Our Services

Community Based Case Management

A large percentage of our clients want and need Community Based Case Management (CBCM), where clients are visited in their own apartments or another residential setting such as a halfway house, family home, etc. The Pillars staff works within the parameters of the living situation of the client, delivering an unparalleled level of continuity of care. Treatment in all Pillars programs is a client driven process.

Our intake process determines what the client’s needs and goals are. Upon receiving a Release of Information document (whereby the client agrees to open communication with all providers) the Pillars team can ask questions to the client’s team – usually consisting of a therapist and/or psychiatrist as well as adjunct providers such as a Dialect

Behavioral Therapist (DBT) or a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist (CBT). These collaborative dialogues allow the staff at Pillars to create the most comprehensive care for the client, helping to determine and set realistic, achievable goals. Working within the Pillars philosophy, we help clients with medication compliance, proper sleep hygiene, diet and nutritional awareness, exercise, social and vocational connection, spiritual connection as well as basic scheduling, budgeting and organization of finances.

Treatment in CBCM is driven by the client. The Pillars team acts as a guide to help clients achieve their goals and the next level of independence, but the client is responsible for the time spent together. The Pillars team keeps open communication with all providers to continually access what is and isn’t working and adjust the goals of the client as needed.

The number one thing that helps our clients move through treatment is the RELATIONSHIP they forge with those in their lives. The Pillars philosophy and treatment model is all about proper relationship. Through this modeling, and ultimately the connections these relationships make, our clients get the courage and support they need to DO THE WORK.

The team at Pillars works hard to ensure that each client reaches his or her fullest potential, but it is important to note that there are no guarantees with mental illness. Each persons’ skill set is so different, that the treatment outcomes are as varied as our clientele.

We serve a wide range of adult clients ages eighteen and older, with a number of mental conditions.

We service a large group of individuals who experience their first break in their college years, causing many to leave college, and are trying to integrate back into school to get their degree. Pillars staff works with them on organization around class work, provide tutoring services and general organization skills to be successful in the academic world.

Geri-Psych Care

At Pillars of Good Health we serve a wide range of clients, with approximately one third of our caseload falling within the Geriatric Psychiatric community (Geri-Psych). We work on a community basis with our clients and with Geriatric Care Managers (GCMs) to provide placement to clients as they age and need higher levels of care.

There are a number of factors that sets the care our clients receive at Pillars apart from other providers. A Psychiatric Nurse on staff with Pillars offers enormous benefits to clients through medication and symptom management, with a focus on alleviating negative symptoms. This enables efficient medication changes to minimize potential crises or hospitalization. At Pillars, we take pride in giving our clients the highest, most comprehensive care possible, so they can live their best lives.

Another benefit of working with Pillars is our staff meeting with the client in the facility, along with the psychiatrist, which is excellent for people who cannot or will not leave their facility. By working in-house like this, the Pillars team gets a more complete picture of the client to develop a comprehensive care plan. Through monthly team meetings, the Pillars staff evaluates what is working within the care plan and makes necessary changes quickly.

All of our treatment plans include clients’ families, which we believe to be an integral part of the treatment process. The level of communication we facilitate between the client, providers at the residential facility, and the family of the client is of utmost importance to the success of our treatment plan and we take this role very seriously. When necessary, we work with clients and their families to develop special needs trusts, long-term care plans, guardianships, Rogers agreements, estate plans and conservatorships. We will also act as a bridge between public programs, always ensuring clients get the great quality of care they deserve.

Supportive Apartments

Located in Belmont and Waltham, the Pillars of Good Health Supportive Apartments are fully furnished 2 bedroom apartments just a few miles away from McLean Hospital. With one client per bedroom, the apartments have a shared living room, dining room, kitchen and bath. Rent includes all utilities, cable and a washer and dryer in the building. A bi-monthly cleaning service is also included, as are off street parking spots. The apartments are in walking distance to public transport and other amenities such as grocery shopping, boutique shops and restaurants. The rent is $6000 per month with a 3-month commitment required. A 30 day notice to vacate the apartments is required.

The Pillars of Good Health Supportive Apartments are 2 bedroom apartments available to clientele that meet the following criteria:

- Client has to have 20-25 hours of structure in their week. This can be in the form of a job, volunteering position, therapy appointments, etc. We have found this amount of time to be grounding and helps ensure clients are spending an adequate amount of time in the community.

