Services, Programs
Location: {Smith Centre} Contact: {Norma}

Prior to entering any of our treatment programs a comprehensive assessment must be completed. The assessment helps to identify problem areas, discuss goals and match the client's individual needs to the treatment plan. For communities outside of Thunder Bay, this assessment is available through any of the Assessment and Referral Programs situated in communities throughout Northwestern Ontario. In order to refer someone into the residential treatment program, the Intensive Program Admission Package needs to be completed with the client in addition to the assessment tools. Contact the Intake Counsellor for more information.

The Balmoral Centre is a 15 bed, withdrawal management service offering non-medical detoxification to males and females 16+ years. In addition to assisting clients to withdraw from alcohol and other drugs, referrals and other program components are offered.

These include:

The Sister Margaret Smith Centre's Community Treatment programs offer a number of options. These program components are offered to those who are able to make changes to their substance use while still living in the community. Participants may be working, attending school or looking after young children at home. Some of our components, such as individual counseling, can be accessed through Outreach. This means that the counselor comes to where the client is, whether it's their home or a neutral location.

Community treatment options:

Whenever possible, groups and individual sessions are offered at various times to accommodate differing needs.

Continuing Care group or individual sessions are offered for those clients who are working at maintaining and enhancing the changes they have made. They can be accessed by anyone who has been through residential or community treatment within the past year. People who have been in recovery for some time, but are concerned about relapse can also access the groups or individual counseling. Contact Intake to inquire about admission requirements. Each Module is four sessions and offered in the evening.

Continuing Care components:

Individual and couples counseling can assist the process of change through goal setting, support and more specific examination of the issues discussed in group. Gender specific groups which look at the role of being male or female in relation to addictions are offered dependent on need and resources.

Private Bedroom

The first few days of the program focus on becoming acclimatized to the environment of the Smith Centre, including rules and expectations. Participants are given an overview of the treatment program and introduced to the therapeutic group process. During this period, they take part in activities meant to enhance their trust and cohesion as a group, in preparation for the next phase of the program.

For the remainder of the Intensive program, the group concentrates on exploring values and beliefs, distorted thinking and changing behaviours associated with substance abuse. The Sister Margaret Smith Centre promotes an approach to addictions which is holistic, utilizing resources from a variety of disciplines and theoretical constructs. This includes aspects from 12-Step programs, gender theory, stress management, solution-focused brief therapy, life-skills training, family of origin and grief work. Participants are also introduced to community resources. Our program demonstrates the importance of addressing the spiritual, emotional, physical, and cognitive areas whenever people make changes in their lives.