How does a treatment begin?
Most treatments begin when someone, either the prospective client, a family member, or a friend, calls us for information. If the conversations show that we have common ground with how we understand and work with recovery, we will generally arrange for an assessment to take place. In that assessment we spend more time exploring with the client, family and relevant health care providers, what are the issues that comprise the strengths and difficulties facing the prospective client. We pay particular attention to this person’s history of sanity and health, as the energy of recovery flows so much out of a person’s passion to return to an engaged and meaningful life. The assessment also provides valuable relationship experience between the prospective client, family, and us. Do they see us as clinicians who appear to be confident and knowledgeable about the needs at hand and how recovery in these people’s lives might proceed? If at the end of the assessment we all agree that there is a sense of being able to compatibly work together, we proceed with setting up an individually tailored team for the client and family.
Do you work with clients on medications?
It is very common for our clients to use psychiatric medications. And as is often the case when a client is in one of our treatments, he or she is usually able to be on a reduced amount of medication. We also find that one’s medication needs frequently change over time. Because of this, we like to have our psychiatrists well integrated into our teams in order for them to have a more subtle knowledge of who the client is, what their needs are, and the nuances of his or her emerging recovery.
Do you help people move to Boulder and find a place to live?
Yes. About a third of our clients are from out of state and we are very used to helping people think through and organize their move to Boulder. Once here, helping the client find a place he or she would like to live can be an excellent team and relationship building activity. Our staff has good knowledge of what parts of town are most conducive to setting up a healthy home environment, and if desired we can assist with everything from the initial finding of a place to purchasing furniture, outfitting the place with cooking utensils, food, and housecleaning items.
How much does this cost?
Given the range of the types of treatments we conduct, there is a wide variation in size, and related to the size is cost. At the extremely structured end of our care continuum, expenses can approach those of inpatient services. At the lightly structured end, expenses resemble outpatient psychotherapy. It is common that costs may be high at the beginning of treatment, due to the need for more contact and support at that transition. And, as recovery progresses, our teams adjust the level of contact so that costs can fluidly reduce.
Does insurance typically cover Windhorse treatment?
Most insurance companies reimburse for some of our services. This is generally in accordance with what they see as customary and appropriate care, relative to a particular mental health diagnosis and history. It is most common that insurance companies reimburse for the psychotherapy portion of our work but often deny claims for basic attendance. It is also our policy to bill for services in a form that is compatible with insurance standards. Regarding reimbursement, we require that our services be paid for on a monthly basis by the client or family, and that they are the recipients of the reimbursement from the insurance company, whenever that occurs.
How long do treatments last?
Given that each person’s needs are unique, the length of time for our treatment varies greatly. In general, it is unusual for someone to be with us for less than six months, and it is most common that someone is here for one to two years. We also have treatments that have lasted much longer when the person’s needs require it.
How does a treatment end?
Once again, each person’s circumstances are unique, but in general the path of recovery with us follows this pattern: a client begins with a more structured team, often having daily contact. Over time and as the client feels more settled and has more clarity of mind, he or she naturally becomes involved in the normal activities of life, such as school, work, and social contact. In that way, ordinary life activity gradually takes the place of our contact and the structure of the team is naturally reduced. Eventually the client’s mind has stabilized and he or she has re-engaged life with some sense of “where to from here. “ Lessons from our work have been internalized and the client no longer needs our services. At that point we do our best to help them identify what support needs will continue to be useful, and we do our best to help them “graduate” with confidence.
How do we get started?
If you would like to further explore whether Windhorse therapy is a good fit for your interests, please call our director of admissions, Anne Marie DiGiacamo, at 303-786-9314, x109 or email her at amdigiacomo@windhorsecommunityservices.com.
Thank You
