Spruce Mountain Inn
Arts & Recreation
The Arts at Spruce
There is empirical evidence to support a connection between the expressive arts and therapeutic healing. Spruce Mountain Inn integrates the expressive arts into many aspects of treatment, finding that a creative approach may help residents process difficult trauma, memories, and/or emotions.
Expressive arts can:
- help residents get out of their heads and externalize their feelings through artistic expression.
- help residents (along with their therapists) gain insight into feelings that a resident may not be able to express with words.
- help relieve stress and help residents cope with depression.
Our main campus makes available a well-equipped art and music studio where residents may paint, draw, sculpt, build, make music, or otherwise create art. This space is also used during free time for holiday or event preparation and for jam sessions.
Our structured groups include:
- Expressive Arts.
- Open Art Studio.
- Off-Beat Hour (i.e. experiencing, sharing, and creating music).
Several times per year, staff and residents come together for various performing arts events such as poetry readings, open mic, and collaborative music performances. Staff and residents also participate in our annual “Spruce Mountain Inn Day” variety show.
Recreation at Spruce
At Spruce, we believe that recreation and hobbies contribute to a healthy and satisfying life. We have woven both structured and independent recreation activities into all areas of our program to support resident wellness and social connection.
Spruce’s schedule offers many groups and outings that allow residents to explore interests, socialize, extend themselves beyond their comfort zone, and manage stress through a variety of staff-led activities including:
- Movement Group: sports and games such as volleyball, basketball, tennis, frisbee, and gym workouts.
- Arts: trips to local arts and music events, and festivals.
- Leisure Group: museums, rock climbing, bowling, festivals, movies, beach days, etc.
- Adventure Group: hiking, canoeing, biking, snowshoeing, geocaching, skiing/snowboarding, etc.
- Yoga Group.
- Shopping trips: malls, flea markets, thrift stores, etc.
- Holidays: special outings and events.
Physical activity is a vital part of the program at Spruce Mountain Inn. Decades of research has shown that exercise can alleviate, perhaps even prevent, anxiety and depression. Exercise also helps boost residents’ confidence by giving them a sense of accomplishment as they engage in meaningful activity.
In addition to the movement and exercise already incorporated in our program, residents have access to our on-site fitness and cardio equipment. They can also be transported to and from the local fitness center daily if they choose.
We have a large collection of sports and recreation gear for personal use, including bicycles, snowshoes, basketballs and hoop, soccer and other sports balls, etc. Many residents choose to supplement their on-campus activity with community classes in yoga, dance, martial arts, or other movement activities.
Testimonials
Being in nature is really therapeutic for me. I participated in two Treks, a river canoeing trip and a hiking trip. I improved my skills and taught my peers, which bolstered my confidence and self-esteem. As a result of the trips, I got to know the Vermont outdoors. I now get out and explore all the time. I have found this is a new way to apply my skills from treatment in a new setting. Sebastian is really a great leader and I learned a lot from him.
The education, the groups, were invaluable. The counselors were A-1. Availability of staff was 24/7. Spruce Mountain Inn saved my life, plain and simple.
I benefitted most from all of the therapy and the sense of community. I had been isolated at home doing nothing. I learned for the first time how to make and maintain true relationships. I lived in Manhattan and experienced the expect culture shock, but found it so good for me to be in a different place. At Spruce, the small community is worth everything. Staff really care and they are eager to help. Clients learn how to get along and it is easy to form meaningful relationships, and I benefitted from the structure. I went from being unable to function to acting as the lead in a well-established local theatre company production.
Why Residential Treatment
Residential treatment programs have the potential to be much more effective than treatment received in someone's typical living environment. Our program is designed to be immersive and community-based.
The benefits of residential treatment include:
24-hour access to a seasoned team of caring, professional staff.
Full immersion in a supportive community with other young people working to overcome similar challenges.
The opportunity to experience a fresh environment, break habits, and escape triggers experienced in a typical living situation.
The opportunity to work, build life-skills, and contribute creatively in a controlled, supportive setting.
Moderating the use of technology and social media, the overuse of which may fuel anxiety and depression.
Family therapy (for parents and other affected family members) to help improve communication, foster cooperation, and facilitate healthy respect among family members.
@sprucemountaininn
Karen and Bogie are thrilled to share about Spruce Mountain Inn at the YATA conference!🌲✨ Spruce is dedicated to supporting young adults facing mental health challenges and fostering an environment of growth and healing. Interestingly, the most common Myers-Briggs type among our residents is INFP—individuals known for their creativity and empathy. #SpruceMountainInn #MentalHealthSupport #INFP #YATA. https://www.yata.net/
🎃👻 Happy Halloween from Spruce Mountain Inn! 🍂✨ We hope your day is filled with fun, laughter, and maybe a spooky surprise or two! Check out our amazing team dressed up for the occasion – we’re ready to celebrate in style! 💛🍌 #HappyHalloween #SpruceMountainInn
🎉👔 Today, we honored the incredible Brad with a fun twist! Everyone dressed up as him to celebrate his amazing 23 years with Spruce as our go-to residential counselor. Here’s to you, Brad – your legacy is as bright as our outfits! Cheers to many more fantastic years together as well as all the lives he’s touched along the way! 🥳💚 #CheersToBrad #SpruceFamily #LongTenure 💪✨
Did you know that Spruce is part of the organization ARTA? ARTA is composed of more than 25 residential treatment facilities for adults with mental illness. We offer four different styles of residential care to adults with a range of serious mental challenges, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, personality disorders, and disorders combined with substance abuse.
The small size of our organization enables members to have real knowledge about each other’s facilities, and to provide meaningful guidance to people searching for effective mental health treatment. The resources provided on this site are designed to aid you in your search for the right match. https://www.artausa.org/
It’s a gorgeous afternoon here at Spruce! #peaceful #quiet #healing
Our Director, Aaron Aldridge, is doing his Monday morning rounds of the property. It`s a beautiful fall morning here!
Our Director, Aaron Aldridge, getting the clinical team in place for a group photo! 🤣😆🤣 This shot probably won`t be on our marketing materials! But we had fun taking it!!
Today, during our annual field day, we took a moment to have some extra fun with our assistant director, Bogie.
We had the pleasure of having Bryan Tomes tour Spruce Mountain Inn this week. It`s always a pleasure to spend time sharing about our approach to mental health. On a different note--- next time we`ll have these guys line up by height!?!?!?! 😂🤣😂🤣😂
