When Island View mixed clinical sophistication with a well-developed milieu program in 1994, it was a new concept in our industry. At that time, traditional emotional growth programs on one side and medical model programming on the other were leery of each other. Each contended that mixing clinical rigor with milieu programming was incompatible. Island View, however, built a “cross-over vehicle” that combined elements of each. Many others have since patterned their programs after this innovative model of care. In fact, Island View regularly accommodates visits from the staff of other residential programs interested in the Island View model.
At Island View, we know most emotional problems are best diagnosed and treated with specific approaches and techniques delivered through individual, group and/or family therapy. While pro-social interaction and the foundation of a caring and supportive milieu must contain elements of accountability, natural consequences, positive reinforcement, and sociality with integrity, there are certain aspects of emotional disturbance that cannot be healed through these components alone. Sitting around the camp fire, holding hands and singing “Kumbaya” may generate some tender moments, but a core clinical problem may remain unchanged.
When developing the Island View program we intentionally planned for ninety or more students. Our relatively large size allows us to approach difficult problems utilizing the input of a host of clinicians. These clinicians don’t make “cameo appearances” when needed, but are regular, full-time employees.We believe that treating a patient in a “Mayo clinic” (the Mayo Clinic is a full medical campus replete with a variety of sophisticated specialty programs) has certain advantages over small, 14 bed, rural hospitals where patients must be sent away for certain diagnostic or treatment procedures.
Residents at Island View are assigned a primary therapist. The word “primary” indicates that behind the primary therapist is a team of professionals including a psychiatrist, marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers, licensed professional counselors, psychologists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, addiction counselors, and a clinical nutritionist who all collaborate in the healing process. The primary therapist coordinates this collaboration and maintains contact with outside professionals and families. Aside from offering weekly individual therapy, daily group or community group therapies, and weekly family consultation/therapy, Island View offers specialized therapies for youth who need support to deal with issues such as adoption, social skill deficits, anger management, communication struggles, past trauma, and grief and loss issues. Having a larger student population again allows for those unique few struggling with an issue to benefit from the support and mentoring of peers drawn from the overall student body.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) — in which several staff have been formally trained — is a specialty focus fully integrated into one family group at Island View. A DBT Specialty Group for students who struggle with issues such as emotional dysregulation, impaired relationship patterns, body image and self worth is also offered