Every aspect of the student's experience at Summit Semester centers around his/her individual treatment needs. A licensed master's level psychotherapist guides and coordinates the treatment services offered by different aspects of the program to ensure that they meet those needs.

Summit Semester utilizes Multi-Systemic Therapy as well as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Reality Therapy, and other evidence-based practices.

Above all, an ally-based milieu helps students develop meaningful relationships with Summit's faculty and staff members which promotes progress towards treatment goals.

Treatment Planning

During the first weeks the therapist collaborates with the parents and the student to design a comprehensive individualized treatment plan that documents the problem areas to be addressed, the goals targeted for achievement, the incremental objectives the student is expected to complete, and the method for evaluating the student's progress. Each week the treatment team consisting of therapist, direct care staff and academic advisor meets to review the plan and make adjustments as required ensuring the student's progress toward treatment goals and successful completion of the program.

Summit Achievement works closely with educational consultants, referring professionals and schools regarding the type of environment and clinical support the student may require upon discharge. Parents are encouraged to work with an educational consultant who can help them identify specific schools or programs to meet the student's needs.

Group Counseling

Group sessions are facilitated by direct care staff (guides) every day of the week, usually in the evening. Guided group discussion is used to settle problems, to give individuals feedback, and to evaluate performances. When a student has a problem, it is dealt within the immediate context and with the help of the group. All the group members are affected and therefore have a stake in the resolution of the problem. It is through the repeated use of this group process that adolescents develop the greatest insight into their own behavior.

In addition to the daily group processing sessions, there is one group therapy session per week facilitated by the primary therapist. This therapy session focuses on a variety of topics each week. It may focus on the dynamics of the group or a specific issue that several members of the group are struggling with, such as anger management, conflict resolution, negotiation skills, substance abuse, dealing with loss or grief, etc.

Individual Therapy

Prior to arrival at Summit Semester, the therapist from the sending program will have communicated with the assigned Semester therapist to discuss the student's treatment. Students meet at least weekly with their therapist for a one-hour individual therapy session. These sessions may focus on individual treatment issues, assistance with improving communication with family members, difficulties in interactions with peer team members, problem behaviors within the program, or other topics. As the teen progresses through Semester, these sessions are used to explore potential discharge and educational directions.

Family Therapy

Family therapy is a critical part of the process of the Summit Semester program. Weekly family telephone calls are facilitated by the therapist. Families may send email, letters and correspondence. Family visits and home visits are arranged through the therapist, as appropriate. Following visits, the therapist meets with the family for a family therapy session upon return of the student to campus to evaluate treatment progress.

Positive Peer Culture

Summit Semester's year-round rolling admissions policy ensures that Semester students are at different phases of the program, with some students in their first weeks, others in the middle of the continuum, and others preparing to graduate from the program. This mixture of students at different progress levels empowers students to pass along skills, program expectations and knowledge in a perpetuating cycle of peer teaching and peer support. As indicated above, there are also daily guided group discussions that afford students an opportunity to offer observations and constructive feedback to their peers. These sessions are important because students will often hear feedback from peers that they have difficulty accepting from adults.

Substance Abuse Counseling

Some students have been involved in drug and alcohol use to the point that their use became a problem, impacting school performance, relationships with family, and, at times, resulting in contact with legal authorities. For these students, Summit Semester offers strong recovery support including individual and group therapy, drug and alcohol education, and opportunities to attend AA meetings in our local community. Students explore the definition of addiction as a disease, triggers for drug and alcohol use, steps to recovery and other topics. Counseling is facilitated by a licensed alcohol and drug counselor.