In practical terms, what are Windhorse programs?
Each client's program is individually designed, after talking in-depth with the client, his or her family (if involved) and other caregivers or treatment providers throughout the intake process. There are two general levels of care. The residential level is the most intensive. In a Windhorse residential program, the client lives in a therapeutic household together with a live-in housemate. Usually, the household is a rented, private 2-bedroom apartment near the center of Northampton. A team of 3 to 6 clinicians, including a team leader, a nurse and a psychotherapist provides the treatment, and works closely with the client to structure his or her day. Much of the clinical time is spent with the client in his or her household or in the community in what we refer to as basic attendance shifts. In a basic attendance shift the client is one-on-one with a team member engaged in various activities ranging from the ordinary tasks of daily living at home to being out in the community for social, recreational, vocational, or educational purposes. What happens on a shift varies tremendously with the needs and state of the client, although common to all is the practice of basic attendance. The clinician practicing basic attendance is closely attuned to the client and gently draws his or full attention to the activities and needs of the present moment. In addition to scheduled basic attendance shifts, a client may have several weekly meetings to attend including psychotherapy sessions, consultations with the wellness nurse, and a meeting with the full team each week. These meetings generally take place in the Windhorse offices located within walking distance of the town center. There are also a number of weekly group opportunities for excursions, education, health promotion and discussion to which current and former clients are invited. See the next section for more detail about community activities available to clients.

The size of the team and intensity of services can be greater or lesser depending on the client's needs, and can fluctuate. We can provide intensive 24-hour staffing for 24-48 hour periods of crisis.

A Windhorse non-residential program is similar to the residential program except that it does not include the therapeutic household and the live-in housemate. Instead, the client lives locally in their own living arrangement, often at home with family or friends, or independently. The Windhorse team can be large or small, intensive or less intensive, as the client needs, and can be used to maintain independent living and prevent hospitalization. One variation of the non-residential program is the Windhorse clinical mentor, which is a close relationship with a single clinician who works with the client in one or more basic attendance shifts per week. This can be particularly effective with adolescents. Individual psychotherapy and family consultations are also offered.

The client's family members and outside caregivers are included in the treatment program whenever possible. We offer them basic attendance training, education and support in the Windhorse family guidelines and the process of recovery, and include family members in team meetings when they are active as care givers.

Since Windhorse is not a structured group setting, how do clients schedule their time and avoid isolation?
Each client works with his or her team to develop a weekly schedule that is a healthy balance of social and individual, active and rest times. The Windhorse program can be designed so that the client is with a team member part of each day. For residential programs, the live-in housemate is present with the client at least 3-4 hours per day and overnight. In addition the client's schedule could include participation in one or more weekly group activities offered by Windhorse. Currently, these include a discussion group about making and keeping friends, a class in the practical skills of recovery, an excursions group, a yoga class, and a wellness group led by our nurses. We have an active peer support program that reaches out to seek the involvement of clients. There is also a monthly potluck supper for the entire Windhorse community that is a great time to meet others and socialize, relax over good food, and celebrate milestones such as birthdays. In addition, the Northampton/Amherst area is unusually rich in artistic, recreational, health, educational, and cultural opportunities that can supplement the Windhorse program. There are community music and art centers offering classes, an excellent YMCA, fitness centers, five highly regarded private and public college and university campuses and numerous community colleges; mainstream and alternative film theatres, large and small venues for music and dance, and a wide range of mainstream and alternative health practitioners. There is good local bus transportation. The community is socially active and tolerant of differences; there are volunteer and supported work opportunities. The team leader and client can choose among these rich offerings to include appropriate and interesting community activities in the weekly program, with team members accompanying the client or otherwise supporting his or her participation as needed.

For whom is Windhorse most appropriate?
We are appropriate for a person with a primary diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder. The person must be able to safely spend some time alone each day, as 24- hour staffing is not generally provided except during periods of temporary crisis. The person should also desire a non-group living situation and wish to be in the community. We have worked successfully with people with diagnoses of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, PTSD, and other serious disorders. We work with young adults and older adults, men and women. We work also with children and adolescents on a non-residential basis, and have expertise with Asperger's syndrome. We are able to work with a person who is dually-diagnosed as long as she or he is motivated toward recovery and free of active substance abuse. Our services have been used successfully to reduce repeated hospitalizations, to avoid further hospitalization or group treatment following the initial psychotic episode, as a transition to the community from a hospital or group residential setting, and to build independent living skills with a high degree of support.

What is the cost?
The cost of a moderately intensive residential program generally ranges from $200 to $550 per day, which includes rent, food, the cost of a live-in housemate, and all Windhorse clinical treatment services, including nursing, psychiatry and intensive psychotherapy. Adjunct services and medication are extra. The cost of a clinical team only, without the therapeutic household/housemate, generally ranges from $800 per month to $7,000 per month, depending on which services and how many hours per week are needed.

Does Windhorse take private health insurance? Public funding?
Most private health insurance plans will not cover the full cost of a Windhorse residential program. Limited services of clinicians can sometimes be billed. We have successfully negotiated short-term contracts with some HMO's and managed care companies, and are willing to work with each person's health insurance on a case-by-case basis. Windhorse has a small financial aid fund that may be available to offset a portion of the fee for clients. We do not at this time have public funding from state or federal sources and cannot bill public agencies directly for our services unless by special arrangement.

If we can answer your questions about Admissions call Eric at : 413-586-0207 x333

Learn more at:
Admission Process
What is Unique?
Origins (History).