Our Vision & Philosophy::

We strongly believe in the creative window that opens when an individual feels seen, welcomed and confirmed in their ability to recover and thrive. The essence of Hanbleceya is the sense of support fostered by the empowering and reciprocal nature of therapeutic community. We believe that the process of change and recovery is facilitated by the sense of belonging and involvement in the life of a group or community. Healing is strengthened by an environment of hope and encouragement, where each individual is supported in his or her own healing as well as participates in the healing process of others.

Hanbleceya's belief is that self-esteem grows out of building a balanced, high quality life. Members of the Hanbleceya community are given the opportunity to learn skills necessary to achieve their goals, give and receive support, learn effective self-care strategies, and be responsive to both self and others. Through support, feedback, safety, and the experience of being heard, community members learn how to appropriately and constructively identify, express, and manage their feelings.

Our program focuses on creating a foundation for healthy living via vocational and educational development, improved relationships, and increased overall personal fulfillment. Our vision is that participation in the Hanbleceya Community program will give each member the tools to attain a level of balance and independence commensurate to that which they are capable of, with the confidence, courage and determination to live a healthy and productive life.

The Importance of Family

As a family member, you may decide to entrust the treatment of your loved one to Hanbleceya. Please know we will commit to doing everything possible to help bring the highest level of health and independence possible to your loved one. However, we cannot optimize treatment results without your support - which also means the support of every family member who chooses to be a part of your loved one's life during and after their treatment in Hanbleceya. Numerous studies and almost three decades of our own clinical experience point directly to a significant increase in the recovery of patients whose families remained involved and appropriately supported the treatment plan as compared to those families who did not. Family members often report experiencing difficulties effectively communicating and setting healthy boundaries and limits with their loved one, especially when it involves psychiatric and psychological treatment. These difficulties often arise from symptoms common to severe emotional disorders such as the influence of hallucinations or delusions, strong emotional affect, impaired insight and judgment into the effect of the illness on day-to-day living, patterns of extreme avoidance of negative affect, and a lack of experience in effectively balancing a healthy life while living with a mental disorder. When initially placing their loved one in Hanbleceya, many family members are unaware of the incredibly important and significant role they play in the treatment process. One main focus of family participation in treatment involves learning how to communicate with your loved one, and helping your loved one communicate with you in ways that are effective and healthy. This will involve in part, learning how to set boundaries and limits, close communication "splits," empower your loved one to develop self-reliance skills and begin taking on the task of self-care and personal responsibility for their health and recovery. Following is a list of expectations and responsibilities that will be asked of you while your loved one is in the Hanbleceya treatment program:

1. Full support of the therapeutic structure & treatment plan as determined by the clinical team.

   The Treatment Team employs a wide variety of solid and proven clinical interventions and structures in effort to support clients in reaching their goals and attaining the greatest level of functionality and independence as possible. It is imperative that all members of the client’s system (the Treatment Team, family members, other providers) are “on the same page” and supporting the treatment plan. Sometimes interventions may not make sense at first, so it is important to seek out clarification from the team while continuing to support the intervention. Our long-standing experience in working from a team approach is that when one/some of the members do not support the treatment plan, the “container” of support becomes “cracked” and the client experiences confusion, fear and uncertainty over the inconsistency, ultimately resulting in detrimental and potentially dangerous effects on the client.

   Examples of therapeutic structures may include limited contact with family members, tying monies earned to specific behavioral goals, requiring attendance at prescribed events, performing community service, or having consequences for non-compliance. If you are ever uncertain as to why a specific therapeutic intervention has been prescribed, please make contact with your family therapist for clarification.

2. Support for various clinical interventions including a Temporary Intervention Order (TIO).

   When your loved one participates in treatment at Hanbleceya you can expect a period of adjustment, as a new way of life will have begun. There will be exposure to a new culture, a new system and a new community. There are new expectations and new structures – all designed to maximize their recovery. However, this change can be stressful and sometimes frightening. As our clients undergo this new experience they frequently revert to old ideas and rely on old, familiar coping strategies. But tragically these strategies have failed to appropriately serve their needs. Your loved-one learned these strategies early on and has mastered their use, despite being extremely dysfunctional. These strategies sometimes include splitting, manipulation, and dishonesty and they oftentimes manifest throughout the family system.

