Transitional Living Overview & Services
Our Benchmarks of Success
Our Confluence Behavioral Health, we guide participants through a structured, step-by-step process designed to foster personal growth, independence, and resilience. Each phase of the program, Groundwork, Discovery, Development, and Mastery, builds upon the last, providing the support and skills needed to confidently navigate life’s challenges and achieve long-term success.
Groundwork
Laying the foundation for success is key to developing stability for independent living. In Groundwork, participants build relationships with peers and staff, familiarize themselves with their new home, and settle into life in Burlington. Establishing routines and setting goals helps participants adjust, preparing for the journey ahead.
Discovery
In Discovery, participants explore their strengths and areas needing support through assessments and independent living skills practice. This phase offers a chance to define personal values, set clear goals, and create a roadmap for moving forward confidently in life.
Development
With support from the transition team, participants put their plans into action. This phase is about facing real-world challenges, applying skills, and building resilience. Development is the time to engage in academics, workplaces, and broaden social networks—building the tools necessary to succeed in life, work, and social settings.
Mastery
Mastery offers participants the opportunity to live more independently while still benefiting from program support. At this stage, participants focus on their personal goals—academics, work, and social life. With staff guidance, participants take the final steps toward full independence, preparing to graduate and to pursue the life they've envisioned.
Our Transition Program
Our program offers a unique independent living experience for individuals aged 18–28, guiding them as they navigate their journey to independence. We help participants explore their passions, values, strengths, and skills, empowering them to carve out a path toward meaning, purpose, and productivity. Our mission is to support them in launching the lives they envision.
Our program combines support and challenge with independence and accountability, engaging participants in school, work, and healthy living. Each service is tailored to uncover strengths, expand capacities, and develop the essential skills needed for independent living.
The program progresses through four benchmarks: Groundwork, Discovery, Development, and Mastery. At each stage, participants set and work toward new goals—academic, career, social, and financial—alongside their coach, developing personalized targets that focus their efforts, time, and commitments.
Each benchmark builds on the last, providing a strong foundation for wellness while cultivating the skills necessary for success. As new patterns and abilities emerge, participants take on increasing responsibility and independence, preparing them for life beyond Confluence.
Our Services
Our Confluence Behavioral Health, we specialize in empowering young adults to develop the skills they need for independent living, academic success, and career achievement. Our holistic approach integrates executive functioning support, academic guidance, career development, and wellness coaching—all tailored to meet each participant’s unique goals.
Therapy
We provide therapeutic services to support participants in navigating their emotional and mental health challenges. Our licensed therapists create a safe and nurturing environment where individuals can explore their feelings, thoughts, and behaviors.
All therapy is provided by our dedicated Clinical Team. We focus on reducing suffering by helping participants embrace discomfort, understand challenges, and act in ways aligned with their values to promote health and wellness. Our treatment reduces symptoms related to mental health diagnoses through increased awareness and insight.
Our approach is informed by Third Wave Cognitive Behavioral Therapies, including:
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP)
Our therapy aims to create lasting mind shifts, helping individuals move from avoidance to engagement, rumination to focus, and distraction to presence. Through this, participants build the tools to overcome obstacles and reduce disruptive symptoms.
We go beyond symptom reduction, supporting participants in fostering health, social connection, and a sense of purpose, laying the foundation for emotional well-being, healthier relationships, and a fulfilling life.
Therapy at Confluence is individualized, addressing specific life challenges, and targeted to develop skills and strategies that lead to wellness.
Executive Functioning and Life Skills
At Confluence, our staff and coaches empower participants to improve their executive functioning and develop essential life skills for independent living, career success, and academic achievement.
Our staff and coaches work directly with participants, empowering them to enhance executive functioning and build skills for independent living, careers, and academics. By developing these skills, participants can better monitor behaviors, focus attention, and manage emotions—essential tools for achieving goals and thriving in daily life.
Setting Goals and Making Plans: Establishing clear, actionable goals.
Identifying and Prioritizing Tasks: Focusing on what matters most.
Organizing, Initiating, and Sustaining Effort: Managing time, effort, and attention to complete tasks.
Managing Time Wisely: Effectively using time for work and personal responsibilities.
Self-regulating Technology Use: Maintaining a healthy balance with screens.
Creating SMART Goals: Developing goals that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely.
Focusing Attention: Staying on task through completion.
Self-monitoring Behaviors: Tracking patterns and adjusting actions.
Managing Frustrations and Emotions: Keeping calm under pressure and modulating emotional responses.
Maintaining Clean Living Spaces: Creating routines for tidiness and organization.
