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The Therapeutic Community Staff

Residential Programs

The residential programs at Riggs vary in the level of nursing and group support, as well as in location. Patients in all programs have access to the offerings of the Community Center, the Activities Program and the Work Program seven days per week. Residential programs outside the Inn provide a small group environment for patients to develop self-management, interpersonal ability, and independent living skills as they rejoin the social, educational and occupational communities outside Riggs.

Inn Residential Program - Nursing (IRP-N) patients are offered a daily meeting with a member of the nursing staff and proximity to the Therapeutic Community to support the achievement and maintenance of self-management. Patients have access to a program group aimed at developing their abilities to turn to peers for support.

Inn Residential Program - Group (IRP-G) is for patients who are capable of using peer support to contain and learn from their symptomatic behaviors. In addition to the other offerings of the Therapeutic Community, patients in IRP-G have access to two groups a day, making this the most group-intensive residential program. Though nursing support is available, it is less intensive than the support patients receive in IRP-N.


Elms Residential Program (Photo)
Located on the Stockbridge Campus and on Main Street, this historic home was converted into patient housing in the mid-1950s. The Elms program offers a relaxed – but structured - living situation that promotes managing together in a home, with the group functioning as a working unit. Patients learn how to live closely with others, work out conflicts, share common space, manage the house, budget, shop and prepare meals.

Lavan Hall Programs
Lavan Hall includes two residential programs in small group apartments one block from the Riggs campus. Lavan Residential Program encourages patients to function as a working unit and develop interpersonal and relationship skills. In the Lavan Apartment Program, patients share an apartment with minimal staffing, and focus on consolidating the skills required to live independently.


Lenox Residential Program (Photo)
The Lenox Residential Program is housed in an historic inn that was recently purchased and renovated by Riggs, in the nearby town of Lenox. This program focuses on helping patients develop competence in social and vocational roles. Patients can take part in practical workshops and educational offerings, and are supported by groups and one-to-one counseling to take up involvement in the outside community.