Austen Riggs Center, Stockbridge, Mass.
Who We Are
Many individuals struggling with psychiatric problems can find themselves caught up in treatments that are characterized by chronic crisis management and interrupted by frequent short-term hospitalizations. The goal of treatment at the Austen Riggs Center is to help individuals in such a struggle learn enough about themselves and their relationships to be able to return to more productive treatments and more fulfilling engagement with others in their outside lives.
Riggs is a small, not-for-profit, open psychiatric hospital and residential treatment center specializing in the psychotherapeutic treatment of psychiatric disorders. Internationally known for its respectful work with emotionally troubled individuals who have failed to benefit from previous treatment, Riggs is located in the small town of Stockbridge, Mass., on Norman Rockwell's Main Street. Riggs is two hours from Boston and three hours from New York City.
For 90 years, the Austen Riggs Center has offered longer-term residential and hospital-level psychiatric treatment based on intensive, four-times-weekly individual psychotherapy, provided by doctoral-level psychiatrists and psychologists. From hospital to residential to supervised and unsupervised apartment living, Riggs provides continuity of care with the same psychotherapist, psychopharmacologist, social worker, and interdisciplinary team through various levels of treatment and living arrangements. Treating an average of 70 patients, Riggs remains one of the few totally open psychiatric treatment centers in the United States committed to the intensive work necessary to help patients take charge of their lives.
Riggs is designed as an open setting, with no locks, seclusion rooms or privilege systems. With this freedom comes both responsibility and an expectation that patients will take authority for their own treatment. Riggs' unique approach is centered around a therapeutic community based on the notion of examined living. The careful exploration of difficult life experiences has the best chance of success if patients are invited to share their strengths with each other and staff in a serious partnership of mutual problem solving and social learning.
The therapeutic community is structured as a series of interconnected patient/staff groups and programs, ranging from community meetings, social support groups, skills training and symptom-focused groups to patient-government structures, Community Center activities and a work program. It is supported by interpersonally-focused nursing and an innovative fine arts and activities program.
About Our Patients
Many people whose lives have been adversely affected by psychiatric illness struggle with a range of difficulties that may include PTSD, mood and anxiety disorders, substance use and eating disorders. On average, Riggs patients have six different diagnoses. Most patients have what is considered treatment resistant mood disorders (major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder) that have not responded adequately to treatment, while at the same time meeting diagnostic criteria for other illnesses. Given the extent of their difficulties, some of our patients also struggle with thoughts of suicide. Our recent research has shown that recovery from such depths is not only possible, but, given time, very likely - offering an empirical foundation for hope.
Initial Evaluation and Treatment
An initial period of six weeks is devoted to conducting an interdisciplinary evaluation of the patient from multiple perspectives as treatment begins. The patient meets with his or her therapist and treatment team to design a treatment plan while evaluations are carried out from a variety of perspectives, including:
A full battery of psychological tests
A psychodynamic evaluation through psychotherapy
A comprehensive psychopharmacologic assessment
A full medical evaluation
A nursing assessment
Social assessment from the perspective of group interactions
A comprehensive family evaluation
Social work assessment of casework needs
The clinical culmination of the evaluation phase is a two-hour individual case conference devoted to discussion of what has been learned during the initial period of work with the patient. The entire clinical staff is invited to review the full range of clinical material. Additionally, the patient is invited to attend the case conference to help frame the discussion and ask questions. After this evaluation, a recommendation is made for further treatment.
Services and Special Capabilities
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Intensive psychotherapy and medication management
We provide four-times-weekly psychodynamic psychotherapy with a doctoral level psychologist or psychiatrist, along with medication management. -
Activities Program
Our unique, interpretation-free Activities Program includes a preschool, where patients work as teachers' aides; a greenhouse and garden; instruction in ceramics, fiber arts, woodworking and painting; and a community theater. -
A therapeutic community environment
Through a great deal of personal, social, ethical and organizational learning, the therapeutic community offers patients an opportunity to develop their full voice as individuals and citizens. -
Fellowship program
Riggs is a teaching hospital, with a Fellowship training program for psychologists and psychiatrists who want additional training in intensive psychodynamic psychotherapy.