Family Systems Therapy

The Family Program is a hallmark of Sierra Tucson's successful treatment. Because family members and significant others are considerably affected by addiction and mental health disorders, their involvement is critical to the recovery process. Families and their loved one in treatment are given an opportunity to learn about addictions and disorders, discuss issues that have involved them for many years, and heal together. This is often a life-changing week where relationships can begin to mend from confusion, hurt, and misunderstandings. Family members are guided to work on their own issues, develop self-care techniques, and learn how to support their loved one.

This intensive four-day program begins on Monday at 8:00 a.m. and ends on Thursday at 6:15 p.m.  The Family Program is designed to assist patients and family members in identifying problems that have had significant impact on the family system; in changing attitudes and, ultimately, behaviors between family members and patients; and in clarifying the role of healthy support. Therapists model and teach new communication skills, which give the patients and family members a means to change behaviors and enhance the healing process. A Couple's Workshop provides an opportunity for all couples in the Family Program to tend to their relationship issues and to receive educational and therapeutic support for recovery.

A family therapist works with adult family members during the week, providing support and education specific to the patient's issues. In afternoon sessions, the family group includes the patient, the patient's process group members, and the unit therapist. A family therapist may provide individual counseling for family members, as deemed necessary, and will include other clinical staff if appropriate. If a family member evidences the need for inpatient treatment or requests admission to Sierra Tucson, the family therapist will refer to the Intake Department for assessment. Continuing care recommendations are given to family members to support their ongoing recovery.

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Family Youth Program

As part of Sierra Tucson's Family Program, the Family Youth Program is specifically designed to meet the needs of young family members, 11 - 17 years of age.

The Family Youth Program Coordinator facilitates age-appropriate experiential activities, games, and art to help these younger individuals understand and process emotionally the turmoil they have experienced. Educational components teach about the reasons a parent or other family member is in treatment and assist in the development of communication skills. Although much of their time is spent separately in the Youth Program group, some group sessions are shared with the patient and other family members, and the Family Youth Program Coordinator facilitates therapeutic work with the adolescents' parents/family.

Where to Stay During the Family Program

Sierra Tucson suggests the following Tucson locations for accommodations during the Family Program:

•Country Inn & Suites, 888-201-1746
•Best Western Catalina Inn, 520-818-9500
•Westward Look Resort, 800-722-2500
•Hilton El Conquistador Golf & Tennis Resort, 800-325-7832
•Miraval, Life in Balance®, 800-825-4000

FAQ: Inviting Family Members to the Family Program

Q. How important is the Family Program in my
     treatment?
A. The Family Program is one of the most important
     aspects of treatment at Sierra Tucson.

Q. How do I determine who to invite for the 4-day
     Family Program?
A. There really is only one question to ask yourself, and
     usually, you’ll know the answer instantly: “Who are
     the most important people alive in my life today?”

Q. What if I don’t have any issues with him or her?
A. For purposes of the invitation process, it is
     unimportant whether you do or do not identify
     specific issues with the family member in question.
     If you know that he or she is one of the most important
     people to you, that is sufficient reason to invite
     him/her.

Q. What if they’re too busy to come?
A. We recommend not letting this be your concern.
     We know that many invitees have work or school
     schedules, and coming to Sierra Tucson for 4-5 days
     may seem like an inconvenience. However, the gift
     of healing that they will most likely receive from
     participating in the Family Program—for themselves,
     for you, your relationship with them, and the new
     communication skills and awareness that they can
     bring home and to others—far outweighs the
     inconvenience factor, so the inconvenience becomes
     negligible. Also, this is a free, powerful, healing,
     and transformative experience for them. You needn’t
     apologize for inviting your important people, as you
     are offering them a gift that is highly supportive
     of shared recovery.

     If the family members are adults, they’re usually
     most capable of making their own decision to attend
     or not. Your inviting them is your decision.
     Their choice to attend is their decision.

Q. How are family members contacted about it?
A. The Family Therapist for your group contacts them
     by mail and telephone when they receive your signed
     invitation list. The Family Therapist shares
     information with them about the program as well as
     logistical matters. Family members are not coerced
     into coming. Rather, they’re informed about the
     process so that they can make their best decision.
     The patient does not need to be involved with the
     invitation process once their invitation list is
     completed, signed, and turned in.

Q. What is the Family Program like for family members?
A. The Family Program consists of a combination of
     activities including education, the family members'
     own support group, and the practicing of healthy
     communication skills with the patient in treatment.
     It is like a supportive ‘mini-treatment’ experience for
     each of them. It is a full 4-day commitment (Monday
     through Thursday), and visiting on Sunday,
     3:30 – 6:00 p.m., prior to the Family Program, is
     encouraged.

Q. What about inviting my children to the
     Family Program?
A. Your children are impacted by what’s going on with
     you. We have an excellent Family Youth Program
     available for ages 11 to 17, which supports young
     family members in releasing that impact so they’ll be
     less likely to carry their hurt or other issues forward
     into their adulthood. This may break the cycle
     of hurt and addiction.

Q. Can very close friends be Family Program
     participants?
A. Yes, indeed. Please check with your Unit Therapist
     regarding the number of participants that you wish
     to invite.

Q. When should I invite my Family Program
     participants?
A. Immediately. If you procrastinate or wait, it may be
     difficult for your participants to have ample time to
     make necessary arrangements to attend.

     Sometimes staff members have observed in patients
     who did not invite their important people, or those
     who waited too long to invite, that when they saw the
     benefits that occur for other patients and their family
     members, they would often rush to their therapist
     stating that they must have these persons here for
     their Family Program. At that point, it may be too
     late for the invitees to make arrangements to attend.
     We recommend inviting your people now. If they
     do not attend, at least you’ll have a sense of peace in
     knowing that you extended the invitation.