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About a year into managing the CSU, the time was right to add group counseling to the mix of one-on-one individual sessions and other intensive treatment. Initially, group counseling was available only one hour each morning Monday through Friday. According to Michelle Smith, Chief Officer of Coleman Crisis Services, client response was so strong that a second session was added to the afternoon each day. 

“Group counseling is a good icebreaker. It gives our clients the opportunity to socialize, connect, relate, and help each other,” she explained.  “Clients constantly ask, ‘when is the next group?’ They look forward to it for the chance to interact with others.”

She hopes that the CSU will be able to offer a third daily group session soon. 

Smith emphasized that this opportunity to socialize with others and share experiences leads to clients feeling more comfortable, which in turn increases their participation. 

“We see a lot of progress happening in this setting, she added. “As folks become more at ease, they take more away from it. Plus, they feel more connected to each other and not like they are  in this alone.”

Led by a licensed counselor, the group sessions enable clients to learn from each other, and teaches them about their own thoughts, feelings, and coping skills through Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), a well-known, evidence-based intervention technique. 

DBT is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy that helps people identify and change negative thinking patterns. It focuses on helping people change their behaviors, rather than thinking about or talking through their issues. It’s most effective for those diagnosed with attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder (BPD), eating disorders, and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

During group counseling, clients are taught new coping skills to help change their behaviors. The four major skills they learn include mindfulness, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and emotional regulation. By practicing these skills, the hope is that clients will decrease behaviors that interfere with quality of life and be able to make better life choices that are mood-independent.   

When clients leave the CSU, they are given a folder to take home with all their group materials. Coleman offers group counseling at many of its locations, so if clients benefited from it at the CSU, they may continue with it.

Smith is quick to note that it’s not just the clients who have been receptive to the group sessions. CSU staff have also appreciated the more treatment focused approach.

“Our clinicians have completely embraced group counseling. It’s been very positive for our staff,” Smith shared. They feel like they are really doing something to help our clients.”

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A peer support specialist is similar to an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) sponsor; this person serves as a role model to another who is dealing with mental, emotional, or substance use challenges. Because they have “real life” experience, peer support specialists can forge a unique connection with CSU clients while sharing what has and hasn’t worked in their own journey to recovery.

Unlike AA sponsors, Coleman’s certified peer support specialists have all earned special credentials required by the State of Ohio to work in this capacity. In this respect, they are more like the CSU’s clinical staff. Peer support specialists are required to obtain Continuing Education Units (CEUs), in addition to completing 40 hours of specialized training mandated by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services or having at least three years of work experience as a Peer Recovery Supporter.

In the past, peer support specialists at Coleman have been effective in providing support in many areas, including supportive housing and employment services. Michelle Smith, Chief Officer of Coleman Crisis Services, sees them as a natural fit in the CSU.

“One of the main advantages of having peer support specialists here is that they break the barriers of medical professionals. These people have lived experience that helps them relate to our clients and makes them feel less isolated and alone,” she said. 

Smith envisions the peer support specialists operating as “floaters” in the 13-bed facility. They will step in as needed and encourage people to participate in the treatment process. They can also serve in a traditional counseling role with the advantage of having “been there and done that,” which will help build trust with CSU clients. 

In the long-term, the plan is to have peer support specialists lead one group counseling session each day. These sessions will be somewhat different than the ones led by licensed clinicians. Instead of focusing on educating, these sessions will be more conversational and dedicated to the emotional side of recovery.

“Our peer support specialists will be available on the unit for easy access and hands-on support,” Smith explained. “They will be there to help ease conversations as people come into the unit. When they lead groups, they will encourage clients to express themselves, talk about recovery, and the road that led them to the CSU.”

Coleman Health Services President & CEO Hattie Tracy is also thrilled to have the peer support specialists come on board. 

“These folks will be an additional support to our clients that’s a little different than what other organizations offer,” she added. “I expect that our peer support specialists will be sources of hope and inspiration to our clients.”

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Managing a kitchen and creating home-cooked meals for large groups isn’t something that comes naturally to many people, but for CSU Crisis Tech Rhonda Jones, she makes it look easy – and delicious.

When CSU Director Ashley Fuller interviewed Jones two years ago, she knew she would be a good fit. That feeling was mutual for Jones, too, as Coleman’s mission to help others closely aligned with her own personal values.

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It’s no secret that physical health can significantly impact mental health. Not getting adequate sleep on a consistent basis can worsen mental health issues. The same is true of exercise. In addition to lowering stress and boosting self-esteem, working out regularly can be another tactic to improve mental health overall. Good nutrition works much the same way. However, many of our clients often struggle with food insecurity. Some may not understand what constitutes a healthy meal. And others may not know how to cook or plan meals. Coleman’s CSU staff covers these areas and more to support this aspect of each client’s recovery. 

Ashley Fuller, director of the CSU, recognizes the value of healthy meals to help promote better physical and mental health. 

“We started by consulting with a registered nutritionist to develop healthy meal plans,” she explained. “All our meals focus on a balanced plate, which includes fruits, vegetables, a protein, and a grain. Milk is often offered as the dairy item. We incorporate these foods into every meal so that our clients can learn about nutritious choices.”

The kitchen staff is quite adept at handling dietary restrictions, too. According to Fuller, they can put together meals that are gluten-free, vegan-friendly, and accommodating to those with food allergies.

Throughout the day, snacks are always available. In fact, United Way recently awarded a $600 grant to Coleman after participating in its mission to better the community through food and nutrition. United Way agreed that our healthy meal option and snack menu met their criteria for this initiative. As a result, the grant helped pay for nutritious snacks such as granola bars, fresh fruit and veggies, and yogurt. 

“Our clients have been very engaged with this piece in terms of snack planning and learning what is good for them and still enjoyable,” Fuller shared. “As an organization, we have witnessed firsthand the impact of this grant and how it has benefited our clients.”

Ultimately, Fuller would like the clients to be actively involved with meal planning and preparation, but the current pandemic has limited that. 

“Experience is the best teacher,” she said. “For now, though, our clients can learn by watching the staff do this.”

Once clients return to the community, Coleman case managers collaborate with them to ensure that they have the resources to afford making a healthy meal. This may include helping them to apply for food stamps, introducing them to the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, or taking them to grocery shop. Ensuring that this basic need is met means that our clients can focus more on their recovery goals.

“Upon successful treatment at the CSU and with the support of our case managers, it is our hope that we have provided our clients with the seeds to be successful,” Fuller added. “Then, it is up to them to plant and water them.”

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