Professionals
WHO BENEFITS FROM OUR PROGRAM?
The Fellowship Home provides a structured residential setting for men recovering from substance use disorders. We address the issue of relapse, i.e. the return to use, after an extended period of abstinence. Many of these individuals have been clinically diagnosed with co-existing conditions. Some have mental health issues, while some are challenged with physical disabilities. Nearly all are indigent when entering the program. Our clients are referred from public and private agencies in Forsyth County and its surrounding areas. Our programs are available to anyone who meets the criteria, regardless of ethnicity, religion, or the initial ability to pay. Our admissions process ensures that the most appropriate applicants are accepted into our program. All participants must abstain from mind- and mood-altering substances. They must also obtain permanent employment (unless on disability), pay rent and participate in prescribed counseling.
OUR RECIPE FOR SUCCESS
The Fellowship Home uses two programmatic approaches in providing services. One is a Therapeutic Community Model, the other is a Cognitive-Behavioral Therapeutic Model. These therapeutic approaches are proven catalysts of change. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy that emphasizes the important role of thinking as it relates how a person feels and the subsequent impact of these feelings on how they behave. Our statistics show that even the limited use of this evidence-based practice has had a positive impact on the success of clients, but limited resources have prevented our organization from implementing a comprehensive CBT approach. We contend that Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy is the most appropriate evidence-based approach for residents and those in our aftercare program. It is the most efficient and effective method for a number of reasons. First, it is time limited. The typical number of sessions is sixteen. Other forms of therapy like psychoanalysis can take years. CBT is time-limited in that we help clients understand at the very beginning of the process that there will be a point when the formal therapy will end. In CBT, our role is to listen, teach, and encourage, while the client’s role is to express concerns, learn and implement that learning. Therefore, clients learn rational self-counseling skills. Other reasons Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is effective:
- CBT is structured and directive
- CBT is based on an educational model springing from the scientific assumption that most emotional and behavioral reactions are learned. When people understand how and why they are doing well, they know what to do to continue doing well.
- CBT is inductive (teaching one to focus on the facts and not the feelings).
TRACKING SUCCESS OF PARTICIPANTS
Program participants are actively engaged in homework and surveys that continue to monitor their progress or lack of progress. Progress notes are compared to goal plans to measure the actual accomplishment of each client. We continue to use our proven “Fellowship Home Outcome Measurement” model.
GRADUATES AS ROLE MODELS
We also have a very active Alumni Association. The Fellowship Home Alumni Association allows us to verify and continue tracking the progress our clients achieve. Alumni continue to attend Fellowship Home house meetings and offer a wide and varied network to Fellowship Home residents. Alumni demonstrate the desired behaviors and reflect the values and teachings of the therapeutic community. They serve as role models for residents. The strength and integrity of the community for social learning depend on the number and quality of its peer role models. This allows alumni to serve in leadership and teaching roles in the therapeutic community. They offer 24/7 support.
The Alumni Association holds an annual reunion each September and all program participants, regardless of success, are encouraged to attend. We receive valuable feedback from these activities and events. This information allows us to constantly re-evaluate our program, building on what works and making changes to what doesn’t.