Day treatment programs
Eliminating waitlists gives peace of mind for school/community teams, reduces stress for families, and prevents crises for CHILDREN AND TEENS DOWN the line.
N O W A I T L I S T . . . O u r 2 4 h o u r s p r o m i s e a n d 7 - 10 d a y s c o m i t t m e n t
Communication within 24 hours of referral or contact with our offices.
Intake / tour scheduled within 7 - 10 days of referral.
Most clients are admitted to the program within approximately 14 days, contingent upon funding requirements.
mikan program
Eau Claire
GRETA WERTHEIMER, BS CASE MANAGER
Eau Claire Mikan
ecmikan@mfhs-ltd.com
miGISI/MUCKWA program
Eau Claire
Aurora KILLOUGH, ba CASE MANAGER
Eau Claire Migisi/Muckwa
ecmikan@mfhs-ltd.com
mikan program
Marshfield
calista christofferson, ms CASE MANAGER
Marshfield Mikan
marshfieldmikan@mfhs-ltd.com
Migisi Program
Marshfield
KATIE ERICKSON, BS CASE MANAGER
Marshfield Migisi
marshfield.migisi@mfhs-ltd.com
associate director of case managers
katie karl, ba
katie.karl@mfhs-ltd.com
Day Treatment Referral Process
When a child or teen is identified as one who might benefit from therapeutic day treatment programming, the person making the referral (i.e. parent, teacher, social worker, school administrator, physician, etc.) should have a discussion with the child's parent/guardian about the opportunity to participate in Mikan/Muckwa/Migisi Programs. The referral form can either be faxed to us, or you are welcome to call us, and together and we can help you complete it. If the parent/guardian would like us to contact them directly, we do need to have permission obtained, as marked on the referral form. Neither the referral nor the intake appointment obligates the family or school in any way. The purpose of contact will be to learn more about the programs and requirements. The referral source may be identified as a point of contact and can be included in the treatment planning for the child. Please click on the link below to view our referral form, which can be completed and faxed to either our Marshfield Office at (715) 486-9253 or Eau Claire Office at (715) 832-0771. You may also do so by email at marriageandfamily@mfhs-ltd.com.
Marriage & Family Health Services looks forward to the opportunity to work with you and your child.
Please feel free to contact one of our offices should you have any questions.
Mikan referral form
At Marriage & Family Health Services, we provide comprehensive day treatment programs designed to meet the unique emotional, behavioral, and developmental needs of children and adolescents. Each program offers approximately 20 hours per week of individual, group, and family therapy led by licensed and certified professional therapists.
All of our programs are rooted in evidence-based practices, cultural values, and a person-centered approach. Together, they provide children and families with the guidance, support, and tools needed to navigate challenges, build resilience, and create lasting positive change.
Mikán Program
Finding a New Path Toward Growth and Healing
The Mikán program is a comprehensive day treatment program for teens and adolescents ages 12 to 18, offering approximately 20 hours per week of individual, group, and family therapy led by licensed and certified professional therapists. Mikán addresses both a child’s past experiences and their current emotional and behavioral needs, helping teens develop essential skills such as affect regulation, problem-solving, relationship building, and family communication. The program also supports trauma and neglect survival skills, as well as substance use challenges.
Mikán provides therapeutic intervention for acute behavioral and emotional needs, alcohol and drug issues, and family challenges. In addition, we offer psychological assessments and tailored solutions to guide both clients and their families toward positive change.
The term Mikán comes from the Anishinaabe (Ojibwa) language and loosely translates to “path” or “roadway.” For our program, it symbolizes the opportunity to leave an old pathway behind and discover a healthier, more positive direction in life. As the first and most comprehensive child and adolescent day treatment program in central Wisconsin, Mikán is dedicated to helping teens find their new path toward growth, healing, and lasting change.
