For many families navigating IOP* mental health treatment for their young adult, they face an important decision: remain at home or consider a supported living environment. For some, the choice is clear-cut: when symptoms are critical or a person’s safety is at risk, supportive living is absolutely necessary. However, for those not in immediate crisis, the decision hinges on whether or not the home environment is helping or hindering a young person’s clinical and skill-based needs or long-term life goals.
In this article we spoke with our Partner & Chief Clinical Officer, Amanda Fialk, PhD, LCSW, to learn more about why families should consider a support living option if it’s clinically indicated.
The Living Environment as a Significant Treatment Factor
“I often explain to young adults and families that the living environment can be as important to the treatment plan and process as one-on-one therapy or groups,” highlights Dr. Fialk.
Where we live is our anchor; where we start and end our days, eat most of our meals and spend all of our ‘in-between moments’. We want to ensure that this space is as conducive as possible to the treatment process and goals.
Dr. Amanda Fialk, PhD
Fostering Affirmation, Safety and Stability
Above all, it’s important that young adults feel safe and validated for who they are during treatment, a time when they are feeling their most vulnerable and out-of-control. Stability is important, as is routine and structure which is supported by research showing strong associations between environmental stability and physical and mental health outcomes in young people.
“For many reasons, these essential factors might not be available or possible in the home environment,” says Dr. Fialk. “A supported living space or recovery house, on the other hand, can be that safe landing place where a young person can truly focus on their treatment work and the goals they have set with their clinical team.”
The Impact of Old Family Dynamics
For real change to happen, young adults need to be able to make mistakes, feel the natural consequences of their actions and gain a sense of ownership over their personal recovery process. In fact, being responsible for one’s own treatment and daily routines can enhance the commitment to recovery. It’s necessary, then, to consider if being at home is nurturing this process or standing in the way.
Even with the best of intentions, families can easily fall into old patterns that can hamper the growing pains of treatment, sobriety and day-to-day life skills practice
Dr. Amanda Fialk, PhD
A few examples include parents continuing to be:
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- Their loved one’s ‘alarm clock’
- Home chef (doing all the grocery shopping, budgeting for meals and food prep)
- In-home laundry and cleaning service
- On-call personal assistant (making their young adult’s appointments, coordinating their calendar and helping them stay on top of academic deadlines)
Supported Living and Recovery Housing: Infrastructure of Change
“Research shows that destinations like recovery housing are associated with positive outcomes, including decreased substance use and improved family relationships,” highlights Dr. Fialk. “And there’s a reason for this: when done right, these environments have the 24/7 infrastructure and professional support in place to help young adults in treatment stay safe, sober, accountable and actively learning the life skills they need for the future.”
At The Dorm’s affiliate mental health recovery home for young adults, dWELL, for example, residents not only have assistance with things like medication compliance and drug/alcohol testing, but in-house experts help young adults to:
- Develop and practice executive functioning skills
- Learn to budget, grocery shop and plan meals
- Maintain their personal space and do their own laundry
- Cultivate better sleep and technology habits
On top of this, there is the power of built-in peer support in a community living environment,” shares Dr. Fialk. “Being with others navigating a similar experience offers emotional support, motivation, and counteracts feelings of isolation and loneliness. It also provides opportunities for community, friendship and regular socialization through group meals and planned activities,” she adds.
This level and breadth of support can’t (and shouldn’t) be expected to happen at home, but it is absolutely needed when someone is struggling to cope with mental health challenges that are interfering with their daily functioning and ability to thrive more independently.
Finally, recovery housing allows a client to build entirely new living skills that may not be a part of life at home or in a family unit, such as forming productive relationships with housemates, setting boundaries, or exploring new social/emotional skills.
With this age group, many of our clients have struggled to live independently on college campuses or post-college,” says Dr. Fialk. “In recovery housing, we methodically and intentionally teach independent living skills that will serve them in a diversity of settings after treatment, not just for life at home. This skills-based work takes practice and being a part of a supportive community during this period of trial and error is designed to prepare them for their future goals, whether that’s life back on campus, living independently, or being able to spend time at home with new boundaries and confidence.
About The Dorm’s Supported Living and Recovery Housing Opportunities
At The Dorm, we offer a range of living options to support every client over the course of their treatment journey.
Residential Outpatient Services – Independent Living ‘with’ The Dorm
Our residential outpatient program allows Dorm clients to live independently while receiving in-home clinical support from licensed professionals. This support focuses on individualized skill-building, and is tailored to help clients develop and practice essential skills for independence, with centrally-located apartments near The Dorm facilities.
Recovery Housing in New York City
For clients needing more structured, 24/7 support, The Dorm’s affiliate, dWELL Recovery, provides an affirming residential experience in the hear of New York City’s Upper West Side. dWELL includes 24/7 awake staff for skill-based learning and accountability, registered dietitians for meal planning and cooking skills, drug testing and medication management, and robust daily and weekend community activities.
*In New York State, The Dorm operates as a Group Practice.
