(406) 655-2100 (800) 726-6755

Specialized therapy groups are conducted twice a week and focus on different treatment issues which many children are dealing with while in placement. Some of the groups offered focus on self harming issues, anger management, impulse control, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), chemical dependency education, mood management, and basic social skills. Groups are not limited to these topics and may be changed periodically to meet the needs of the youth.

Recreational Therapy primary goals are to enhance each youth’s ability to cooperate with others, improve social skills, problem solve, reduce stress, manage anger and learn new coping skills. The activities offered also assist in developing self- confidence and feelings of success. By developing self-confidence we hope to improve their life style choices and offer alternatives to self-destructive behaviors while in treatment and while preparing for discharge back to their communities.

Basic programming consists of weekly RT groups, intramurals, individual sessions and the opportunity to participate in seasonal team sports. The outdoor program consists of camping, backpacking, canoeing, biking and hiking during the summer months. Winter activities include snow shoeing, cross- country and downhill skiing.

Our main goals are to promote outcomes such as healthy life style choices and to enhance their quality of life, as well as those mentioned above, by building the self -confidence needed to be valuable members of their families, schools and communities upon discharging from YBGR.

The Experiential/Ropes Course provides youth and their families with an atmosphere conducive to restoring relationships and enhancing personal growth. The program facilitates therapeutic conditions for the participants to address emotions and trust not easily accessed through the traditional therapeutic environment. Emotional and physical safety is the number one priority in each activity. YBGR’s experiential facilities, both indoor and outdoor–low and high elements, are monitored constantly and regularly inspected.

Each child that comes into YBGR is screened to determine if chemical dependency programming is appropriate.

Prevention Groups are offered to youth with no personal history of substance use to provide education on substances of abuse and to assist them in dealing with the trauma of coming from a family where alcohol and drugs may have been abused.

Children with a personal history of substance abuse will receive a full chemical dependency evaluation to determine the appropriate level and intensity at which treatment services need to be administered while in our care.

Chemical dependency groups focused on early intervention are offered to the youth determined appropriate for that level of treatment. This group focuses on harmful side effects, consequences, peer pressure, building self esteem, positive choices, harm reduction therapy, 12-step therapy, and other modalities in order to provide education to the youth about drugs and alcohol.

Youth that reflect a substance abuse diagnosis are placed in chemical dependency counseling which can consist of individual and/or group counseling. Depending on the individual need of the youth, these sessions can consist of alcohol awareness and support groups, 12-step therapy, harm reduction therapy, appropriate on and off campus meetings in the community and wrap around services.

Aftercare/wrap around services focus on how to best service the youth following discharge from the highly structured program of YBGR back into their home community. The program identifies support services within the community which may include finding the discharged youth an appropriate support group and sponsor to reinforce their sobriety within the community once discharged. Each youth will develop a relapse prevention plan which focuses on triggers and coping strategies that both the youth and family can use.

Animal Assisted Therapies include our dogs and equine programs. This is one more non-traditional aspect of therapy offered at YBGR. The recreation department along with the youth’s primary therapists utilize our dogs and horses to build trust and communication skills with the young people we serve. The animals tend to “normalize” residential care, which will facilitate one more therapeutic avenue to help our youth learn and grow.

Equine

The Equine program offers horsemanship classes through Yellowstone Academy. A few goals of this class are to develop self -confidence, riding skills, educate clients on the behaviors of horses and to offer a safe learning environment regarding the care and upkeep of a horse.

The equine psychotherapy aspect is available to all primary therapists to work with YBGR’s own EAGALA certified facilitator. During these sessions the clients work on flexible thinking, trusting adults, listening skills, along with developing the communication and social skills that are so important in building relationships.

These youth are also involved in community outreach by volunteering with an organization that provides horseback riding for people with disabilities called Eagle Mount. This integration of community with YBGR youth is very much in keeping with YBGR’s mission of outreach to the larger community.

Recreational riding is offered to every client at YBGR. They have the opportunity to ride horses in a safe therapeutic environment, while learning handling methods and riding techniques in a controlled setting. These individuals also learn about the care of horses and the benefits they provide.

Canine

The Therapy Dog (s) is utilized by several departments on campus, but primarily by the recreation program. Primary therapists are also a huge fan of the dogs as they have regular appointments with their clients to assist the youth in talking about issues that may be painful and difficult to discuss. The dog (s) are meant to “normalize” the treatment setting, as they are a welcoming sight to all the youth and families that visit our facility. The dogs also participate in our off campus activities as well. The kids love to take them hiking and camping, but the dogs primary goal is to provide unconditional love to all.