Newport Healthcare Opens New Residential Treatment Center in Seymour

By Patch Contributor Nancy Sasso Janis

Newport Healthcare held a ribbon-cutting and open house for a beautiful new young women’s mental health treatment program in Seymour on Sept. 12. First Selectwoman AnnMarie Drugonis was in attendance to help facilitate the ribbon-cutting to celebrate this new mental health resource in the Seymour community.

The First Selectwoman joined staff members to celebrate this new residential treatment program for young women ages 13-20 that is located at 312 Roosevelt Drive in Seymour. This is the organization’s fourth program in Connecticut.

I was invited to meet some of the Newport treatment team to learn more about the program’s integrated approach to care for mental health and co-occurring disorders.

In speaking with Executive Director Helene D'Jay, MS, LPC, I learned about this new program intended to address the local/national need for more mental health resources for young women. The treatment plans often address the mental health effects of the use of technology and back to school stress.

In press materials, Newport Healthcare is described as “the nation’s leading provider of evidence-based behavioral health treatment for youth, young adults, and families. Each client’s tailored treatment plan incorporates medical and psychiatric care, clinical therapy, family therapy, strength-based academics, and experiential modalities such as yoga, art therapy, music therapy, MMA, equine therapy, adventure therapy, and more.”

“Newport’s family-centered, integrated approach fosters sustainable healing from a foundation of compassionate care, clinical expertise, and unconditional love, with a primary mission to empower lives and restore families.”

At Newport Academy, the staff provides gender-responsive care, meaning that teens are treated separately according to their gender identity. “Years of experience and research have taught us that gender-responsive care supports teens to heal without distraction and to form authentic and honest.”

The impressive new Seymour site is a converted wedding venue, with a dining hall that was previously a pizza restaurant. The large campus is decorated in calming and welcoming tones, including separate spaces to accommodate the various therapies employed. A sensory room is also on site and is used frequently by the clients. The former non consecrated wedding chapel has become a large space for exercise. The grounds are extensive and beautifully landscaped, including a pavilion offering shaded outdoor seating.

The residential areas are arranged in pods and allow the clients to decorate their rooms as they like. The living spaces are designed with safety in mind and the common areas are both calming and comfortable.

During their residential treatment, the young women are supported medically as they receive intensive psychiatric care and clinical therapy. They also continue academic studies in addition to opportunities for art and music therapy, and a variety of physical exercise. Simply moving about lovely grounds helps students and staff get in their daily step count.

The residential treatment center accepts most insurances. Visit.newportacademy.com/locations/residential-connecticut for more information.

All photos by Nancy Sasso Janis