Penikese Now Offers Experiential Intervention Program

A non-profit therapeutic intervention program is now located on the east coast, one that combines evidence-based treatment, assessment, academics and a unique experiential component. For a similar cost as a typical therapeutic wilderness program, Penikese is a great value.

Penikese, a short-term, island-based treatment program for teenage boys struggling with issues such as mood disorders, trauma, attachment and family conflict, as well as recent substance abuse, opened its doors this summer. Families and referral sources now have an alternative to wilderness programs, and one with easy access to northeast families.

While a wilderness intervention is appropriate for many teens, Penikese should be considered for boys who can engage in the community living, stewardship, boat-building, maritime activities and academic modules that only Penikese offers. Providing significantly more clinical services than many wilderness treatment programs - multiple individual therapy sessions per week, physical access to a clinician Monday through Friday, twice-daily mindfulness-based CBT and DBT group therapy, and an unparalleled experiential curriculum; Penikese can be that northeastern, short-term treatment program for which many referral sources have yearned. "Not only do we provide sophisticated clinical services, academic credit recovery, and a unique experiential component, Penikese is comparable in cost to a typical wilderness program. Plus, the experience of being on an island off the coast of Cape Cod, which brings with it a singular healing venue as well as geographical convenience, provides an opportunity for the family experience to be a primary focus of treatment," remarks Executive Director, Don Vardell.

"The professional team at Penikese thanks educational consultants for the referrals to date and for taking the time to visit the island. The feedback has been extremely helpful and positive", says Carl Lovejoy, Associate Executive Director of External Relations. Penikese offers tours for consultants and other referring professionals each week on Thursdays. We are also happy to schedule tours on other days to accommodate your travel schedule.

For more information on how Penikese can be the east coast alternative for your clients in need of an intervention program, please visit: http://www.penikese.org/why-penikese/.

Penikese is a non-profit, short term intervention and treatment program in southern Massachusetts for boys, ages 14 to 17, with substance abuse issues coupled with "internalizing" mental health challenges - anxiety, mood, attachment and trauma.