At Spring Lake Ranch, residents can choose between four daily work crews: Farm, Shop, Woods, and Gardens. At the core of the Ranch’s therapeutic approach, crew time allows residents to develop skills, self-confidence, and connections to both the land and their fellow crew members.

Throughout its 92-year history non-profit history, the Ranch has expanded clinical offerings to include one-on-one counseling, group therapy, recovery meetings (AA/NA, SMART Recovery, and Refuge Recovery), individual recovery coaching, psychotherapy, and medication management.

In 2023, Spring Lake Ranch was excited to welcome new Program Director Heather Hildebrant, LiCSW. Hildebrant holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from Simmons University, a Bachelor’s of Art in Psychology, and a Bachelor’s of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling and Human Services from Boston University. She brings with her a wealth of mental health expertise with a diverse background encompassing residential, school-based, and community mental health settings.

During her first six months at the Ranch, Hildebrant worked to further integrate the clinical and crew-based pathways into the Therapeutic Work Program. Ranch clinicians now participate in crew two-to-four mornings each week, enriching and informing their work with residents. This partnering between the clinical and crew staff has improved program collaboration. It allows opportunities to share important observational and clinical information, discuss any difficulties during crew, and expand and enhance the support that the Ranch residents receive.

For more information about the continuing evolution at Spring Lake Ranch or for admissions information, please call 802-772-8350 or visit springlakeranch.org. 

About Spring Lake Ranch

Founded as a non-profit in Vermont’s Green Mountains in 1932, Spring Lake Ranch supports and empowers people with mental health and substance abuse issues by providing opportunities to grow and thrive. Through shared experience, meaningful work, and active participation in an accepting, diverse community, residents develop the confidence and skills to recover. For more information, visit springlakeranch.org.