   It is important to understand that the family system has developed the capacity to aid in the proliferation of this maladaptive behavior because it is desensitized from it, has grown accustomed to it and is often most comfortable within it. It takes place largely without recognition and has become a central part of how the family operates. It also has been a catalyst in keeping your loved-one immersed in his/her illness. Consequently, there are times in the course of treatment that contact with family members can interrupt the client’s progress, cause unnecessary stress and anxiety and create opportunity for de-compensation. This leads to a setback in treatment while time, money and progress are lost unnecessarily.

   Decades of our own experience prove that no family is immune to these dynamics. Although it is out of love that families become over involved, anxious and enmeshed, this provides no consolation as treatment becomes jeopardized and your loved one’s welfare is compromised. Part of our responsibility, as your treatment provider, is to recognize this and provide sufficient support to help the family recognize these dynamics, the effect they have on your loved-one and the family system, and to help the entire system develop more healthy and effective ways of supporting your loved-one and existing together.

   Therefore, in an effort to proactively circumvent treatment setbacks due to family system dynamics inadvertently disrupting the treatment process, Hanbleceya has designed a policy to be used in situations that help provide needed containment for our clients. This policy is called a Temporary Intervention Order (TIO). The order will prohibit family contact for a designated period of time. Of course, the clinical rationale for effecting this order will be fully explained ahead of time and will only be issued if agreed upon by the entire treatment team.

3. Support for needed hospitalizations (behavioral and medical).

   Many of our clients have a history of multiple and/or traumatic hospitalizations, and it is one of our goals to reduce this trend and support clients in staying OUT of the hospital. Yet, it is sometimes necessary to effect a hospitalization to keep a client and/or others safe and free from harm. Hospitalizations are also sometimes indicated when a client is to undergo a significant medication adjustment, or when a client needs a form of increased containment and support due to non-compliance with parts of the treatment plan designed to keep the client safe and stable.

   As is the case with other interventions we employ, we will make every effort to fully brief you on the clinical rationale in the event the Team determines that a hospitalization is in the client’s best interest. Oftentimes, you will be made aware of the possibility of when this type of intervention could be used, long before the time of its implementation. However, in cases of imminent harm or danger, a hospitalization may be effected before you are notified, and if this is the case, every effort will be taken to ensure you are informed as soon as is practicable.

   It is critical to the integrity of your loved one’s treatment plan that any hospitalization determined and implemented by the Team has your full support. You are free to ask as many questions as needed in order to get clarity and reassurance as to the rationale for the decision. Yet it is essential that in the moment and at any time you are in contact with your loved one, that the Team has your full support and cooperation.

   Not having the ability to employ the full range of clinically-sound interventions necessary to affect cohesive care severely compromises our ability to effectively treat your loved one. If we are unable to rely on having the family’s full support and cooperation of Team decisions, then it is unlikely we will be able to treat your loved one at the high level of quality he or she deserves, and we will likely support you in locating an alternative treatment placement for your loved one.

4. Attendance at family therapy sessions as indicated by the treatment team.

   Family therapy can play a significant role in the treatment process. The treatment team will make the determination as to the frequency and duration of family therapy meetings. A therapist designated to serve as the “family contact” for each client will work with the family in setting up all appointments prescribed. For those living out of the area, phone sessions may likely suffice in lieu of face-to-face sessions.

5. Attendance at Hanbleceya’s bi-monthly Family Support Nights.

   Every two months Hanbleceya hosts a Family Support Night for the families of clients being treated in our program. This group’s primary purpose is to provide a supportive environment with which to connect and interact with other family members in a way that promotes understanding and healing, and serves as an ongoing repository of experience, ideas and support. Research consistently shows that social support is a significant factor in determining which families’ loved ones improve. This group also provides education and guidance in how to develop healthy ways of coping with a family member who is ill, how to best support your loved one’s recovery, and support for taking care of yourself throughout the process. Participation in this important part of your loved one’s therapy is a vital component to optimizing the impact of the treatment plan.