Muckwa Program
Strength, Healing, and Courage for Children
The Muckwa program is a comprehensive day treatment program for children ages 8 to 13, offering approximately 20 hours per week of individual, group, and family therapy led by licensed and certified professional therapists. Muckwa is designed to address both a child’s past experiences and current emotional and behavioral needs, helping them develop essential skills such as affect regulation, relationship-building, social skills, decision-making, communication, problem-solving, and trauma/neglect survival skills. Family involvement is an important part of the program, supporting the child’s growth in a nurturing, safe environment.
The term Muckwa comes from the Ojibwe word for “black bear.” In Ojibwe teachings, the bear is a symbol of strength, healing, courage, and protection. The name reflects the values at the heart of the program, serving as a reminder that each child carries inner strength and that, with guidance and support, healing and growth are possible.
Muckwa is an extension of the first and most comprehensive child and adolescent day treatment program in central Wisconsin. It demonstrates our ongoing commitment to providing high-quality, person-centered mental health services that meet the unique needs of children and families in our community.
Migisi Program
Building Courage, Strength, and Resilience in Young Children
The Migisi program is a comprehensive day treatment program for children ages 5 to 11, offering approximately 20 hours per week of individual, group, and family therapy led by licensed and certified professional therapists. Migisi is designed for children demonstrating significant behavioral or emotional needs, including those who have experienced trauma such as sexual, physical, or emotional abuse, and neglect.
The program addresses both a child’s past experiences and current emotional and behavioral needs, helping children develop essential skills such as affect regulation, communication, relationship-building, problem-solving, and trauma/neglect survival skills. Family involvement is an important component, supporting the child’s growth in a safe and nurturing environment.
The term Migisi comes from the Ojibwe word for “bald eagle.” In Ojibwe teachings, the bald eagle represents courage, strength, and knowledge—qualities that guide the Migisi program as children build resilience, emotional awareness, and confidence in their healing journey. The name serves as a reminder that each child carries wisdom and resilience within themselves, and with guidance and support, growth and healing are possible.
Migisi is an extension of the first and most comprehensive child and adolescent day treatment program in central Wisconsin, reflecting our ongoing commitment to providing high-quality, person-centered mental health services that meet the needs of our community.
In our treatment philosophy is the belief that a large part of our job is helping children and teens find their own way to the desire to change. While behavior modification models and some day treatment approaches, can produce good behavioral compliance while the child is in-program, there tends to be very little carry-over into post-treatment. Our goal is to help children and teens come into their own recognition that change is important to them; they then become powerful allies in their own success. Kids then own the change and are much more resilient going forward.
Trauma and Loss – The Painful Secret
At Mikan Day Treatment, our years of research into the lives of the children with whom we work, and into the factors that have led to our proud record of success in helping these children to recovery, have confirmed for us again and again that all behaviors have meaning.
Children are not oppositional because it’s fun; they don’t neglect their schoolwork because they’re “bored” - and they don’t break the law because they’re delinquents. Their misbehavior is not random. What we have found is that in more than 90% of cases – the children and teens who end up in day treatment do so because of misbehavior that is driven by underlying loss and trauma.
For almost all of the children who meet criteria for day treatment programming, trauma and loss are part of the fabric of their lives; so much so that they, themselves, sometimes have no sense of it. In fact, approximately a quarter of all traumas that are reported by our clients come to light for the first time while they’re enrolled in day treatment. Also, many of the others, whose burden of pain has been identified before they arrive to program, have made no connection between the pain and their troubling behavior. They just know that no matter how much they want to, they have never had any luck at “being good” or “following the rules.”
Our Work
We, the treatment staff in all day treatment programming, take great pride in the training, experience, and devotion that helps us to create the unique environment that allows traumatized children and teens to understand themselves and their behavior, and to change the course of their lives. Yes, we use a myriad of time-tested techniques – but the keys are safety, warmth, and patience. If you believe you have a child who would benefit from one of our day treatment programs, please use the referral process listed below.
HIPAA compliance comes first.
