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Professionals

Dear professionals,

As you are considering referring a client to us, it is important that you have a good idea about the program and your potential involvement. I hope you will spend some time on the website to see how the system works and to see our facilities. This section is designed to give you the underlying information upon which our program has been developed and to introduce the shared responsibility we both have in regard to your referral.

Over the past six to eight years, best practices have been developed in regard to the treatment of addicted persons. It is now understood that time in treatment is crucial.

  • We know that a residential program gives the person the tools to recover, but
  • Recovery really begins upon one's return home.
  • We know that the success rate for recovery increases once a person has participated in treatment for at least 13 to 15 months.

We also know that a holistic approach is crucial for recovery, including physical, social-emotional, mental, and spiritual dimensions of each person. In our residential program, each of these is addressed.

  • Personal trainers assess each new guest and develop a treatment plan component that can be followed upon discharge. The aftercare plan may include walking, floor exercises, participation at a gym, sports, yoga, or other appropriate physical activities. The personal trainer meets with each person twice a week while s/he is on site at Athena to reinforce this recovery principle.
  • Residents at Athena learn socialization methods and have the chance to interact with others in a safe environment. Group work, shared recreational activities, training in Seven Habits of Highly Effective People®, and normal interaction assist clients to exercise this dimension of their respective lives. AA/NA are introduced to residents who may or may not choose to utilize the 12-Step system as an adjunct to therapy.
  • Our residents are challenged intellectually by lectures, films, homework assignments, and readings that require them to think. We encourage continuing educational planning by each person while they are on site.
  • The spiritual side of each person is personal. It is one's core, and ties to personal values. We provide opportunities for people to explore this through journaling, meditation, Tai Chi, yoga, and art therapy. A scenic hiking trail currently exists and a Serenity Center is under construction for individuals' respective utilization. The rural, quiet surroundings enhance contemplation.

Client Preparation:

We ask that you spend some time with your client to prepare him or her (we have specialized programming just for women) for the Athena experience. If the client has significant others in his/her life, they also need to be involved in the preparation. They are encouraged to view the website and to look at the information and the links to more information. They can visit the message board that, upon being given a password, they will be able to utilize.

Please have the client sign two Release of Information forms which have at least the following:

  1. I authorize Athena to release all information from my records and exercise free discussion with [YOUR NAME] while I am in treatment.
  2. I authorize [YOUR NAME] to release all information from my records and exercise free discussion with Athena while I am in treatment.

Send these via fax to Athena – 636-337-9109, followed up by hard copy.

The client may call Athena to arrange for the program while with you. We encourage this as it keeps you as a major player in the recovery process. The amount of your involvement at this time is up to you. Some professionals prefer the client to do all the work; others like for it to be a joint effort and want to talk to an intake worker about the situation. If the arrangements are agreed upon and an admittance time is determined, then you can immediately make an aftercare appointment for the week after the completion of the residential phase of treatment is projected.

Once the client has left your office, please complete a summary of the situation as you know it and send us (via fax if there is not much time between the appointment and the admission) whatever else you believe we should know about the person referred.

The Residential Phase (30 days)

While your client is in residential care, we encourage your weekly communication with the primary counselor - just to keep up to date about progress. We will send (or fax if you desire) a copy of the initial treatment plan, which is developed with your client. Subsequent discussions will relate to this program.

A few days before completion of the program, we will contact you to confirm the aftercare treatment session you are to have with your client and to talk to you about anything our staff feels you need to know. Once the client has completed the Athena program, you will be sent (or faxed) a copy of the treatment summary and the mutually agreed upon aftercare plan.

The significant others, during this period, will actively participate in the program. If they live near one of the four locations we provide, education for adults and children are part of the program at no cost. If they do not live near one of the four offices, then the website message board may be used and the online education program followed.

The Recovery Period (12 to 15 months)

  • If you are agreeable, all therapy during this period will be provided and/or supervised by you.
    • We ask that you use our treatment plan to assist the client during the recovery process;
    • We ask that you allow us to follow-up via phone with the client on a regular basis (two times per month for the first three months) and then once a month thereafter.
  • If you cannot fulfill the needs of the client as identified by the treatment plan:
    • We ask that you assist the client in obtaining assistance to fulfill the treatment plan components;
    • We ask that we be allowed to intensify our contact with the client as possible.

The website message board will remain available to all clients and their significant others at no charge for the duration of their treatment.

Please remember, we will give the client the tools needed for recovery. The actual recovery will be her/his responsibility and s/he will be assisted by you or your designee thereafter.

 
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