Therapeutic Services
Comprehensive counseling and therapeutic services in a residential setting
At Norman C. Sleezer Youth Home, therapy is at the heart of our residential treatment program, with individualized, trauma-informed services that help adolescent girls understand their experiences, build healthy coping skills, and move toward a safer, more stable future.
A Trauma-Informed, Individualized Treatment Approach
Assessment-driven care tailored to each teen’s needs
Upon admission, each resident completes a comprehensive mental health assessment that explores her history, current symptoms, strengths, and support system. Using this information, our clinical team creates an individualized treatment plan that outlines specific goals, interventions, and supports. These plans are reviewed and updated regularly—often every 90 days—to track progress and adjust services as needs change. Throughout treatment, we emphasize safety, trust, and collaboration so youth feel heard, respected, and engaged in their own healing process.
Types of Therapy We Provide
Individual, group, and family services led by qualified professionals
Our therapeutic services are delivered by master’s-level, trauma-informed clinicians who specialize in adolescent mental health. Core services include:
- Individual therapy – One-on-one counseling sessions help teens process trauma, explore emotions, and practice new coping skills in a private, supportive setting, with EMDR-certified therapists available to assist youth in recovering from traumatic experiences.
- Group therapy for youth – Small groups meet several times per week to build peer support and cover topics such as critical thinking, emotional regulation, communication, and healthy relationships.
- Family therapy – Regular family sessions engage parents and caregivers in the treatment process, strengthen relationships, and prepare everyone for a successful transition home or to the next placement.
These services are reinforced daily by youth care staff who model healthy interactions, coach skills in real time, and support residents through challenges as they arise.
Evidence-Based Practices and Life Skills
Building resilience, insight, and real-world tools for everyday life
Our clinical team uses evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), trauma-focused interventions, and skills drawn from modalities like DBT to help teens manage thoughts, feelings, and behaviors more effectively. In addition to formal therapy sessions, residents participate in psychoeducational and life skills groups on topics like conflict resolution, communication skills, healthy relationships and boundaries, grief and loss, and substance use awareness. This therapeutic milieu model ensures that learning does not stop when a session ends; staff members reinforce skills throughout the day in classrooms, group rooms, and living areas. By combining structured treatment with consistent coaching and a low staff-to-youth ratio, we create a supportive environment where teens can practice new skills safely and repeatedly.
Here, healing isn’t just talked about in therapy—it’s practiced in every conversation, every routine, every small win.
FAQS
Meet Michael
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers for referral partners, families, and community members
Who is the residential treatment program designed for?
Our residential treatment program serves adolescent girls, generally ages 12–18, who have experienced trauma, behavioral or mental health challenges, and involvement in the child welfare or juvenile justice systems. These youth require a higher level of structure and therapeutic support than can be provided in a typical home or foster care setting. We partner with DCFS, juvenile probation, and other agencies to determine whether a youth’s needs match the services we provide and to ensure the placement is safe and appropriate.
What does daily life look like at Norman C. Sleezer Youth Home?
Residents follow a structured daily schedule that includes school, therapy sessions, meals, chores, recreation, and downtime in a supervised, home-like environment. This routine helps youth learn time management, responsibility, and self-care while building positive relationships with staff and peers. Throughout the day, our focus is on safety, skill-building, and reinforcing the core program rules of caring for self and others and honoring responsibilities before privileges.
How long do youth typically stay in the program?
Length of stay varies based on each youth’s treatment goals, progress, and the recommendations of their treatment team and referring agency. Some residents may stay several months, while others remain longer to ensure stabilization and readiness for a less restrictive setting. From admission through discharge and aftercare, we work with families and agencies to plan for the next step and support a smooth transition.
What are the admission criteria and who might not be a fit?
Our program is best suited for girls who can benefit from a structured, group living environment and participate meaningfully in therapy and daily routines. In general, youth must not be experiencing active psychosis and should have an IQ above 70, to ensure they can safely engage in treatment and group activities. When youth have needs beyond our scope—for example, requiring acute psychiatric hospitalization or intensive medical care—we collaborate with partners to identify more appropriate resources.
How is quality of care monitored and ensured?
Norman C. Sleezer Youth Home is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, licensed as a child care institution by Illinois DCFS and accredited by the Council on Accreditation, which means we meet rigorous standards for safety, clinical practice, and organizational integrity. Our staff receive ongoing training in trauma-informed care, behavior management, and relevant therapeutic approaches to ensure services remain current and effective. We also collect feedback from youth, families, and referral partners and use data and reviews to continually improve the residential treatment experience.