All school aged children (up to age 21 if enrolled in school)

We divide our groups by age and developmental level.  There may be times when we suggest that a client attend another program as the needs of the child would be best met with another client population and/or at another location.

NWJ group counseling involves small group sessions led by a trained Mental Health Professional.  The group process is designed to encourage professionally facilitated sharing, learning, and exchange of feedback and ideas among members.  

The sessions focus on the development of relationship and social skills, self-esteem, stress management techniques, and coping skills.

Our group counseling offers an excellent learning opportunity to children who struggle to manage their impulses and who feel alienated from their peers and families.

Northwest Journey provides or helps to arrange for transportation to and from the program.  We have a variety of options to meet this need including: NWJ provided, MA funded, Specialized Motor Vehicle (SMV), or other coordinated options.

The need for medications is determined by a psychiatrist.  As part of Northwest Journey we want to evaluate all services that may aid in the client’s treatment, scheduling an evaluation by a psychiatrist may be part of this.

Northwest Journey provides transitional services.  We recognize that transitions can be difficult for our clientele.  We examine the clinical needs of the client and develop a specific transition plan to address those specific needs.  We work with counties, school, families, etc. to develop the plan.

We work with the family to decide which recommendations are most appropriate for the client post-discharge.

Psychologist - provides consultation and clinical direction to the Northwest Journey team.

Registered Nurse - work with the clients one day per week to assist with medication monitoring, and talks with primary physicians and prescribing medical clinicians to coordinate care of the clients.

Clinical Mental Health Coordinator (Master’s Level Therapist) - meets with clients once a week to provide individual and/or family counseling, and provides clinical supervision to the staff and leads the treatment process.

Recreational Therapist or Music Therapist – develops recreational or music therapy programming and conducts group sessions that meet the individual client needs and overall needs of the program

Program Coordinator - works closely with all of the staff members to ensure that the program as a whole is providing quality services to our clients and families.

Case Manager - helps each client develop treatment goals pertinent to their issues and works collaboratively with the other Northwest Journey staff members to monitor the client’s progress on each goal.  The case manager is the primary contact for each client and regularly has contact with the client’s parents, foster parents, social worker, physician, school psychologist, teachers and other service providers who share in the goal of meeting the mental health needs of the clients.  Once a client has completed their stay at Northwest Journey the Case Manager provides transitional and aftercare services.

Group Facilitator - provides group psycho educational services to clients. Work to teach children healthy coping skills, anger management techniques, social skills, and overall life skills.

Educational Coordinator - coordinates educational services with the home school district.  Not all children receive educational services at Northwest Journey as they may only be part-time in the program and receive educational services within their home school district.  When a child receives educational services, the Educational Coordinator provides monthly progress reports and attends IEP or other meetings as appropriate.