Why Skyland Trail

Where expert psychiatric care meets a holistic path to wellness.

As a primary psychiatric treatment program, Skyland Trail helps our clients grow, recover and reclaim their lives through both symptom management and the development of new skills and perspectives.

A unique psychiatric residential and day treatment program for adults and residential treatment program for adolescents, we offer longer lengths of stay, giving our clients and families the time and space they need to recover. Clients are matched with a tailored mix of evidence-based and supportive therapies to help them move forward on their own unique path to wellness.

Our clients gain insight and confidence from our caring and expert physicians and counselors, from interactions with their peers, and through experiential hands-on activities.

Holistic, Multidisciplinary Approach

Our integrated mental, medical, and social model helps clients develop strategies to improve mental health, physical wellness, independence, and relationships with family and friends.

Unique therapies offered include music, art and horticultural therapyvocational servicesprimary care servicesfamily programs and therapy, and healthy living and nutrition coaching.

While each client works with a dedicated psychiatrist and primary counselor over the course of treatment, each client receives help and guidance from a multidisciplinary team of caring experts.

Clinical team members share information about each client in weekly discussions to evaluate the needs and progress of the whole person. Together, the clinical team agrees on the best treatment approach, and then, individually, each counselor can consistently incorporate that approach into their interactions with the client.

two people walking on courtyard boardwalk toward reflecting pool

Client-centered Treatment

For 30 years, we have helped our clients and families find new ways to live with a mental illness and thrive. Our client-centric approach begins by identifying personal recovery goals. Clients develop an individualized treatment plan that serves as a roadmap for where they want to be at the end of their treatment and what they need to do to get there. Goals include reducing the clinical symptoms of mental illness, but also improving physical health, independent living skills, and social relationships.

Through our holistic and integrated program, clients have the opportunity to:

  • solidify an effective medication strategy
  • achieve clarity about their identity
  • learn strategies to regulate emotions
  • practice independent living skills
  • set goals for work and relationships
  • strengthen communication skills
  • explore healthy leisure activities
  • improve physical wellness and nutrition

Stories of Hope

Hear stories from former clients and families.

individual counseling session with staff psychiatrist

Not One-Size-Fits All

Our evidence-based approach starts at admission with a comprehensive assessment. Based on the results, clients are assigned to a specialized treatment team and structured schedule.

Clients are assigned to a specialized treatment team, schedule, and peer support group based on their diagnoses, symptoms, and self-defined goals. In addition to receiving care from specialized professionals, this individualized approach allows clients to be part of a consistent peer group, kind of like a "homeroom," where they can build trust and support one another.

Specialized teams for adults include:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
  • Young Adults with First Episode Psychosis
  • Social Integration for Psychosis
  • Dual Diagnosis (offered as an additional area of focus to clients in all of the above teams)

Specialized teams for adolescents include:

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Skills
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Skills
  • Ecological Systems Therapy (all adolescent clients as an additional area of focus)
adults participating in mental health therapy group as part of residential or day treatment

Integrated Wellness and Onsite Primary Care

All clients participate in programs to strengthen mind and body. Clients receive nutrition and active living counseling, including daily structured exercise groups. An onsite primary care clinic collaborates with the clinical team on lab testing and specialized assessments, and clients with co-occurring medical problems like high blood pressure or diabetes receive onsite care.

adults on exercise equipment and stretching on mats on the floor

Private Rooms and Respectful Facilities

All of our residential communities are unlocked voluntary facilities surrounded by gardens. While in treatment, all residential clients live in a private bedroom with a private bathroom.

woman sitting on bed reading

Reset to Healthy Living

Our clinical staff help clients work on re-establishing healthy sleep and meal schedules, self-care and hygiene, medication adherence, and healthy social and recreational activities. Residential activities help clients prepare for independence and life outside of treatment.

Family Involvement

We help client families learn how to support their loved one’s progress in healthy and effective ways.

For families of adult clients, we offer a weekly family support and education group at no cost.  And our onsite family therapy program helps many families discover new ways to trust, communicate, respect, lean on, lift up and nurture one another.

Parents and guardians of adolescent clients participate in family therapy as an integral part of the treatment program and may attend a weekly family education and support group.

Continuum of Care

Our continuum of care offers programs and services for clients at different stages of recovery. Residential treatment is our most intensive level of care. When clinically appropriate, some adult clients may admit directly to day treatment. Graduated levels of care allow clients to work toward progressive independence while receiving support from the same treatment team and peer group.

five people in a common room

Results

Outcomes data confirm that our evidence-based approach to mental wellness works. People who complete treatment at Skyland Trail return to their communities with improved skills to pursue more independent and productive lives.

When patients begin treatment, we measure various, well-studied indicators. We again measure those indicators when they complete treatment to illustrate patient outcomes.

Diagnosis-specific assessments are conducted throughout treatment. These results help guide treatment decisions.

We measure how our clients improve.

View our 2022 Outcomes Research Summary