Since opening in May 2011, Dimock's residential programs for women, Women's Renewal and My Sister's House, have launched in an unconventional direction.  In addition to group sessions, individual counseling and case management, the staff have developed creative approaches to treatment for the women in recovery such as beading, yoga, expressive therapy through art, movement and dance. The women's favorite therapeutic activity called the "Circle of Courage" allows the women to sing, play musical instruments and voice their courageous actions of the week. 

"Our staff wants residents to have hope that recovery is both possible and do-able. The non-traditional activities we promote are energizing and fun. The women often learn to find new healthy ways to relax and be comfortable in their own skin. We want them to rehearse these new life skills while they are with us because these are the kind of life skills that will sustain them in their recovery work," professed Allen Spivack LICSW, Director of Dimock's Women's Residential Programs. 

With a more holistic approach to healing the women are more apt to express deep-rooted issues within. Above all, the women come to appreciate the care, creativity and attention shown by the staff. 

For more info on Dimock's women's residential programs please call 617-442-8800 ext. 1631

To adequately provide comprehensive care to the children of our surrounding communities, The Dimock Center will be consolidating Child Behavioral Health Services and Pediatrics to form the Behavioral Health-Pediatrics Integrated Program (BHPIP). The goal for the BHPIP program is to increase access to behavioral health services for all children who frequent the pediatrics department at Dimock.  Integrating psychiatric and primary care services builds on the medical home model, a strategy for healthcare delivery which improves access and clinical outcomes. Expanding this model will unify mental health and medical professionals leading to sharing goals, resources and medical records.  Mental Health clinicians will be embedded functionally within the pediatric clinic at Dimock. Dr. Nina Graupera, a child psychiatrist at Children's Hospital Boston, will be onsite to provide rapid access to psychiatric care.  

The design of BHPIP is to ensure that every child receive quality care they deserve while breaking barriers between pediatricians and mental health clinicians. For patients and families, this model will accurately diagnose an illness and administer a solution within one clinic in the community, saving time and money.

David Bornstein of The New York Times opens the door to the reality that is Health Leads, training students to provide connections and resources, such as mental health needs and housing improvements, to patients in hospital clinics or health centers throughout the United States, and publicizing the effectiveness of the model at The Dimock Center. Co-Founded by Rebecca Onie in 1996, Health Leads is now integrated into the  Dimock Pediatric and Adolescent Services Department where every family coming in for a pediatric visit completes a questionnaire based on their child’s social, behavioral and school related needs. Based on the questionnaire, doctors will make referrals to the social workers and Health Leads staff.  
Due to this groundbreaking model, “initial data suggests that the program has doubled the time social workers can devote to therapeutic work” at The Dimock Center. Health Leads in collaboration with Dimock staff is helping to connect hundreds of families with resources otherwise not readily available. This innovative model of health care delivery incorporates solutions to keep families healthy. It also enables social workers to maximize their impact on health outcomes.

To read the full article please click here:

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/07/28/treating-the-cause-not-the-illness/?emc=eta1