Girl smiling while playing in the snow

Long Term Residential Mental Health Programs for Adolescent Girls

Individualized treatment in a home-like atmosphere for girls struggling with relational, emotional and mental health challenges.

Since 1977 Wellspring has focused on long-term recovery from mental illness.

The girls who come to our residential programs are generally creative individuals with a complicated diagnostic picture who have some motivation to change.

They typically suffer with issues that stem from, but are not limited to, mood disorders, personality disorders, eating disorders, attachment difficulties, anxiety disorders, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and substance abuse in partial remission.

They often come to Wellspring from home, school districts, short-term residential programs, wilderness programs, hospital stays, or long-term outpatient/ partial hospital programs.

Our average length of stay is 12-18 months.

A girl jumping over a creek

Wellspring’s relationally based treatment approach, combined with a high structure and high nurture home-like atmosphere, provides daily living experiences and relationships with staff, peers and parents.

This process promotes an emotionally and physically safe environment to address problematic styles of relating to one’s self, parents, siblings, peers and persons in authority.

These problems are typically reenacted at Wellspring, both in the therapeutic milieu and at school, but the girls have the opportunity to address negative belief systems, unhealthy ways of relating to others, and maladaptive coping skills with the support of experienced, professional, and caring treatment providers.

The Wellspring “family” experience becomes an essential part of family therapy as parents and professionals work together in the learning and treatment process. Family involvement in the treatment process is critical.

Parents and Guardians are invited in as partners in the healing process and work with the support and guidance of the Treatment Team.

While family therapy (including individual family sessions, multi-family group and parent support group) is a cornerstone of treatment; individual therapy, group therapies, creative therapies and milieu therapies are key ingredients in the process.

The Adolescent Girls program includes:

  • Academics provided by Arch Bridge School at Wellspring
  • Individual and Group Therapies
  • Family Therapy, Support, and Training (including a Multi-Family Group and Family Support Group)
  • Psychiatric Services
  • 24-hour Nursing coverage and Milieu programming
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Individualized Treatment and Discharge Planning
  • Art Therapy
  • Expressive Therapy
  • Yoga & Mindfulness
  • Adventure Based Therapies & Recreation
  • Land and Animal Programming in a farm setting
  • College preparatory academics with support

Wellspring helped me let go of built up anger I had in myself, something I have struggled with most of my life. To finally have those negative parts of me released is like having a big weight lifted off of my shoulders.

— Former Wellspring Resident
The Arch Bridge School at Wellspring

Healing in a Private School Setting

Our clinical program integrates treatment in a private school environment by dovetailing therapy with college preparatory academics.

Wellspring’s on-campus Arch Bridge School has received multiple commendations from the State Department of Education including praise as a comfortable, safe environment with a positive teacher-student rapport, college preparatory academics and an atmosphere of mutual respect.

The resident student’s performance within the school, both academically and behaviorally, is an important measure of readiness to return home. As part of our transition and discharge process, recommendations are made to support appropriate placement to assure continued success educationally whether home district or college.

Students generally return to their home school districts, private schools or move onto college placement after Wellspring.

Chapel Barn with summer vegetables growing in our garden.

Residential Mental Health Treatment With a Family-Style Atmosphere

Wellspring’s main campus for 12-18 year olds is set on fifteen acres and has two cozy residential homes tucked in among established perennial gardens, pastures and a barn that is home to our animal program with goats, sheep, chickens and bunnies.

Residents walk to their classes at Arch Bridge School and the Dodd’s Center for Arts and Athletics. As part of their treatment plan, residents have many opportunities to engage in nature through our land -based therapies, which include animal program, adventure program, work and gardening program. Throughout the campus, there is a deeply rooted culture of safety and trust.

Contact Admissions

Beauvais Program

An eighteenth century restored farm house with nineteen beds for our residential program for girls 12-18.

Beauvais’s program has several community sitting areas, two working fireplaces, a large kitchen and outdoor deck that overlooks our fields where our campus animals graze.

Shiloah Program

A cozy living space with eight beds for our residential program for girls 12-16.

Shiloah’s program has a living room with a working fireplace, a spacious kitchen to share meals or do homework, and backyard with a covered deck, swings and vegetable garden.

All treatment modalities are included in the daily rate. Staff includes a team of Psychotherapists, a Board Certified Psychiatrist, Registered and Practical Nurses, Creative Therapists, Nutritionist, Teachers, Social Workers and Milieu Counselors.