Semi-Independent Living Program

Semi-Independent Living

BrightQuest's clinical team determines the most appropriate level of care for the client during the assessment process. The semi-independent living level of care is the recommended entry point to BrightQuest for some of our new clients.

The semi-independent living level of care is the recommended entry point to BrightQuest for the majority of our new clients.

As a program designed to teach independence, we want our clients to start the process of learning independence as soon as possible. This means having them do chores around the house, cooking meals for the household and buying groceries based on the agreed to meal plans.

For clients needing support in order to complete these types of tasks, BrightQuest will provide a one-on-one support staff person whose job would be to help the client learn how to complete assigned tasks.

Clients will spend much of their time at BrightQuest in this level of care. Once they have demonstrated the ability to appropriately manage their life, then we start the process of moving them into our transitional outpatient program where they can start to prepare for eventual independent living.

The main cornerstones of our standard, semi-independent living treatment program include:

Learning and Practicing Greater Independence


  • A private or shared room in one of our semi-independent living homes.
  • Household management training (meals, budgeting, chores, etc.)
  • Guidance for medication management and compliance
  • Support in developing effective daily self-care skills
  • Learning to live cooperatively

Vocational & Educational Support


  • 10 hours per week of volunteer work, paid employment or educational classes
  • Job/school/training placement assistance
  • Resume and interview preparation
  • Support in work/school conflict resolution
  • Development of a strong work ethic and commitment

Socialization & Activity Involvement Builds Healthy Relationships


  • 9 hours per week of client-coordinated, peer-to-peer social activities
  • Optional weekly staff supervised activities
  • Bi-Monthly all-community outings (Beach BBQ’s, client/staff athletic events, etc)
  • Holiday get-togethers
    • New Years
    • Spring Celebration
    • Memorial Day
    • 4th of July
    • Labor Day
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Holiday Celebration
  • Staff supervised weekly activity groups:
    • Board Games
    • Saturday Morning Outing in the City

Intensive Psychotherapy for Emotional Balance and Health


Group therapy program 5 days per week (up to 15 group therapy hours/week) including:

  • Trauma and Recovery
  • Bioenergetics
  • Community Meeting
  • Art Therapy
  • Work Development
  • Music Therapy
  • Treatment Group
  • Peer Support Group
  • Process Group
  • Social Skills Training
  • Breaking Old Patterns
  • Anger Management
  • Cognitive (CBT) Skills
  • Dialectical Behavioral (DBT) Skills
  • BrightQuest Culture Group
  • Women’s and Men’s Groups
  • Improv/Drama Group
  • “Eco” Group
  • Up to three weekly individual therapy sessions
  • Regular meetings with our program Psychiatrist (monthly or more frequent if indicated)
  • Weekly family therapy
  • Bi-monthly Family Support Group events
  • Clinical Coordination with additional care providers (hospitals, physicians, dentists, etc.)

Staff Support in Semi-Independent Living


Though no overnight, live-in manager is present, BrightQuest staff regularly visits each home in addition to each morning and each evening, 7 days per week, to verify medication compliance, chore completion and to confirm that the home is in good order. Any deviation from what we believe is appropriate and expected would be reported to the clinical team so the necessary therapeutic interventions can take place.

Clients living in our semi-independent housing will have 24-hour, on-call therapeutic support when needed. Each client will participate in a weekly house meeting facilitated by a BrightQuest House Manager.

During this meeting chore rotations, cooking rotations and grocery shopping rotations are determined. In addition, the clients work together to plan meals for the upcoming week and also get support to resolve any conflicts that may need addressing.