Daily Exploration of Life Events

At the heart of milieu therapy are the experiences of daily life, whether positive or negative, and the chance to examine them fully. By looking at how they perceived and responded to life’s many events, everyone can learn something about themselves and the world.

It is through these examinations — with the assistance of a staff member who is caring, clinically astute, and emotionally connected — that the student comes to gain insight, accept challenges, identify strengths, and feel capable of facing whatever life may bring.

Life Space Interviewing

The O-School contributed to the development of a widely accepted therapeutic process called Life Space Interviewing, which is a structured conversation “in the moment” that aims to understand the connection between one’s perceptions, feelings and behaviors. The goal of Life Space Interviewing is to foster a deeper understanding that allows the student to respond to similar situations in the future in a more adaptive and constructive manner. Throughout the day, the School utilizes interventions that are consistent with this model.