Family Involvement

Vital family relationships are built on the foundation of open, honest communication. Chrysalis clinical staff work closely with parents and their students each week via scheduled phone calls, utilizing skype when possible, to create opportunities for straight talk, healing and growth. Parents are expected to join the treatment team, in effect, and be very actively engaged in their child’s therapeutic program experience and process. Mail and phone calls, as well as carefully planned visitation, both on and off-campus, provide opportunities for families to grow together in new, healthier directions. Families are encouraged to participate in some aspects of our travel program as they are able.

Family therapy also takes place during family visits to Montana; we encourage parents/guardians/families to visit several times a year when possible. Multi-family sessions are conducted each year at Thanksgiving and again in the spring to allow parents and siblings the opportunity to grow and develop along with their student. This also allows for the support and perspective of other families who have gone through similar struggles. Families are also encouraged to participate in many of the scheduled adventure outings throughout the year, which lend themselves to the goals of teamwork, esteem building, and the development of relationships. Each parent or guardian is expected to write a weekly letter to the student as a means to continue improving and strengthening the relationship.