Research shows that persons with mental illness experience much higher rates of morbidity and mortality than the general population. Our clients receive primary medical care as an integral part of their holistic treatment for mental illness. This innovation by Skyland Trail reflects the direct linkage of mental, emotional and physical health. From an initial physical exam until treatment ends, our primary care clinic serves as the client’s principal source of medical care, monitoring and referral if needed.
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Programs and Services
Skyland Trail provides client-centered services for individuals with mental illness, grounded in personal commitment to recovery and engagement in the process. The client’s customized recovery plan includes a full continuum of treatment: primary medical care, psychiatric services, counseling and adjunctive therapies. Our comprehensive approach integrates mental, physical and spiritual dimensions of health.
Four goals provide a framework for each client's recovery plan: improved overall functioning; maximum quality of life; improved socialization; community reintegration with purposeful activities.
Please see our admissions page for more information on admitting a patient or loved one to Skyland Trail.
- Residential Treatment
Skyland Trail’s residential communities, licensed by the State of Georgia, provide a continuum of evidence-based therapeutic services reflecting the client’s symptomatology and level of functioning. Each residential campus has 24-hour on-site supervision. In addition to therapeutic services and care delivered at the residence, clients participate in day treatment at the Skyland Trail main campus. This seamless continuity of care from our residential facilities to our day services goes back to the heart of the Skyland Trail mission: we strive to reintegrate our clients back into the community with the skills to not only manage their mental illnesses, but to lead independent and productive lives.
- Skyland Trail South Residence
Skyland Trail’s most intensive level of care is provided here, with individualized and group services that address social, daily living and life skills training, medication education, and community reintegration. Nursing, psychiatric and psychological services are available 'round-the-clock. - Skyland Trail North Residence
Clients residing here have more independence as they work on recovery goals. The transition from South to North occurs as a client demonstrates independent living skills, medication and treatment adherence, and the hope for maximized functionality. Staff provides supervision and interventions to help clients maintain semi-independence and progress toward community reintegration.
- Transitional Housing
Clients who attain functional autonomy live in a transitional setting and continue to receive support services from Skyland Trail professionals. Clinical staff monitors activities of daily living and treatment adherence. This phase of recovery prepares the client for independent living and purposeful activities in the community.
- Skyland Trail South Residence
- Day Treatment
Day Services at our state-of-the-art Health and Education Center are at the heart of every client's individualized recovery plan. All of our clients, including residential and intensive outpatient clients, participate in our day services. Major components include group and individual counseling, along with psychiatric services and active therapies to engage clients in their recovery processes. The client’s own committed engagement is the primary factor in attaining higher functioning, quality of life, socialization and community involvement. Primary medical care is delivered in the context of Day Treatment.The Health and Education Center provides a warm and stimulating environment for day treatment where clients can engage in a full range of rehabilitation and treatment activities, life-skills development, therapeutic recreation and education. It is staffed by experienced, compassionate mental health professionals including psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors, social workers, and mental health professionals from other disciplines.
Surrounded by therapeutic gardens, the 30,000 square-foot complex is an impressive blend of treatment, social, and administrative areas. The facility, which opened in late 1999, was designed to create an inviting and comfortable atmosphere that protects confidentiality, while welcoming social interaction.
The Center includes:
• A variety of group therapy rooms, treatment team offices and conference rooms
• The primary care clinic
• A multi-purpose dining room, where a hot lunch is served each weekday.
The Center's adjoining Activity Center houses a therapeutic recreation area including a fitness room containing both strength and cardiovascular equipment, a woodworking shop, and a full-size basketball/volleyball court. This building also houses the vocational services classroom, the expressive arts classroom, and a life skills classroom with a full kitchen for learning cooking and other activities of daily living.
Because the facility brings together all clinical, administrative, and support staff, the Health and Education Center facilitates the collaborative efforts that help clients travel the most effective route to an independent life.
- Dual Diagnosis Services
Skyland Trail offers treatment for clients who have a primary diagnosis of mental illness with related substance abuse disorders. Dual Diagnosis Services provide a structured program, individualized for the client, to promote a drug-free and sober lifestyle. Group and individual psychotherapy help the client gain insight into the relationship between his or her substance abuse and mental illness. Skyland Trail also supports the client in becoming involved with local recovery communities most appropriate for sustaining sobriety.
