Residential Treatment

Past traumatic events are difficult for children to talk about. Children with a history of trauma experience can have multiple losses and carry the toxic memories from their past, often leading to a higher risk of experiencing mental health problems as adults. The staff and volunteers at The Village Network are engaged and positively reinforce children in the creative process by providing a safe space for them to express themselves. Because most children enjoy drawing, painting, singing, and dancing, art is a simple way for children to learn multiple forms of expressions. Children express themselves without judgment or criticism. They are given the ability to choose from various creative activities that increase their sense of internal control and willingness to participate.

Music Therapy used within a therapeutic relationship to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals. After assessing the strengths and needs of each client, a music therapist provides the indicated treatment including creating, singing, moving to, and/or listening to music. Through musical involvement in the therapeutic context, clients’ abilities are strengthened and transferred to other areas of their lives. Music therapy also provides avenues for communication that can be helpful to those who find it difficult to express themselves in words. Research in music therapy supports its effectiveness in many areas such as: overall physical rehabilitation and facilitating movement, increasing people’s motivation to become engaged in their treatment, providing emotional support for clients and their families, and providing an outlet for expression of feelings.

The Village Network utilizes a one-acre garden to provide horticulture therapy to youth in residential treatment, who have a variety of emotional and behavioral challenges. This program encourages teaching, nurturing, growing, responsibility, greenhouse management, project development, experiential learning, sensory development and exposure. Projects include: hydroponics, spring landscape development, flower of the month club, plant cultivation and development, outdoor garden, campus wide landscaping, and cut flower arranging and instruction. Horticulture Therapy helps improve memory, cognitive abilities, task initiation, language skills, and socialization. In vocational Horticulture Therapy settings, people learn to work independently, problem solve, and follow directions.

Equine Therapy is a form of experiential therapy that involves interactions between patients and horses. Supervised by a mental health professional, and sometimes with a horse care professional, equine therapy involves many activities, including feeding, grooming, haltering and leading a horse. During the youth and horse interaction, the therapist can observe and interact to identify specific behavior patterns, thoughts, approaches and emotions. The goal of equine therapy is to help the patient develop needed skills and attributes, such as accountability, responsibility, self-confidence, problem-solving skills, and self-control. This type of care and interactive therapy also provides an innovative setting in which the therapist and the patient can identify and address a range of emotional and behavioral challenges.