At Monarch we provide an unparalleled opportunity to bring entire families together. Monarch’s niche is family involvement and we believe it is the key to healing in the families we work with. If your child has been placed in our program, we understand that your entire family is open to change and growth. Relationships have become distant and strained, siblings may be confused and scared and parents are likely struggling with complex feelings ranging from anger to guilt. This is an opportunity to bring your family back together. While adolescence is naturally a time of pushing away and establishing self, it can be done without the chaos and heartbreak that is so common. Our commitment is to bring families back to that place of authentic love, sharing and closeness that once existed, so that family life- at home- can resume. Family week is a reflection of this commitment.

We encourage as many key family members as possible to join us for each family week (therapists may recommend that the first family week is not attended by family members, depending on timing of placement). Parents (both step and biological) siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles are all appropriate for family week if they are an integral member of the family.

The Four Components of Family Week

Family Intensives  |  Multi-Family Intensives
Family Social Events  |  Parent Discussion Group

1. Family Intensives

   
   Prior to each family week, families will schedule with their therapist at least one and possibly multiple personal family intensives. These sessions are typically 3-5 hours in length and can include any combination of family members. Typically there are two experienced Gestalt therapists facilitating these intensives.
   
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2. Multi-Family Intensives

   
   Each family week consists of one or two multi family intensives (depending on the schedule that week). This provides a group therapy experience, which can deepen one’s understanding of themselves and their family through witnessing and sharing in this heartfelt time with others.
   
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3. Family Social Events

   
   Every family week, Monarch families are invited to attend a Monarch social event. This evening is intended to be a venue for relaxing with one another, spending structured quality time with your child, the Monarch staff and the other families. The family social events are varied and have included the following:
   
   
   • Game Night
   • Drum Making
   • Dance
   • Mask Making
   • Performances
   In addition to the family social event, families are invited to join their child in the Community Service project of the week.
   
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4. Parent Discussion Group

   
   Also during family week, parents are encouraged to attend our Parent Discussion Group(s). This group is led by the Monarch Clinical Staff and is intended to provide a space where questions and concerns can be addressed, parents can learn from - and support - one another and parenting education issues are discussed. This is the only group event scheduled during family week that does not include the students.
   
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A Typical Family Week Schedule

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