Spruce Mountain Inn provides intensive mental health treatment for young adults ages 18-28. We help our residents restore their mental health, increase their confidence, and create a brighter future.
Anxiety, issues related to mood (e.g. depression, bipolar disorder), challenges with daily functioning that effect school, work, relationships and self-care and sometimes co-occurring substance use and/or other addictive related compulsive behavior.
History of Exceptional Care for Young Adults with Mental Health Challenges
Founded by Candace Beardsley in 1982, Spruce Mountain Inn is one of America’s most tenured and respected residential treatment programs for young adults experiencing difficulties with anxiety, mood and launching into adulthood. Under Candace’s consistent leadership, Spruce Mountain Inn has helped hundreds of young people embark on pathways of self-discovery that have restored their mental health and prepared them for a healthy and fulfilling independent life. Spruce Mountain Inn was the winner of the 2013 Woodbury Award for Excellence in Education for consistently strong outcomes with high-risk youth/young adults.
Comprehensive Interdisciplinary Treatment
Spruce Mountain Inn’s comprehensive treatment program is specifically designed to serve adults between the ages of 18-28 with mental health struggles that have made it difficult to manage daily activities, live independently, achieve career and educational goals, and maintain healthy relationships. Primarily, residents are managing symptoms associated with anxiety and mood. Some may have co-occurring substance abuse and/or process additions such as over-use of technology.
We address our residents’ treatment needs using a holistic and interdisciplinary team approach. In addition to the therapies we offer, we provide opportunities for social and community engagement, building independent living skills, career and educational development, and many wellness activities.
Program participants enjoy a wide range of recreational, educational, and vocational opportunities. Vermont’s landscape provides the perfect setting for hiking, skiing, cycling, canoeing, swimming, and exploring the natural world. Residents engage in outdoor activities throughout the week that vary depending on the seasons. The optional Trek Program provides an extended wilderness based therapeutic experience.
Community Integration and Step-Down Housing
Residents practice living well in the community through volunteer experiences, taking courses at local colleges and having paid employment. Additionally, residents are encouraged to explore the dining, shopping, arts, and entertainment options in Central Vermont to build a healthy balance of recreational and social opportunities.
Initially, residents live in dorm-like rooms at the “Inn”. As they achieve greater stability, build stronger coping skills, and demonstrate more independent living skills, the residents can “step-down” to one of our five on-site studio apartments in our Annex and Walker Lane buildings. Here they continue to have access to staff and programming. We have an off-site group housing option, Greatwood Lodge, when residents feel prepared to live more independently, but continue to need a lower level of support
Evidence-Based Approaches to Treatment
Our interdisciplinary staff team implements evidence-based approaches to individual and group therapy. Residents engage in numerous experiential activities, as well as structured skills-based and psycho-education groups.
Spruce Mountain Inn offers a low staff-to-resident ratio and intimate program size. This combination creates an intentional supportive community that helps the young adults thrive. Our alumni frequently report that this supportive community played a key role in the personal progress they made in their mental health management, education, vocational pursuits, and their quest for greater independence.
Is Spruce Mountain Right for You?
Spruce Mountain Inn welcomes young adults who want to improve their mental health while achieving independence. Contact us to inquire about space availability, or to arrange a visit. We would be happy to hear from you! Please note that we cannot accept people with a psychotic disorder; primary substance abuse disorder; a history of anti-social, aggressive, assaultive behavior; or who have cognitive disabilities. Our Program is also not well-suited for those on the autism spectrum.
We are licensed for residential mental health treatment by the State of Vermont Agency of Human Services.
