Residential Program

Our residential program is a complete living experience that transforms lives, two generations at a time.  Treatment is continuous, happening in the common living areas as well as during group and individual therapy and one on one’s with individual case managers and our expert therapists.  Our program is based on a whole team approach.  The physical and emotional well being for mother and child during pregnancy and parenting are paramount in ensuring a healthy outcome.   An individual treatment plan specifically designed to meet the goals for each teen is written upon arrival by our treatment team.  The plan incorporates the teen’s treatment, educational, and life goals and goals for the future of her child

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Clinical Services
Clinical services include individual, group and family therapy, chemical addiction counseling, referral to psychiatric, neuropsychological, neurological, medical, dental, eye and other specialists.  Babies are born at St. Peter’s Hospital.  Community OB/GYN and Pediatric Doctors provide excellent medical care. 

We assign each teen a case manager as well as a therapist, both of whom work in the facility.  Because treatment and parenting happen continuously throughout the day, the treatment team can then work with the teens in their living environment, model positive parenting behavior, providing ongoing therapy and therefore create a trusting relationship.  Family therapy is an important part of the treatment plan and may be conducted via the telephone if distance is prohibitive.

Pregnancy and Parenting
At Florence Crittenton, we provide new and expectant mothers with all the tools they need to prepare for the baby.  Our classes, Nurturing Parenting and Loving your Baby from the Inside Out TM, not only prepare teens for the birth of their child but also for the reality of parenting. 
In addition to parenting classes, specialized bonding and attachment therapy gives each new mother an opportunity to examine her own attachment history as it might relate to her ability to bond with her child.  With group, individual and video-taped interactions, our bonding specialist explores the relationship between mother and child and helps mother to understand the child’s inherent need for security and love. 

During the parenting phase, we provide new mothers with supportive care to help them learn the details of caring for their new baby.   Those first few weeks can be overwhelming in the best of circumstances and our caring our staff provide the love and support to help a challenged teen through one of the most difficult times she will ever face, giving her support while feeding, changing and caring for this new little life. 

Adoption Counseling
Adoption counseling and information is a part of every pregnant and parenting teen’s program at Florence Crittenton.  Even if they have made the decision to parent it is important for them understand the option of adoption and be supportive to others who may be making the choice of an adoptive placement.  Girls choosing adoption work closely with counselors from an agency of their choosing to find a suitable forever family for their baby.

Education
To a teen mother, an education takes on even more importance.  It can be the key to attaining independence, increasing self-esteem and continuing the goals she desired before she became pregnant.  All teens are required to continue their education during their treatment.  We collaborate with the Helena School District to provide the best possible educational alternative for teen mothers.   In addition to the traditional high school setting, the district offers two alternative schools where young mothers, with their additional responsibilities can finish their education during treatment at Florence Crittenton.  Individual tutoring is available.