Family Workshops

The philosophy at Ridgeview is to treat the entire family. It is a necessary component of any addiction or psychiatric treatment program. Studies have shown that the recovery process is more effective when those who are living with and interacting with the patient become educated about the illness and the recovery process.

During lectures and groups, family members learn about the specifics of the illness as well as how to set healthy boundaries with patients, how to support the patient without enabling unhealthy behaviors, and how to develop new tools for confronting difficulties as they come up.

In addition to the formal education that family members receive, they also learn that they are not the only ones dealing with this type of illness. Family members learn that there are ways of reaching out to others to address their own emotional stressors, struggles, losses and frustrations. They are able to experience how talking to and listening to others who have been through this struggle lessens the burdens of caring about someone with a chronic, relapsing illness. It shows them that they do not have to be alone in their journey with the illness. Toward this end, family members are encouraged to create a network of ongoing support for themselves.

Ridgeview Institute Family Workshop is a two-day healing and recovery workshop for patients, their families, and significant others.

Family Workshop also provides a forum for staff to learn about the family’s perspective of how the illness has impacted the patient’s life and how it has affected the family. The afternoon group therapy provides an opportunity to address clinical concerns with the help of case managers and further explore family dynamics.

The program includes discussions about continuing care as patients transition out of treatment and back into the “real world”. Family members will discuss what to expect as patients grow in their recovery. Family members complete the week with feelings of renewed hope, new tools to empower them to take better care of themselves, and a better understanding of the things they can do to help their family’s overall wellness and recovery.

Who can attend?
The Family Workshop is open to Ridgeview patients, families and supportive friends. Appropriate for ages 17 and older.

What does it Cost?
There is no additional charge for family members of current Ridgeview patients. Others may attend the family workshop for a fee. For details, please call the Day Hospital @ (770) 434-4568 ext. 7000.

OK, I want to come. What now?
Check the Family Workshop Schedule above for more information on groups and lectures offered throughout the week. No pre-registration is required unless your loved one is in the Evening Program. Evening Program patients and family must pre-register.

These two-day workshops run Monday through Tuesday and begin at 9:00 a.m. Monday and end 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, on the Ridgeview campus in the Day Hospital. Coffee and muffins are served in the morning. Noon lunch tickets are $4 per person. Families and friends will be able to eat together. The workshop ends at 3:30 p.m. daily.

What happens each day at the workshop?
A typical day in the family workshop would include the following:

• Registration and Welcome
• Coffee and Muffins
• Morning Focus (a directed meditation)
• Morning Education Lectures
• Stretch & Break Time (access to vending machines & books available for sale)
• Small Group Therapy
• Noon lunch with time for eating, visiting, and book table
• Afternoon Education Lecture
• Stretch & Break Time
• Family Group Therapy (family members and patients attend together)

Where can I get the answers to other questions about the Family Workshop?
Patients’ families will have many of their questions answered at Family Orientation on Tuesday evenings at 6:00 p.m.
For all other questions, contact the Day Hospital @ (770) 434-4568, ext. 7000.