6. Seeking some form of outside therapeutic support may be necessary.

   Supporting a loved one with a mental illness brings its own set of unique and demanding challenges. Taking an active role in the treatment process of your loved one adds even more to the mix. Therefore, it is extremely essential that family members have their own sources of support - learning to cope effectively and successfully with your own feelings about your loved one and his/her illness will help your loved one as he/she works toward recovery.

   Personal therapy and support can often aid family members in acquiring strategies for handling crises and relapse, as well as develop healthy ways of coping with worry, stress, and other emotions. Hanbleceya actively incorporates the family system into the treatment plan of the individual residing in the program. Family members are often asked to try out new ways of supporting their loved one, such as through setting new limits, conveying new expectations, and holding firm boundaries. Trying out these new ways of supporting your loved one can sometimes be scary or uncomfortable, as is often the case when we try something new. Hanbleceya may recommend, or at times, require, that a family member seek out outside support to help facilitate this new process - to get additional support in dealing with the strong feelings that often accompany doing new, and sometimes difficult things. If we make this recommendation, or requirement, we will be happy to provide you with referral information.

7. Preparing for the inevitable end of the “Honeymoon” period 

   For even the most well-intentioned, prepared, and motivated clients, there will likely be a period when the “honeymoon” ends.  This can happen as early as within the first couple of weeks or possibly after several months, but it will happen.  This shift typically occurs when the client begins working more depthfully on difficult or painful issues, is held more firmly accountable to expectations and commitments, is confronted on problematic behavior, and/or begins hearing things they do not want to hear or do not like.  This shift is usually exemplified by a change in attitude, behavior, and/or general demeanor.  You might begin to hear statements like: “this is the wrong program for me”; “They are mistreating me”; “There is too much structure”; “I can't relate to anyone”; “I don't like it here”; “They are taking away my rights”; and/or “They are controlling me.”  Your loved one will likely attempt to solicit support for their position through tearful, angry phone calls that may include demands to be taken out of the program.  This is a pivotal time in your loved one’s recovery. When the "going gets tough" is when your loved one really needs your full support of the treatment plan.  The best response (and what your loved one NEEDS you to say) is "take this to your therapist to discuss the matter.” Disengage from the conversation, even if that means hanging up then call your family contact or family therapist. They are hear to support you and are willing to hear your fears and concerns.  It is potentially undermining and severely detrimental to your loved one's treatment to engage in this conversation, or indulge the complaints, as it has the capacity to invalidate the treatment plan and support your loved one in escaping and delving further into their illness.  This is a topic often discussed at length in our regular Family Support Meetings, and may be a focus in your family therapy sessions.  Please let us know if you'd like to talk to a therapist more about this issue.

8. Avoiding and/or discouraging “splitting” behaviors.

   Entering treatment is a difficult decision to make and may often be met with much uncertainty, ambivalence, fear and anger as clients (and families) begin the process of coming to terms with what is required to learn how to effectively live with an illness. It is quite common for a client entering treatment to complain about being in treatment, about the program, their treatment plan, the staff, or even attempt to effect change in their treatment plan by asking a family member to intercede. This is called “splitting” and can be extremely disruptive to the treatment/recovery process. Should this ever occur, direct your loved one back to his/her primary therapist to discuss it then call your family contact or family therapist to discuss any concerns you may have. It is important to the integrity of the treatment plan that any attempts to “split” the container are referred back to your family contact so it can be addressed by the treatment team.

9. Refraining from involving your loved one in the financial details of the program.

   There is rarely an instance when the client needs to be aware of the financial commitment that you or the family is making toward his/her treatment. In fact, the knowledge of this information can oftentimes greatly hinder treatment as the client may experience guilt and feel compelled to inappropriately speed up/leave treatment in order to save money. In our experience, when clients are brought into the financial realm of treatment, they often become distracted and worried about resources, which take away from the very important element of focusing on the therapeutic issues of recovery and building health and independence. If it is determined by the treatment team that the client would benefit from being involved in the financial aspect of treatment, that will be discussed with you and the issue folded into the client’s treatment plan.

In closing, our primary goal is to help each community member reach their respective goals of health, independence and optimal living. We also strive to help families heal and become more effective and comfortable in learning how to live with and support a family member with a mental illness. If you have any questions regarding Hanbleceya’s family support requirements , please feel free to ask.