Philosophy Of Treatment

Understanding that people with mental illness may become involved with illicit drugs and alcohol out of a sense of loneliness, isolation, boredom, and stigmatization, the Friends Connection seeks to counteract these negative factors by providing friendship, counseling, social support, and meaningful leisure time activities. We believe that recovery will begin once a person experiences hopefulness and supportive connections (i.e., new people, places and things) that are clean and sober.

The Friends Connection believes that peer counseling provided by others who have recovered from similar problems with substance abuse and mental health can play a major role in facilitating the recovery process for others who are in need of treatment and support.

We understand from personal experience the pervasive effects of a disabling condition that often leads to social isolation, withdrawal from the community, and ongoing substance abuse. We believe that peer counselors, as role models, can bring practical experience to assist others to increase motivation and options to support recovery.

The Friends Connection believes that for rehabilitation to occur, it is essential for each person to develop a vision for successful recovery and independent living according to his or her preferences. Our program is designed to help the person to achieve his or her vision for success by building a social support network to achieve and sustain recovery within natural community settings.

Through the process of engaging participants in community based social, education, and leisure activities of their choice, participants are empowered to design their own recovery and social rehabilitation plans.

Clinical Supervision

The Clinical Manager of the Friends Connection supervises adherence to all Commonwealth of Pennsylvania guidelines and standards, County Office of Mental Health guidelines, Community Behavioral Health guidelines and standards, and agency/program policies and procedures. All referral, assessment, personal goal planning, service delivery documentation, and discharge planning is facilitated by program supervisors under the direct supervision of the Clinical Manager.