Our Enrichment Programs at Our Treatment Center for Youth
We offer several supporting evidence-based and experiential therapy programs in a safe and structured environment to help youth overcome symptoms related to mental health disorders. Our treatment centers are specifically designed to provide young adults with the right individualized care to repair broken relationships, negative outlooks, and self-confidence. We provide young people with a bright future and the confidence necessary to succeed!
Our enrichment programs offered by our residential treatment centers include:
Horticulture and Environmental Science
At our teen treatment centers, individuals start each day with the sun on their faces and a mission – caring for horses, dogs, cats, goats, and chickens. Teaching responsibilities like timeliness to go hand-in-hand with compassion is an integral part of this program. Young people help maintain gardens on property that eventually becomes as much home to them as it does nature’s animals. In those first few months, participants gain appreciation through outdoor exploration while building meaningful bonds with certain special creatures along the way!
LEARN MOREArt Programs
Every week, within our residential treatment programs residents have a chance to tap into their creative side and explore art in all its forms. Not only do they learn traditional practices of drawing, painting, and printmaking but, also more novel methods like scratchboard or mosaic! With inspiration from nature around them as well as experiences unique to each individual person, teens are able to create truly one-of-a-kind pieces with mixed media.
LEARN MORECulinary Program
Through the Ironwood Maine culinary program, teens learn to build strong and healthy relationships with food. Professional chefs collaborate with residents teaching them how to shop for quality ingredients from local sources, create delicious recipes and serve meals family-style, that’s what makes it truly special. In our residential treatment centers, teens will discover nutrition facts while having fun designing creative menus and discovering new flavors each day!
LEARN MOREMusic Program
Residents of Ironwood living staying at either of our residential treatment center locations have been able to explore their love for music through two unique offerings – one focused on appreciation and another that involves actively performing. Joining these groups enables them to discover, enjoy, and refine the art form together with other passionate individuals in an enriched atmosphere during music therapy.
LEARN MOREFitness Program
Ironwood Maine provides an unparalleled approach to physical fitness, ensuring its residents maintain a healthy body and mind. Every morning starts with thirty minutes of invigorating activity such as jogging or performing strength-based calisthenics. From Tai Chi techniques to yoga classes taught by certified instructors, these well-rounded exercises keep residents on track for ultimate physical fitness at our treatment centers.
LEARN MOREOff-Campus Activities
Teens staying in our residential treatment center are given the unique opportunity to explore Maine’s gorgeous outdoor scenery through a variety of off-campus activities. From embarking on adventures in Acadia National Park and kayaking at waterfronts, to cross-country skiing and hiking up mountains, these teens make full use of their time out in nature! Plus they have plenty more chances for fun – volunteering service within the local community or taking trips downtown Portland for Seadogs games and theatrical performances.
LEARN MOREA Mental Health Treatment Program Carefully Designed to Assist Families in Crisis
If you are considering residential treatment, therapeutic boarding school, or wilderness program for your teen, we invite you to consider the many unique benefits of Ironwood Maine. With the collective experience that comes with having helped hundreds of families, we continue to successfully teach positive life principles at our residential treatment center for teens and improve connections within their family systems.
Founded by parents who faced similar circumstances, Ironwood Maine’s comprehensive mental health treatment program for teens is carefully designed to assist families in crisis. Our program can create change in the behavior of the challenged teen by encouraging self-respect, values, and effective communication skills so that teens can reconnect with their family members and enjoy success in life. Our program offers therapeutic, behavioral, and academic services that bring about positive change. Ironwood Maine offers a highly structured treatment program with intensive therapeutic and behavioral interventions, group work, physical exercise, outdoor-based experiences, and a wide range of enrichment programs including equestrian, art, culinary, horticulture, and nature therapy studies. Therapy delivered by a treatment team of seasoned professional clinicians is the foundation of our 3-to-6-month program.
Our Therapeutic Boarding Schools Provide Advancement Opportunities
Accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and licensed by the state of Maine Department of Education, Ironwood’s academic program ensures that teens maintain their educational objectives and continuity with their home schools. Most residents are able to earn additional credits because they have discovered a new satisfaction and purpose for learning. This desire for learning, combined with our personalized attention and year-round schooling, provides the support residents need to stay focused and motivated to excel. On average, students complete 7-10 high school credits and advance one full grade.
Through communication, relationship building, self-reflection, simple living, self-discipline, engaging work, and individual and group therapy, teens adopt positive behaviors necessary to lead productive lives as contributing family members and community citizens. We do understand your family’s and your child’s struggle and we can help you during this difficult time. Call us today.
Ironwood Maine is a proud member of the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs and is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, HHS, Joint Commission, and the state of Maine DOE.
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Meet Emma, an Ironwood Alumnus and Stacy & Gary, Alumni Parents
Meet Our Admissions and Clinical Directors
Ironwood Maine Blog
Ironwood Maine Web Update
It has been cooling down and the weather has been very pleasant with temperatures in the mid to low sixties and many days reaching low seventies. It has been getting darker earlier which is a sign that winter is upon us. The leaves are changing and are becoming vibrant colors of orange and red. Recently…
Ironwood Maine Web Update
So far, the hurricane did not do much to Ironwood, and on the day of the hurricane, as the skies were opening up, the Farmhouse was doing deep clean. Both crews did pretty good and, even though we could not go outside to release some energy, we still completed deep clean in a short period…
Ironwood Maine Web Update
Ironwood has had many horses come and go. Few horses remain from when I first arrived. Ironwood has a special Equine program that allows residents to learn what being responsible for another living thing is like. Recently, the Farmhouse barn has received a new horse. Her name is Athena.