Our Four-Part Program

Mental Health Counseling

Each resident is assigned to a counselor for their time at Brookwood. They receive individual and group sessions weekly. Family counseling is provided if the client is working towards reunification. The counselor is also available during the day if they just need someone to talk to or are experiencing a crisis.

Every resident starts with a tentative treatment plan that consists of adjustment, building rapport, becoming familiar with the rules, and identifying treatment goals. The resident and counselor will work together to create their formal treatment plan focused on the areas that they would like to improve.

Treatment goals often consist of decreasing symptoms of depression, improving self esteem, developing coping skills, decreasing symptoms of anxiety, and stabilizing mood. We have a psychiatrist on staff that completes an initial evaluation and prescribes medication if needed.

The counselor and psychiatrist work closely with one another to determine what is the best treatment route for each client. The client will also have regular ongoing evaluations with the client for medication management to make adjustments as needed.

Education

All of our residents are enrolled in an education program off campus. We utilize multiple different schools within the area to ensure we find the appropriate program for each client. Schools consist of regular zoned schools, credit recovery, GED programs, and some of our residents have graduated early and enrolled in college.

When a resident is admitted the counselor will schedule a staffing with all of the members of her team. Each option will be explored and the client will be able to express her educational needs. We complete the school enrollment. Brookwood’s counselor works closely with the school counselor to ensure the client is successful. Grades and attendance are monitored. We also have a tutor that comes weekly.

Employment Readiness Training

Each client is assessed for employment readiness at intake based on age and experience levels. Residents are encouraged to secure employment or a volunteer job if they are not yet old enough to work. Brookwood’s counselor and youth care workers teach interview skills and help with creating resumes.

We transport the clients to the interviews and to their place of employment if they are hired. Once they start receiving paychecks we work on budgeting skills to create a savings account that they can take with them.

Independent Living Training

We utilize a Life Skills Workbook created by Brookwood Florida’s clinicians — which covers 24 essential life skills (such as communications and relationship building, time management,

financial responsibility, navigating transportation systems, etc.)— Brookwood Florida’s therapeutic counselors, as well as our youth care workers, teach key independent living skills, both individually and in group form. In addition we have a different monthly life skill that is covered in weekly groups.