At Bayside Marin Treatment Center in California, we understand the many ways addiction can impact the entire family, and we appreciate the role family members play in the recovery process.

Understanding Our Family Program

Oftentimes in treatment programs, family members do not receive adequate updates and may feel “left in the dark” in terms of what’s going on with their loved one. At Bayside Marin, we make a concerted effort to include clients’ loved ones in their treatment and recovery.

For example, we hold post-intake discussions with family members regarding family dynamics, concerns, and priorities; we provide treatment updates from the client’s therapist and counselor (with the client’s permission); and we conduct individual family therapy sessions as needed.

The highlight of family involvement at Bayside Marin is our Family Program. We’ve designed our Family Program to help family members develop the knowledge and skills that will allow them to rebuild relationships, strengthen family bonds, and support their loved one as they walk the challenging path of recovery.

Family Treatment Program Sessions Information

We believe that the family should have the opportunity to be involved in the entire recovery process. Here is a description of our comprehensive Family Program from intake to discharge:

Collaboration

During and immediately after the intake process, we contact the family members to provide collaborative information about the resident. Family members will be asked to contribute a written timeline of the progression of the concerns as they witnessed them and to write a letter to the resident stating how they have felt watching their substance use continue, how it has affected them as individuals and the relationship as a whole, and finally, a request for what they would like to see different in the future. We will use portions of these letters during the assessment and treatment planning process and later during the family sessions. (Residents will need to sign a Release of Information to allow communication with family and loved ones.)

Support System Treatment Updates

With written permission from the resident, certain family members will receive weekly telephone communication from the primary therapist with treatment updates. This minimizes any miscommunication and assists the family in being part of the solution. By keeping the lines of communication open between the resident, staff, and the family, there are fewer surprises. (Residents will need to sign a Release of Information to allow communication with family and loved ones.)

Family Therapy Phone Sessions

During treatment, at least one family therapy session will be conducted by phone with the resident, primary therapist, and family members. This is in addition to and not in place of the private, face-to-face family therapy sessions and the multifamily group. (Residents will need to sign a Release of Information to allow communication with family and loved ones.)

Private Family Therapy Sessions

We invite and encourage families to attend at least one private, face-to-face family therapy session with the resident and primary therapist and/or family therapist.

Multifamily Group Sessions

On the first and third Thursdays of the month, we offer a three-hour afternoon session, and on the third Saturday of every month, we offer a full-day family group session. We strongly encourage families to attend. The first Thursday sessions will be a facilitated “family-only” group, and all other sessions will include families and residents. The focus of these groups will include a combination of education, communication, goal setting, problem-solving, relapse prevention, and other therapeutic activities.

Recommended Predischarge Home Visit

Before successful completion of the Bayside Marin recovery program, we suggest that each resident schedule and complete a two-day home visit. This therapeutic pass will allow the resident and family to practice some of the tools they’ve learned in treatment in their home environment with their family support network. During this visit, we can identify strengths and weaknesses that we can discuss and process before a permanent return home. Families will have an opportunity to share with the staff their impressions of the visit and any questions or concerns they may have at this stage of treatment.

Discharge Planning

At the time of discharge, the resident and staff will share with designated family members the discharge plan, including any specific recommendations for continuing treatment, suggestions for family members, and instructions for responding to relapse should one occur.