News & Events
We sponsor several activities for family members:
Family Orientation
For family members of new and current members of Project Transition, these monthly get-togethers introduce the philosophy, activities, and day-to-day nuances of PT. These low-key, small group meetings consist of an informative overview and interactive discussion led by one of our program leaders.
Family Focus Support Meetings
Understanding, accepting, and responding to a family member with psychiatric problems is a continual "long haul" challenge. These monthly group meetings are for the family members of persons at PT. Families have told us that the guidance provided by other family members during these meetings has proven invaluable. To augment this mutual support, we coach families how to respond to crises, setbacks, and times of discouragement. We advocate an approach that is practical without resorting to enabling, withdrawing, or punishing. The meetings are facilitated by Project Transition staff members.
Family Education Seminars
For Project Transition members, families, staff, and friends: these quarterly meetings are opportunities for in-depth learning about psychiatric recovery. The presenters are senior PT clinicians or invited guest speakers. The format features a presentation, followed by extensive question and answer dialog. The topics, which focus on both day-to-day and long-term concerns, reflect diverse interests:
- Help that Helps – Help that Hurts: Family Dilemma or Hope?
- The Mind-Body Connection: Paths of Healing and Wellness
- New Advances: Biological Aspects of Rehabilitation and Recovery
- The Four R’s of Recovery: Reducing Symptoms, Restoration, Relationships, and Reintegration.
- Psychiatric Rehabilitation: Pathway to Recovery
- Substance Abuse and Psychiatric Problems: Challenges and Hope
National Award Received
Project Transition was the recipient of the Lilly Reintegration Award for its innovative studies and program activities related to health, wellness, and psychiatric recovery. Dr. Crabtree, our Medical Director, accepted the award at a ceremony in Atlanta.
National Presentations
“Unmasking Hidden Dangers in Psychiatric Treatment: Obesity, the Metabolic Syndrome, and Premature Death” was presented by Dr. Crabtree to attendees of the national conference of National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI), Minneapolis, MN.
Dr. Crabtree’s work in the area of health risk vulnerabilities and psychiatric treatment was also featured in a presentation at the American Psychiatric Association’s Annual Meeting in New York City.
Paul Keisling, MSW, our Executive Director, was a guest speaker at the national conference of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA), Pittsburgh, PA. He spoke about coping strategies related to the self-management of psychiatric problems.
Provider Association Presentation
Dr. Crabtree presented to fellow members of the American Residential Treatment Association (ARTA) in Stockbridge, MA. The topic addressed health risk vulnerabilities of persons with persistent psychiatric problems, as well as therapeutic community interventions.
Article Published
An interview with Dr. Gomberg, our Chestnut Hill Medical Director, appeared in The Compass, a publication of New Directions. The topic, “Meds are Not Enough”, explored the roles of integrative healing and the mind/body connection in psychiatric recovery.
State Conference Presentations
Paul Keisling, MSW, presented “Psychiatric Recovery Management” to the Pennsylvania state conference of National Association of Social Workers in Pittsburgh.
Paul also presented to members of Pennsylvania Association of Psychosocial Rehabilitation Services (PAPSRS) about the design and implementation of a psychiatric recovery workshop series.
Regional Presentations
Several NAMI chapters in PA and NJ invited Dr. Crabtree to discuss health risks affecting many persons with enduring psychiatric difficulties and the role of wellness in recovery.
At a meeting hosted by a NAMI chapter (Delaware County, PA), several members of Project Transition joined Dr. Crabtree for an interactive discussion about the needs, goals, and family member concerns of persons with persistent psychiatric problems.
Paul Keisling, MSW, was the guest speaker of the Philadelphia chapter of Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. He addressed the topic of strategies for anticipating and coping with psychiatric stressors.