Family Services

Family dynamics in behavioral health treatment are unique and complicated by the time a loved one makes it through our doors for treatment. Here at New England Medical Group we are here to guide the whole family towards a path of wellness and recovery from the mental health and substance use disorder symptoms. We believe that healing is for everyone, not just the identified individual that is clearly suffering but rather loved ones end up needing healing and education to improve the efficacy of treatment.

New England Medical Group offers the first of its kind family coaching, family treatment groups covered by insurance! We also offer free family support groups to foster a safe non-judgmental stigma free environment for a safe therapeutic environment that follows our 26 week curriculum which educates, prepares, and guides families towards a collective improvement in their own healing journey.

Maureen Cavanagh

Director of Family Services

President of Magnolia New Beginnings, a national nonprofit and peer support group with over 25,000 members, and Magnolia Recovery and Consulting Services, holds a Master’s degree in Education and a Master’s degree in Public Administration and is Alcohol and Drug Counselor. She is a Certified trainer for CCAR’s Recovery Coach Academy and Parent Recovery Basics, an interventionist trained in the CFI Method and Arise Method of Intervention as well as trained in CRA/CRAFT Family Therapy and other behavioral approaches.

Maureen is a national public speaker on the parent perspective of addiction and the author of “If You Love Me: A Mother’s Journey Through Her Daughter’s Addiction and Recovery” published by Henry Holt/Macmillan in 2018 and favorably reviewed by the New York Times. Maureen is a NAADAC-approved education provider and the creator the Family-Focused Addiction Support Training (FAST) Program, and facilitated family meeting curriculum.

Maureen has developed all curriculums of New England Medical Groups Family Services, pulling from her own personal experiencing and traveling the country seeking information, and education on how to support her own loved ones in their journeys of mental health and substance use disorder recovery. Maureen also brings valuable experience from her time as Special Needs Educator here in Massachusetts on how to support adolescents with behavioral and mental health challenges.

Family Coaching

Family coaching is a form of support and guidance that focuses on helping families improve communication, resolve conflicts, set and achieve goals, and strengthen their relationships while working towards a common goal. NEMG Family Coaching program works with families to identify areas of concern or areas where they want to see improvement from the side effects of mental health and substance use disorder. We collaborate with loved ones to develop strategies and skills to address these challenges effectively in a therapeutic manner that aids the treatment process for the identified individual while also introducing healthy coping skills for whole family healing.

NEMG Family 5 Stages of Change:

1: Invitation for Change:

Establishing history and connection by creating an alliance to achieve wellness.

2: Plan for Change

Setting the foundation by adding building blocks and boundaries for growth.

3: Education for Change:

Setting the foundation by adding building blocks and boundaries for growth.

4: Practice for Change:

Utilizing tools in the appropriate ways in a controlled and safe environment.

5: Implementation for Change:

Putting action to wellness plans. Transitions are scary but having connections and support allow growth to occur.

Key aspects of family coaching include:

Assessment: Family coaches often start by conducting an assessment to understand the family dynamics, strengths, challenges, and goals. This assessment helps guide the coaching process and tailor interventions to meet the specific needs of the family.

Goal Setting: Together with the family, the coach helps set realistic and achievable goals that align with the family's values and aspirations. These goals can be related to communication, problem-solving, conflict resolution, parenting strategies, or any other areas of focus.

Skill Building: Family coaching involves teaching and practicing skills that promote healthy relationships and effective communication within the family. This may include skills such as active listening, empathy, conflict management, boundary setting, and decision-making.

Problem-Solving: Coaches work with families to identify and address specific challenges or issues that may be causing stress or dysfunction. They guide the family through problem-solving processes, helping them explore different perspectives, brainstorm solutions, and implement action plans.

Support and Accountability: Family coaches provide ongoing support, encouragement, and accountability to help families stay motivated and committed to their goals. They may offer feedback, guidance, and resources to help families navigate challenges and stay on track.

Empowerment: A key goal of family coaching is to empower families to make positive changes and build resilience. Coaches encourage family members to take ownership of their actions, communicate openly and honestly, and work collaboratively towards shared goals.

Overall, family coaching can be a valuable resource for families seeking to improve their relationships, overcome challenges, and create a more harmonious and fulfilling family life.

NEMG Family Support Programs

NEMG welcomes you to a safe and welcoming space where individuals can come together to share their experiences, challenges, and triumphs related to supporting a loved one with a mental health or behavioral health condition. These groups are often facilitated by trained professionals or peers who understand the unique dynamics and stressors that families face.

Family Support Groups offer numerous benefits, including:

Non-judgement: Participants can express their feelings openly and receive empathy and understanding from others who are going through similar experiences.
Empowerment: Group discussions and activities empower families to become advocates for themselves and their loved ones, promoting a sense of empowerment and agency.
Motivation: Utilizing invitation to change model, and motivational interviewing, our facilitators provide education and tools to gain the confidence of creating healthy therapeutic boundaries to help propel not on change in our loved ones but in ourselves and our own self care.
Guidance: Families can build connections with others who understand their journey, reducing feelings of isolation and fostering a sense of community in a secured setting that is professionally monitored. So many times self help groups fall to those that are the loudest in the room. At NEMG, we intentionally guide our patients, and families through the stages of change that occurs at all points in the healing process.

Family Support Groups play a crucial role in providing holistic support to families navigating the challenges of mental and behavioral health issues.

For our free to the public support groups click below to subscribe to our Family Newsletter, and join our secure family networks on social media.

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To Enroll in our Private Individual Family Coaching, or Family Support Program please email [email protected] to talk to an admissions representative about insurance coverage.