Sage Health Centre Program Description

Sage Health Centre is a not-for-profit, private agency that offers three - 28 day phases of abstinence-based residential treatment programming. Our treatment approach focuses on stabilization in early recovery by integrating 12 step program concepts, and psycho-educational strategies and skills sets for relapse prevention and aftercare.  All therapeutic groups, individual counselling sessions, and psycho-educational components are presented from a strengths perspective that motivate clients to define and utilize their existing skills and assets which promotes self efficacy in their recovery process.

Group Participation:

While in treatment, clients are integrated into co-ed and gender specific groups that develop an understanding of:

• Post-Acute Withdrawal symptoms
• Relapse prevention and individual risk identification
• After care planning and re-integration into home community 
• Identifying recovery related resources in home community
• Introduction to 12-Step community
• Completion of Steps 1, 2 & 3 of either A.A. or N.A. (phase 1)
• Completion of Steps 4 through 7 (phase 2)
• Completion of Steps 8 through 12 (phase 3)
• A positive process of change while identifying roadblocks and resistance – typical and personal
• Group dynamics, appropriate risk taking in group and appropriate sharing in group setting
• Communication styles and skill development
• Anger management and conflict resolution techniques
• Boundaries and personal limits 
• Co-dependency and relationships
• Introduction to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• Introduction to Motivational Interviewing and Motivational Enhancement
• Introduction to Emotional Intelligence
• Introduction to pro-active, integrative bio-psycho-social-spiritual recovery that incorporates the wellness wheel and strategies such as nutritional awareness, appropriate exercise, stress management and relaxation techniques, mindfulness based relapse prevention and yoga

Individual Counselling Sessions:

Clients partake in a minimum of three scheduled counselling sessions.  During the individual sessions, the client’s experience is individualized in order to process core issues and current concerns.  Additional sessions are at the discretion of the client and counsellor.  The goals of these sessions include:

• Individualized client care in initial assessment
• Embracing resistance and motivational enhancement
• Solution focused, self-empowerment strategies
• Goal setting and developing a comprehensive after care plan
• Referral to appropriate professionals or agencies for continued outpatient programming
• Recommendations for continued recovery and aftercare planning

Resident Psychiatrist:  Clients presenting with complex co-occurring issues are referred to our resident psychiatrists for assessment and individual session work.  Clients requiring complex session work with our resident psychiatrists may be required to commit to phase two and possibly phase three of treatment which is at the discretion of the client, psychiatrist and clinical director. 

Community Support Development:

Clients develop a foundation to assist in maintaining their recovery through cultivating on-going support in the 12 step program.  They are introduced to the 12 step program by attending in-house and off-site community based 12 step meetings as well as on-line 12 step meetings, and are encouraged to acquire a temporary sponsor while in treatment.  Clients are supported in developing their local support systems by researching and scheduling 12 step meetings, and connecting with the community resources, and aftercare counselling services that are available in their communities.  

Self Care:

Clients are required to see our resident physician while participating in the program and receive a membership pass to the YMCA.  They are encouraged to be become pro-active about their health and recovery by engaging in physical activities, eating a balanced nutritional diet, and practicing stress management and relaxation techniques such as meditation and yoga.  Clients are introduced to daily intensions and reflections, and mindful based relapse prevention techniques that reinforce the principles of the 12 step program in living a present focused recovery “one day at a time”.

Client Responsibilities:

Informed Consent: Clients are informed of agency policies and guidelines prior to admission and consent to abide the policies and guidelines while in treatment. 

Communal Living:  Clients engage in communal living while in treatment and are responsible for the care and upkeep of their personal space and assigned chores that support upkeep of the facility.  As taking personal responsibility is paramount in recovery, we encourage clients to take pride and care in  themselves and their environment.