a week. Led by a bachelor's and/or master's level therapist, group therapy is designed to facilitate problem solving, development of trust and support, and personal growth.

Individual Therapy: Each adolescent attends scheduled individual therapy sessions at least once a week to address personal and behavioral issues which are most appropriate for one-on-one discussion. The resident will have the opportunity to address issues in a private, safe environment while also building rapport with his counselor.

                  Focus Group: This group is conducted five days per week in the evening for up to one hour. It includes instruction on different aspects of mental illness such as how to handle anger, how to deal with different feelings, how to communicate better with peers, sexuality, HIV issues, mental health disorders, and more. The focus groups teach residents about their illness and help them develop the tools and coping skills necessary to return home.

                  Ropes Therapy/Adventure-Based Counseling: Ropes therapy is scheduled twice a week on a 16-station high and low ropes challenge course. Directed and supervised by certified ropes-trained therapists, ropes therapy is an experiential therapy that facilitates trust-building, team-building, healthy risk-taking, problem-solving, leadership, and self-esteem. On the ropes course, adolescents learn to overcome personal fears, gain confidence in their capabilities, improve their communication and interpersonal skills, and accept feedback regarding their strengths and goals for improvement.

                  Activities of Daily Living: This class teaches residents very basic skills, ranging from how to take a bus, go to the store, or make a bed to basic hygiene activities. Other topics include balancing a checkbook, writing a resume, interviewing for a job, and cooking and cleaning.

                  Medication/Nursing Group: This group is conducted by a licensed nurse once a week to teach the residents about their medications. The nurse will discuss the need to take medication, the side effects of each medication, and any other related issues.

                  Spirituality Workshop: Once a week on Sunday, our residents have the opportunity to express their understanding of spirituality and to discuss it with peers. Residents may be able to attend outside religious services (depending upon behavior) in the Williamsburg area or a lecture and/or film addressing spirituality. 

Family Therapy: Family involvement is an integral part of our teen mental health treatment programs. In addition to family visits and regular updates, we invite family members and appropriate caregivers to attend family therapy sessions at least twice a month, either by phone or in person. During these sessions, the family and teen explore the roles, coping strategies, and patterns that have characterized their relationships and learn new ways to interact and meet each other's needs. The primary goal of family therapy is to help the family support the adolescent in treatment and to facilitate a successful transition back home when possible.

Recreational Outings: Each week, residents participate in a recreational outing geared toward the development of appropriate social skills and interaction within the community. At the end of the outing, residents process their feelings about the activity and the challenges they faced.

Creative Group Project: On Sunday evening, a group of residents works together on a creative craft such as a large painting or special collage. Although the residents decide upon the activity, every project is monitored and directed by staff.

For more details about daily life at Cove Forge residential mental health treatment programs, please review a sample schedule.