Parental/Family Involvement
You will be required to sign a written release in order for your parents/family to receive any information about your treatment at Medicine Wheel. Federal regulations prohibit us from providing that information without your consent. You may revoke that permission, in writing, at any time.
If you choose to involve your parents/family in your treatment process, here are some specific ways they can participate:
Pre-Enrollment
To participate in Medicine Wheel you will need:
- Complete the pre-enrollment form.
- Complete a telephone interview with a member of the Medicine Wheel admissions team. A team member will contact you to arrange for this interview.
- Have your parents complete the history/financial information form.
Prior assessments and evaluations are always helpful and welcomed. Accurate information will help the therapist diagnose and develop a viable treatment plan.
Parent Narratives
As you work on each phase of the Medicine Wheel curriculum your parents are asked to complete written assignments, called Parent Narratives, which correspond with that phase. Your parents will be asked to submit the narrative to your therapist each week. The narratives contain questions like:
- Contrast your early adulthood with that of your child’s.
- What steps are you willing to take to promote healing in your family?
- How have you seen your child be courageous?
Your parents’ completed assignments will be brought to you in the field for use in your therapy sessions.
Many families find the Parent Narratives are their first opportunity to really come to understand one another. However, your therapy can still be effective even if your parents choose not complete the narratives.
Parent Portal
This password protected area is your family’s link to the latest information about your Medicine Wheel experience. Each week field instructors will post photographs of you, as well as progress updates on your curriculum, or phase work. With your consent, your family will be assigned a password that will let them access this website.
The website location and a password will be emailed to your parents if you choose to allow them access to the Parent Portal.
Phone Calls
You will not have access to telephones or be allowed to make or receive phone calls during your stay at Medicine Wheel.
If you choose to keep your parents updated on your progress, your therapist will telephone them weekly. These phone calls give your therapist more insight into your needs. The calls are also used to discuss and prepare you for life after Medicine Wheel.
If you wish, your family will be allowed to communicate with you through standard mail. Outgoing mail is picked up regularly. Your mail will not be censored or read by anyone but you. E-mail will not be available.
Graduation Attendance
You may wish to have your parents or other family members attend your Medicine Wheel graduation. Each ceremony is as unique as the student being honored. Graduation activities could include a special parent’s seminar or the opportunity to spend a night with you at your campsite. As your graduation approaches, your therapist will help you plan a memorable event.
Therapists will work with you, your family, or educational consultants to determine the best after-care plans for you.