Our Clinical Approach

At Florence Crittenton we believe that the birth of a baby offers a unique opportunity for change and growth in the life of a teen mother and her extended family.  We have learned from experience that a young woman is often most open to change during this critical time

The treatment model we provide is primarily relationship-based in which the emphasis is always on building and facilitating mutually respectful, safe and trusting relationships.  This creates a 24-hour therapeutic climate that not only teaches, models and fosters healthy and appropriate relationships, it sets the stage for clients to safely work through the issues and challenges they may face.  A primary focus of this approach is intensive individual and group work centered around healthy bonding and attachment in relationships. This becomes especially important as the girls we serve prepare to create a safe and healthy environment for themselves and their babies.

We also use a client and family-centered approach in which the client and her family are central to treatment planning and implementation. Treatment strategies are always individualized and strength-based with the emphasis on building upon personal and family strengths to build assets and resiliency that ultimately lead to long-term success.  Florence Crittenton’s approach is restorative rather than punitive and we work with each client to instill a sense of personal and family responsibility and community service.

Neuroscientists have documented that our earliest days, weeks and months of life are a period of unparalleled growth when trillions of brain cell connections are made. Research and clinical experience also demonstrate that health and development are directly influenced by the quality of care and experiences a child has with his parents and other adults.

Clinical Services Offered:

  • Interdisciplinary and specialized diagnostic services
  • Ongoing individualized treatment planning with comprehensive team
  • Individual therapy
  • Group therapy
  • Family therapy
  • Milieu therapy
  • Attachment and Bonding therapy
  • Referral for Psychiatric/Psychological assessments
  • Medication management
  • Chemical Dependency counseling
  • Crisis support and stabilization
  • Lactation specialist
  • Intensive Clinical Case management

Zero to Three
Two Generations Treated Simultaneously

Extensive research has proven that the manner in which we are parented affects us for the rest of our lives.  Specifically, we are keenly aware of the importance on the formation of a strong, healthy and secure attachment between a mother and her child which is why a relational attachment philosophy is at the heart of our clinical services. The first 3 years of a child’s life is a critical period for physical, neurological and emotional growth. The scientific and clinical community is acutely aware that if a child lacks a secure, loving, consistent caregiver and environment in these first critical years that this can have a profound negative effect on their ability to engage in healthy relationships for the rest of their lives.  Conversely, when a parent has the tools and opportunities to provide a caring, nurturing and healthy early environment for her child, it is an opportunity to change forever her child’s chance at having a positive, healthy and successful life.

We are honored at Florence Crittenton to have the unique opportunity to serve not only one generation of at-risk young mothers, but know that we positively and forever impact the lives of their children and the many generations to follow.