Ridgeview Institute Family Workshop -
A four-day healing and recovery workshop for patients, their families, and significant others

Family Workshop Schedule

The Family Workshop at Ridgeview Institute

Ridgeview's philosophy is that treating the entire family is a necessary component to any addiction or psychiatric treatment program.  Studies have shown that the recovery process is more effective when those who are living with and interacting with the patient become educated about the illness and the recovery process.  During lectures and groups, family members learn about the specifics of the illness as well as how to set healthy boundaries with patients, how to support the patient without enabling unhealthy behaviors, and develop new tools for confronting difficulties as they come up.

In addition to the formal education that family members receive, they also learn that they are not the only ones dealing with this type of illness.  Family members learn that there are ways of reaching out to others to address their own emotional stressors, struggles, losses and frustrations.  They are able to experience how talking to and listening to others who have been through this struggle lessens the burdens of caring about someone with a chronic, relapsing illness.  It shows them that they do not have to be alone in their journey with the illness.  Toward this end, family members are encouraged to create a network of ongoing support for themselves.

The Family Workshop also provides a forum for staff to learn about the family's perspective of how the illness has impacted the patient's life and how it has affected the family.  The afternoon group therapy provides an opportunity to address clinical concerns with the help of the case manager and further explore family dynamics.

The program will include discussions about continuing care as patients transition out of treatment and back into the "real world."  Family members will discuss what to expect as patients grow in their recovery.  Family members complete the week with feelings of renewed hope, new tools which empower them to take better care of themselves, and a better understanding of the things they can do to help their family's overall wellness
and recovery.

What does it cost?
There is no additional charge for family members of current patients of Ridgeview.  Others may attend the family workshop for a fee.  For details, please call Patient Accounts at (770) 434-4568 or 1-800-329-9775, ext. 3112 or 3117 or the Family Services Coordinator at ext. 3552.

Ok, I want to come. What Now?

Check the list of monthly workshops below and select the date that falls during your loved one's treatment.  You may attend while your loved one is in treatment.  No pre-registration is required unless your loved one is in the Evening Program.  Evening Program patients and family must pre-register.

These four-day workshops run Monday through Thursday and begin at 8:30 a.m. on the Ridgeview campus in the Day Hospital.  Coffee and muffins are served in the morning.  Noon lunch tickets are $4 per person.  Family and friends will be able to eat together.   The workshop ends at 3:30 p.m. daily, except Thursday which ends at 1:00 p.m.

YEAR 2008 SCHEDULE
(Choose One Four-Day Workshop)
8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday
8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Thursday

The Children's Workshop (Held during June, July)

The Children's Workshop is a special learning and sharing opportunity, tailored to children ages 5 to 13. It helps them learn and understand why a family member is in treatment. In their own sessions, kids learn and express themselves through art, play, stories, and music. They also have fun with games & crafts, swimming, and meeting other kids with similar family issues.