Households

A therapeutic household is a private residence (usually a two-bedroom apartment or small house) that the client shares with a live-in staff housemate. Windhorse works with the client and his or her family to locate a suitable apartment or house to rent. They are located in attractive residential neighborhoods within walking distance of the center of town and the Windhorse offices. The households are unfurnished. With the help of the housemate, the Windhorse team, and often his or her family, the client sets up the household from the start in a way that is comfortable and home-like for him or her. Furnishings can be brought from home, acquired here new or used, or borrowed from Windhorse (we maintain a small inventory of basic furniture/equipment). Creating a new household is often a positive and empowering beginning.

The staff housemate is a person chosen for his or her compatibility with the client. The client and housemate have the opportunity to interview each other before the housemate is chosen. We look for housemates who share interests with the client, who are committed to health and recovery, who have a record of being responsible and dependable, and who have related experience, education, or training. The housemate's job is to help create a healthy home environment and be a responsible, conscientious, and compassionate companion. As lay people, they are not considered therapists.

A multi-disciplinary clinical team works closely with each therapeutic household, and includes a wellness nurse, a psychiatrist, a team leader, a psychotherapist, and counselors. The client and housemate are full and equal members of their team. The team functions as a highly skilled "extended family" that is built on genuine relationships. Close attention is paid to the functioning of the team as a whole. Honest communication, trust, respect for each person and respect for the wisdom of the team are basic team values. In close communication with the client and family, the team works out a weekly schedule. Schedules typically include frequent one-on-one shifts in the household or the community, psychotherapy sessions, meetings with the nurse and psychiatrist, therapeutic or educational group sessions, and recreational or social opportunities. There is also a once per week team meeting. The team leader and psychotherapist attend to the therapeutic direction of the team's work. 

Home-based | Community | Natural Teams | Consultations