Muir Wood supports the well-being of parents as well as their children.
Parents of children with mental health and substance use disorders need support and care. Living with a child suffering from mental health challenges can be extremely taxing on the mental health of parents and guardians. Parents seeking care for their children often experience depression, anxiety, and other issues.
Muir Wood clients and family members become part of our alumni community — one built around mutual support, understanding, and camaraderie. Perhaps no-one is better able to understand the feelings and experiences of raising children with mental health and substance use disorders than other parents who have lived the same experience.
To facilitate connection and allow parents to better support one another, Muir Wood has created a network for alumni families. Muir Wood alumni parents can ask questions, share stories, request information, communicate with other group members, and reach out for help; both in-person and by Zoom.
Muir Wood Adolescent and Family Services alumni groups are led by Muir Wood staff members, and we encourage leadership between peers in the alumni groups. Parent alumni meetings are held Tuesday at 6 pm PST and teen alumni meetings are held Wednesdays at 6 pm PST. To be added to the distribution lists for the alumni meetings, please use this form and reference “Alumni Services” in the comments/questions field.
Peer support groups, like Al-Anon and Co-Dependents Anonymous), can provide important resources and fellowship for the parents of children with substance use and mental health conditions. Muir Wood helps parents identify support groups in their local communities. Muir Wood also supports attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings for teens being treated for substance abuse, specifically Young People in AA and NA meetings, which can be found on local area websites.
To provide comprehensive treatment for teens, Muir Wood addresses the entire family. Client families receive an hour of individual family therapy each week during treatment, as well as four hours of parent coaching classes and peer support throughout the week while one’s child is in treatment at Muir Wood.
Where to Stay When Visiting Muir Wood
Muir Wood recommends nearby acomodations for family members visiting campus and taking part in family therapy.
