Q. How is Back on Track different from other outpatient follow up?
A. Back on Track is only open to teens who have successfully completed a wilderness or school therapeutic treatment program. Back on Track offers a unique aftercare program that builds upon the group support model the teens used in those treatment programs. The teens in our program all share a similar growth experience and are familiar with utilizing the group process. These similarities allow us to work at deeper levels and progress more rapidly than in many other types of follow-up outpatient programs.
Q. How long is the Back on Track program?
A. The initial commitment is to a 12-week program. If additional support is needed, the time may be extended, or other appropriate referrals will be made.
Q. What if we have an individual or family therapist we are already working with?
A. Back on Track is designed to work as an adjunct to those therapies. It is not a replacement. We coordinate our efforts with other current therapists in order to support the work being done in those settings and maximize progress for the teen and family in both settings.
Q. What if my child is taking medication?
A. The Back on Track team supports the treatment plan of the primary treating therapist, including medications when warranted.
Q. What if the program my child is completing has their own aftercare?
A. Back on Track will work with that program in whatever way seems appropriate to your child and family. The goal of Back on Track is to provide a unique, very effective local support program within the San Francisco Bay Area in a way that compliments other therapeutic commitments.
Q. My child has been diagnosed as chemically dependent. How do you work with that?
A. We support the treatment recommendations from the program your child has completed, including participation in 12 step programs. All teens are expected to commit to abstaining from alcohol or other non-prescribed mood altering substances while participating in Back on Track. Our groups’ honest peer-to-peer and intra/inter-family interactions also serve as a powerful force in supporting abstinence.
Q. I am divorced/separated from my child’s other parent. Can we both be involved?
A. Back on Track tries to support the teen’s relationship with each parent, as per the recommendations of the program they are completing. We attempt to have both parents involved and will approach such situations with sensitivity and work with what is in the teen’s best interest.
Q. Is this program covered by insurance?
A. Drs. Gross and Marshall are not members of any health plan networks. If your health plan covers out-of-network providers and group therapy, then Back on Track may be covered. In some instances, participants are able to lobby for coverage for Back on Track services since it is a unique program not offered by other providers. You should contact your insurance provider to determine what services are covered. We would be happy to assist you in exploring this option.
To learn more about Drs. Gross and Marshall, please click here. You may also contact them by phone at:
Shlomit Gross, Ph.D (415) 383-8172
Charles Marshall, Ph.D (415) 970-0468
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