- Bridges to Opportunity: Employment & Education Services
A paramount life goal for nearly all clients is to make meaningful contributions in the community. Skyland Trail’s Bridges to Opportunities Program supports these important aspirations. Clients are encouraged in self-leadership and innovation, with productivity as a core value. This unique aspect of Skyland Trail's programs ensures that clients take a proactive role in their own individualized recovery plan and equip themselves with 'real-world' skills for the future.
Services include academic development, educational support, volunteerism, internships, apprenticeships, micro-enterprise development and employment. Practical, group-based, hands-on support structures reinforce the idea of purposeful activity as a tool for recovery, with clients fulfilling productive roles not defined by their illness. These services are delivered in the context of Skyland Trail’s larger strategy of community involvement and reintegration.
- Adjunctive Therapies
Skyland Trail is an innovator in active therapies that engage our clients in their recovery process. Horticulture, Art, Music, Drama and Recreation provide purposeful activities and socialization opportunities suited to a wide array of client interests and abilities, promoting heightened self-esteem, socialization, community reintegration and a higher overall quality of life.
- Horticulture
Gardens are part of each Skyland Trail campus. Working in our gardens and greenhouse enhances the whole person-physical, psychological and emotional. Clients learn horticulture skills under the guidance of expert staff and volunteer gardeners, gaining self-esteem, confidence and social skills.Activities in Skyland Trail's horticulture program include:
Greenhouse/indoor plant care
Flower arranging/horticultural crafts
Vegetable harvest and preparation
Vegetable, herb and flower gardening.
Click here to take a virtual tour of Skyland Trail's gardens
- Art
Many of our clients have artistic interests and talents. Art projects guided by expert staff encourage creative expression, persistence and patience to see a work through to completion. Client art is featured at Arts in the Garden, an annual spring event at Skyland Trail. Appreciation of the client’s work by self and others is a powerful force in building self-esteem and a sense of personal value. - Music
Music therapy uses breathing, rhythm and "Brain Gym" movement exercises to encourage expression of emotions through activities such as drumming and guided imagery. Singing, playing instruments, song writing and performance preparation are vehicles for creative activity and socialization. Benefits include improved communication, self-expression, teamwork, listening skills, self-image, relaxation and centering abilities. Performance opportunities occur at Arts in the Garden, holiday parties, talent shows and events with volunteer leaders and donors. - Drama
Drama therapy encourages clients to “walk in another’s shoes” and gain awareness and understanding outside their own perspective. Adopting another persona, participants explore what does and does not work in life, and learn to appreciate how choices can lead to improved effectiveness. Through acting, the client can strengthen neurological pathways that contribute to enhanced self-expression. The client gains self-esteem and higher feelings of worth.
- Recreation
Therapeutic recreation encompasses a wide array of fitness and leisure activities that contribute to self-esteem, social confidence and physical well being. Clients are encouraged to pursue their individual interests in conjunction with activities that promote health, wellness and use of the imagination. Our recreational programs and facilities include:- Fitness center for group and individual exercise, including aerobics
- Large gymnasium for team sports and group activities
- Photography dark room
- Computer lab
- Woodshop
- Salon
- Life skills room
- Pottery kiln
- Horticulture
- Primary Medical Care
- Life Enrichment Adult Program (LEAP)
Interest in new friendships, activities and social engagement is a major milestone in recovery. LEAP provides a variety of opportunities for clients to form relationships, learn skills and cultivate hobbies and interests. LEAP activities include the arts, recreation, exercise, special events, support groups and stimulating community outings.
- Family STEP
Families and other primary supporters play a vital role in a client's recovery. Skyland Trail recognizes, however, the strain that a loved one's serious mental illness places on caregivers and supporters. The Family Support, Training and Education Program, originated by Skyland Trail, assists families and other concerned persons with knowledge and skills for self care as well as appropriate support for loved ones with mental illness. STEP is open to any caregiver or family member engaged with an individual with mental illness, not only client families.