Community Engagement
Building relationships and engaging in community activities provide participants with opportunities for personal growth and development. Confluence fosters a built-in social network while encouraging participants to connect with the greater community as part of their journey to independence.
Relationships and involvement in a community and social setting provide participants with opportunities for personal growth and development. Confluence not only provides a built-in social network and peer community, but encourages participants to build contacts and relationships in the greater community as a means for supporting their path towards independence.
An integral part of independent living is finding a way to get involved in the greater community. At Confluence, we value giving back to the community in which we live, work, and play. We incorporate weekly volunteer opportunities into our participants’ schedules. We encourage participants to attend community events and activities together with their program peers and on their own.
Lake Champlain Dragon Boat Festival
Burlington Farmers Market
Waterfront Concerts
Volunteer Organizations
Recreational Sports Leagues
Art Festivals
Green Up Day
Food Truck Friday
Healthy Lifestyles
Creating patterns for healthful living is fundamental to Confluence. Our program supports participants in developing lifestyles that promote wellness. Coaches collaborate with participants to establish routines that balance activity and rest, ensuring they maximize their daily experiences.
Creating patterns for healthful living is at the core of our program. Our program focuses on aiding participants to develop lifestyles that support wellness.
Participants and staff collaborate to identify and plan the ways and means of healthful living. Our coaches work with participants to establish healthy patterns of activity and rest so participants can get the most of their days.
We take fun seriously at Confluence. Fortunately, the Burlington area has no end of recreational, social, community, and outdoor activities to suit any appetite for adventure, level of fitness, or specific interest.
From snowboarding and hiking the Green Mountains, to enjoying the beaches and sunsets of Lake Champlain, to taking in a free waterfront summer concert, Burlington has year-round opportunities to explore and experience the community in a fun and engaging way.
Mindfulness Practice Instruction
Connecting with Healthcare Providers in the Community
Physical Exercise and Outdoor Activity
Basic Principles of Nutrition
Meal Planning & Cooking Classes
Access to Fitness Classes and Equipment
Support Building Connection and Community
Academic Support
Participants work closely with coaches to navigate higher education. Coaches assist in researching colleges, setting academic goals, and selecting schools that align with individual needs. They ensure that participants meet attendance and coursework expectations and collaborate with educational institutions for ongoing support.
At Confluence, we empower participants to navigate their academic journey with confidence and clarity. Our team of coaches provides personalized guidance, helping individuals research colleges, set academic goals, and stay on track with coursework. We collaborate with local schools and institutions to ensure participants get the most out of their educational experience, with a focus on fostering success in both the classroom and beyond.
Participants work with their team of coaches to successfully navigate the world of higher education. Coaches guide participants through the process of researching potential colleges and universities, identifying academic goals, and choosing a school to best meet their needs. Coaches work side by side participant’s to ensure attendance and coursework expectations are being met. Additionally, program staff work with schools to provide guidance and support throughout their academic enrollment to ensure participants are getting the
There is no “one size fits all” academic experience. We recognize that each participant comes to Confluence with different experiences and different goals. Confluence implements an academic coaching program that guides participants to define their academic interests and goals. The process helps them understand their strengths and individual learning styles and empowers them to find success in the classroom.
Tutoring is an important resource that our coaches encourage participants utilize. While many colleges and universities offer peer tutoring as a resource, our participants and coaches can work together to personal tutor should they need additional support in a specific subject area. Arete maintains a network of academic tutors to help support participants where needed.
Career Development
At Confluence, participants explore career options that align with their interests and skills. Our career counseling team uses various tools to help individuals identify meaningful career paths, empowering them to gain the skills and confidence needed to pursue their goals.
Choosing a career path is one of life's most significant decisions, as it can shape one's personal and professional journey. Our dedicated career counseling team utilizes effective tools to identify participants' interests and skills, guiding them towards work that is meaningful, purposeful, and engaging. Through this process, participants uncover their talents and develop the confidence and skills necessary to pursue their chosen paths with clarity.
Comprehensive Career Assessments
Internship and Apprenticeship Experiences
Networking Skills
Professional Opportunities
Resume and Cover Letter Writing Skills
Informational Interviewing Experience
Job Readiness Skills
Professional Email Etiquette
Explore Your Health Insurance Benefits
Confluence admissions staff are available to help families navigate and better understand the insurance landscape as it relates to mental healthcare services. Our Residential and Outpatient programs work with insurances, however our coaching and transitional housing services do not accept insurance at this time. Confluence can bill insurance directly and private pay options are available as well.
Let’s Get in Touch
We’re here to help! Reach out to us for inquiries, directions, or assistance with admissions.