About the Compass Program

How Does the Compass Program work?

Compass uses the DBT-A model to establish and maintain secure, therapeutic residences and to reinforce learning and practicing of skills in a safe environment. The residences provide 24-hour supervision, daily care, treatment and discharge planning, and clinical case management. The clinical team at each residence also oversees medical care and prescribed medications.

Led by a licensed clinician, the teams include registered nurses, master’s-level clinicians, and residential care counselors trained in DBT-A. Team members facilitate twice-weekly skills practice groups, provide daily skills coaching, review diary cards daily, coordinate education planning, supervise community and recreational activities, oversee parent and family visits, and transport youth as needed. The Compass team actively collaborates with community partners including the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families and Foster Forward to provide optimal treatment services to the program’s residents.

Along with the ongoing support and practice of DBT-A skills in the residential settings, patients receive DBT-A treatment weekly through participation in the Mindful Teen Program at Bradley Hospital’s East Providence campus. This treatment includes individual therapy sessions weekly, problem-focused family sessions as needed, and a weekly multifamily DBT-A skills training group. The Mindful Teen Program is staffed by intensively trained DBT clinicians who also participate in an ongoing weekly DBT consultation team.

A Mindful Teen clinician is available to the youth and parent/adult mentor for around-the-clock coaching by phone, in addition to the onsite support provided by the team at the residences.

While the primary language in the Compass Program is English, interpreter services will be arranged as needed.