Life Skills, Values, and Structure

Students advance in the program through a therapeutic level system. The first three levels focus on positive external changes and the final three levels focus on positive internal changes. Students are assessed for level advancement by the Treatment Team, which consists of the student's Therapist, Clinical Director, Educational Director, Residential Directory, Executive Director, Program Nurse, and Lead Residential Supervisors.

"Expectations are the only barrier between us and that which we are."
-T.S. Eliot

Value Levels

Each level in the Sunrise level system is designed to help a student internalize important core values. Working toward each level helps students take positive control of their lives by teaching them to shift from an external locus of control (others controlling you) to an internal locus of control (you control yourself). Our levels are designed around a value system, with each level having a specific focus: Safety, Discovery, Belonging, Integrity, Independence, and Generosity. Each Level has a set of requirements which must be completed before the student is eligible to advance to the next level. Each level also has privileges which can only be enjoyed on that particular level, with increased privileges for each level achieved. Level requirements incorporate all aspects of treatment at Sunrise, including individual therapy, family therapy, residential living, academics, and interaction with peers and licensed staff.

Safety Phase

On the Safety Phase, the student is working on gaining trust. At this stage, maintaining the physical safety of the student and building relationships of trust is the top priority. She requires the highest levels of structure that Sunrise residential treatment center and boarding school offers to ensure her personal safety, the safety of others, the safety of animals, and the safety of personal and program property.

Discovery Level

On Discovery Level the student begins to explore personal and interpersonal characteristics of herself and her relationships. She becomes better acquainted with Sunrise’s rules, boundaries, structure, and other expectations. She learns and establishes an attitude of openness to new information about herself, specifically her self-defeating behaviors. Her locus of control is external, so she requires strict structure from staff. A student on this level is safe to herself, others, animals, and property.

Belonging Level

On the Belonging Level, the student is still externally motivated and controlled, but begins to internalize new values. The student still manifests the necessity of continual staff redirection. She is mostly teachable, open to learn in therapy and school, and is compliant in the residential setting. The student is able to give feedback in respectful ways and receive it non-defensively. She is able to identify and acknowledge her treatment issues. At this level, she is working on identifying her place in the world and in her relationships. She works on acquiring a strong understanding of how she influences others and contributes to relationships.

Integrity Level

On the Integrity Level, honesty becomes very evident in the student. She begins to recognize how to avoid negative behaviors, verbalizes personal insights in treatment setting, is honest with staff and peers, recognizes inappropriate behavior without justifying it, verbalizes new plans of action, accepts prompts from staff, and takes feedback and direction without complaint. She gives insightful, constructive comments to others, and is able to accept feedback from her family. She participates with maturity in family therapy. The student shows evidence that she is shifting from being externally motivated to becoming internally motivated.

Independence Level

On the Independence Level, the student is consistently learning and demonstrating internal control. She goes beyond cosmetic compliance, and is mature and insightful. She manifests a genuine change of heart and attitude. She is becoming consistent in her behavior, has no ulterior motives. Her peers acknowledge her leadership and change, she is sincere in family therapy, and proactive in discharge planning. The student excels in all areas of treatment.

Generosity Level

On the Generosity Level, the student has demonstrated that she values independence, growth, and responsibility. She knows that her behavior affects everyone in her life. She is driven by an internal locus of control, and values life, agency and trust. At this level, she demonstrates consistency in her changed attitudes, thoughts and behaviors. She gives back to others by helping them in their life-changing journeys. She recognizes the need for service and giving to others and implements these principles into her daily living.