- Client is building toward med-independence, meaning they can manage their medications with little to no supervision.

- Clients willingly participate in the weekly house meetings. These meetings are mandatory. The meetings provide the framework for creating rules to provide a healthy and harmonious living situation between roommates. It is a forum for roommates to work out difficulties with their roommate and also update the case manager on the progress of their treatment

- If the client is on sober trajectory, we request that they have 90 days of sobriety under their belt. Exceptions will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

- Clients in the supportive apartment program also have a lead clinician or case manager and most clients have 1-5 hours per week with that person to work on the Pillars and any additional issues that may arise. Clients are strongly encouraged to attend men’s or women’s group weekly. They also have an opportunity to partake in Neurofeedback training twice per week. As a client becomes more stabilized and they have more structure in their week, we peel these supportive hours back. Clients have at minimum 1 clinical hour with their case manager above and beyond the house meeting.

The average Pillars client lives at the Supportive Apartments between 18 months and 2 years, with many of them going on to a fully independent living situation. By using the time they are in our supportive apartments to truly model proper relationships, we are able to give our clients a strong foundation for which they can step out to full independence. The model of care is structured such that the client can choose to have the case manager continue care when they are fully independent and out in the community.

Neurofeedback

Neurofeedback is a method of brain training that teaches the brain to function more effectively and efficiently. Over time, the goal is to help someone achieve and maintain positive mental health and optimal brain functioning. It is like “exercise for the brain”.

There are many different areas of our brains, and if one or more of these areas is dysregulated, this may have negative impact on both our metal and physical health. Over time, neurofeedback aims to allow the brain to self-regulate. Self-regulation is an important part of good and healthy brain function.

Neurofeedback highlights the importance of the connection between our brains and our central nervous system. Therefore, this process allows for our central nervous system to operate better and more effectively over time.

Neurofeedback can be used to help those struggling with symptoms related to brain dysfunction, and/or those that are looking to achieve optimal brain function. It has been found to be most effective for issues/symptoms related, but not limited to:

• Sleep

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Mood dysregulation

• Trauma

• Autism Spectrum Disorder

• Focus / Attention related issues

• Memory

• Chronic pain

Neurofeedback is done by attaching electrodes to a clients head in the area (s) of the brain we are working to target. This EEG provides information on specific brain wave patterns, and from this, feedback is provided back to the brain, primarily through a screen in front of the client. This feedback works to assist in changing these brain wave patterns over time, by reflecting back to the brain how it is functioning and rewarding the brain for operating more efficiently. Essentially, the clients brain is “subconsciously” controlling the feedback being provided.

The process of neurofeedback is a longer term treatment, and one that requires a certain amount of dedication and time commitment. We strongly encourage a client to commit to at least 20 hour long sessions when beginning treatment with us (the intake session is 90 minutes). We also encourage clients to meet with us at least twice weekly when beginning treatment, as this allows for optimal results and effectiveness. We evaluate/measure treatment success in 20 session increments. For some clients, 20-40 sessions allows for a significant decrease in targeted symptoms. For others, more sessions may be needed. This is dependent on many factors related to the individual and their treatment.

Consulting

Here at Pillars of Good Health we are dedicated to helping families navigate the sometimes overwhelming world of mental health with compassion and clarity.

In our 90-minute Family Coaching Consultation, priced at $350, we provide a supportive space where you can gain valuable insights and practical guidance tailored to your unique circumstances.

During our time together, we'll delve into essential topics like beginning to understanding the mental health system, demystifying the roles of different practitioners, and clarifying the overarching goals of treatment for your loved one. We'll work together to identify triggers, explore coping mechanisms, and unearth the wealth of resources available to your family.

What sets us apart is our commitment to customization. We understand that every family is different, so each consultation is uniquely crafted to address your specific needs and concerns. Our goal is for you to walk away feeling empowered, with a deeper understanding of treatment options and where your loved one stands on the continuum of care.

At Pillars of Good Health, we're not just counselors—we're partners on the path towards wellness. Let us be your guide as you navigate the care of your loved one in their mental health journey.

Please be mindful that only so much can be covered in a 90 minute session; for a deeper dive into understanding the ins and outs of the mental health landscape, please consider our signature course, Navigating a Mental Health Diagnosis, expected to launch Fall 2024.