Relationships are foundational to living a fulfilling life. For those who have endured trauma and loss, relationships are an integral part of the healing process. Our program is based on healing relational trauma, with the milieu (social environment) of our therapeutic setting providing a healthy and positive environment for young people to heal and grow.
Through everyday interactions with peers and mentors, our students learn how their behavior affects others and how to develop healthy relationships. These interactions are also very diagnostic, serving as the clearest indication of where each young man is in relation to his therapeutic progress. To foster growth in these areas, we have included the following key components within our milieu:
Students are organized into multiple teams of up to 12 students, named after the seasons of the year. We have found groups of this size optimally maintain an intimate and supportive milieu environment. Teams are structured based on students’ primary therapist pairing. Operating within a team approach allows the students to build and maintain deeper relationships with one another and their team mentors.
Our goal is for our students to make decisions based on what they believe is right rather than a fear of potential consequences. Our approach to interventions is individual and relational. Rather than attempting to control behaviors, we teach decision-making based on principles and values.
Mentorship is a key component of our program. Mentoring helps students through challenging life transitions, including dealing with stressful changes at home or navigating significant life changes. Staff members participate alongside students in most aspects of their daily life at Equinox. Our staff is passionate about guiding students through the transition into adulthood. Stable, healthy, supportive relationships between mentors and mentees are central to success. On an individual level, relationships based on positive mentoring possess a contagious effect, improving students’ relationships with their parents, teachers, and peers. These changes also manifest greater interpersonal skills and higher self-esteem.