Clinical services are at the core of the STEP-UP! treatment program, preparing the boys to live responsibly in his community. Masters' level clinicians work with the boys, their families, MSJ teachers, residential staff, DCF workers and service providers in their home communities to create effective ways to support everyone in the child's life to work most effectively together. Treatment teams, convened once a month by the clinician, help identify key issues and needs, and create an action plan to address these issues.
Weekly clinical groups, substance abuse prevention, education and treatment groups, topical skill-focused groups on topics ranging from anger management to job readiness provide the boys with opportunities to build and strengthen positive peer relationships while learning valuable life lessons. Family therapy sessions are held when possible, sometimes in the boy's home or home community when travel for the parent is difficult. Mount Saint John has the services of a consulting psychiatrist and psychologist, with expertise in adolescent issues, for evaluation, testing, medication and consultation with the MSJ staff.