New Horizons

The New Horizons program at Parkridge Valley addresses the needs of adults confronted with various types of problems and is designed to go beyond traditional forms of treatment to address spiritual as well as emotional and physical needs. It provides a comprehensive array of psychiatric services and has as its base a strong Christian life view that facilitates healing and well-being.

New Horizons is a 12-bed inpatient facility within a specially designed, self-contained unit of Parkridge Valley.

Daily Routine

While at New Horizons, patients will engage in a variety of sessions in order to aid in developing coping skills. Group interaction is a central component of treatment, which allows patients to share experiences and provide support for one another. Some skills taught, but not limited to, include:

• Stress Management
• Assertiveness Training
• Communication Skills
• Family Dynamics
• Time Management
• Leisure Awareness
• Goal Setting
• Self-Esteem
• Group Therapy
• Spiritual Enrichment

Treatment Team

Patients benefit from a multidisciplinary team of mental health professionals, which includes psychiatrists, psychologists, registered nurses, social workers, recreational therapists, occupational therapists and counselors who work under the direction of a medical director. Team members are sensitive to the complexities of psychiatric and emotional disorders, as well as the multidimensional makeup of those individuals that require attention. New Horizon’s staff is committed to the Christian philosophy of the unit.

Family Involvement

The effects of psychiatric disorders are not limited to the patients and usually extend into the relationships with family and friends. Each week, family members are invited to a session in which they will meet other patient’s family members and be given an overview of the treatment program and what goes on throughout the patient’s stay.

As appropriate, family therapy will be incorporated in the patient’s treatment plan and will unite the patient and family members in structured sessions that facilitate understanding, healthy communication and problem solving.

Like anyone else, Christians suffer from emotional illnesses just as they do from heart disease, cancer and diabetes. Christians have an advantage to coping with physical and emotional disorders by drawing on their faith and relationship to God, and they have greater resources to help with healing.

But when additional help is required, sometimes there is a greater stigma for Christians, which makes it more difficult for them to seek professional help for an emotional disorder. When help is needed, contact RESPOND and inquire about the New Horizons program when speaking with a counselor.

For additional information or questions concerning the New Horizons Program, call RESPOND at (423) 499-2300 or 1-800-542-9600.