Families play a vital role in Gateway’s treatment process. Parental and family involvement is crucial to ensure each young man’s healing and growth is sustained well after treatment at Gateway is completed. In addition to weekly family therapy sessions, families participate in Parent Weekends conducted every three months. Parent weekends include a four-day experience (Thursday through Sunday) during which families participate in parent teacher conferences, parent support, education and training sessions, multiple family therapy groups, experiential family therapy sessions and initiatives, and individual time with their sons.

Gateway’s family interventions provide a foundation for parents to understand the awesome power they have in making positive and lasting impact on their son’s success. Gateway’s developmental, skill-building approach gives parents a sense of focus, inspiration, and encouragement when times get tough.

Additional parent visits are encouraged. Timing is coordinated with the youth’s therapist. Parents also have contact with their son through weekly social phone calls, letters, faxes, and e-mail. Gateway also encourages parents to call staff at anytime to check on their son.