Mental Health Awareness Month
Wedgwood offers residential treatment for youth who are currently coping with the effects of:
We have one residential program that serves young boys ages 8-12 years old. All other programs, for boys and girls, start around the age of 12 through the age of 17. Some exceptions can be considered.
Youth are typically referred through a referring agency. If it is determined that a youth may be eligible, referral material can be sent or faxed to the Admissions Department. Our admissions staff is very knowledgeable about payment sources for our various programs and is happy to answer all questions. Please contact our Admissions Department at (616) 942-2110 or residential@wedgwood.org for more information.
Wedgwood accepts payment from a variety of sources. Among these are the Department of Health and Human Services, Juvenile Courts, Community Mental Health, and Michigan Adoption Subsidy. In general, insurance does not pay for residential treatment at Wedgwood.
Residents receive 24-hour care and supervision from highly-trained direct care staff. A carefully-designed program of milieu therapy promotes development of positive social interaction and trusting relationships with adult authority figures. Also included are family therapy, individual therapy, group therapy, psychiatric consultation services, educational services, employment training, activity therapy, medical services, and optional Chaplaincy services.
Residents in Wedgwood’s secure programs will attend school on campus. Education services are provided by Lighthouse Academy in either the secure building where the youth is living or in the Lighthouse Academy school building located on Wedgwood’s campus. Some youth are able to attend community school when they are further along in treatment. Youth with developmental disabilities will attend specialized community schools. If a youth is to have a short-term stay (approximately 30 days or less), parents will be requested to get schoolwork from their child’s school. Academic assistance will be available for youth who cannot attend school.
Have additional questions? Call (616) 942-2110 or email residential@wedgwood.org
Counseling is often recommended when you are noticing changes that negatively impact how you function on a daily basis. Life may feel more difficult and less enjoyable, with more distance or conflict in important relationships. You may be experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression, or repeatedly making decisions that you know are not the best for you. Many people can benefit from counseling when they are experiencing major life stressors or changes, such as a traumatic event, a divorce, a health crisis, the death of a loved one, or the loss of an important relationship. For children who could benefit from therapy, parents may notice behavioral changes such as more irritability, avoidance, defiance, or withdrawal from activities.
You will meet with a licensed therapist who will take time to listen to you and get to know you. The first 2-4 sessions will be an assessment period. The therapist will gather a lot of information to help understand you better. At the end of the assessment period, the therapist will provide feedback and recommendations, which often includes a plan for ongoing outpatient therapy. Our goal is always to help you get connected with the therapist and treatment that is the best fit for your current needs.
Our therapists are compassionate, skilled, and dedicated to your care. They seek to connect with you as a unique person and understand your specific concerns. We have therapists with specialized training and experience to meet a variety of needs. We emphasize the use of evidence-based therapeutic models and interventions, including Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. For children, our therapists are very creative in using more interactive and play-based methods.
Have additional questions? Call (616) 942-7294 or email counseling@wedgwood.org
Autism spectrum disorder is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that involves deficits in social communication and social interaction, as well as restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities.
Symptoms vary across individuals, and also may be different based on the developmental level of the individual. Common symptoms include the following:
Interventions based on the principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA) are used in treating autism spectrum disorders. Research shows that these methods are effective in increasing communication, learning, and social behavior, and in reducing interfering behavior. ABA treatment is supervised and managed by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA or BCBA-D™) with formal training and expertise in applied behavior analysis for the treatment of autism spectrum disorders.
Specially trained technicians work one-on-one with each child every day. These caring therapists receive ongoing training and supervision and consult with the behavior analyst multiple times daily. All services are designed and conducted by Board Certified Behavior Analysts® (BCBAs) under the supervision of Dr. Candice M. Lake, PhD, BCBA-D, LBA, LLP. Dr. Lake earned her PhD in applied behavior analysis at Western Michigan University and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst® at the doctoral level (BCBA-D™). She has been working with individuals with autism spectrum disorders for more than 20 years.
Insurance coverage is available for these services!
Have additional questions? Call (616) 965-3492 or email hello@wedgwood.org
Gifts to Wedgwood support the Children’s Hope Annual Fund, which funds the 100% donor-funded, life-changing Transforming Services which include Chaplaincy & Young Life Programs, Recreation & Wellness Services, Employment Training Program, Prevention Services, and Manasseh Project Outreach.
If you are passionate about Wedgwood’s mission and wish there was more that you could do to support our work, consider leaving Wedgwood in your will. We will work closely with your financial advisor so that you are able to leave a legacy that impacts hurting youth and families for generations to come.
Planned gifts go to the Wedgwood Foundation which receives, and manages gifts and bequests of cash, securities, property, and life insurance policies. By making a planned gift to the Wedgwood Foundation, donors will help high-risk children well beyond their lifetime. Click here for more information.
Proceeds from Wedgwood’s State of the Child Panel Conversation, Charity Golf Classic, Anniversary Celebration, and other events go directly to the Children’s Hope Annual Fund, which supports Wedgwood’s 100% donor-funded Transforming Services.