Developmentally Grounded, Relationship-Based Treatment for Adolescents
Solstice West provides trauma-informed, relationship-based residential treatment for adolescent girls and AFAB youth ages 12–18. Our clinical approach integrates evidence-based therapies, family systems work, experiential treatment, and a developmentally grounded framework that prepares students for sustainable change beyond treatment.
Rather than focusing solely on symptom reduction or short-term behavioral compliance, our model is designed to build emotional regulation, relational capacity, character development, and real-world functioning: the foundations of long-term well-being.
A Clear Framework for Growth: Believe. Begin. Become.
At Solstice West, clinical care is organized around Believe. Begin. Become. — a competency-based developmental framework that helps students, families, and professionals understand where a student is, what growth looks like next, and how readiness for independence is built over time.
This framework provides shared language across therapy, academics, milieu, and family systems — reducing confusion and supporting consistent, aligned care.
believe.
begin.
become.
believe.
believe — Safety and Stabilization
Students settle in by establishing emotional and relational safety. The focus is on:
- Nervous system regulation
- Trust-building with staff, peers, and family
- Engagement in therapy without overwhelm or shame
We see safety as a prerequisite for growth.
begin.
begin — Skill Practice and Ownership
As regulation and trust stabilize, students begin actively practicing skills:
- Emotional regulation and distress tolerance
- Values-guided decision-making
- Repair and accountability in relationships
Motivation shifts from external pressure to internal ownership.
become.
become — Integration and Transition Readiness
In this stage, skills are internalized and applied under stress:
- Increased autonomy and self-direction
- Consistent relational functioning across settings
- Preparation for home, school, and community reintegration
Progress reflects real-world readiness, not behavioral compliance.
EnRICH: The Clinical Method That Supports Growth
EnRICHing Life’s Journey is our mission at Solstice West.
Believe. Begin. Become. describes developmental progress.
EnRICH describes how treatment supports that progress.
EnRICH stands for Excellence in:
- Relationships – attachment, communication, repair, and trust
- Influence – emotional co-regulation, invitation vs. control, and impact with others
- Character – values, accountability, integrity, and responsibility
- Health – sleep, nutrition, movement, mindfulness, and self-care
Every therapeutic modality at Solstice West is oriented toward strengthening these four domains.
Evidence-Based and Trauma-Informed Therapies
Solstice West utilizes a multimodal, individualized clinical approach, drawing from evidence-based and trauma-responsive therapies, including:
- Individual Therapy (1–2 hours weekly)
- Family Therapy (weekly, with intensive family involvement)
- Group Therapy (6+ hours weekly)
Clinical modalities include:
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Trauma-Focused CBT
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Brainspotting
- NeuroAffective Relational Model™ (NARM®)
- Somatic Experiencing
- Experiential and attachment-focused interventions
Therapy is delivered by a multidisciplinary team of licensed clinicians, in close coordination with academic and residential staff.
Does your child need residential care?
Call us to learn how we can help.
Specialized Clinical Support for Addictive and Compulsive Behaviors
For students struggling with substance use or compulsive coping behaviors, Solstice West offers a dedicated Substance Use and Addictive Behaviors Track.
This programming:
- Approaches substance use as a coping strategy rooted in unmet emotional needs
- Utilizes harm-reduction principles and the SMART Recovery model
- Focuses on regulation, decision-making, relapse prevention, and healthy alternatives
Students receive individual and group support from our licensed Substance Use Disorder Counselor, integrated with their primary treatment plan.
Family-Centered Care and Systemic Healing
We provide whole-family support for long-lasting success.
Families participate in:
- Weekly family therapy
- Ongoing parent coaching and education
- Multi-day family seminars throughout the year
The Believe. Begin. Become. framework helps families:
- Understand progress without relying on control or punishment
- Support skill-building at home
- Prepare for successful reintegration and transition
Families are active partners in treatment, not observers.
Measuring Progress with Integrity and Transparency
Progress at Solstice West is observed and measured across disciplines, including therapy, academics, milieu, and family work.
Rather than relying on time-based phases or isolated metrics, the treatment team:
- Tracks developmental competencies across EnRICH domains
- Uses shared rubrics and standardized tools
- Reviews progress collaboratively to guide treatment planning and transition readiness
Setbacks are viewed as clinical information, not failures. Student rights are always paramount, and non-essential privileges (such as TV during free time) are intentionally decoupled from milestone achievement.
Preparing Students for Life After Treatment
The ultimate goal of treatment at Solstice West is durable change guided by individual student and family goals.
By focusing on:
- Emotional regulation before autonomy,
- Skills before independence,
- Readiness before transition,
students leave with tools they can apply in real-world environments: academically, relationally, and emotionally.
Learn More About Treatment at Solstice West
Contact our team to learn more about:
– Admissions and referrals
– Academic programming through Fernwood Academy
– Family involvement and aftercare planning
A Thoughtful Alternative to Compliance-Driven Models
Solstice West’s clinical approach was intentionally developed to move beyond compliance-based or level-driven systems toward developmentally informed, relationship-centered care. Our 3B Milestone framework and implementation of the EnRICH rubric will continue to adapt as we receive and implement feedback from clients, families, and staff, and as we review shifts in our client’s clinical outcome data.
Growth is not earned through time or performance. We believe it emerges through capacity, trust, and skill development.