Education and Peer Support for Families of Clients in Adult Mental Health Treatment Programs
Families play a vital role in the recovery of a loved one, yet taking care of a relative who has a serious mental illness can place considerable strain on the primary care givers and other family members. Recognizing the important role and needs of families, Skyland Trail offers the family Support, Training and Education Program (STEP).
The group provides family members with the knowledge, skills and support needed to cope effectively with the unique challenges associated with caring for someone with a mental illness.
During the first hour, a mental health professional provides education and training to the group. The second hour is a support group in which families discuss what they have learned, dilemmas they confront or feelings they experience.
Upcoming STEP Dates & Topics
STEP is open to family members and important friends of adult clients enrolled in a Skyland Trail mental health treatment program. Families of Skyland Trail graduates and alumni may also attend. STEP is offered to Skyland Trail families free-of-charge and is made possible in part by charitable donations from the community.
September 3
No Meeting - Labor Day
September 10
Sober Living with Ramon Pacheco, CACII, CAMS
September 17
Pastoral Counseling Services at Skyland Trail with Gabriela Cahaley, MDiv, CPE
September 24
Anxiety Disorders with April Whitaker, LPC & Mandy Morris, LPC
October 1
Support group only starting at 6:30 PM
October 8
Opioid Use Disorder and Naloxone with Kim Venable, MD
October 15
Family Patterns with Carlyle Bruce, PhD
October 22
Psychosis with Lisette Infante, LPC
October 29
Recovery by the Numbers with Alex Balzer, MPH
People in Your Shoes
Listen as families describe their experiences with STEP.
Open to Skyland Trail Families
STEP is open to family members and important friends of adult clients enrolled in a Skyland Trail mental health treatment program. Families of Skyland Trail graduates and alumni may also attend. STEP is offered to Skyland Trail families free-of-charge and is made possible in part by charitable donations from the community.
"You have gotten him here, and he is safe. Now rest and let Skyland do its work.' That was the kind reassurance we received from other parents and family members on our first night at STEP."
Participate in Person, by Phone, or by Video
Family STEP sessions meet Tuesdays from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. in the upstairs conference room at the Charles B. West Campus. We are pleased to be able to also offer STEP through video and call conference. Please contact STEP Facilitator, Shelley Danser at sdanser@skylandtrail.org or 678-686-5956 for more information about video and call conference.