Clinical Services

Hoffman Homes for Youth serves children who suffer from a major mental health diagnosis to include such disorders as depression, bi-polar, pervasive developmental disorder, and post traumatic stress disorder. All children admitted to our program have been identified as being of risk to themselves or others and a large majority have experienced physical or sexual abuse (or both).

For this reason, Hoffman Homes for Youth focuses on providing the best clinical services available. Masters level therapists (or equivalent based on education and experience) provide individual, group, and family psychotherapy. These therapists are assigned to all children in a particular residence and work in close cooperation with the psychiatrist and treatment team members.

Therapists benefit from individual clinical supervision from the psychiatrist. Therapy skills are enhanced by regular psychiatric consultations, case review meetings, and continuing education opportunities. Each therapist is responsible for regular communication with treatment team members including parents/guardians and referring agencies.

Group therapy is provided through a variety of modalities that include discussion, activity, fitness and recreation. Groups are formed to achieve specific goals and to address specific problems. Ongoing groups address specific issues such as anger management, stress reduction, value clarification, sexuality, self-esteem, stimulus control, and social skills development.

Residences frequently plan special trips to surrounding community attractions such as Hershey Park and the Pennsylvania Farm Show.

Specialty groups meet in eight week units and are designed for children who have specific issues to address. Examples of some topics may include:

Discharge Group for Youth -- designed to help children who have 30 days or fewer until their successful discharge from Hoffman Homes

Drug & Alcohol Group -- provides a basic understanding of the addiction and healing process

Survivors Group -- brings the subject of sexual/physical abuse into an open, safe, and supportive setting where feelings can be discussed instead of avoided

Grief & Loss Group -- allows for systematic expression of past severe losses that may still be unresolved

Human Sexuality Group-- provides a safe enviroment to explore emotions and behavior surrounding sexuality and healthy relationships and boundaries